Chapter one
The playground was alive.
There was noise — young students squealing, youthful boys shouting, friendly girls chattering, the exchange of small-talk between staff, a clique of older peers gossiping, and everything in-between.
There were games — kids chasing each other in Tip, a competitive soccer game on the flats, a basketball match for the taller students, Cops And Robbers for several hyperactive little ones, and ample Handball matches under the covered area.
The sun's golden hue painted the grass a magnificent golden, tracing magical-looking patterns all across the playground, brushing away dark corners. Within the tall grass, lights twinkled like miniature fairies. For youth, the playground was a place of possibility.
For the staff watching over the luscious grass areas, the bright smiles on their students' faces had the power to give them smiles too. Spanning from ear-to-ear, dimple-to-dimple.
Children bombarded their playground, determined to make the very most of the last few minutes of lunch time before leaving their amusing activities in exchange for an assembly at the library.
Some were excited, many were anxious, a majority couldn't care less, but for Tasmin Kelly, she felt special.
It was day one as a year six student for Tasmin and her peers, and like a majority of them, her parents had made an incredibly big deal about it.
That morning, her parents had squished her in a tight bear hug and kissed her over and over again. Tasmin was told that they loved her and were so proud of her for making it so far.
"Good luck on your first day of year six, honey!" exclaimed Tasmin's mum, pinching her daughter's rosy cheeks enthusiastically.
Tasmin's mum was a kind woman with blue eyes. Her smile was bright and genuine, making the dimples on her chin more prominent. The dozens of freckles that covered her face matched her daughter's, and as those freckles fell from the girl's gaze, she glanced up at her dad, who stepped forward.
Watching as a cheeky grin spread across her father's face, she tried to dodge as he scattered careless tickles on her tummy and under her arms before pulling her into an embrace. Tasmin's incoherent giggling ceased as she stared up in awe at him, a tall man but the most down-to-earth person Tasmin ever knew. The pair shared the same cheeky grin before breaking apart.
Feeling a gentle ruffle in her neatly-tied-back hair, Tasmin backed towards the entrance gate, eyeing her surroundings.
"Have fun! Make friends!" Tasmin's dad encouraged loudly.
That should be enough, mum, dad.
"Thanks, mum, thanks, dad. I'll see you tonight!"
Her waves were enthusiastic until her parents fell behind a curtain of students and parents, and then she quickly dropped the gesture. She didn't want other students seeing how enthusiastic she was.
It's only year six. I'm still the same person. Why should I get so hyped?
But inside, excitement in the form of butterflies flittered and fluttered around in anticipation.
With a small smile to herself, she entered the gates.
I'm ready for year six.
A few hours later, Tasmin, along with her two close friends, sat on benches beside the soccer field, watching while talking. The trio anxiously waited for the conclusion of lunch.
The end of lunch meant that students would be filing into the library.
The end of lunch meant that they would be choosing new classes.
Therefore, the end of lunch was both exciting and nerve-wrecking.
"I—can—not—WAIT!" Emily screeched, waving her fists at her chest.
"Calm down, Em," Lilli said, patting Emily's shoulder in an attempt to calm her down. It didn't work.
Turning around to face her friends, Emily exclaimed in disbelief, "How can you two be so calm? We're choosing new classes!"
With a chuckle, Tasmin replied, "You're like this every year." But not in a bad way; Emily was often very enthusiastic about a lot of things, and it really kept her and Lilli motivated.
Eyeing the playground nervously, Tasmin spotted a group of boys playing a game of soccer. It seemed that she hadn't realised that silence had fallen among her group.
"Tazzie… Who're you lookin' at?" Lilli asked, leaning towards Tasmin.
Turning back to her friends, Tasmin lied, "No one."
She was looking at someone. A boy with brown, wavy hair falling over his forest-green eyes. Tall for his age and… rather cute.
What is his name?
Before they could continue speaking about their new classes, the school bell rang out over the playground, signalling for the students to head to the library. Tasmin and Lilli giggled when Emily shot straight towards the library, each step three times faster than Tasmin's and Lilli's pace.
***
Classes had been chosen.
Tasmin, Emily and Lilli exited the library happily. Her friends were occupied by their guesses on what would happen in their new class, who they would meet, and how annoying their new teacher would be. But Tasmin was in a daze.
It wasn't the first time she had had a small, tiny crush on somebody. But she had never seen this boy before and she was already feeling so jittery. It was year six; a new chapter. Maybe she could make a new friend…
Looking over at the boy she had seen before, she watched him tip back his head as he laughed out loud at something his friend had told him.
What is his name?
"Tasmin? Why are you looking at Harry?"
Harry. That's his name.
Emily started waving her hand in front of Tasmin's face in an attempt to bring her back to earth.
"Who?" Lying again. She was looking at Harry.
"Harry Evans," Emily announced. "You like him, don't you?" Shooting a knowing look.
"Are you kidding me? No. He's just in our class, that's all." Tasmin babbled aimlessly.
But realisation hit her; it would definitely be a long year.