Grade 1

Red polo shirt with a blue logo of a hawk and simple blue pants was the standard uniform for Hillmore College. Glaring at his reflection Allen puffs out his chest in an attempt to look larger as his blue school bag dwarfs his body. Long cold fingers traced his bangs to fall in a more orderly manner, and with a hum of approval, Lauren Young guided her son out of the door.

At the gate of the school, Lauren shuffles her child awkwardly while wincing and the high pitch screams of children.

"You know where you'll be going?" she asks. Allen nods resolutely.

"Classroom 1A". He waves the introduction paper at her. "With Miss Ga- Garnash?".

Lauren takes the paper from her son's hand. "Ganesh". She says.

"Miss Ganesh". He repeated. "I'll be alright, I know where to go".

"Good". She huffed. "Because I have a meeting- right now! Bye". Without a glance back his mother hurried away. The strong stench of roses and sugar entered his nose. He attempts to wave his mother's perfume away with a scrunch of his face. 'She put on more than usual', he thought. Turning around he walked into the gates of Hillmore College.

"1 C... 1 B.... 1 A!" he stopped at the correct number plate above the door. Looking down he was met with a bright pink wooden door adorned with gems and glitter. Large bubbly text "Miss Ganesh's Classroom", is written in the middle of the door. He peeks into the glass of the door and was met with darker brown eyes. The door was pulled open and a petite middle eastern woman greeted him.

"Hello, I'm Miss Ganesh!".

"I'm Allen", he replied shyly, fiddling with the straps of his backpack.

"Allen Young! I heard from Ms Matilda, she says you are the next Stark!", she barked with a laugh, "Now, you and your parents should set up your locker-", she glanced behind him only to be met with empty spots behind his form.

"It's just me miss...", he whispered. Without missing a beat she gave him a bright smile.

"Not to worry, I'll help you with your locker".

She led him towards the back of the class where rows of squared shelves sat.

"Pick one Allen and put your books into it". He did as he was told, half listening to Miss Ganesh greeting the other kids and their guardians. After emptying his bag Allen found a seat at the front near the window and opened his book on Macbeth.

BANG!

Startled by the loud sound Allen turned to the seat next to him. With a sheepish look, the boy greeted him.

"Sorry, my pencil case was heavier than it looked".

"It's ok." Allen smiled politely. He looked around and noticed all the seats were taken and parents lined up at the back of the classroom.

Class started quickly and Miss Ganesh introduced everyone to their new classroom for the year. She made everyone stand up and introduce themselves.

"Richard Nguyen," she said and the boy next to him stiffened.

"H-hello, my name is Richard and umm...", he fiddled his fingers and looked at his parents who gave him encouraging smiles. "I really like dinosaurs", he said more confidently. He sat down with a large sigh and gave Allen a grin.

"Allen Young".

Allen stood up, the beating of his heart felt so loud he wondered why people around him aren't commenting on it. He forcibly ignored it and gave the class a big smile. The one he used to win over the adults, which seemed to work as they cooed at him. "Hi I'm Allen, I'm 4 years old and my favourite subject is maths", he took his time saying each word because it made him seem more confident. He sat down and Miss Ganesh went on to the next child.

Introductions were quickly made in the class and Miss Ganesh made sure to hand out flyers to the parents.

"We have show and tell every Friday morning and on Thursday mornings there are school assemblies where parents are welcome to come watch as each grade does an act. Our class is also allowed to keep a class pet so parents please write down what your child is allergic to by next week. That will be all. Thank you for attending today's orientation." The parents made their way to their kids and one by one they trickled out of the classroom.

'Orientation?', Allen thought. 'What's that?', the small voice panicked and Allen's gut twisted. 'Oh no...school ended early and no one is going to pick me up'. Allen's heart started pacing quicker. Realising only he was left in the classroom he stood up and made his way to grab his backpack and out of the class only to be stopped.

"Allen, come here". Miss Ganesh called out.

He turned around, his fingers felt numb, his heart pacing as quick as ever and his shoelaces have never looked so interesting.

"Allen, are you ok?". Miss Ganesh's gentle hand landed on his shoulder, he glanced up only to realise big, fat, wet tears are leaking from his eyes. He quickly wiped them away only for them to be replaced by new ones. How dare his body betray him like this. He doesn't want to cry. He. Is. Not. A. Baby.

"Oh Allen, it's ok. You'll be ok".

He isn't going to be ok. His mom isn't here to pick him up his been abandoned at school. Noones going to pick him up and he is going to be left all alone ǎ̴̪̜̚ ̷̳̰̿̇ ̸̣̈́ ̵͚̞͔̐̏̃g̸̢͖̲͐͆ ̶̭͒̐ ̸͚͊ ̵͇̺̚͘ ̷̛̮͜ͅă̷͙̌ḭ̴̡̨̐̄̈́ ̷̢̛̮̝ ̶̭̻̓̇͠ ̴͉͇̰̃͛n̵͓̑̕͘.

"Oh no, Allen I'm sure your mom is on her way right now". He didn't mean to say that out loud. Before he could protest Miss Ganesh had already picked up the phone to dial his mother's number.

"Hello?" A man's voice answered the call.

"Hello, this is Miss Ganesh, I'm calling from Hillmore College about your son, Allen Young. Is this his mother's number?"

"Laurey for you", the rough voice grunted. After a bit of clattering his mother's silky voice answered.

"Hello? This is Lauren Young".

"Hi, Mrs Young. I'm Miss Ganesh, your son's teacher. I was wondering when you'll be here to pick him up."

"At 3. Isn't that the usual time?"

"Ah I'm afraid there's a misunderstanding, today is orientation so school ends faster than usual".

"Cool. I'll be there at 3". Without waiting for a response his mother ended the call.

Miss Ganesh glanced warily at Allen who finally stopped crying.

"I'll be fine Miss Ganesh", he forced a smile. "I can read while I wait". He starts making his way out of the classroom.

"Wait, I have things to do, do you want to help me?"

"Of course!"

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Allen enjoyed cutting the small paper animals out of the printed sheets. He enjoyed sticking them onto the empty white wall at the back of the classroom. He enjoyed listening to Miss Ganesh's stories of her trip to Australia. He didn't enjoy it when his mother sauntered into the classroom.

"Come on now Allen", she commanded.

He hurried up and reached for his bag. Miss Ganesh stood up and held out some paper to his mother.

"What's this?", she asked.

"This is some forms for you to fill out about Allen, we went through it in orientation today. I'm sure Allen would be willing to tell his mom all about it", Miss Ganesh replied.

"Well ok then. Come Allen let's go".

"Bye, Miss Ganesh. Thank you for today I had lots of fun"

"Bye Allen".

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When he came home he made sure to tell his mother all about his day and orientation at dinner. His mother listened half-heartedly.

"Sorry, could you repeat that"? His dad questioned.

"Today was orientation. We had a half day. But Mother came late so I got to help Miss Ganesh prepare for tomorrow", he repeated proudly. Swinging his feet happily.

"Allen. Go to your room and make sure to close your door ok?"

"But I-"

"Now!"

He scurried out of the dining room and into his room.