Kayla knelt down to tie her shoes, her fingers moving automatically as her thoughts drifted elsewhere. Across the room, Jordan was zipping up a jacket, one of Sara’s more thoughtful purchases for the colder evenings after the sun dipped below the horizon. The jacket was a perfect fit, and Kayla couldn’t help but notice how natural everything seemed between Jordan and Sara. They operated like a well-oiled machine, an effortless rhythm to their guardian-Little relationship that Kayla couldn’t help but envy.
Her gaze dropped to the floor as she tied the final knot, her mind lingering on the differences between their relationships. With Sara and Jordan, there was no history of sibling dynamics to complicate things. They had started their new roles from scratch, building something unique, unburdened by the weight of years spent as equals. Meanwhile, her relationship with Kelli felt like it was constantly straining under the baggage of their shared past.
Kelli was her sister. She always would be. But now, she was also a Little. And that change came with a thousand unspoken complications.
Kayla stood up, adjusting the hem of her hoodie as she glanced out the window, her reflection faintly visible in the glass. The evening had crept in quickly, the sky streaked with deep purples and oranges. It was beautiful, but it also brought a familiar unease, an awareness of the dangers that came with the dark. Dangers Kelli didn’t seem to fully understand.
Kayla sighed softly, her breath fogging the window for a moment. The world had changed for Kelli in ways that her sister still resisted acknowledging. She wasn’t just small now—she was vulnerable. Fragile. The kind of fragile that made Kayla’s stomach churn if she thought about it too long.
Kelli didn’t see it that way. She still carried herself with the confidence of someone who could walk out the door and take on the world. But Kayla knew better. Littles weren’t just people who happened to be small. They were something else entirely. The rules had changed, and while Kelli might not recognize the dangers that loomed in every shadow, Kayla did.
Sara’s footsteps echoed beside her. The wind outside picked up, rustling the leaves on the trees, and Kayla’s thoughts turned darker. Kelli was no longer a predator, at the top of the food chain, moving through life with little fear of the natural world. No, she was prey now, small, defenseless, and unprepared for the predators she could barely comprehend. Birds, rodents, stray cats, all things that had once been harmless background details in Kelli’s world were now potential threats, each one capable of snatching her away in an instant.
The idea made Kayla’s chest tighten. She had seen the stories, the warnings passed around in guardian forums and online groups. Littles disappearing because someone turned their back for just a second. It didn’t take long for something bad to happen. And Kayla couldn’t let that happen to Kelli. Not ever.
“Everything okay, Kayla?” Jordan’s voice pulled her from her spiraling thoughts, his tone light but curious. As she looked at him perched on Sara’s shoulder.
She turned to look at him, forcing a small smile. “Yeah, I’m good. Just… thinking.”
Jordan raised an eyebrow, his expression skeptical but kind. “About Kelli?”
Kayla nodded, crossing her arms over her chest. “It’s hard not to. She doesn’t get how different things are now. She still acts like… like she’s invincible.”
Jordan shrugged, the movement easy and relaxed. “She’s your sister. Of course, she’s going to push boundaries. It’s what Littles do, especially ones who were independent before. Sara and I have our moments too. But you’re doing a good job, you know. She’s lucky to have you.”
“Yeah, its not like Jordy and I don’t ever disagree on things or have arguments but the longer and more time you are with each other. You tend to work things out. You realize the likes and dislikes.” Sara added
Kayla didn’t respond right away. She appreciated the sentiment, but it didn’t make her feel any better. Luck wasn’t enough. Protecting Kelli wasn’t about luck, it was about vigilance. It was about making sure her sister understood that the world wasn’t the same anymore.
Her mind flickered back to the way Kelli had bristled at every rule, every restriction Kayla had tried to implement. It wasn’t just that Kelli didn’t like being told what to do—she didn’t seem to realize that these rules were there to keep her safe. Kayla wasn’t trying to control her sister; she was trying to keep her alive.
“She’s stubborn,” Kayla said finally, her voice tinged with frustration. “And she doesn’t see how dangerous things are now. It’s not just about keeping her entertained or making sure she’s comfortable. It’s about keeping her alive.”
Jordan tilted his head, studying her for a moment. “She’ll figure it out eventually. It’s just going to take time. She’s still adjusting. I ran off into Dayton’s backyard before I figured it out. Kelli’s smart she won’t do anything as dumb as I did. ”
Kayla sighed, running a hand through her hair. “I just wish she’d take it seriously. It’s like she thinks I’m overreacting, but I’ve seen what can happen. I’ve read the stories. Littles who… disappear. Who get hurt because their guardian wasn’t careful enough. I can’t let that happen to her, Jordan. I won’t.”
Jordan nodded, his expression thoughtful. “You won’t. You’re too careful for that. And Kelli might not show it, but she knows you care. Even if she doesn’t always act like it.”
“You’re a good sister Kayla. You can’t let these difficult times blind you from all the good times you have together. It’s going to be hard and its going to be messy but thats also life. Atleast that’s what I’ve learned and I have the scars to prove it. It will get easier.” Sara said briefly wrapping her arms around Kayla and giving her a hug. Jordan shifted his balance having gotten used to how to navigate affectionate moments from Sara’s time with Ellie and Chloe.
Kayla smiled faintly, though the worry in her chest didn’t fully fade. She knew Jordan and Sara were trying to reassure her, and she appreciated it. But the truth was, she couldn’t shake the feeling that she was walking a tightrope, trying to balance her role as Kelli’s sister with her responsibilities as her guardian. One misstep, and the consequences could be devastating.
As the evening stretched on and the air outside grew colder, Kayla found herself looking out the window again, her reflection blurring against the darkening sky. She could hear Kelli’s voice in her head, teasing her for being overprotective, for worrying too much. But Kayla couldn’t help it. The world was different now, and so was Kelli. And whether her sister liked it or not, Kayla was going to make sure she stayed safe.
Even if it meant being the overprotective sister. Even if it meant being the guardian Kelli didn’t think she needed. Because at the end of the day, Kelli was still her sister. And Kayla would do whatever it took to keep her safe.
not related to the story, but where do you get all the assets in the images? and did it take awhile to get them? just curious cause I look on Daz, rendermarket,renderhub, and that stuff gets pricey lol
I buy a little bit each paycheck and look for the sales and promotions where they have things drops down to just 3 to 5 dollars.
I actually have a backlog of things to install as it’s the least fun part
gotcha. I try to look for deals but I think I’m being too specific and get impatient lol like i look for a specific poster or something and it makes it harder to find for me.
Patience helps if you want to get things inexpensively.
thank you for writing this chapter so I can like Kayla again lol.
Thats a big change for you. You were pretty anti-kayla before.
Even though Kelli might not be on board for bonding, I think Sara and Kayla could come up with a sneaky plan to bond her for her own good because being too independent as a little can get get her killed.
I’m going to state a controversial opinion.
I think nonfamilial guardians have an easier time with the littles of this world because of the lack of a familial relationship.
Case in point Jordan and Sara. They didn’t know each other very well and sure their relationship started a bit rocky. However, over time they grew to understand each other and now work mostly in unison to each other’s benefit.
In contrast, Kayla and Kelli are struggling because they are family, and being that Kelli is the more popular, older sister and always in control of the relationship. Now Kelli has lost that control and does not know how to move forward. Meanwhile, Kayla the quiet shy one of the two. She is not used to being in control and is struggling to balance between guardian and sibling and trying to not become a tyrant to Kelli.
When I have been writing these I have had that thought and kind of work from that methodology where while there are benefits from familial bonds between little and guardian there are negatives that unknown people and little don’t have to deal with.
I mean Kayla and Kelli do have it harder than Jordan and Sara in some ways. Personality also comes into play.
idk, greg and cindy seem to fairing pretty well…
Greg and Cindy’s situation fits the definition of the phrase “It could be worse”
it also fits my point as well where we saw Madison struggle between Cindy’s teachings and wanting to be a good guardian.
I agree, I enjoy Asuka letting people learn and evolve to find their own way to treat littles and littles treating big’s in a positive and loving way against Cindy and the governments propaganda. I think in our world and the smallara world, people who push back against government racist rules like DEI in our world and the smallara rules in the smallara world are people that stand up for their personal values over the easier path of just treating people different because of their size or color of their skin. They are fun to read about 🙂
It’s been interesting follow Jordan’s development. At this point, he has already accepted his new role as a little very well.
I agree, I think his chill way and the physical bond and caring and attention Sara has given him has made is life better then it was when he was big and he is thankful for her protection.
0) Out of interest, How was Sara driving earlier without Jordan in the car? Cause he’s back now, but she’s still a fair way away from being licenced.
1) “Jordan was zipping up a jacket, one of Sara’s more thoughtful purchases for the colder evenings” Despite her cruelty, Sara is mostly good at getting Jordan what he needs when he needs it.
2) “Kayla couldn’t help but notice how natural everything seemed between Jordan and Sara. They operated like a well-oiled machine, an effortless rhythm to their guardian-Little relationship that Kayla couldn’t help but envy” It helps that Jordan is a lot more willing to take abuse and mistreatment than Kelli is. Still, if Kayla saw how poorly Sara had treated Jordan, the threats, the bullying, the silencing and the physical roughness, I doubt she’d feel the same.
3) “With Sara and Jordan, there was no history of sibling dynamics to complicate things. They had started their new roles from scratch, building something unique, unburdened by the weight of years spent as equals” Yes, Sara had no established respect for Jordan, she simply objectified him and treated him thusly.
4) “The world had changed for Kelli in ways that her sister still resisted acknowledging” Well Kayla, you try going through that change, you try to acknowledge it.
5.1) “Kelli didn’t see it that way. She still carried herself with the confidence of someone who could walk out the door and take on the world” it’s mostly a mask, one Kayla can’t see through.
5.2) “Littles weren’t just people who happened to be small. They were something else entirely” this is scientifically true, but would certainly be hard to come to terms with.
6) “No, she was prey now, and unprepared for the predators she could barely comprehend. Birds, rodents, stray cats, all things that had once been harmless background details in Kelli’s world were now potential threats,” I mean Joran;s spent quite a bit of time outside and unguarded and he turned out fine lol.
7) “Littles disappearing because someone turned their back for just a second” that is terrifying, especially because in some of those cases it’d be a human that grabbed them. (It’s exactly what Sara was risking with Mocha)
8) “Everything okay, Kayla?” Jordan checking in on her made me smile.
9.1) “Of course, she’s going to push boundaries. It’s what Littles do, especially ones who were independent before” not as much as they get their boundaries pushed.
9.2) “Sara and I have our moments too” Yeah, Jordan would push a boundary and Sara would overreact and over-punish him. Sara would push a boundary and never have to answer for it.
9.3) “But you’re doing a good job, you know. She’s lucky to have you.” She isn’t perfect, but she’s trying and compared to what he’s endured she is.
10) “The longer and more time you are with each other. You tend to work things out” A. It’s been like two weeks, B. Yes it’d work out to 95% Sara getting what she wants, 4% Sara uses weaponised incompetence to half-ass what Jordan wants and the last 1% is going Jordan’s way properly.
11) “Protecting Kelli wasn’t about luck, it was about vigilance” which is why she left Kelli with her untrained friend.
12.1) “Kelli had bristled at every rule, every restriction Kayla had tried to implement” that’s what happens when people who are used to one set of rules get given another.
12.2) “It wasn’t just that Kelli didn’t like being told what to do—she didn’t seem to realize that these rules were there to keep her safe” which while frustrating is an understandable hard thin to grasp in Kelli’s position.
13) “It’s not just about keeping her entertained or making sure she’s comfortable. It’s about keeping her alive.” This is a very valid point, some guardians don’t bother with the first two, but the fact Kayla sees all three as important is why she’s one of the good guardians.
14) “She’ll figure it out eventually. It’s just going to take time. She’s still adjusting. I ran off into Dayton’s backyard before I figured it out. Kelli’s smart she won’t do anything as dumb as I did.” Jordan’s probably right, Kelli is smarter than him and will be able to understand. Though I’m surprised Sara’a ok with the escape attempt being so casually mentioned, I’d have thought that’d be some Laundry she didn’t want airing in public.
15) “I just wish she’d take it seriously. It’s like she thinks I’m overreacting, but I’ve seen what can happen. I’ve read the stories. Littles who… disappear. Who get hurt because their guardian wasn’t careful enough. I can’t let that happen to her, Jordan. I won’t.” Kayla’s concerns are very real, possibly bordering on paranoia, but I definitely think the possibility is real.
16) “And Kelli might not show it, but she knows you care. Even if she doesn’t always act like it.” Jordan being a bro.
17) “Jordan shifted his balance having gotten used to how to navigate affectionate moments from Sara’s time with Ellie and Chloe” instead of Sara learning not to squeeze him between her and her hug partner.
18) “trying to balance her role as Kelli’s sister with her responsibilities as her guardian. One misstep and the consequences could be devastating.” Very real struggle for Kayla, she doesn’t want Kelli to get hurt, emotionally or physically.
19) “Even if it meant being the overprotective sister” There was a saying going around early covid “If this works, it’ll look like we overreacted” which was used to justify certain policies that were coming into place, I think that’s how Kayla is operating right now.
I think sara helping Kayla secretly bond Kelli to her to help her mellow out and keep her safe I believe would be the help Kelli needs to relies how much she needs Kayla and how to be more receptive to her instructions with out fighting everything because of her pull to be closer to Kayla and I think it would give Kayla the confidence to stand up to anymore messing with her sister and hopefully make safter choices with Kelli like not putting her on the skateboard with her life flashing before here eyes and one bad more by someone else bumping in to her would be Kelli’s death. I think if Kayla doesn’t feel Kelli is challenging her all the time, it will let Kayla to stop trying to mess with Kelli and just concentrate on keep her close and safe to her body.
0) I honestly never thought about it until you mentioned it. So its just an oversight. In theory with her permit she would just need a licensed driver with her. So she could have just a random friend who has a liscense with her in the car which would allow her drive.
1) I like how you waste no time going in on Sara. Even the compliment you gave her was kind of backhanded.
2) I think the horrible treatment is very much subjective. I personally wouldn’t call her treatment horrible.
3) I wouldn’t say she objectified him unless you consider all pet owernship a form of objectification. As then the statment would be fair even if I don’t really agree with it. As I personally don’t consider pet ownership as objectification and Sara more falls into the category of Littles are a form of pet.
4) The thing about Kayla and Kelli is I think both woudl be better in the other role. Kayla’s general lifestyle coudl be maintained easier as a litlte the Kelli’s. Kayla could still play games, and do things online. She could get a small skatebaord and do that inside. She was never very social so wouldn’t have the same level of social need as Kelli.
Where Kelli would be the better guardian as she is more outgoing. She can obviously maintain her lifestyle while being able to intregrate a little into it more easily.
5) That would be accurate
5.2) I feel like it woudl be similar to mutants in the marvel world. The characters kind of have to come to terms with the fact they are mutants and learn to live with powers. Littles are th same where they have to learn to accept they aren’t people and learn to live as a smaller person.
6) Although, Jordan being fine was more dumb luck. The insect could have just as easily killed him.
7) Sara did make the right choice and got rid of Mocha.
8) I thoguht about sara asking. But I wanted to show that in the time between Smallara Prime and the Kayla series that Jordan has grown more comfortable with his situation so interacts more with Sara’s friends.
9) Jordan’s understanding is very much subjective of his own expierence. While he understands he has lost things. I feel like you view he has lost more then Jordan has.
10) I feel like those percentages may be a bit off. As in Smallara Prime not all that much time has elapsed. I feel like he is doing better then you are making it out to be.
11) Its almost important to recognize when you are upset and be able to walk away before you say or do something you’ll later regret. She left her with the safest person she could in that situation
12 and 12.2) Kelli feels more like how you would prefer littles to act as opposed to Jordan.
13) I would say Sara for her faults does do all three. she has had more exposure in granular detail so there is much more to pick apart then with Kayla.
14) her friends know about it. Its not like he’s saying something Kayla doesn’t know about. It woudl be different if he was just blabbing it to strangers.
15) It is valid but it could be paranoia as well. As she is visualizing everything that could go wrong in any moment. Parents sometimes do the same.
16) Well he has spoken to Kelli enough to know her general feelings.
17) Sara could also have been teaching him how to maneuver so she doesn’t have to. I mean its all about how you look it. Positively or negatively with the limited amount of information on that specific topic.
18) Kayla has taken on a big responsibility and put herself in a position she isn’t comfortable with.
19) That is pretty accurate.
0) That’s why I was anal about figuring out who was driving, lol
1) No point standing on business
2) It’s a matter of opinion, but you also know more about the behind the scenes treatment.
3) One of Tiffany’s first lines is telling Sara not to objectify him, and Sara continued anyway, putting his objectifying nickname on legal documents.
4) Probably, Though I wouldn’t want Kayla as a little, and think Kelli would have her flaws as a guardian, though reversed would be interesting. A little Kayla skating around would be really cool to see. (Fun fact, Zoe and Paige was originally a story reversing Kelli and Kayla’s positions)
5.2) I’d argue it’s the opposite, Mutants (mostly) get upgrades and where as littles are downgraded in every way. (And I’d still say littles are people.)
6) I know, that one was a joke.
7) But not until she was able to leverage it to her advantage.
8) In only a week or so.
9) I think Jordan is too forgiving of Sara, I know my own grudges aren’t the healthiest way to live, but I feel his isn’t any better.
10) Possibly, I’m not mathamagician
11) It’s true, Kayla was in a bit of a state, perhaps she’d be better off leaving Kelli at home, even though going out was Kelli’s idea
12 and 12.2) I do prefer Kelli to Jordan.
13) Sara does do all three, but she add in things like ridiculing bullying and slave-driving Jordan that ruin her or the first two.
14) Interesting how quickly Kayla was welcomed to the fold.
15) I do the same while driving, lol
17) That seems worse on Sara’s part to me.
18) She didn’t even want a Little, If Kelli was immune, she’d not be in this world.
3) I kind of view sara’s act with the name as her naming her pet. Kind of like when you get a dog or a cat you get to choose the name.
But I can see how it would be viewed in bad light. But I generally when writing tend to look at the world of smallara from the terms of the rules and regulations of that world and the norms of that world without taking into account the context and knowledge form this world.
So renaming a little isn’t all that abnormal.
4) Everyone has flaws as a guardian. As people by nature are flawed individuals. So there would be detracting points.
5.2) Litltes are biologically are superior to humans though. there bodies work more efficiently. So they are like mutants who have biologically superior bodies. Just unlike mutants they aren’t of equal or greater stature than humans.
6) oh I know. I just wanted to respond anyway.
7) Well she did actually love her cat. It was more one of those situations where you know you are going to have to do something but you still kind of hope it will work out somehow. But eventually you realize you just have to do what you don’t want too.
Its not like sara was unaware. SHe just didn’t want to have to get rid of Mocha until she saw with her own eyes that it wouldn’t work.
8) Well its not real long after smallara prime but some time has passed and for Jordan it would be 24/7.
Where if you didn’t know Spanish and were just dropped off in Mexico. You would start picking up Spanish pretty quick in just a few weeks time.
14) Sara is taking Kayla under her wing so to speak. SInce Kayla reached outand they talked. She could see she was struggling with the bullying like she was and wanted to be a friend to her and get her out of that situation as she could see where Kayla was going as Sara had been there herself.
So they have a closeness because of the shared experience while different bullies. They felt similar and can relate to each other through that context.
18) That is true but that’s how life works. Once change is a catalyst to another change.
3) She wasn’t planning on that being his name though she was just bullying him with it until he lost his temper about it, she was tormenting him with it until his anger at her outweighed his fear of her, provoking him and rubbing it in. And Jordan having much more patience than me just took it until he could waste a perfect moment of leverage for it.
5.2) Nothing the little gains can make up for what they lose, the most worthwhile point is the life extension but that’s easily replicated in humans.
6) LOL
7) I think Mocha was too old to be trained for Little safety.
14) Sara’s good for Kayla, at least for now, they do have similar struggles, except Kayla doesn’t take her frustrations from getting bullied out on others like Sara does.
1,2,3) I think Sara did some bad stuff like Kaya has at first but like everyone she has evolved and I think Sara now has become a very loving maternal figure with how smart she has become about littles for not just with Jordan but but her friend’s and their littles like Kayla and Kelli. I think Chole has big a big positive influence on Sara and I hope they marry because they are a great couple and Jordan is a great kid for them and Jordan and Kelli will make great little grand babies lol.
4) I think a story about Kayla and Sara becoming little and Kelli and Jordan all of a sudden become big because of a mutated strain of the virus would be a great story because if would be fun to see how Kelli and Jordan react to being big again and dating and Sara and Kayla reacting to being littles and having Kelli being over protective and having Sara and Kelli bring Kayla shopping all the time and making her wear fashion lol.
5) Being a Comic nerd and having a very large collection I totally agree with your take, very close take to how most of the X-men family comics go other then a few of course
6) Jordan could have easily been one of the horror story’s Kayla was taking about and justifies her worry more.
7) I was not happy with how she did not take the Cat danger serous.
8) I like Jordan being able to be more physical and open with Saras friends because being a little is being part of all parts of Bigs life like kids hugging and playing with parents friends. Same with littles. I think Chole and Jordan growing closer is great because I want Sara and Chole to get married long term lol.
9) I understand your feeling because I was very angry with Kayla how she was treating her own sister after she lost everything and needed love and attention and did the opposite in my opinion. I believe in second chances if someone can say they are truly sorry and try’s to change their ways, I think Sara has slowly got to that point and has made Jordan life better now then it was as a big with her maternal doting on him and trying to get him with Kelli by helping him act better. I think Kayla saying she was sorry to Kelli and starting to open up to Kelli is making me like Kayla again because I was very upset with her treatment of Kelli at first.
11) As much as I love Talisa, I think it was risky letting Kelli go to her house, she would have been better having Talisa hang in Kayla’s room at their house. It was a immature move.
12) same, but I hope Kelli needs to be more loving and excepting to Kayla trying to keep her safe but Kayla needs to give more physical attention like most parents do not just leave kids in front of a tv all day.
13) Sara has evolved in a better person and guardian with Choles positive influence.
14) I think Saras new found Maternal instinct has made her want to take care of Kayla and Kelli and approves of Kelli being good enough for her little man like a good mom lol.
15) I think its not a bad trait.
17) I think Jordan knowing how Sara body moves when she is being affectionate is a positive so Jordan can add a little, sugar also if he wants being part of Saras life. lol
18) Kayla to her credit excepted the responsibly to take care of her older sister for the rest of her life because of her illness and now she has to deal with the good and bad like most new parents do. But like most parents its 90% good, she just has to get through the first shock lol.
19) I think the Smallara world will be better if they look at littles as people that are affected like getting cancer and need care not as pets to be treated not as a person anymore. Cancer unfortunately attacks people at the cellular level like smallara .
I don’t think it wasn’t tha tshe didn’t take the cat danger serious. She just loved her cat.
talisa taking Kelli is a risk but Kayla does trust Talisa.