Chapter 1

Kicking stones into the road as he walked, Malik made his way home from school. He walked slowly, he was in no rush. Putting his hands in his pockets, he watched each stone bounce away. If anything, Malik was dreading going home, it was probably his least favourite place, he thought to himself. He didn't mind school, he didn't mind school at all. In fact he might even go as far as to say that he kind of enjoys it. He's a different person in school, happier, he laughs more and he's got tons of mates. Although he did struggle with a few subjects, he was fairly smart and enjoyed history and music. He had a good reputation too as he got along with most people in his year due to being the class clown. Unfortunately, school just finished for the summer holidays, meaning he was stuck at home for two whole months. His thoughts were suddenly interrupted.

"Take your hands out of your pockets whilst you're walking, Malik"

He didn't need to look up from the floor, Malik could recognise that voice from anywhere.

"Why?"

"Because, boy, if you trip over one of those rocks you keep kicking across the floor you won't be able to save yourself by putting your arms out in front of you..."

Taking his eyes off the floor, and his hands out his pockets, Malik looked up at Bruce's brown, caring eyes, which were now giving him the "do as you're told" look.

Bruce could tell there was something up with Malik, his attitude was different, he didn't have a go at him and tell him he was nagging. He did as he was told the first time...Which was extremely unlike Malik. Bruce had known Malik since he was tiny, he had babysat the small boy many, many times and had become very close with him and his family over the years. He watched the child grow into the moody teenager he was now. However, he was never this moody.

"Alright, spit it out"

"Hm?" Malik kept his eyes on the floor as he walked beside the tall man.

"What's the matter with you? You're never this quiet Malik.." Bruce was growing concerned for the boy and watched as Malik bit his lip before deciding to tell him what was bothering him.

"Nothing..it's just- I just...I dunno.." the boy stammered out

"Come on Malik, you know you can talk to me."

"I guess I just don't really wanna go home" Malik said, looking up at Bruce.

"Ahh...your dad again?"

Malik nodded, Bruce understood why Malik didn't want to go home, his father was never really there and when he was, boy was he drunk. He worked away from home so whenever he was at home, he saw this as a time to celebrate with his mates, Malik always felt like he was in the way and soon enough his dad would be flying out to Australia for his new job, he wanted Malik to go with him, but he was unsure about this. His father isn't a bad one by any means, he does love his boy and would never hurt him, however Malik's  parents were very young when they had him, they missed out on a lot raising him. Now they're making up for the time lost with their friends and they don't have much time for him.

"I was wondering..uhm...if maybe you'd like to stay over? And we could play Mario kart, like we used to?" Malik asked, looking up at Bruce hopefully.

"I'm afraid I can't come over tonight boy...I'm sorry." Bruce replied, trying his best to keep the slight grin off his face.

"It's alright, shouldn't have asked, I just get a little bored sometimes 'n' y'know none of my mates can stay over so you were like my last resort-"

"But" The man interrupted, "I can come over for a little while to help you pack a bag, that's if you'd like to stay with me tonight?" He looked down at the curly haired boy.

"Yes!!..I mean yeah okay, sure, whatever." Malik said, a little enthusiastically to begin with.

Bruce chuckled and ruffled his hair as they walked.

As they arrived at the gates to Malik's house, men were seen carrying boxes out of his home and into the van. 'What the bloody hell is going on?' Malik thought to himself. "Wait there Bruce." Malik walked into the gates and through the front door, knocking shoulders with his dad as he entered the house. "Sorry mate..oh Malik, you're home-"

"What's going on?" The boy asked, very confused.

"Work want me to start early! Isn't that great? I'm flying out today so I was gonna see if you wanna stay with your aunt till I can get you over too?"

"No...no no no I don't want any of that! I'm not staying with my aunt and I'm not going to Australia! You can't make me. This is the only school I've ever liked please dad don't make me go.." Malik protested

Bruce heard the commotion and felt the need to intervene. "Perhaps Malik would want to stay with me?" He knew the boy was comfortable with him, minutes ago he asked him to come and stay at his house, did he not?

"Do you want to stay with Bruce, Malik?" His father questioned.

"Can I?" Malik looked up at Bruce, his eyes sparkling with complete joy.

"If your father agrees, of course you can" Bruce replied

"Well, if that's what you both want, I can trust Bruce to look after you and I hope I can trust you to behave under his care, Malik, so I'm going to say yes. But if you misbehave at all I'm only a phone call away son and I'll still punish you, even from the other side of the world."

Bruce walked to his home to collect his car, then drove back and helped Malik pack his things out of his room and loaded them into the car. They said their goodbyes and with that, they drove back to Bruce's place.

- I'm sorry if this chapter was too long and boring, it was just to start the story off. The following chapters will be better! Please leave any tips to help me improve my story and writing! Thank you  ❤️