Faith's Pov-

Raiya was such an artist.For a seven year old,she drew exceptionally well.

I looked at her painting.It was a scenery.

She smiled at me.

"It looks wonderful."

"Thanks Miss Hempstead.Daddy taught me.He draws so well."

Oh so it was genetic.Cool.Chris did not seem like some one who was into arts.But well,it is known appearances can be deceptive.

"Thats nice."

I smiled at her and she went back into her own world.

"Miss,Miss look i drew a garden.It has roses,lilies,sunflowers and poppies."
A little boy named Kaden showed me his drawing book.

I took it and made a red star at the corner of the page.

"Its beautiful Kaden.Look i gave you a star."

He grinned at me and it made my day.Kids are so innocent and beautiful.Pure yet mischievous.

"Thank You Miss Hempstead."

The rest of the time passed by going through the drawings of the kids.The class seemed mischievous yet funny to me.These kids were adorable.Not a very hard batch to handle.

"Miss Hempstead?"

Raiya called me.

"Yes?"

"I want to give you something."

She whispered as if she did not want anyone to find out what she was trying to say.

I bent down and smiled at her.

"And what is it that you want to give me?"

She quitely took out a paper from her bag and gave it to me before looking around to see if anyone was watching us.

I raised my eyebrows at the act.

"See it when you get home.Please."

She smiled.

I shook my head and kept that paper in my file.Strange kid.

I heard the bell and yup that was it for today.First class over.

And so was the day.Kids were getting up and giving their works to me.I smiled and waved all of them good bye.

Raiya remained in the class though.

"Hey,class over missy.You dont want to go home?"

"Well,seeing that we are neighbours.We can go together.Daddy can drop you again."

I shook my head.

"No sweetheart.I cant.Your father has already dropped me here this morning."

"Oh oh.You are so formal.Nonna says you never say no to cute little girls if they pout at you for some thing not so bratty.Shall i pout?"

I laughed.She was way too cute.

"Ummm Raiya your dad is here.Come on."

One of the staff members was there to inform us.

"Please come.Please."

"I.."

I was about to say something when i heard Chris.

He was standing at the door watching us.

"Yes.You can come along.I mean even my day is over and well it would only be polite if i offer you a lift.We are neighbours after all."

He shrugged.

"Well...Alright.You take Raiya outside.I just have to keep all this in my locker."

I said pointing at the works of my students.

He gave me a nod and took Raiya.

"Hurry up Faith."

She giggled and went along with her father.I smiled.I like this kid.

"Easier said than done."

I struggled with the amount of notebooks i had and quickly made my way to my locker room to stuff all this inside.

"Hie.You must be the new art teacher of section A."

I turned around to see a man who looked at me.He might be in his early 30s or late 20s.Cannot say much though.Brown hair,green eyes.

"Oh i am sorry.I should introduce myself.I am Holden.Holden Cooper.I take mathematics in 2nd grade.The same class as yours."

I smiled.

"I am Faith.Nice to meet you Mr Cooper.I should probably go now.My friend is waiting for me."

He gave me a nod but his stare lingered on my face.I dont like this.

I quickly turned around and went to the parking lot where Christian and Raiya were waiting for me.I quickly got into the car and fastened my seat belt.

"Where were you?We were waiting for a while."

Raiya pouted.

"Raiya,dont.Whining is not good for you.She is not only our neighbour but your teacher too."

Chris lightly scolded his daughter.

"Its ok.Umm..i just met a collegaue.Hey by the way,it was your maths teacher.Holden Cooper."

"Oh Mr Cooper.Yeah.He is fine."

She shrugged.Well.Some one is not so passionate about math.Can't blame her though.

I looked at Chris.He remained quite most of the time.

It's only fair i initiate a conversation.That would be polite and nice.

"Umm so you always pick and drop her for school?"

"Well yes.Her school is just in the way to the office, so its easy.We leave at the same time."

Oh.

"I hope your first day was nice."

I looked at him and shrugged.

"It was good.The kids were not that bad.I did not have to pull my hair out of frustation so yeah.Cool."

He just smiled lightly.

"Good for you then."

I did not know what to say anymore.

I looked at Raiya.

"Faith,you see that paper i gave you,its a card.I made it for you.You open it when you go home."

"Really?That is very nice of you,Raiya.Well i got some cookies at my place.So if its not a problem,you can come along."

I looked at Chris and Raiya.

"Daddy,can i go to Faith's place to have cookies?I can also meet Jack ."

Chris looked at Raiya.

"Yes sweetheart.Go have fun but dont trouble Faith.Faith,just make sure not to give her any peanut cookies.She is allergic."

I smiled.

"Sure,i will take care of that."

He just gave me a tight nod.This guy does not like talking.

"Hey,here we are.Raiya,remember.No trouble."

He smiled at his daughter who groaned.

"Please dad."

I smiled.Well.My dad took care of us that way when i was very little..after that.Different Story.

"Hey,do you want to come inside?"

Idk why i said what i said.It was too late now.Geez.

Raiya smiled big.

"Yes daddy.You join us too.You know Faith,even daddy loves cookies.Good you invited him too."

Well.

I looked at Chris.He looked like he was having a mental converasation with himself.

"Please come inside.If you like cookies then you should definitely join us.My sister has baked them and she bakes the best cookies ever.You have to try."

There,I made it easy for him.

He gave me a light smile.

"Thank You Faith."

He was awkward.He did not like talking much.Introvert and an over-thinker.

He is the most attractive guy i have ever seen.

Hmm.Wait what!

Geez.I need to stop thinking like that.

We came inside and Jack immediately pounced on my leg.

"Oops.Big boy.Seems like you missed me.Look,I brought some friends for you."

I snuggled my cat who meowed at Rya and Chris.

Raiya grinned.

"Hie Jack."

She pulled Jack in her arms and gave him a light pat.Jack absolutely snuggled in her embrace.

Wow.He likes her.

Chris was just looking around.Well compared to his neat and clean house..my house was a mess.I just moved in and everything is just every where.

"Please sit.I am sorry everything is just all over..I.."

"That is okay.You just moved in and trust me when i moved in to my house..it was more messed up."

Chris said

I laughed awkwardly.Raiya was too busy playing with Jack to pay attention to us.

"I will be right back."

I smiled and placed the cookies along with some milk and coffee.

Thank God for readymade stuff.

"Here it is."

Raiya grinned and immediately took the cookies from the trey along with the glass of milk.

"This is so yum.You even brought milk.I love cookies and milk."

I smiled.

"Thanks sweetie."

"I must say your sister bakes really nice cookies.These are perfect."

Chris added as he munched on his second one.

"Thank you guys.I will surely tell my sister this when i talk to her next time."

Chris gave me polite nod.

Suddenly i heard a commotion outside.Some one was shouting.

Chris tensed next to me.Raiya actually stopped eating and looked at her father.

"Faith, can you please take care of Raiya?I need to go outside for a while."

Looking at his face it was more of a need than a request.

I gave him a nod.

He kissed Raiya on her forhead.They exchanged looks that clearly felt like an unsaid conversation.

He left the room immediately.Raiya looked scared.

"Faith,please close the door.Please."

I did not know how to take it.I went and closed the door.

She did not say anything.

I heard more shouting.A woman was clearly shouting at the top of her voice while i could also hear Chris trying to explain.Raiya looked down at her feet.Her cookies were left forgotten on the table.

Jack meowed loudly.As if he could also feel the tension.

"That is grand ma.She always shouts at daddy.She wants me to live with her but i dont want to go."

Oh.

I hugged her and she visibly snuggled into my embrace.Like she was hiding.

This kid was traumatised and clearly had more on her plate than a normal 7 year old.

"No one will take you if you dont want to go anywhere.I am sure your daddy will handle it."

She blinked at me.

"Grand ma is very rich,Faith."

I believed she knew what she was saying.Chris was a single father.I gathered that today.His wife might have died or left him.

And his mother in law wants Raiya.Obviously.

"Do you trust your father,Raiya?"

She gave me a nod.

"Then nothing is gonna happen.Chris and  you are not going to be separated."

She smiled and hugged me.

It was when the shouting stopped.I heard the car start.She must have left.

Chris came inside.His face said it all.

"Thanks Faith.I believe now,Raiya and I should leave.The cookies were also nice."

Raiya looked at me.

"Thanks Faith.I really like you."

Chris looked at Raiya but he did not get any answers.

"I like you too sweetie.Take care."

"Lets go daddy.I want to see Moose.He must be missing me."

Chris smiled at her and left but not before giving me a grateful smile.

That family is tugging at my heart.

Anddddd chapter 3 is up:)*That is Holden in the pic*
Sorry for the late update guys but university:(
It is my last year and so the schedule is very hectic.

I will try to update soon.But no promises.

Anyway,Please give this story a chance.

Vote and Comment too.
Love you all
WimpieKid:)