"Ava?" Rachel called as she searched Ava's room. It was Ava's first day of kindergarten, something that both Joey and Rachel had been preparing for. Before she passed the bathroom in the apartment, she heard muffled cries coming from it. She walked into the bathroom and saw Ava sitting next to the sink crying. "Sweetie, what's the matter?" she asked calmly as she knelt down in front of the little girl. "I don't want to go to school" Ava replied.
"Why not?" asked Rachel.
"Everyone hates me!"
Rachel sighed heavily. She pulled Ava on to her lap and let her rest her head on her shoulder. Joey walked into the bathroom and saw his crying daughter.
"Hey, what's wrong, princess?" he asked softly as he knelt down next to Ava and wiped a tear with his thumb. "I don't want to go to school. Everyone hates me!" she replied.
"Honey, just tell me why would they hate you" said Rachel.
"They won't play with me or talk to me because they say I'm bossy and ugly"
"Listen to me" Rachel turned to Ava, "You don't have to expect people to like you. It's best that you ignore them, and whatever they say or do to you, you just brush it all off and continue to be you" "And if they're being mean to you again, you can always is kick their butts, ok?" Joey added.
Ava nodded, grinning. "Ok" Rachel kissed Ava's temple, "How about me and Daddy take you to school instead. Is that ok with you?".
"Yes!" Ava agreed.
"Good" Rachel smiled, "Now, go put on your shoes"
Later, after Ava had breakfast, she continued to get herself ready for school. Rachel brushed her hair in her and Joey's bedroom. "I want to put that on" Ava pointed to Rachel's maroon lipstick sitting on the dresser. "Na-uh. You have to ask first before you get your little hands on my makeup" Rachel replied.
"Can I put it on,please?" Ava pleaded.
"Ok, but just for today"
Rachel took the lipstick and put it on Ava's lips. "There you go" Rachel finished putting it on. "Mommy, am I pretty?" Ava asked. "Always" Rachel kissed her forehead.