First Day of School Back from Winter Break

Naia's POV

As usual, Gabby and Matt walked me to school since it was on their way to the firehouse. For January, it wasn't super cold but it wasn't warm either.

"Have a good day sweetie." Gabby told me as she gave me a hug and a kiss on the forehead.

I nodded, "I will. You too."

Matt gave me a hug as well. "See you soon Munchkin." He told me.

"Yeah, go an save some lives!" I said and waved before entering the school. I found my locker and started sorting out my stuff when I heard my name being called.

I turned around to see Nate walking up to me, a smile on his face.

"Hey Nate! How was your break?" I asked him as I grabbed my math textbook and headed to homeroom with him.

Nate nodded, "It was great! How about you?"

For some reason, my mind jumped to the meeting with my parents but I didn't tell Nate anything about that.

"It was awesome. No homework, no tests, it was very relaxing." I replied and Nate laughed.

"Yeah, that's definitely something I didn't miss." He said.

We walked into homeroom and took our seats while we waited for the bell to ring to signal that school had started.

"Now there's something I didn't miss." Olivia said loudly. "That Naia freak. She looks like a third grader without any parents." My face turned beet red and I tried to ignore the laughs as I looked down at the desk.

"What's your problem Olivia?" I heard Nate said and I felt myself crumble a little bit on the inside. I really didn't want Nate to get into my problem. They were my problems and I wanted them to stay that way.

Olivia scoffed, "I didn't know you into freaks Nate. You're athletic, smart, and cute. You could be so popular you know?"

"I don't want to be popular Olivia. Popular people are jerks." Nate said and a series of 'ooohs' went around the classroom. The bell rang and our homeroom teacher Mrs. Adams walked in to take attendance, ending the whole ordeal.

I looked over at Nate who gave me a little smile and I smiled back at him.

"See ya freak!" Olivia snickered as she passed my locker. "Why don't you find yourself some parents some time soon?"

I sighed and shoved everything that I would need for tonight's haul of homework. I zipped up my backpack and dropped it on the ground while I put on my coat and hat. While I was walking out, I heard Nate call my name and slowed down so he could catch up.

"Hey Naia! Got any plans for tonight?" He asked and I shook my head.

"No, just gotta finish all this homework and study for that science test, which can I just say, who gives a test the first week back from Winter Break?" I said frustrated and Nate laughed. "By the way, thanks again for standing up for me this morning."

Nate shrugged, "It was nothing. Olivia's always been a jerk for as long as I can remember. Plus, that's what friends are for right?"

I paused. Did he just say that he was my friend? No, I had to have heard wrong. Realizing that he had indeed just said we were friends, I snapped back into reality.

"Yes, of course." I said as we arrived at the school gates. "I'll see you tomorrow Nate." Nate saluted and I gave him a last wave before turning around to walk down my usual after school route to the firehouse.

When I arrived at the firehouse, it was empty so I assumed they were on a call. I dropped my backpack by the couch and decided make myself comfortable. Moments later, I heard the trucks pull into the apparatus floor and got up to greet them.

"Hey Munchkin!" Matt said as I ran to his open arms. "How was school?" Matt took off his gear and then picked me up.

I nodded, "It was good. We got a lot of homework and I have a test tomorrow."

"Who gives tests the first week back?" Herrmann asked and I laughed.

"Apparently my science teacher does."

Matt set me down and went to find Gabby and Sylvie who were doing something at the back of the ambo.

"Gabby?" I asked and she turned around.

"Hey monkey! How was school?" She asked and motioned for me to join her and Sylvie in the cramped back of the ambo. I hopped on and sat down on the bench.

"It was good. What are you two doing?" I asked.

Sylvie laughed, "Well, we're trying to organize everything but it's already pretty much organized."

"Come on, let's go back and find something to eat." Gabby said, jumping out of the ambo and onto the ground. Sylvie nodded her agreement.

"That sounds like the best idea you had all day." Sylvie said and I laughed.