Chapter 5- A Fresh Start
1347 Words
Kate awoke with the weight of yesterday’s truth pressing on her chest—her father’s absence, the blind date, and Alex’s family story. But today was Monday, and school waited for no one. She pushed aside her thoughts, got dressed, and prepared for the day ahead.
As she stepped out of her room, her mother’s voice rang through the house.
“It’s breakfast time!”
Kate wasn’t in the mood to talk, but hunger won over. She walked into the dining area, where her mother, Richard, and Alex were already seated. The silence at the table was heavy, but they all ate without saying much.
A sudden knock at the door broke the quiet.
Mrs. Williams got up and opened it, revealing a familiar face.
“Good morning, ma,” Jessica McKenzie greeted with a warm smile.
“Good morning, dear. How are you doing?” Mrs. Williams replied.
Jessica stepped inside hesitantly. “I hope I’m not disturbing you. I just wanted to ask for a favor.”
“You’re the new neighbor, right?” Mrs. Williams guessed.
Jessica nodded. “Yes, I’m Jessica McKenzie, Alex’s mom. You can call me Jessie or Jessica.”
“Nice to meet you. I’m Ella Williams, Kate’s mother.”
Jessica smiled gratefully. “Kate mentioned yesterday that you own a restaurant, and I also heard you’re a chef. I have to go to work today, and I was wondering if you could look after Alex for me. I’m sure he’d be helpful too.”
Mrs. Williams considered it for a moment. “That’s fine, but what about his school?”
“We just moved here yesterday, so I haven’t enrolled him yet. I was planning to take the day off tomorrow to sort that out.”
“No need to take the day off,” Mrs. Williams said kindly. “I’m actually going to Kate’s school today to register Richard. I can help with Alex too.”
Jessica’s face lit up. “Really? Thank you so much! I truly appreciate it.”
Jessica turned to Alex. “Let’s go back home so you can prepare for school.”
A few minutes later, Jessica returned with Alex, handing Mrs. Williams a neatly written profile of his school details. “This has all his information. Thank you again for doing this.”
Mrs. Williams nodded. “No problem at all.”
At School
Kate went straight to her class while her mother headed to the school administration office. She was greeted by a group of teachers, including Mrs. Glory (Kate’s class teacher), Mr. Charles (the proprietor), Mrs. Brown, Mrs. Rosie, and Mr. Ares.
“Good morning, sir, ma,” Mrs. Williams greeted.
“Good morning, Mrs. Williams. How can we help you?” Mr. Charles asked.
“I would like to enroll two students in the school. This is Richard, my… son,” she hesitated slightly, “and this is Alex Mckenzie, my neighbor’s child.”
The teachers welcomed the boys warmly and handed them some placement tests to determine their appropriate classes.
After a while, Mrs. Glory reviewed their results and gasped. “Wow! Alex scored 80, and Richard scored 75. That’s impressive!”
Mrs. Williams was surprised. “Really?”
“Yes,” Mr. Ares confirmed. “Alex is quite young—only 14 years old—but he performed exceptionally well. Richard, at 13 years old, also did great. We will place Alex in Grade 8 and Richard in Grade 7.”
Mrs. Williams smiled, proud of both boys. “Thank you very much.”
****
When school ended, Kate stepped out of her classroom and spotted a commotion near the school gate. Richard was surrounded by a group of older boys, led by a notorious bully named James.
Kate sighed in irritation, but before she could step in, Alex boldly marched up to James.
“Don’t ever bully my brother,” Alex said firmly.
James smirked. “Oh? He’s your brother?” He signaled his gang to close in on Alex and Richard.
Just as they were about to attack, a loud voice rang out.
“STOP!”
James and his gang turned, only to see Kate storming toward them. Their confident smirks disappeared. Everyone in school knew Kate had a fierce reputation—many thought she was a bully herself, though she never actually hurt anyone.
Without another word, James and his gang scattered.
As the tension faded, Alex bent down to pick up his fallen books. Kate knelt beside him to help and noticed his portfolio.
Name: Alexander Mckenzie
Age: 14 years old
Class: Grade 8
Her eyes widened. What?! He’s seven years older than me? But he looks so small!
Alex looked up. “What’s wrong?”
Kate hesitated. “Uh… you got really good results.”
Alex grinned. “Of course! I’m a brilliant kiddo. Your brother did well too,” he added, nodding toward Richard.
“He is NOT my brother,” Kate snapped. “You are.”
Richard looked hurt but remained silent.
Alex frowned. “Why do you say that?”
Kate sighed. “Just face your front and keep walking. At the T-junction, turn left. If you get lost, wait for us.”
Alex narrowed his eyes. “You don’t like Richard, do you?”
Kate clenched her fists. “I don’t. And I don’t like my mom either.”
“Why?”
Kate hesitated, then sighed. “I told you… my father isn’t dead. My mom lied to me. And Richard—he’s a reminder of everything that went wrong.”
Alex shook his head. “You can’t blame him for what happened. It’s not his fault.”
Kate looked away. “I know… but it’s hard to accept.”
“You should talk to him.”
Kate hesitated. “I don’t know if I can.”
“Don’t be stubborn.”
“I’m not stubborn.”
Alex smirked. “You are.”
Kate rolled her eyes. “Do you really think talking to him will change anything?”
“Yes,” Alex said confidently.
Kate sighed again. “Fine… but only because of you.”
“No, do it now.”
Kate groaned. “Ugh, fine.”
She turned to Richard, who had been walking a few steps ahead. “Richard, wait!”
Richard paused and looked back, confused.
Kate ran up to him and, without thinking, pulled him into a hug.
“I’m sorry,” she whispered. “It’s not your fault.”
Richard’s face lit up with a wide smile. “It’s okay!”
Alex, watching the scene, smiled as well.
Kate stepped back. “We’re all just kids without dads. Maybe it’s time we stop thinking about the past and focus on the present.”
Alex nodded. “Yeah.”
Richard grinned. “Yes!”
They all hugged each other, their past pains momentarily forgotten.
------
When they reached Mrs. Williams’ restaurant, she greeted them with a warm smile.
“Good afternoon, children!”
“Good afternoon, Ma,” Richard said cheerfully.
“Good afternoon, Ma,” Alex added.
Kate hesitated. Should I greet her or not?
She didn’t want to feel different, so she finally muttered, “Good afternoon… Mom.”
Mrs. Williams’ smile widened. “Good afternoon, sweetheart.”
Kate felt a strange warmth in her chest.
“Come here, let me serve you food. But first, go and change. Kate and Richard, your clothes are in this bag.” She handed them a bag and turned to Alex. “Here, take the key to your house and change at home.”
Richard frowned. “Is he going home alone?”
Kate immediately snatched the bag from her mom’s hand. “Mom, we don’t like these clothes. Give us a key so we can change at home instead.”
Mrs. Williams raised an eyebrow but handed her the key.
Kate grabbed it quickly. “Let’s go, Richard!”
As they ran after Alex, Mrs. Williams watched them leave, smiling to herself.
Her daughter had finally spoken to Richard… and she was happy.
- Writer
