"I don't want to wear a tie!" John squirmed as his mother finished straightening his blue necktie. He scratched at his uncomfortable blazer. School uniforms were just like nice church clothes: straitjackets for children. 

"No no no!" Mum grabbed his small arms, "Don't wiggle, John! You'll wrinkle your new shirt!" She looked at her son with proud, delighted eyes. "Oh, don't you look handsome!"

John gave in and let himself smile. He liked to see his mum happy, and if this dress-up game pleased her, then that was worth it.

She fondly ruffled his sandy-colored hair. John giggled and tried to ruffle her hair too, but his sticky fingers became ensnared in her long, blonde locks. She laughed and untangled them. 

"John!" She cried, examining his grubby hands. "Have you gotten into the jam again?"

""No..." he replied, but his sheepish smile gave him away.

"Go wash up, messy boy," she said, her eyes twinkling with amusement. 

John breathed a sigh of relief and scurried out of the room. He ran into their cozy kitchen, the morning sunlight bathing the room in a golden glow. He tried to focus on washing his hands "the right way" (according to Mum), but he could hardly keep still. Today was the first day of school! He would no longer have to spend agonizingly boring days waiting for Harry to come home. He could meet new friends and have play dates to go to, just like his older sister. The Watsons lived in a sleepy part of town with a bunch of old folks, so playmates John's age were in short supply. To have a best friend... John just grinned at the thought.

Suddenly, a blur of brown curls flew across his vision. He turned to see Harry rummaging through the cupboard and finally pulling out her treasure: The Jammie Dodgers! She checked if the coast was clear, then stuffed a handful of biscuits into her bookbag.

"Hey!" John cried, "Mum said we can't have treats for breakfast!"

"Shhh!" She hissed, "I'm saving them for later!" She tossed him a couple. "Just don't tattle, ok?"

John nodded his head obediently and stuffed the yummy biscuits into his pocket.

"Harriet! John!" Mum's voice floated down the hallway. Harry grabbed the package and tossed it into the cupboard just in time. Mum stepped into the room and immediately noticed her children's sly smiles.

"You two look like the cat that ate the canary," she said suspiciously, eyeing her daughter accusingly. Harry grinned wider and leapt at her for a quick hug.

"Gotta go, Mum. I'm gonna be late. See you later, bye!" Harry said in one breath and raced out the door.

"Harriet Elizabeth Watson!" Mum shouted after her, but her tiny figure was already halfway down the street. Mum sighed and turned to John. "It was the Jammie Dodgers, wasn't it?"

John hesitated, then nodded. "Please don't tell her I told!" He begged, "I promised I wouldn't!"

Mum laughed and bent down to her young son's eye level. "It's alright, John," she said. "After all, today's your big day!" She playfully poked his tummy and he giggled. "Are you ready for takeoff?"

"Yup!" John chirped, "I can't wait to make friends!"

"Just remember to introduce yourself and ask what their name is," Mum reminded him. "Then you-"

"Compliment them!" John interrupted excitedly, "then ask them a fun question and be nice and listen!"

"You'll be great!" Mum laughed, "Now you'd better hurry up and catch your sister. She forgot her lunch, and she better eat more than just biscuits!" She handed him two paper-bagged lunches and kissed him on the cheek. "Be brave, my little soldier."

"I will!" John yelled as he burst outside. He ran after his sister into the bright, beautiful morning.