AllFreeNovel
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Several minutes of the drive go by quickly with Roe’s excited chatter and the rest of our enthusiastic responses. Butterflies build in my gut the closer we get to the school. A heavy feeling grows in my chest. The pressure of knowing this is going to be one of those moments that changes everything.
This isn’t just Roe’s first day of school. This is the first time we are publicly claiming her as our daughter. We’ve made our names known, our faces recognizable. Now we are doing the same for our girl. Forever tying her to us and hopefully erecting a shield around her no one will dare mess with.
As much care as we all put into Roe’s outfit and hair, even more thought went into all of ours. One thing I learned from my world is how to wield my appearance as a weapon. Something Scarlett knows all about. It’s why her roses are so important to her at the club and have only grown to be even more significant over the course of this war.
Dressed in all black, it’s hard to miss our group as we exit our cars. Ian, Jade, and the twins are right behind us, while Holden and Trevor are just ahead of us, waiting for us to catch up. Luca and Scarlett take the lead, Rowan swinging both their hands as she walks between them in her white summer dress.
Luca must be sweltering in his suit, but he has to be accustomed to the suffocating feel of it. It’s his most recognizable look after all. The rest of us dressed far more casually, but no less calculating or intimidating. Roses fully on display.
It’s impossible to miss the message we’re sending.
If I thought our house was chaotic this morning, it has nothing on the pure bedlam of the first day drop-off. Parents and teachers everywhere, kids shouting and laughing, cars honking as they fight over parking spots. But even amidst it all, eyes are drawn toward our large group and the crowd parts easily as we all follow Scarlett into the elementary school. Whispers start as gazes weigh heavily on us, the children all but oblivious to the sudden tension at the front of the school.
Teachers slow in their positions as they watch us warily, all eyes eventually landing on the four young kids being herded between us. Looks of understanding begin to flash across faces, and while tension eases, there's still apprehension lining many adult faces.
It was a good call to set them up in the local public schools of St Graves. Even innocents know the significance of the roses we wear on our clothes like brands. What it means for us to be here. Private schools would not have had this immediate effect. Our reputations will serve as their security until they can grow into their own forces of nature.
Holden and Trevor stop to head to where the first grade classes are lined up and the kids take a moment to say goodbye to each other. Rowan holds onto Trev’s hand, not wanting to let go and he has to promise her he’ll be okay before she’s willing to release him. Scarlett scoops her up in her arms to avoid another meltdown as the reality begins to settle in her mind. We find their teacher and all take our turn introducing ourselves to the woman who will be taking care of our kids during the day. She’s young and energetic, a light in her eyes as she takes the time to get on the kids’ levels and introduce herself before turning her attention to the adults.
Her eyes widen but her smile never falters as she takes in our group, her gaze catching on Scarlett’s roses before turning back to Roe and the boys. We each introduce ourselves and she goes down the line, shaking each of our hands, treating us like every other parent.
I already like her.
She will be good for Roe.
The boys shift on their feet, watching the other kids playing in the line while Roe still clings to her mom’s leg. Ms. Maize watches her curiously as she finishes shaking Jade’s hand. She comes back and drops to her knees in front of Roe and starts to talk to her once more. About her dress and shoes, and all the things she’s excited to show their class today.
Rowan nods along with her and she’s even able to draw a couple smiles out of her, but not once does Roe answer back. We all exchange worried looks. What if this draws Roe back into her shell? What if she goes nonverbal once more?
I never had to experience it, but I’ve heard how hard it was. How traumatized Roe was after Scarlett saved her, how she refused to speak. Maybe she wasn’t ready for this. Maybe we should have kept her in the small school she already knew. Maybe this is all too overwhelming for her.
Ms. Maize catches our anxious looks and turns to the twins. “Why don’t you boys go play with the others?”
Simultaneously, they both take a step closer to Roe, but it’s Kai who answers, “We will wait for Roe.”
Caution lines the young teacher’s face, but she nods. “Roe is a beautiful name. Is it short for something?”
Roe nods.
“Can you tell me for what?” she gently prods.
I hold my breath and Scarlett runs her hand over Roe’s head, but our girl stays quiet.
Cal and Kai share a look with scrunched faces and they’re both quick to stand up for Roe.
“Her name is Rowan,” Cal answers, while Kai says, “Sometimes Roe doesn’t like words.”
Roe nods again and when Kai reaches for her hand, she drops one hand from where she’s clutching Scarlett’s leg and holds tightly onto it. Cal starts talking to her, pointing out the playground to her.
Ms. Maize hums under her breath and Scarlett gives me an anxious look. “Maybe this was a mistake,” she whispers, too softly for the kids to hear it now that they’re distracted. Her eyes run over the crowds of kids and adults still all around us. The kindergarteners are separated from the rest of the school, but there are still three classes in this area. It’s much louder and busier than anything Rowan is used to.
“It’s clear Roe has some anxiety,” Ms. Maize says. “May I ask if it’s something specific? And if she uses anything to calm those worries?”
Scarlett takes a deep breath, brushing her hand over Roe’s head once more. Her eyes narrow on the teacher as she weighs each word on her tongue before letting them pass her lips. “There are a lot of things she doesn’t like.”
For a moment, I worry that’s all she’s going to say, but she continues. “She doesn’t trust strangers, and we’ve kept her out of big crowds since we adopted her. Loud noises unsettle her and sudden movements can trigger a panic attack. She has a stuffed animal and headphones in her backpack. She likes music, but even just wearing the headphones alone will help soothe her.”
Her teacher doesn’t respond for several long moments, thoughts and emotions flashing across her face. “Is she verbal?”
