Chapter 1
939 Words
(6 years old)
Owen walked through the park humming a song while l*****g his favorite lollipop. He paused when he heard a sound coming from his left side.
Crunching his eyebrow, he slowly made way into the bushes. A girl with brown hair was sitting on the ground with her head on her knees. He could tell she was crying from the sound of sniffling.
He quickly walked to her before tapping on her shoulder.
“Are you alright?” he asked as she looked up with her silver tear-filled eyes.
“No!” she shouted before bursting into a fit of sobs.
“What happened? You can tell me” He said as she stood up.
“I wasn’t crying,” she said stubbornly wiping her tears before sitting on the bench.
“Yeah right. I can see that” He scoffed as he sat next to her.
“What do you want? Why don’t you leave me alone?” the girl asked starting to get irritated.
“I can't!” he shouted making her look at him confused.
"Why?"
“Because I am a gentleman! Mommy said that to be one you have to respect women and help them in need. And you seem to be in need so I can't leave you alone” he said proudly puffing his chest.
The girl laughed making him smile back at her. He felt heart started to beat fast as he saw her beautiful innocent smile. But she suddenly changed her smile to a neutral expression.
“Well... that’s nice.” She replied.
“My name is Owen Jaylen,” he said reaching out his small hand.
“Alexandria Saviour! But you can call me Alexia” she said accepting his handshake.
“Why were you crying, Alexia?” He asked as she frowned.
“A boy keeps bullying me,” She said looking down as the boy's eyes widen. An unknown possessiveness filled his heart. He felt angry.
“He says mean things and pushes me down. And I can't fight back because I promised mom I wouldn't” she said before bursting into tears.
"Don't cry, Alexia. I will beat him up" he said as he stood up determined. The girl looked up at the boy with tears.
"You will do that for me?" She asked as the boy nodded his head.
"Of course! It is wrong to hurt women and I will not tolerate it. Besides, I like you" he said as the girl looked at the midnight hair boy.
"My hero!" she jumped and hugged him. An unknown warmth passes through her body making her let out an involuntary purr.
"What was that?" Owen asked as he separated from her.
"Nothing, boyfriend!" she said giggling.
"Boyfriend?" he asked confused.
"Yes, Boyfriend. My aunt has a boyfriend. He said that a boyfriend is a person who likes you. They will protect you and make you feel safe. You like me, and you said you will save me from my bully. So you're my boyfriend" she said excitedly as he nodded his head with a full-blown smile.
"Yes! I'm your boyfriend" he said happily.
"And I'm your girlfriend," she said jumping along with him.
"The sun is setting. I better go before papa starts to worry. Bye boyfriend!" she said as she hugged him.
"Yes. Goodbye, girlfriend. Let's meet here tomorrow ok?" he said as she nodded.
"You have to walk me to my school and then you must wait for me after school. My aunty is always picked up from her college by her boyfriend. So you should always do it" she said as he nodded quickly.
"Ok I will do that!" he said giving a stern nod before they said their goodbye and parted from each other.
Alexia skipped to her home and founder her father waiting for her by the car porch.
"Where were you princess?" he asked as his daughter ran to him.
"Papa! Papa! I have a boyfriend. He said he will take care of me and protect me!" she said excitedly as he laughed.
"Well, I would love to hear more about it. How about we go to the kitchen and we will talk about it. Mama also will be eagerly wanting to hear about it. Besides she made chocolate chip cookies" he said as the girl squealed.
"Cookies!!!" she said as she ran inside, her father following behind.
*******
"Mommy, I am home" Owen called out as he walked into his house.
"Hey baby boy" he heard his mother call out from the kitchen.
"Mommy!!" he shouted as he ran to hug his mother.
They hugged each other but they immediately had to separate as his mother started to cough hard.
"Are you alright mommy?" he asked as she smiled, her eyes filled with water.
"I'm fine, Owen baby. How was your day?" his mother said trying to distract her child.
"It was very very good, mommy. I met a girl and she is my girlfriend now" he said excitedly. His mother raised her eyebrow at him but smiled seeing her son's face glowing with excitement.
"Well I hope you remember what I have told you?" she said as she pinched his chubby cheeks.
"Yes! Respect women and elders" he said as she nodded.
"That is right. Now, how about you go wash your face and hand so we can talk about your girlfriend over some snacks" she said as his son nodded before running to the washroom.
His mother let out a sign and looked outside the window. She knew she was sick and she needs to get treated soon.
She didn't fear death but she was worried about her son. She is the only one he has. His father doesn't even want to talk to him. He left them years ago and ever since then she has been taking care of him.
He is her happiness and the only one who keeps her from ending her miserable life. She will do her best to keep her son away from worries. To make sure he has a memorable childhood.
- Writer
