"Come on, Kai." I said.
My three year old daughter holds on to my pinkie and looks up at me with wide, innocent eyes.
I smile.
When will she learn that this is a difficult situation?
Certainly not soon, I hope.
"Name, please?" The perky blonde at the entrance says.
"Stacie Knapp, Baker Hall." I say.
"Okay. That way." She said, pointing.
"Thanks. Come on, Kai." I repeated, helping my sweet little girl out of the taxi.
I went to the back and retrieved our bags, one with my clothes and toiletries, one with clothes, toys, and her favorite stuffed snake for Kai.
Mom had told me she could keep Kai while I achieved my dream of going to veterinary school at Barden.
I just wanted to prove to her that I could raise a child and get my education at the same time, alone.
But that day it would change.
"Mommy, where are we going?" Kai asked me.
"To Mommy's new school, baby." I said.
"Like preschool? With toys?" She asked.
"It's a lot more complicated than that." I replied.
A person bumped into me. I gasped.
"Mommy!" Kai exclaimed.
The person and I hit the ground.
"Ow." I mumbled, rubbing my head.
"That's my Mommy, you don't hurt her!" I heard Kai hiss.
Oh, no.
I looked to see the guy I had run into staring at my pipsqueak daughter, telling him off.
"Relax, Kai. He didn't mean to." I said.
The guy smiled. "Is she your's?"
I gulped. "Yes."
"She's adorable." He said.
He extended his hand. "I'm Benji Applebaum." He said.
"I'm Stacie Knapp." I replied, shaking his hand.
"And I'm Kai!" Kai sang.
"...and this is my daughter, Kai."
"Nice to meet you, Stacie and Kai." He said.
He bent down to shake Kai's hand. She high fived him instead.
He chuckled.
I smiled at how truly adorable she was.
"Sorry about making you fall down." He said.
"Really. It's fine." I said.
"Do you want me to help you with your bags?" He offered.
I smiled.
What a gentleman.