Adelaide ‘Addie’ Bryce is 20 years old and has just taken her assignment test- society is broken up now by dominants and submissives, when they reach 20 they’re given the assignment test which catalogues information from their schooling, aptitude and personality tests, as well as genetic testing to find you’re best suited match and then they’re sent to school to learn their determined roles: master, owner, caregiver, slave, pet, or little. Adelaide is determined to be a little- her mother who is a master is less than thrilled and downright disappointed in her daughter for being a little, and her father who is a slave tells his daughter that she’ll do wonderful and that her match will take care of her. She’s collected to be taken to the school and receives her caregiver match- a daddy named Atlas Warren who is a few years older and hasn’t had a match yet, Addie is just happy she won’t be forced to room with him and will share a room with another little- a girl named Cameron ‘Cammy’ who is a year older than Addie but the girls hit it off right away. All characters are over the age of 18.

Chapter 6: First Day Jitters

Atlas's large hand enveloped hers as they navigated the bustling hallways, the sea of taller students and echoing chatter pressing in. When they reached the sterile classroom door marked 'Littles - Orientation & Core Skills', Addie hesitated, her wide pale blue eyes darting nervously around the bright, unfamiliar space filled with small desks and colorful posters.

Atlas knelt smoothly on the polished linoleum, bringing his hazel eyes level with hers, his calm presence anchoring her swirling panic. "Little one," he murmured, his voice a low, soothing rumble cutting through the hallway din, "I’ll be right outside this door to walk you to your next class, and I’m right downstairs if you need me; remember to tell me or the teacher if something is wrong." He squeezed her trembling hand gently. "You’re safe, and I’m so proud of you." He watched, a knot of protective worry tightening in his chest, as she took a deep, shaky breath and tentatively stepped over the threshold.

"Good morning, sweet pea! You must be Adelaide!" A warm, melodic voice instantly enveloped Addie as a woman with bright eyes and a cloud of curly brown hair bustled over, beaming. Miss Jenny’s cheerful energy was like stepping into sunshine. "Welcome, welcome! Come on in, don’t be shy." She gently guided Addie further into the room, away from the doorway where Atlas still lingered, watching. "Let’s get you settled! Here’s your cubby – it’s got your name right there, see? And this," she pointed to a small desk near a window, "is your spot. Oh!" She noticed Addie clutching her pink water bottle, knuckles white. "What a cute bottle! You hold onto that, honey, if it makes you feel comfy. Perfectly fine." Her easy acceptance loosened Addie’s grip just a fraction.

Miss Jenny kept up a gentle stream of chatter as she showed Addie around the brightly lit room. "Over here is our cozy corner for quiet reading," she gestured to plush beanbags and a low bookshelf, "and this table is for puzzles and building things – see the blocks? And the sensory bins are through that archway for messy play later." They paused near a cluster of other Littles gathered around a low table strewn with crayons and paper. "Now, let’s meet some friends! Everyone, this is Adelaide, but I think she likes Addie, right sweetie?" Addie managed a tiny nod, her gaze flitting nervously over the faces turned towards her.

Cammy, a petite girl with bouncing copper curls, instantly grinned and scooted her chair closer, patting the empty spot beside her. "Hey Addie! Sit here! Ignore Jasper over there," she stage-whispered, jabbing a thumb at the lanky boy beside her who was busy folding a paper airplane, "He's mostly harmless, except for the glitter." Jasper looked up, feigning outrage, his blue eyes sparkling with mischief. "One time! Cora washed my favorite hoodie three times!" Cammy rolled her eyes dramatically. "If he sprinkles sparkles in your hair or shoes, he goes straight on the 'mean and rotten' list with Sienna."

"No way!" Jasper protested, leaning conspiratorially towards Addie. "Don't listen to her, new princess. Cammy just wants you all to herself 'cause you're quiet and sweet like a shy little princess." He winked. "I'm actually the fun one." Cammy snorted playfully. "Fine, Jasper stays off the rotten list… for now. But Addie, you automatically go on the 'sweet and funny' list, obviously." They both watched her, their expressions open and inviting but not pushy, letting her absorb their easy banter. Addie slowly sank into the offered chair, unscrewing her pink water bottle with slightly trembling fingers; she took a small sip, her gaze flicking between them as they resumed chatting about who else was 'awesome' (Liam shared his snacks) or 'avoid-at-snack-time' (Bryce always tried to trade his yucky carrots). Absentmindedly, her fingers found a stray snippet of soft blue yarn tangled near her chair leg and began twisting it, the repetitive motion oddly soothing her jitters as Jasper described how Liam once glued googly eyes on all the stuffed animals.