This is for WishingFire's AU 100 theme challenge.
#1 – Smile
Axel was a senior in high school. He had moved into the country when he was eight, but the school hadn't put him in his proper grade, instead placing him in 1st grade with all six-year-olds. Being raised in a foreign country had its fallbacks.
It was a few days into the first week of school when a new student was added to his class. The teachers told him that she would be his shadow; apparently she'd been a victim of bullying at her old school and his imposing stature would fend off any potential harassers.
So it was with a heavy heart that he went to the principal's office for baby-sitting duty. It was bad enough that he was twenty-years-old stuck among hormonal teenagers. Now he was stuck on guard-duty.
Engrossed in his thoughts, Axel didn't see the person coming around the corner, and they collided. He instinctively reached out to steady the person by the shoulders. "I'm so sorry!" a feminine voice cried.
He looked down at the short girl with black hair. Her blue eyes were wide with surprise, and a touch of fear. Axel knelt down and picked up her fallen books.
"It's not a problem," he handed the books to her. "I wasn't paying attention."
Then she smiled. "Thank you! I'm such a klutz. I don't know how I'm going to survive a week of school, let alone a year."
Axel laughed. "What's your name?"
"I'm Xion. Pleased to meet you!" She shook his hand.
"Axel. Same to you."
That smile was so dazzling, he wondered why she was so self-conscious.
"Well, I'd better get going to class or I'll be late!" Before she rounded the corner, she turned around. "Will I see you later?"
He grinned. "I'll see you when I see you," with a two-fingered salute.
Xion smiled again, then ducked off for classes. Axel entered the principal's office, looking for the new student. He was puzzled to find the room empty.
"Here's your new schedule. You'll be in the same classes so you can spot if she's being bullied."
"Thank you, sir. But where is she?"
The principal returned to his work, pen to paper, his job done. He spared only a moment to say, "You should have passed her in the hall. Short girl, black hair, nice smile."
It seemed being raised in a foreign country had its benefits, too.
A/N: Hey everyone! I'm back, baby! :D It's been forever, but college has been more of a challenge than I expected. I haven't been lazy, though. I'm getting a book published! :D Check it out: The Spinner and the Slipper by Camryn Lockhart. Here's Rooglewood Press's website (take out the spaces): www . rooglewood press # ! the - spinner - and - the - slipper / pdslr