Sweet Mischief’s Rollercoaster Romance

There was another guy with a scar on his face, always laughing and

roughhousing with Mr. Nettleton and Andre, all three pretending to fight over Henry. He called himself Henry's godfather and came along to send Henry off on his first day at school, which only made everyone more curious about who he really was.

Then there was a quiet man, almost invisible in the background, but there was something about him he could stand next to Andre as an equal, yet nobody seemed to know his story. He was the one holding Henry close.

"Godfather, I didn't cry at all!" Henry announced, proud as could be.

Teddy grinned at him, "I saw, buddy. You're the bravest kid I know."

Meanwhile, a teenage boy stood nearby, hands on his bike, watching Henry without looking away for even a second.

Eventually, Henry-wearing the brand-new backpack his aunt had bought him— was gently led into the school by the principal, his little arm tucked in the adult's hand. He was too nervous to look back at his parents, but right before heading inside, he tiptoed up and planted quick kisses on both their cheeks.

"Hey, bro!" Wayne called out, making his way to Henry on his own. The brothers hugged, and then Henry disappeared through the school doors.

As the last of the cars drove away, the family was left standing there, the air suddenly empty and a little too quiet.

Andre lingered at the gate, staring at the school doors long after they closed, lost

in thought. His wife came up beside him, and only then did he turn to her, squeezing her hand. "Don't worry. As long as he doesn't get into any trouble, that's all I ask."

and watery. She sniffed. "I never cried on my first day of school, but watching my little

so lively just a minute ago, but now the whole family felt heavy, silent, missing the whirlwind energy Henry always brought home.

go home?" Andre suggested, glancing at Aaron and Madison. He waved the rest over. "Come

off to grab the

stopped at once and turned his way-years of brotherhood making them

his head

the teenage boy with the half

been

us."

s

to his wife and opened

instinctively moved

but Annie just rolled her eyes Its just

wtic."

s

at Andre, then walked over

boy stayed completely still as Teddy approached, cool as anything, which made

the boy-everyone else was already getting into