DISCLAIMER: (PLEASE READ)

I would like to address and warn the reader of content that may be sensitive of a topic. This is based around WWII and making a story that engages in a way with lightness with a heavy topic. If this is a topic you may be sensitive about, please don't continue with this story. In no way, is this a form of disrespect or encouragement. This is merely for entertainment and hopefully a way for young people to see the difficulties these Jewish families went through. Thank you.

Chapter 1 - First Day Back

It was a foggy morning in the Betzler household, though it felt as if a bird had been stuck in a cage for so many years, grown to feel worthless and lost and forgotten, to now, have those wings spread and feel free at last. It was the day every kid had been nervous for. The schools were open again, which were alarming for many reasons.

During the war, there were no teachers to teach in school, many of the parents and kids joined military school while there were few to no kids able to fill the classroom. But now, it was time.

Jojo crept across the hall to wake Elsa. He had been nervous for this day since the American flag flew through the streets as people exited their houses, shouting and jumping for joy and dancing joyous dances. He would never forget that day for as long as he lived.

"Elsa?" Jojo whispered, tugging at the sheets gently. She didn't move. "Elsa?" he shook her a bit harder, with no luck. He placed his hand under her nose. He sighed, "Thank god."

Jojo quietly made his way over to the window next to the bed. He grabbed a stool to reach the window and opened the shutters for a breeze to fly through, embracing him with a nice freshness. Slowly, he tip-toed across the floor to the door. His hand had just touched the handle, his eyes squinting, hoping she wouldn't hear.

"Jojo?"

Jojo jumped, falling to the ground with a hard tumble. His foot twisted as he landed, barely missing a lethal face plant. He groaned, turning to lay on his back. Elsa wiped her eyes and laughed, eyeing Jojo. "Weirdo."

"My ankle!" he yelped, groaning dramatically. Elsa slipped out of bed and knelt by Jojo gently. "Why did you scare me like that?!"

Elsa squinted, a tiny smile you'd never guess that was present on her face. "Why were you sneaking in my room like that?"

Jojo rolled up, his arms still clutched around his right ankle. He sighed. "Now it's going to swell! I'll never get around school!"

"School! I almost forgotten! Why didn't you tell me?!" she ran to the door and Jojo opened his mouth to argue but Elsa had already turned the corner.

"Wait, Elsa! I can't...," Jojo sighed. "She's not listening."

Elsa stood in front of the downstairs mirror, her wavy hair dangling by her ears. It gave her a touch of sentimental feeling, how her mother had the most beautiful wavy hair. It was so long and thick, her combs got stuck frequently. Elsa had to gently tug them out, almost late for school in the morning. She smiled numbly for a moment, barely sinking back to reality.

"Elsa?" she faced the mirror to see Jojo in the background, standing by the door innocently, his ankle tied with a few rolls of toilet paper. The reflection was vague, it was an old mirror Rosie had bought from the store down a few blocks. Rosie used to like to keep her informed with little ways of understanding the outside world as she waited for freedom. "What are you doing?" Jojo was wearing a little brown vest, one Rosie fitted him and loved dearly.

Elsa doesn't answer, but only stares into the reflection intensely, examining herself. "I like these clothes," she said bluntly, her eyes gazing steadily. "Do you think..." she smoothed the wrinkles. "Do you think it's nice?"

"Why ask me? I'm a 10-year-old boy." Elsa doesn't laugh, but only sighs deeply. He pursed his lips. "You're very pretty." She turned around, to see Jojo blush shyly. "Why-why are you thinking about it anyway? You mean, you're scared?"

"I'm not scared, I... I just don't know if I can do it. What if there are people that don't like me? Like, really don't like me?"

"The wars over, everything's okay now!" Jojo insisted, stumbling up beside her, the two facing the mirror. He glanced up at her hoping to see a reaction.

"I wish life was that easy Jojo. Let's go. We'll be late." Jojo watched as Elsa made her way to the coat rack, he wasn't clearly sure on what she had meant but he followed with a slight limp.

Before they stepped outside, Elsa stopped Jojo. She looked into his eyes and took a few moments to respond. "What do you do when you're nervous?"

"Um..." Jojo looked straight into the window and thought deeply until an idea popped into his head. He turned slowly toward Elsa where she turned back. They stood face to face, until Jojo than ran to the living room. Elsa watched suspiciously.

"What are you doing?"

Jojo turned the disk for live music to start playing, music that started to fill the emptiness of the room with spirit. Just as it had during the war. Elsa smiled. They started swaying and moving their hands around throwing them up in a joyous way.

Everything suddenly felt better.

Jojo walked into his classroom slowly, trying to blend in and stay quiet. There weren't many students in the room at the time, although school would start soon. Everyone was aware of the amount of empty seats that would be present. It was a fact all the parents warned their kids of.

He scurried to his seat, trying to hide his face in his vest. Since the war, he felt lost. He didn't have Hitler, or Captain K, or even his own mother. His father wasn't to return for another year. He didn't even have a clue what happened and Jojo wasn't ready to start talking. The one person who was always there, was Elsa. She was great and all, but now he didn't have a group or a best friend...

"Jojo?"

Jojo jumped at the voice placing his hand over his heart. "Why does everyone keep doing that?"

"Doing what Jojo?" he turned to see Yorkie carrying his backpack over to the desk behind him. Yorkie was smiling, wearing a nice uniform with golden buttons down his waist.

"Oh, nothing," Jojo sighed, a groan escaping as he clutches his ankle again. Yorkie stares down at Jojo's wound oddly.

"What happened to your leg?" he asked. "It looks as hideous as your zombie deformity."

"I thought we were friends," Jojo complains seething his teeth in obvious pain.

"We are, but my mom says being honest is what a friend does. Just don't do it to a woman. My uncle once told my aunt that he didn't like her dress and we never saw him again." Yorkie shook his head worriedly. "Did you go to the doctor?"

"Yorkie, I'm fine!" Jojo stood back up slowly, gathering himself.

"I still can't believe we're back!" Yorkie acknowledged, glancing around the room to see kids filing into their old seats. There were many empty seats or seats that were gone from the last time. "I'm quite nervous actually. There are so little people here! Like, this place it almost empty! It's like my grandma's retirement funds!"

"How do you know that?"

"Jojo, there are times when you should question people and times you shouldn't."

Suddenly, a male teacher entered carrying a suitcase, with a tux and long plain tie around his neck. He looked tired, with his eyes drooping down to the ground. His face was as pale as a ghost. But his voice sounded fine, a surprisingly uplifting one. Maybe, Jojo thought, this school year wouldn't be that bad. "Everyone, please take your seats and open your books."

Jojo turned around and leaned toward Yorkie. "First day back."

[Authors Notes]

Hello everyone. I was very excited to introduce this new story to the site. This is a multi-chapter story that will be updated weekly. Comments, reviews and constructive criticism always accepted. Hope you enjoyed!