Firsts; A Phan Oneshot | #SeptemberSchoolChallenge

Key

First year

A student attending school whose between the ages of five and six.

Fiffth year

A student attending school whose between the ages of eight and nine.

Magic Necklace

A staff ID lanyard.

WC: 2,296 (excluding the author’s note at the end, PLEASE READ!)

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:warning: WARNING: Bullying and Homophobia :warning:

Daylight streams through the windows in golden hues, ”Daniel.” My mother says in a sing-song voice, I feel the presence of her gentle touch on my back as I slowly come to consciousness. ”Whah isth it mummy?” I ask through a yawn. ”Time to wake up my love, you don't want to be late for your first day of kindergarten.” She speaks in a cheerful voice to match my excitement, and I wanted to make new frwens.

I rub my sleep from my eyes with a tiny, chubby fist. ”Mummy, I can't wait to make new fwends! Do yous ’ink the kids will like me?” I prop myself up on my elbows, staring at her with big doe eyes. ”Oh, baby, I know they will love you.” She convinces quickly while tapping my nose, ”Now get up it's time for breakfast time, but make sure to go potty before coming downstairs.”

”Otay, mummy! Where pa?” I lift myself onto the side of my blue and black race car bed, toes barely able to touch the tan-colored carpet underneath me.

”He’s downstairs Danny, ” She smiles with warmth and kind eyes, ”if you hurry, you can watch Charlie and Lola while you eat!” That quickly raises me entirely out of bed and run into my bathroom, "Make sure to wash your hands, mister!” The closed-door muffles Mother's voice, but I still giggle, ”Yes, mummy!”

•••

I scramble down our staircase in a rush to get to the telly faster, but unfortunately, it almost results in face planting. ”Careful love bug, we don't want you hurting your cute little face on your first day.” She speaks with slight alarm grabbing my hand and leading me to the kitchen table, a small bowl of steaming oatmeal is placed in front of me along with with a glass of orange juice the moment I sit in my unique chair, the tv already tuned to the appropriate channel.

”Good morning, champ!” Pa chimes ruffling my unruly curly blonde locks, I look up to see him in a pure white robe grasping a mug filled with a thick black liquid. ”Mornins Pa, I excited.” I squeal while more or less jumping up and down in my seat, still managing to put a bite of food in my mouth.

”I see that, Daniel.” He chuckles and simultaneously gives me a full, wrinkly grin.

Just then the Charlie and Lola theme song rings through the speakers of our countertop telly causing me to glue my eyes to the screen, tuning out the rest of the world.

The show is over all too soon when pa takes the remote control and shuts the telly off, to which I'm very unpleased, ”Pa! I ’s watching dat!” I say with a small pout. ”Hey now, none of that, ” He speaks calmly but firmly, ”Are you done?” Pa gestures to my empty breakfast bowl, and I quickly nod, ”yesth.”

”Okay, go meet mummy upstairs you have to get dressed.”

•••

”You two almost ready up there?” Pa calls up from the staircase as mummy plays with something on my neck. ”Ugh, c’mon let's go ask pa for help.”

Mummy huffs while moving a piece of dark brown that was falling into her face before standing up, holding out her hand. ”Do I’s has to hol’ your hand?”

”Yes, Daniel, I don't want you running down the stairs.” Seeing that I have no other option, I sigh, grabbing my Mum's hand, which is enormous compared to my tiny one. ”His tie is being uncooperative, can you please help him?” Mummy asks Pa once we get halfway down the staircase.

”Yes, ” He speaks in a tone that doesn't seem happy. ”Come on down, and I'll tie it.” The two of us walk to meet Pa at the last step. ”One day I'll teach you how to tie your tie Danny, but today is not the day. Especially since we're running a bit behind.”

”Well, excuse me for taking a little extra time to make our son looks perfect for his first day.” Mummy argues while Pa fixes my tie, ”there, done!” he exclaims before stepping back to ire his work. ”Oh, baby! You look so handsome!” She gushes. ”Get over by the door love bug; I want to get a picture.” Pa hands mummy a big rectangle, I've heard them call it a camera?”

”Ugh, ” I stomp my foot I don't wans pictures I wans to go play and make frwens!

”Now, Now, you don't want to disappoint mummy, do you?”

”No, Pa.” I hang my head, shaking it in shame.

”Baby, I want a few pictures of you turning into a big boy.” She sounds sad, and I’s no wans ’at, so I walk to the door. ”Thank you, sweetie! Now, smile!” I grin and bear it.

•••

Phil

”Tag, you're it!” I take off, running around the playground after my friend, Chelsea. We were the only ones left in our current round of the game, and I was determined to win. ”You’re so going to lose, Lester!” She taunts darting behind an Oak tree, and I can hear the faint sound of her panting. ”Chelsea, ” I call while walking towards the tree, ”do you need to call a timeout?” I peek my head around to check on her, her blonde done in one mid-length braid down her back; it was her signature.

”GOTCHA!” The young girl jumps out, tapping my shoulder before I can even blink.

”You cheated, no fair!” I exclaimed, crossing my arms.

”I wouldn't call it cheating more like, thinking outside the box.” She holds her head high, seemingly proud of her victory.

”Yeah, whatever.” The low hum of an oncoming car catches both of our attention.

”Ooh, a red Kia. I don't think I've ever seen it here before. Place your bet, who is getting out? My guess is a fourth transfer year.” Chelsea announces I decide to challenge her. ”Wanna put some money on this, Peterson?” I ask, cocking an eyebrow.

”Hm, you're on. What is your guess?”

”I think it's going to be a first-year, just starting lessons.” The bright red car comes to a gentle stop directly outside the big chain-linked gate separating us from the street. "Looks like we're about to find out." Both of us watch the car while a woman with long dark brown hair gets out and moves slightly quickly to the back seat: blocking mine and Chelsea's view of the occupant.

"Hey, so are we going to play another round or what?"

"Shh. Not now, Dodie!" Chelsea exclaims in a whisper, immediately focusing her attention on the gate once more.

”Sorry, Clark, Chelsea and I have a little wager.”

”Shh, the lady is moving out of the way! Here comes Mr. Scott, looks like it's going to be one of the little ones.” I immediately zone in on the scene myself and smile when I see him. Curly blonde hair is woven loosely on his head, brown eyes full and ready to take on the world with the dimples to match. The small child is, He was most certainly the first year.

•••

Daniel

”Have a great first day, Daniel. We love you very much!” Mummy and Pa kiss me, but I’s just wans to play, no kiss kiss in fwont of the big kids. ”no, no here!” Mummy laughs me, ”okay, okay. We get it you are a big boy now after all.”

”See you slugger we'll be back later.”

”buh-byes!” I wave while they go buh byes, I can pway now!

”Now, Daniel, ” ugh. Let me go pway. I begin bouncing, and the grownup sees me. ”Oh, does someone need the potty?” ”Nu-hu! I no potty.” I say happily. ”Are you sure, Daniel? We don't want any accidents on our first day, right?”

”I no go potty Mr. S, wans play!”

”Okay, then. If you do, tell someone with a magic tie, and they'll come to find me. Do you understand?” I nod my head as fast as I can. ”Alright then, ” he stands up, and the gate opens, ”go play.” PLAYTIME! I run-up to the first group of kids I see, I was very eager to run around. ”Hi! I’m Daniel! Do yous wans play?”

”Not with you.” The smaller of the three boys say the other two waf me. ”Why?” I exclaim proceeding to pout and cross my arms.”Two reasons: One, you're a baby, and we don't have time for babies. This area is for big kids only.”

”Mummy says I’s a big boy!”

”Oh, please. You can barely talk!”

”’ top it! I big boy!” I scream at them, wanting to prove them wrong. The biggest boy gets in my face, ”Listen, we know what kind of boy you are, and we don't associate with your type.” Why is he being mean, whah has I done?

”Whah do yous mean?” Suddenly, I am thrown on my back and my tummy starts hurting, ”GAY BOY!” All three of meanies shout I wish my tummy would stop hurting. ”HEY! What do you think you're doing?!”

•••

Phil

I keep a close eye on the newbie, wondering if I should introduce myself. ”Do you mind if I go invite him to play tag with us?” I ask both Chelsea and Dodie, though it didn't matter what they said, I had made up my mind. ”Go for it, he looks adorable, and it's his very first day. I'm sure Zack won't--”

”GAY BOY!” All of the heads snap to the sound, three boys in year six. They are in a semi-circle blocking our view of who is being picked at this time. ”Let’s go!” Without another word, the girls and I run in the direction of the bullies. can we not have anyone injured before the first day of school has even begun? I think to myself.

”HEY! What do you think you're doing?!” The curly-haired first year is on the ground and clutching his stomach as they repeatedly kick him. Something in me snaps, and I quickly get in between Corey and the mystery boy, if he tries to hit again, I will take the blow. ”Isn’t it obvious? We're just welcoming the new baby to school.”

”He is not a baby, and he is a young boy! Why do you always do this to the little kids? What have they ever done to you? Are you indeed that bloody insecure that you find it enjoyable to harass the tiny ones? You made Molly, a four-year-old no less, cry on the last day of school.” I can feel my blood boiling hotter with each ing syllable. Both Chelsea and Dodie were standing shocked with open mouths, just inches away.

”You know what? Forget it. I don't want to have to ’handle’ the both of you.”

”You won't have too, Corey Hawkins.” To my relief, Mr. Scott walks up behind the scene, putting his hand on the assailant. "The only one who is going to be 'handling' all three of you Is the heaster. Threatening fellow peers will not be tolerated." Mr. Scott gasps, when he sees who is on the ground, curled up in the fetal position, "Daniel! Daniel, I am so sorry! Are you okay?"

Daniel. So that's his name. He whines and points to his stomach, "tummy!" The teacher sighs and turns to face me, "Phil, take Daniel to the nurse to be looked over for me, will you? I'll get a message to Mrs. Andrea that you'll be late."

"Of course, Sir, I'll make sure he gets there safe."

"Good, thank you." He then focuses on the small boy still cowering on the ground, trying to protect himself. "Hey, buddy. The meanies are going buh-byes. Phil is going to you to make sure you have no owies. He's going to keep you safe, and it's okay to go with him."

"Yeah," I give him a small smile, "I want to help you." I then hold an outstretched hand for Daniel to grab. I could tell he's wondering if I am tricking him. "I promise you." I again reassure. His tiny body slowly relaxes out of its current position, and he grabs my hand after another moment. "I got you," I say as I help the boy to his feet.

"Now let's go, I'm sure the heaster will love seeing you three in his office before the year has even officially started." Mr. Scott says with anger set in his voice, as he leads the group away from the scene.

"Daniel, I need you to keep holding my hand, letting go before I tell you is a no-no. Do you understand?"

"Yes, Phil?" He says it as more of a question.

"Good boy." I praise while better securing my grasp on his hand. We walk to Dodie and Chelsea who are still dumbfounded over to the side. "I'll see you later; I have to make sure Daniel is safe."

"I can't believe you stood up to them," Chelsea exclaims astonished by my courage. I was doing what is right.

"You did well." Dodie encourages with a bright, wide smile.

"Thank you," I give a small wave in goodbye and begin leading the child to the school doors, ”Hi! I’s Daniel ans I’s five! Do yous wans frwens?” He tries his best to speak, but I understand what he means. ”Hello, Daniel. I’m Phil, and I'm nine, I would love to be friends.” The two of us walk hand in hand into school and to safety.

•••

Narrator

From the first Days to first friends, even though it didn't go as planned, Daniel received everything he hoped for and more. Sometimes one person accepting you, standing up for you, can make all the difference.

•••

A\N: I decided on writing this scenario for my #SeptemberSchoolChallenge entry because I wanted to give young Daniel the experience he deserved, so long ago. Big thank you to my friend Riley for their editing assistance AND making the cover photo. I hope everyone enjoyed reading as much as I enjoyed writing it.

Bye lovelies!