Ashe

As we approached the school gates, my heart fluttered with excitement. Jaxon and Janna had been walking with me, their presence comforting as always, but today I had something special in mind. In my backpack were the bracelets I had made for my friends, Garen and Taliyah, each one crafted with care and personalized just for them.

I could already imagine the smiles on their faces, the joy that would light up their eyes when I handed them the small tokens of our friendship. Garen, with his unwavering strength and loyalty, and Taliyah, whose creativity and kindness knew no bounds, deserved every bit of happiness these bracelets could bring.

"Are you nervous?" Jaxon asked, noticing the way I clutched my bag a little tighter.

"Not nervous," I replied, a grin spreading across my face. "Just excited. I can't wait to see their reactions."

Jaxon chuckled. "I'm sure they'll love them, Ashe. You always put so much thought into your gifts."

We reached the school entrance, and the bustling energy of students around us filled me with anticipation. I spotted Garen and Taliyah near the courtyard, their faces lighting up as they saw us approaching. Taking a deep breath, I reached into my bag and pulled out the carefully wrapped bracelets.

"Hey, you two!" I called out, my voice brimming with excitement. "I have something for you."

Garen and Taliyah exchanged curious glances before stepping closer. I handed them the small packages, my heart pounding with hope and joy. As they unwrapped the bracelets, their expressions shifted from curiosity to delight.

"Ashe, these are amazing!" Garen exclaimed, admiring the intricate design on his bracelet.

I watched eagerly as Garen examined his bracelet. It was purple and had a small star in the middle, symbolizing his favorite color even though he never would admit it. Taliyah's bracelet, on the other hand, was pink with a red heart, reflecting her love and creativity that brightened our days.

"Thank you so much," Taliyah added, her eyes shining with gratitude. "You really know how to make us feel special."

They were happy, but I could tell something was bothering Garen; a shadow of sadness flickered in his eyes. However, there was no time to delve into it, as the bell rang, signaling the start of the school day.

I said goodbye to Jaxon, knowing he would be close by. His reassuring presence was a comfort I often relied on. As I watched my friends head to their classes, I couldn't shake the feeling that Garen needed to talk. I made a mental note to find a moment later in the day to check on him. For now, I had to focus on my own classes and the day ahead, but the thought of Garen's hidden sorrow lingered in the back of my mind.

It was recess and I pulled Garen aside, determined to uncover the source of his earlier sadness. We walked to a secluded corner of the courtyard where we could speak privately. The vibrant chatter of other students faded into the background as I focused on my friend.

"Garen," I began softly, "is everything okay? You seemed a bit off this morning."

He hesitated, his eyes drifting away as if searching for the right words. "It's nothing, really," he muttered, but the weight in his voice told a different story.

I placed a hand on his shoulder, offering silent support. "You know you can talk to me about anything, right? We're here for each other."

He sighed deeply, finally meeting my gaze. "It's just... my parents have been talking about moving me to a private school"

The confession hung in the air between us, heavy and unsettling. I squeezed his shoulder gently, trying to convey my understanding. "A private school? Do you want to go?"

Garen shook his head, his expression troubled. "Not really. I've got everything I need here—friends, memories, and... It just feels like leaving all of that behind would be wrong."

I nodded, understanding the turmoil he must be feeling. "Have you talked to your parents about how you feel?"

"I've tried, but they think it's for the best. Better opportunities, they say. But I don't want to lose what we have here," he whispered, a hint of desperation in his voice.

"We'll figure something out," I assured him. "You're not alone in this. Maybe we can come up with a way to show them how much staying here means to you."

A small smile tugged at the corners of his mouth, and the shadow in his eyes seemed to lift slightly. "Thanks. It means a lot to know you're here for me."

"Always," I promised, as the bell rang again, signaling the end of recess. With a final reassuring pat, we rejoined the flow of students heading back to class, my mind already spinning with ideas on how to help Garen stay where he belonged.

School ended and I found Jaxon trying to tell my one year old sister that she couldn't bring home her collection of rocks. He knelt in front of her, his brow furrowed in concentration as he gently tried to pry a particularly large stone from her tiny, stubborn fingers.

"Come on, little one, you can't take all these home. They'll weigh you down!" he coaxed, but she just shook her head vigorously, clutching the rock even tighter.

I couldn't help but laugh at the sight. "Looks like you've met your match, Jaxon," I teased, stepping in to help.

He glanced up, a resigned smile on his face. "She's got quite the grip. I don't think she'll give these up without a fight."

Bending down, I softly took my sister's hand. "Hey Janna, how about we pick just one really special rock to take home, and we can leave the rest here for next time?"

Her eyes brightened at the idea, and after a moment of consideration, she handed over the large stone and picked a smaller, smoother pebble instead. Jaxon sighed in relief, standing up and ruffling her hair.

"Thanks," he said to me. "I owe you one."

"No problem," I replied, smiling. "Just another day of managing crises, big and small."

It amazes me how bright you are, Ashe. For a 4-year-old, you truly are inspiring," Jaxon said as we walked home. Janna stopped every two minutes to change her rock, each time scrutinizing her new choice with the seriousness of a jeweler appraising a diamond.

"Thanks, Jaxon," I replied, feeling a warm blush creep up my cheeks. "I just try to help where I can."

As we reached the corner of our street, Janna finally seemed satisfied with her selection and proudly showed it to Jaxon. He smiled, giving her an enthusiastic thumbs up. "That's a winner, Janna. You're quite the rock expert."

We paused at the gate to our house, and Jaxon turned to me, his expression suddenly serious. "Don't ever lose that spark, Ashe. The world needs more people like you."

Touched by his words, I nodded, promising myself to hold on to that spark, no matter what the future might bring.

We walked up the path to the front door, and Jaxon fumbled for the keys in his pocket. Mommy and daddy weren't home yet, which meant we had the house to ourselves for a little while.

Janna skipped inside, her treasured pebble clutched tightly in her small hand. She headed straight for the living room, where she carefully placed her new find on the floor beside her other toys.

Jaxon and I followed her inside, closing the door behind us. "Do you want some juice, Janna?" I asked, heading towards the kitchen.

"PEASE!" she called back, her attention now fixed on a picture book she had pulled from the shelf.

Jaxon leaned against the doorway, watching as I poured the juice. "You really have a way with her, Ashe. It's like you always know exactly what to say to make her happy."

I handed him a glass, smiling. "It's just about being patient and understanding. Sometimes, that's all anyone needs."

He took a sip and nodded thoughtfully. "You're right. Thanks for helping today. It really means a lot."

"Anytime, you help us all the time" I said smiling at him and he returned it.

Jaxon went to start on dinner and I helped; I loved cooking.

He looked in the fridge, not sure what to make. After a moment of contemplation, he pulled out some fresh tomatoes, a bunch of basil, and a block of parmesan cheese.

"What's on the menu tonight?" I asked, stirring the pot on the stove.

"How about some spaghetti with homemade sauce?" Jaxon replied, mixing the ingredients expertly.

"Sounds perfect," I said, adding a pinch of salt to the sauce.

As we cooked, Janna wandered in, drawn by the delicious smells. "I cook?" she asked, peeking over the counter.

"Spaghetti," Jaxon said, smiling down at her. "Want to help?"

She nodded eagerly, and we gave her a small task, letting her sprinkle cheese over the finished dish. The three of us shared a sense of accomplishment as the aroma of our dinner filled the kitchen. Just as we were about to sit down, we heard the front door open.

"Mama, Dada!" Janna exclaimed, running towards them with excitement.

"Something smells amazing in here," Mommy said, taking off her coat and breathing in the wonderful scents.

"We made spaghetti with homemade sauce," I said proudly. "Just in time for dinner."

Daddy smiled warmly. "Perfect timing. We couldn't have planned it better."

We all gathered around the table, our family complete, and enjoyed the delicious meal together. There was laughter, stories, and a shared joy that made the night unforgettable.