MAYA

"First day of kindergarten! I'm so excited."Mom squealed as she fixed my afro.

I stared back at her in the mirror unable to hide my anxiety and join her in all the excitement. Maybe she should have been going to kindergarten instead of me.

"Oh baby, what's wrong?"Mom asked in her soothing voice turning me around to face her.

I shrugged in response, looking down at my feet.

"Pick your head up queen, your crown is falling."She said lifting my chin up to meet her gaze.

"I know you're scared and its okay to feel like that but you can't let it show my love. Look up, smile, be strong and be kind. That's all you need to know about your first day of kindergarten."She advised giving me a reassuring smile.

I couldn't hold mine in so I smiled back and leaned in for a much needed hug.

"Now who is my beautiful strong princess?"She asked rubbing my back comfortingly.

"Me."I mumbled my voice muffled by her neck.

"I didn't hear you."She retorted.

"I am."I said a little louder pulling back.

"That's right, you are. You'll be okay sweetheart, just remember ...." She trailed off leaving the statement incomplete for me to finish.

"Look up, smile, be strong and be kind."I completed earning me a proud smile from my mom.

"Good job baby, now let's go. We don't want you being late for school."My mom said getting off her knees.

She took my hand and led me through our house towards the kitchen where my dad was drinking coffee as he read the newspaper. He always did that each morning before work. Dad looked up when he heard my mom and me, his face lighting up with a smile.

My mom was a loud, eccentric, jack of all trades who loved her family more than anything in the world. She was short with beautiful dark skin, short hair and big brown eyes like mine. My dad on the other hand was tall, dark, macho, quiet and very protective of my mom and I. My parents loved each other so much that it was sometimes gross to watch them together.

"Good morning papa."I greeted walking towards him.

He lifted me up and put me on his lap.

"Good morning sweetheart, excited for your first day?"My dad asked but I didn't reply.

"She's a little nervous but we talked and she'll be okay."Mom replied on my behalf.

"If anyone gives you trouble just punch them like I taught you, thumb over fist."My dad advised folding my hand into a fist.

"Yes papa."I replied smiling.

"Oh no, there will be no punching people. Maya beating people up is not okay, stop teaching her that Emeka."My mom scolded hitting my dad with a kitchen towel.

My dad just laughed and winked at me making me giggle.

"Breakfast time."My mom announced clapping excitedly.

My dad kissed my temple before putting me on the stool next to him. We had pancakes, eggs, bacon and orange juice for breakfast.

"Picture time."My mom announced excitedly as soon as we were done.

My dad and I shared a look but didn't dare say another word.

My mom handed me a small black board written "first day of kindergarten" and put me in a hundred different positions. After she'd had enough photos of me, then all of us together she grabbed my backpack and a packed lunch box.

"Remember baby you are a beautiful african goddess and no one can take that away from you. Remember our mantra and you'll be okay. Daddy will drop you off but I'll pick you up at three okay."Mom said kneeling at my feet.

"Okay mama."I replied.

She hugged and kissed me before straightening up. I didn't miss the sniff and the quick swipe at her eyes but I didn't mention it. She kissed my dad goodbye too, who then carried me to his truck and set me in the passengers seat.

"Ready for this princess?"Dad asked as he started the car.

"Yes."I replied nodding.

"Great."Dad smiled driving away.

My dad worked in construction, he built houses while my mom worked in a bank as one of those people who stood behind the huge glass to receive or give money away. She kept telling me the name of what she did but I forgot sometimes.

My parents were both originally from Nigeria but they moved to America in search of a better life with my aunt, dad's sister, Gloria, before I was born. I was born in Ohio, USA but my parents made sure I learnt everything there was to know about my african roots from the moment I was old enough to understand.

"We're here."Dad announced all too soon and before I knew it we were out of the truck and headed inside the huge too colorful building.

There were kids everywhere some crying or laughing, others looking bored, some shy like me. I held my dad's hand tight as he walked me towards the unknown. Kindergarten was nothing like day care at all, there were too many kids and a lot of them were older than I was. It was all so scary but I had to be brave like mama said. A few kids were staring at me strangely and I knew it was because I looked different. I wasn't white like them, I had dark melanin skin. I was already used to people staring at me but it didn't mean I enjoyed it. Some people said mean words to me too but mama had taught me how to ignore them. She said that they were jealous and that's why they said all those mean things.

My dad stopped and squatted at my feet turning me to face him.

"Have a great first day sweetheart, mom will pick you up later. Don't forget to have fun. I love you."Dad declared kissing my forehead.

"I love you too."I whispered back hugging him longer than normal.

When I let go, he smiled at me before getting up and leaving me next to the wall behind a girl with really long blonde hair. My dad talked to the teacher for a few minutes before he waved and left me all alone in my new school.

We all stood in line outside the classroom getting in one by one. When it was finally my turn, I got to the door and shook the teachers hand. She was old, older than mama and papa but with a kind smile, wrinkles around her eyes and long brown hair.

"Welcome to your first day of kindergarten Maya, you and I are going to have so much fun."She declared.

I smiled politely like mama asked me to before getting into the class. It was very colorful with a lot of posters, paintings, a few tables, tiny chairs and many kids. When everyone had arrived it took the teacher some time to get us all settled down but she managed eventually. She showed us where to put our bags and lunch boxes before making us all seat in a circle on the carpeted floor.

Before she could begin telling us all about what we would be doing during our first day there was a knock on the door before it opened and two people walked in. One was a woman with red hair and pale skin, the other one was a young boy with the brightest red hair, pale skin and the biggest green eyes I'd ever seen rimmed with tears. He was tall and thin with freckles around his nose. He was carrying a spiderman backpack. He was wearing a t-shirt, jeans and white sneakers just like me except my sneakers were black.

"Sorry we're late Miss Holly, some of us weren't that excited for kindergarten."The woman apologized.

"It's okay, come on in Elijah, we're just getting started."Miss Holly motioned him over with a wave of her hand.

Elijah seemed reluctant so the woman bent to his level. They exchanged a few words to which Elijah nodded reluctantly. They hugged and Elijah walked towards us. The woman left after making sure Elijah was settled in.

"Okay now, back to today's activities. We will be doing a lot of things today but they will all be fun. Are you excited?"Miss Holly asked to which everyone yelled excitedly.

I looked around the room and my eyes found Elijah in the circle looking around like a frightened kitten. Eventually he looked down at his fingers picking something invisible off his jeans. He looked so sad, it made me frown. I hoped I could cheer him up but he was seated too far away and Miss Holly had said no speaking unless spoken to.

Miss Holly taught us a lot of things that morning but my eyes always wandered towards where Elijah was. He participated in all activities but he never looked up and was always frowning. We had recess before lunch and it was a lot of fun playing in the swings. Miss Holly allowed us to roam free around the playground so I decided to go speak to Elijah who was seated alone under the monkey bars.

"Hi, my name is Maya."I introduced myself like mama had taught me to when you met a new person.

He didn't look up at me, just continued playing with his hands looking down.

I sat next to him undiscouraged by his lack of communication.

"Mama says that your crown falls if you look down so look up so it won't fall."I said looking at him.

He was really tall even while we sat, taller than most of the other kids actually. Elijah still didn't react so I continued talking.

"I like your hair, purple is my favorite color but mama says I can't have purple hair until I'm eighteen. Do you think unicorns are real? I think they are, people just don't know where to find them. "I rambled on.

I talked about everything and anything that could come to mind while Elijah just sat next to me without moving or saying a word. I didn't falter though because we all needed a friend and Elijah seemed like he could really use one. Recess ended and I got up dusting my jeans.

"See you in class Elijah."I said looking at him.

I didn't expect him to reply but he actually did, speaking to me for the first time since I sat next to him.

"I l-l-l-ike y-our e-yes "He stuttered.

It took me a few seconds to understand what he said and when I did I smiled appreciatively.

"Thank you, I like yours too."I replied with a smile.

He looked up at me with his big green eyes and a tiny smile appeared at the corner of his lips.

Before I could say anything else, Miss Holly called out to us. I waved at Elijah before running towards our teacher. We walked back to class in a single file. I sat next to Elijah in class but we weren't allowed to speak so I didn't say anything. I realized that Elijah didn't like to speak much anyway, maybe he was afraid of his stutter. I found it cute though.

We had one more drawing lesson before lunch. The cafeteria was huge but Miss Holly had us sit at three specific tables so she could keep an eye on us. I saw Elijah seated by himself at the end of the table without a lunch box so I decided to join him.

"Where's your food?"I asked seated across from him.

He tensed but relaxed when he looked up and saw me.

"I f-f-orgot i-t i-n t-t-he car."He stuttered out looking out of breath by the time he was done with that one statement.

"It's okay, we can share mine."I replied opening my lunch box to reveal what my mom had packed for me.

I pushed the lunch box closer to Elijah and picked up a sandwich. Elijah was hesitant at first but after a lot of encouragement from me, he gave in and picked up a sandwich too.

"Why are you two sharing food?"Miss Holly asked when she got to us.

Elijah jumped scared,looking down so I had to explain.

"Elijah forgot his lunch in the car so I offered to share mine."I replied.

"Is this true Elijah?"Miss Holly asked.

Elijah nodded without looking up.

"Well okay then, you two can share but only for today. Elijah don't forget to bring your own lunch tomorrow."Miss Holly demanded.

Elijah nodded but still didn't look up.

Miss Holly sighed before walking away towards two kids who were having a food fight.

"It's okay, she's gone."I whispered to Elijah.

He looked up and gave me a small grateful smile. I smiled back and we finished all the food my mom had packed. I only had one juice box so we shared, taking alternating sips.

By the end of the day Elijah and I were best friends. He didn't say much which was okay, I said enough for the both of us.

Mom picked me up and Miss Holly told her all about what I'd done for Elijah. Mom was very proud of me and promised and extra scoop of ice cream for being a kind and generous girl.

When mama and I were walking to the car, a voice called out to us stopping us in our tracks. It's was the woman from earlier in the morning and Elijah.

"Hi, I'm Florence, Elijah's mom. Sorry to bother you but I just wanted to say thank you to Maya for what she did for Elijah. We were very late this morning and he ended up forgetting his lunch in the car. Thank you for your kindness Maya."Florence expressed with a smile.

"You're welcome."I replied smiling back.

"You taught her well." Florence said addressing my mom directly.

"I try and its Vera, my name is Vera, I'm Maya's mom. Nice to meet you."Mom replied.

"Pleasure is all mine, maybe we can arrange a playdate this weekend. These two seem to have hit it off and my Elijah really has a hard time making friends, he's a little shy."Florence requested.

At the mention of a playdate Elijah and I both looked at each other excited.

"Yeah of course, we'd love that."My mom replied.

I didn't have that many friends too so having a play date with Elijah would be great. We were already best friends anyway.

"Perfect."Florence exclaimed excitedly.

Our moms exchanged phone numbers before saying goodbye to each other.

"Bye Elijah, see you tomorrow."I waved happily to my new best friend.

"B-b-ye Maya."He replied with a smile.

He actually didn't stutter my name which made me smile.

We parted ways our moms leading us both to our separate cars.

"My baby made a friend on her first day. He's very cute too, his hair and that of his mom kind of reminds me of that animation Brave. I'm so proud of you baby."My mom cheered in the front seat.

I definitely got my rambling personality from her.

"Thank you mama."I answered.

It did pay to be kind. It had earned me a best friend with fiery red hair, forest green eyes and the cutest stutter. We would be best friends forever.