CHAPTER 1 - PRESCHOOL *****EDITED*****

"Clean up your mess, Jemma. I'm not going to clean after you."

Jemma Simmons sighed as she looked at the mess that her younger sister, Katya, has made in the car.

"But it wasn't me, Mommy!" Jemma replied perfectly for a three-year old. "It was Katya. Why do I have to clean after her?"

"Because I said so." Her mother stated, throwing a small glare in her direction. Jemma cowered in fear. She quickly picked up the scraps of Katya's mess and huffed irritably in the process. For a three-year-old, Jemma Simmons was quite smart for her age. She perfectly knew what her sister was trying to do. And what the little brat was trying to achieve from their mother. Favouritism. Favouring Katya over their eldest daughter… She remembered how it was only her and her parents two years back. Just them. No-one else. Until Katya was born. At first Jemma was happy to know that she now has a sibling that she could share her all problems with and play around but as the months passed, a huge part of her wished that Katya was never been born. It sounds so rude but with the amount of lying that girl does, anyone would be forced to think that. Jemma had no concerns of sharing her parents love with her younger sibling, but her sister katya was pure evil when it comes to the spotlight. She always got Jemma in trouble. Blaming for the things that Jemma has never done, which by the way included lot of lying and breaking their mother's favourite stuff.

"Jemma. Come on get off. I don't have all day." Mrs. Simmons barked at her elder daughter as she parked the car in the Pre-school's parking area.

"Okay." Jemma said as she pulled her backpack and jumped out of the car, her mother following after her. Needless to say, little Jemma was excited for her first day of pre-school. But the excitement vanished the moment she noticed the look on her mother's face. Judging by the look, her mother seemed to be in a hurry. Just like always.

"I don't want to hear any complains, Jemma. So, I suggest you behave." Her mother lightly warned, stuffing the new fruit erasers that she had brought earlier for her first day. Katya wanted the similar ones and threw a small tantrum just to have them but for some reason her mother kept Jemma's erasers away from Katya's reach. "And I mean it Jemma. No complains." And with that Mrs. Simmons drove off with a small promise to pick her up after her class is finished.

Jemma felt herself swell. She was hurt by her mother's gesture. No hugs. No kisses. Nothing. Just a little warning. What kind of mother does that? It was her first day and she wanted her mother to be with her. Hugging her in, whispering her soothing words to calm her nerves and kissing her on the top of her forehead, but unfortunately none of that was going to happen to her. All because of Katya. Jemma wanted to love her younger sister but Katya has always been a pain to her even though her younger sister is only two. And in the future, she feared, if things continued to be like this, Jemma won't have anyone to love anymore.

Wiping her stray tear, she turned around to face the colourful building behind her.

Her new pre-school. The place where she's supposed to start her first step in education. Jemma Simmons has always been a genius since birth. Her parents had never accepted the fact but they knew that their daughter was an intelligent child. An advancement in her age. She had already mastered the basic principles of education for her age and three years over her. Her interest lies in science, rather than playing clap-clap with other kids. Not that she has ever been as social as Katya has been but still… Unfortunately, no matter how hard Jemma had tried to show her talent to her parents so she could get their attention, they never even glanced at her. It made her feel downright low, and loose her confidence in herself.

As she sadly buckled her backpack on her shoulders, she heard a loud cry of a boy nearby. Jemma tried not to cringe when she saw the kid bawling his eyes out as his mommy tried to get him off her legs. Unfortunately, the kid had a very tight grip on his mother's leg. He also had a 'Thomas The Train' backpack which was lying beside him… Open and its content scattered.

She felt pity for the mother that is trying to pry off her kid. To a certain level, having an attachment with your mother is good but creating a scene infront of everyone is not something Jemma is fond of. She was happy that her clothes and her backpack were neat and clean as new. Even though she lacked her parents love, she atleast know her manners. Besides, it was her first day, she wanted to make a good impression if she wants to have any friends.

Rubbing the top of her nose and patting her fizzy hair, Jemma entered the colourful building and waited in the line for her class to start. She already knew her way around the place since she was here before with her mother and had managed to obtain a map. It hadn't taken long for her to memorise every corner of this building. Every fire place exit, every room... all imprinted in her head. She didn't even find it hard because she knew she was good at learning.

So, as she waited for her teacher to return, she noticed a tall girl with light brown hair around her age standing alone in the corner. Jemma could straightaway see that the girl was shy and quiet. She saw how the girl had her hands bowled in fists around her backpack while an insecurity feeling on her face. The girl's mother was too engrossed in her phone to care for her scared daughter. This made Jemma think about how her life was somewhat similar. The ignorance from her mother... the favouritism... not caring... She felt like crying all over again.

It took her few seconds but Jemma finally managed to shrug off her crying feeling and looked sadly at the brown-head girl. Somehow she understands her pain and her insecurities.

"Come on guys." Her pre-school teacher announced as she followed the older lady inside a large room full of toys and other pre-school equipment. She watched as the pre-school teacher motioned everyone to sit on the floor in a circle where they were supposed to introduce themselves.

Seeing that, Jemma felt a wave of panic hit her as she thought about introductions. In her life, she had never made any friends before. She didn't know how to. Most of the time, children around her considered her as a weirdo or in some cases, the joke of the day. She's really quiet and shy most of the time. Her educational knowledge is higher than average which makes it harder for anyone to keep up with her. This was one of the factors that really annoys her parents.

Jemma watched as the boy with the 'Thomas the train' backpack from earlier stood up and introduced himself.

"I'm Gary." He said cheerily before giving a dashing smile to all the girls in the room including Jemma herself. "And I love Thomas the train." He said again happily as he pointed his chubby hands at his backpack. Jemma was a little weary of this kid. She knew the kid would turn out to be a playboy in the future. And Yes, she knows what playboy means. She noticed how the boy had kept his eyes at the brown head girl that Jemma had noticed earlier. The girl was trying hard not to blush as the boy kept his gaze on her. Yup, definitely a playboy. Jemma thought as the next person stood up to introduce themselves.

"Sandra..."

"Carmon and I hate peas."

"Lily loves Rose."

One by one, all the kids in the room stood up and introduced themselves, followed by cheering and clapping. The teacher was quite helpful too. Jemma knew she would have trouble fitting around here unless she finds someone who can keep up with her. Sooner or later, it was her turn to stand up. Taking a deep breath, She stood up and waved a hand over her blue shirt to press down the creases before looking at all the big ogling eyes of her class mates.

"Hello, I'm Simmons." She squeaked out keeping her first name hidden. She doesn't like it if some stranger calls her by her first name. The name 'Jemma' is only reserved for her close ones. "And I love science." She continued, keeping the sentence short and simple. She doesn't want to be an outcast on her first day. Who knows how they'll react to her knowledge.

"What's science?" A voice rang up through her ears. She looked up to find Gary starring at her in confusion. Of course, it has to him. She thought bitterly before racking her brain to find simple words to explain the meaning of science.

"It's ... It's a.." She hesitated. She looked at her teacher to see the women urging her to answer the question. Jemma wasn't even sure if she could get her words through their skulls. After all everyone in here doesn't even know how to talk properly, maybe except that brown head girl. She seemed to know what Jemma is talking about.

"Science is the general method we use to discover answers to questions posed about the physical universe. It is not interested in beliefs, only in the physical facts." Jemma said in the best simple words she could think off. The reaction to her answer was as she had expected. No-one in the room had no idea of the words she had just spoken. Except maybe the teacher. The whole room felt silent and her class mates starred at Jemma in more confusion than before. She could also see some weird looks too. She tried not to roll her eyes at their faces. Thankfully her teacher saved her before anyone could ask her anything else.

"That's great, Simmons. Um... Moving on. How about you?" The women said hesitatingly. She was quite shocked too at Gemma's words. She never thought that any 3 year old kid could have such a great understanding of an educational concept. She could easily detect a big potential within Jemma.

On the other hand, Jemma was wishing that the ground underneath her would open up and swallow her in. The amount of stares she was getting was un-nerving her to no point. She only looked up when the brown head girl stood up to introduce herself.

"Hi, I'm Caitlin and I love snow." Caitlin whispered before she sat down quickly. Jemma could see that the girl was shy as well. The girl kept fidgeting.

Soon enough, the stares had reduced to two people and the atmosphere was back to its chirpy condition. Soon after they were allowed to play with toys and mingle around with other kids. Jemma found herself still sitting in the same spot. Not moving as kids around her ran to different parts of the room, joining groups without so much as a small glance at her. Since no-one made a move to be friends with her, Jemma chose to spend her time starring at a large fish tank at the back of the room. She was just looking at a simple gold fish when she felt someone stand beside her. She looked to her side to find Caitlin starring at the same fish as her. Jemma was a little surprised at the closeness that Caitlin was showing by standing so close to her. Not that she minded or anything, but it still felt a little strange to her. Unfortunately, Caitlin had noticed Jemma's surprised look and took a step back to make a reasonable space between her and Jemma. This of course made Jemma feel a little guilty and she whispered a small 'sorry' in return.

"Oh don't be. It's my fault actually, I didn't mean to invade." Caitlin squeaked out with a smile. Gemma smiled back in return. For the first time she felt happy that she could maybe get along just fine with this girl. She used the word 'invade' for god's sake and not to mention, how polite Caitlin was.

"No, I-It's fine. Although I'm quite surprised you could talk so well." Jemma said quietly letting her accent slip in as she wrapped her hands around herself. It was quite cold at the back, considering they were standing so close to the Air Conditioning system.

"Yeah... I was too when I heard you explain the definition of science. It was simple and straight to the point. I like it." Caitlin replied before rubbing her nose. A manner so common among their age. "Sorry, I've never really talked to anyone before."

"Me neither." Jemma said with a shrug before they got quiet again. It felt like ages before Jemma finally spoke. "Hey, do you want to play scribbles with me?"

"Um... Yes, sure. I would love too." Caitlin agreed before both of them walked to a corner on the right. Caitlin grabbed the game in between and set it up just as Jemma chose a nice warm spot on the red carpet.

Then within minutes, they were battling through different words while also sharing few things about each other. Honestly, both the girls found each other's company fun and relaxing. They had discussed so many things that even their teacher had an urge to join them in between. They played the game for one more hour before they headed to the book section. To Jemma's surprise, Caitlin's interests were somewhat similar to hers. They both loved science and wanted to make a difference. They both were intelligent for their age and always want to aim higher. So, it didn't come as a surprise to anyone when they were paired together for the next activity of the day.

Although, Jemma did notice how Gary's face fell when Caitlin walked over to Gemma for the partnerships instead of him.

It was clear to Gemma that the chubby kid wanted to be with Caitlin. But she was glad Caitlin chose her. Atleast that playboy of an excuse wouldn't hurt her new friend. She could just see it in his eyes. He's pure evil!

The game turned out to be pretty easy. The only thing they have to do was identify the pictures that their teacher held up to each pair. Simple and easy.

Throughout the game, Jemma noticed how Gary kept glaring at her back and starring longingly at Caitlin.

"Don't worry about him." Caitlin said as she saw Jemma glaring back at Gary. "He's like that. He'll forget it eventually."

"Do you know him?" Jemma asked in her British accent, earning a shrug from her new friend.

"He's my neighbour. His mom and my mom are friends. He doesn't like it if I'm with someone else."

"Sounds like he has a crush." Jemma teased.

"Oh pish.. No no.. I hate him." Caitlin scoffed (if that's even possible for a kid). Jemma laughed at this.

"I can see that." Jemma said smiling a bit.

"Oh Gosh no... stop." Caitlin said playfully. "Captain America." She added the last bit to the teacher who held up the 3rd picture to them.

"I love captain America." Jemma said excitedly.

"I do to. He's a super hero." Caitlin said as she identified another picture while Jemma fiddled with her black bracelet. It kept tangling in her fizzy hair.

"He is. And super big. I wonder how he would look like if he was a 3 year old like us." She wondered, finally removing the bracelet off her wrist.

"Probably like Gary but with big arms and a mini shield on his back. And a lot nicer and cute." Caitlin suggested.

"I'd say more chubby!" Caitlin looked at her in question. "Oh come on, a man like him bound to have been chubby. Otherwise a stick, thin version of captain America would be a laughing stock. "

"You really need to work on your punch lines, Simmons." Caitlin said as she patted her friend on the shoulder before laughing at the pout on Jemma's face.

"But seriously I'm more fascinated at the fact about his abilities. There gotta be some complicated science behind it." Jemma said as Caitlin nodded with her friend.

"Or maybe magic... Woooooo" Caitlin imitated as she lifted her hands up and wiggled her fingers to emphasis her word 'magic' while Jemma laughed.

It was obvious they had the most points and won the candies as their prizes.

It was later on when the pre-school had ended and they were being whisked away by their parents that Jemma realised something. She had just made her first friend.