(A.N. Hi everyone, this is my new story. In advance, the first few chapters will move quite quick because I want to get into the more interesting parts of the storyline. Anyway hope you enjoy My Girls and let me know what you think :) )
"Good morning class, please welcome our new student Gabriella Montez, she's joining us from California. Gabriella, please take a seat next to Troy." The teacher said gently, pointing to the boy. The girl nodded and sat in her assigned seat, glancing at the boy beside her as he didn't acknowledge her. During the quick glance, she noticed that he was quite attractive with shaggy hair and bright blue eyes but she immediately dismissed the thought as she noticed the basketball jersey. 'Jocks don't notice nerds like you Gabriella, just focus on class.'
Class went quickly for Gabriella and she went to walk out the door when someone caught her wrist. "Gabriella, hi I'm Taylor McKessie. I'm captain of the decathlon team at East High, we've seen your tournaments and we'd love to have you on our team."
Her eyes widened. "Oh wow um thank you for the offer but I don't think I'm going to do decathlon this year, I wanted to focus on my studies and volunteer at the after school childcare but it was nice to meet you."
The rest of the day went quite quickly, she didn't go out of her way to make friends and for some reason, she was sat next to that Troy boy in a lot of her classes. Now it was finally time for the part she'd been excited for all day: helping out at the childcare. Growing up with no siblings, Gabriella had always loved being around the older kids when she was little. Now that she'd grown up, she loved spending time with the little kids, excited to have some of her own one day.
She walked to the childcare and met with the head teacher. "You must be Gabriella Montez." The girl nodded in response. "Well I'm Amanda and you''ll be helping out with our middle group with is 3 - 4s with Amy and Lindsey."
Once Gabriella was introduced to the teachers, she noticed that all the kids were playing in groups together except for one little girl who was in the corner with a picture book. Amy's voice interrupted her thoughts. "Any questions?"
"Why is that little girl sitting by herself while all the other kids are playing together?"
Lindsey roller her eyes. "Who knows, Charlotte doesn't say a word, we gave up on the kid."
Gabriella nodded hesitantly, not liking their attitude towards the girl, 'maybe she's just shy?' "But shouldn't you do something as her teacher?"
The women laughed, Lindsey replied. "Honey, this is just an easy job for money while we're in college. It's just babysitting." Gabriella only nodded in response. "Well you can go introduce yourself to the kids or whatever you want."
The two teachers walked away and Gabriella walked over to the lonely little girl, kneeling closer to her level. "Hi Sweetheart, my name's Gabriella, is it ok if I sit with you?" The three year old nodded in response. "Why are you sitting all the way over here by yourself, would you like to come with me and play with some of the other kids?" She shook her head and Gabriella inwardly sighed. "What's your name?"
"Charlotte." The little girl responded timidly.
"Well it's nice to meet you Charlotte." Gabriella smiled at the girl. She was a little cutie with sandy blonde hair and bright blue eyes. She noticed the picture book in her lap which was one of her favourites as a kid. "Can you read that all by yourself?"
Charlotte shook her head. "Some words, I look at the pictures like when Daddy reads to me."
"Would you like me to read it to you?" She nodded and Gabriella started reading the Dr Seuss book: Oh The Places You'll Go. As she was reading, she noticed the nervous look on the girl's face. "Are you ok?"
"Umm can I please sit on your lap like when Daddy reads to me?"
"Of course you can." She said, placing the little girl in her lap and smiling as she leant against her.
After she finished the book, Charlotte turned to her. "Thank you Miss Gabriella."
Gabriella smiled and tucked the girl's hair behind her ears, already feeling close to the three year old. "You're very welcome Charlotte and you don't have to call me Miss Gabriella, I'm not a teacher like Miss Amy and Miss Lindsey are so you can call me Gabi if you'd like."
Charlotte smiled sweetly. "Thank you for being nice, I thought only Daddy was nice."
Something about the last part of the sentence made Gabriella uncomfortable but she smiled down at the little girl. "Do you love your daddy?"
She grinned. "Daddy's my best friend."
The senior smiled sadly. "That's lovely Charlotte, what about your mommy?"
The grin slipped from her face. "Daddy says Mom went to heaven so I don't know her."
Gabriella was shocked by the maturity of the girl at only three years old, she didn't know how to respond to her statement especially for a child too young to actually understand death. "I'm sorry Sweet Girl but I know your daddy loves you very much."
"I love my Daddy."
They continued to spend time together – Charlotte opening up more to Gabriella in such a short amount of time – until Amy came over, realising that Charlotte was the last one there. "Gabriella, you may as well leave now, Lindsey's gone and she's the last one."
Charlotte looked up at the senior with wide eyes. "Please stay Gabi."
Before Gabriella could even respond, Amy reprimanded her. "That's Miss Gabriella, show some respect."
The senior jumped in. "That was my fault, I told her that she could call me Gabi."
Amy huffed. "Whatever, you can go now."
Amy walked away and Gabriella knelt to Charlotte's level, only for the girl to hug her. "So you have to leave Miss Gabi?"
"I'm afraid so Sweet Girl and you don't have to call me Miss Gabi, only around Miss Amy and Miss Lindsey." Charlotte nodded in response. "Ok I have to go now but I'll see you tomorrow afternoon."
"Promise?"
"I promise." With one final hug for the little girl, Gabriella left.