"I love you Mommy! I love you Daddy!"
Natasha Stone giggled with her backpack dangling from her shoulder. She had just finished giving her father a hug and was now waving as she ran off into the classroom. Both parents had their eyes shining with tears... Tears of pride and happiness. Their five year old daughter was starting her first day of school. It was symbolic day for the parents who wished for nothing but the best for their daughter. They didn't know that as their little girl ran into her classroom that she would be meeting the boy who would become a monumental figure in her life.
"Do I have to go? I wanna stay with you, Daddy!"
The little boy was gripping his father's hand tightly as he watched more and more kids his own age run into the classroom that he would apparently be in until the school day was older.
"Yes, Gage. You want to learn and meet new kids your age, don't you?"
He sighed, his little boy was extremely shy, but he loved the little boy with all of his heart. He never could understand why his wife could leave without a second thought about how her son would be raised. That was nearly three years ago.
Gage Benevento stared at his father through his bright blue eyes and slowly nodded.
"I love you Daddy."
He hugged his father tightly as scared tears sprang forth in his eyes.
"I love you too, Gage. I'll be right here waiting when your day is done. Have fun."
Matthew Benevento just gave his son a reassuring kiss to the forehead as he gently nudged his son into the classroom.
Five year old Natasha Stone was wearing a blue blouse and matching blue shorts. Her hair was pulled up in a bright blue bow. She was quietly sitting at the table she had found after stuffing her backpack into her cubby. Natasha quietly watched as all of the kids filed into their seats, but still nobody sat with her. The little girl was growing more and more upset by the minute, thinking she would be all alone, and friendless on her very first day of school.
What was really only a couple of seconds seemed like an eternity. Gage stood by the cubbies watching the little boys and girls with a curiosity that matched his timid personality. They were loud and he didn't like loud.
He spotted the girl sitting by herself and in that moment the little boy felt safe. At the age of five, you don't think about how this is going to be the person you'll be with the rest of your life.
Not at all. Gage in fact was just thinking, "She's pretty." As butterflies swarmed his tummy. He found himself taking the seat next to her.
Her face lit up when the boy sat next to her. He was extremely cute. She may only be five, but she wasn't dumb. He was "cute as a button" as her grandpa would say.
"I'm Natasha!"
She squeaked, throwing her little arms around him, and hugging him. Gage had not at all been expecting that and stiffened in his seat. The girl was hugging him. Why? He just kind of sat there, dumbfounded. When she pulled away, he grinned.
"I'm Gage."
There was silence between them as the teacher tried to grab the classroom's attention, but the only person who seemed to exist right now to the small boy and girl was each other.
They hit it off instantly, their friendship blossomed, and by the time all the kids had rushed out of the room at the sound of the bell, Natasha and Gage were still on the floor playing. Their giggles filled the air as they raced cars. Sometime during the day, Natasha had gotten fed up with her hair being up in a bow so she took it out and threw the bow onto her desk. When she wasn't looking Gage pocketed it, for whatever strange reason his little boy mind could conjure up.
Gage's father had been a nervous wreck, not understanding why his son hadn't met him until he heard the familiar laughter. His son was still in the classroom. He headed inside to find his son playing with a remarkably pretty little girl.
He could tell she was mixed by her unusual skin color, reddish brown hair, and exotic eyes. Matthew chuckled to himself, realizing that his little boy had picked out quite a cutie to become friends with. He shook his head to himself.
"Gage?"
He called his son's name and the little boy jumped up, running to hug his father.
Natasha stood up, realizing her parents weren't here, and she was the only little kid left unclaimed. Watching her new found friend reunite with his Daddy made her very upset. Matthew Benevento noticed the little girl's eyes fill with tears.
"Are you okay, darling?
He asked, shifting his son in his arms.
"Daaaddd..."
Gage said annoyed almost.
"That's Natasha. She's my friend."
He said as if his father should know that. Matthew laughed at the introduction, but kept his focus on the little girl.
"I don't know where my Mommy or Daddy are."
She sniffled, standing up to get her backpack from her cubby. "How about we help you find them?" He suggested and Natasha's face lit up once more.
Matthew grabbed his son's backpack, letting Gage hold it, as his free hand found Natasha's. He lead her out of the classroom only to see a woman and a man approaching, it was clear by sheer resemblance that Natasha was their daughter.
It was confirmed when the little girl screamed with delight and ran to her parents. Matthew grinned, walking up to them. He introduced himself and his son.
"Hello, I'm Matthew Benevento and this is my son Gage... Our children our friends."
He explained as Gage shyly smiled.
