Little Dayton V

This Little Park was set up inside a large building, it was temperature controlled but otherwise designed to emulate the outside world as much as possible for the Littles, it had about two dozen of what looked like picnic tables in them, but each table was designed with a miniature park on top of them that Littles can play, exercise, or just relax on, some had playgrounds, pools, seating and exercise equipment for the littles to use.  In one corner was a stall containing little games and sports equipment that Genritech had donated, anyone in the park could freely borrow a game, so long as it was returned at the end, security was fairly strict about this.  All the tables were occupied today, Kayla approached the table closest to the entrance having procured the lawn bowls game for the littles to play.

“Dayton’s got this,” Sara whispered, seeing her little approach the line. She took her ball and lined up her shot.

“No way, Kelli’s gonna win,” Kayla whispered back, her voice low to not disturb the game.

“Ellie, we need a tiebreaker,” pleaded Sara.

“Guys, I’m the ref, I can’t be placing bets,” Ellie retorted.

“We could be gambling on this?” Sara asked.

“Do they know we can hear them?” Dayton asked, seeing her shot go just a hair shorter than Kelli sent the kitty (Target in Lawn Bowls), the micro-turf beneath her bare feet felt like the many grasses she’d walked before.

“They’re trying to whisper, secretly,” Kelli said with a wink, “did you ask Ellie to referee?”

“No,” Dayton confessed, “but she loves giving herself titles.”

Kelli’s ball glided across the turf-covered wood of the Little Lawn Bowls board, knocking Dayton’s ball a little closer to the target.  Causing the younger Little to celebrate.

“Major fumble by Wallace,” Sara whispered in an imitation of a sports announcer voice.

“Even so, Reeves will need more than skill and luck to win” Kayla replied, also in an announcer impression.

“Speaking of which, Reeves is lining up her next shot” Sara said, “she goes for it, it’s gliding down the alley, it’s…”

“Ooh, it fell short,” Kayla announced, “Reeves’ll need to work on her technique of she ever wants to stand a chance.”

Dayton poked her little tongue out at Kayla, blowing raspberries at the giantess, causing the older girls to all laughs.  Sara pet Dayton gently, the little’s hair swaying in response to the touch.  Dayton leaned into the petting, causing Kelli to cringe at the sight, turning away and trying to focus on her next shot.

The Littles played on, and the humans kept talking, quickly losing interest in the Littles playing below, their conversation drifting to person lives, school gossip and future plans.  As a young guardian approached from behind. 

“Excuse me, can I sit with you?” came the voice behind, causing the girls to turn, “Sara?” the young girl asked, surprised at her presence.

“Nicole!” Dayton squealed excitedly.

“Hey,” Sara greeted Nicole with a hug, having become friendlier with her due to their time together thanks to their mutual friend, Dayton, “What are you doing here?”

“Mom’s shopping in the Mall across the road,” She explained, “she’s letting me take her here, so she’s not too bored.” Nicole gestured her hand-held sister.

Sara pats the seat beside her for Nicole, “This is Ellie, my best friend since forever, and this is Kayla, a new friend I made recently, girls this is Nicole, Dayton’s best friend from before Smallara.”

“Hey,” Kayla politely greeted.

“What’s your little’s name?” Asked Ellie, fascinated by the adorable young girl in Nicole’s grasp.

“Her name’s Amanda, but we just call her Mandy, she’s my sister.” Nicole explained, “Say hello. Mandy.”

“Hi,” Mandy waved reluctantly, “Can I go on the swings now?”

“Fine,” Nicole said, tiredness in her voice as she lowered Mandy on the table, who immediately ran to the swing set in front of Ellie.

“You’re so pretty,” Mandy told Ellie before jumping onto the swing set, “Push me, Nicky, push me,” Mandy chanted waving her sister over.

Nicole sighed, realising she’d need to switch seats, she was about to ask before getting cut off.

“I got you Mandy,” Ellie happily said, using a single finger to push the Little, she was partially motivated by Nicole’s seeming irritation, but mostly wanted to play with Mandy, who was the youngest Little Ellie had ever seen in person.

“Thanks,” Nicole said, before turning her head, “Hey Dayton,” Nicole’s mood instantly improved as she greeted her friend.

“Hey, I wasn’t expecting to see you,” Dayton ran over to her friend, grabbing and hugging her fingers.

“Yeah, good to see you,” Nicole checked for Sara’s approval, she got a nod before picking Dayton up.

“Hello, I’m Kelli,” Kelli finally introduced herself, after realising neither Sara or Kayla were going to, she side-eyed the three teens as she did.

“Oh sorry, I didn’t see you.” Nicole apologised.

“She didn’t see me,” Kelli thought in her mind, she’d gotten that excuse a lot lately. “Are you OK?” Kelli asked, “you look a bit tired.”

“It’s just guardian trouble,” Nicole answered dismissively, “You wouldn’t understand.”

Sara put her arm around Nicole, “Maybe I could.”

Nicole placed Dayton back on the table and leaned into Sara, something Dayton had done many times before her infection, a hint of jealousy sprouting when she saw it.

“It’s just frustrating” Nicole started, “Mom wanted me to be her guardian, but now she won’t let me be a guardian.”

“Won’t let you?” Sara asked.

Nicole checked on Mandy, who was happily playing with Ellie, completely distracted.  “She just won’t let me do anything, if Mandy doesn’t want to” Nicole continued, “I can’t tell her off, or punish her without mom going on and on about how I ‘need to be nicer to her’ or how she’s ‘just a little’ and then gives Mandy a treat or something to make her feel better.”

“So, she’s interfering?” Kayla asked.

Nicole nodded, “I’m the guardian-trained one, but I don’t feel like a guardian.”

“That sucks,” Sara answered, “Mom loves Dayton, but she’s not telling me how to be her Guardian.”

“It’s like she doesn’t trust me,” Nicole whined, “and she’s spoiling Mandy now.”

“Mandy’s always been spoiled,” Dayton claimed.

“No,” Nicole said, “this is worse, I can’t get a new laptop case for school, because Mom wants to spend all are money on Little things for Mandy, so she doesn’t feel left out.”

“Little products are expensive,” Kayla confirmed, “I’ve had to improvise a few of Kelli’s things, her blanket was a glasses cleaner dad gave her, it says ‘Genricare: Optical and Hearing’ on it

“It’s comfy enough,” Kelli said, “but I’d prefer a real blanket.”

“Sacrifices are part of life,” Sara said, “especially for guardians.”

“I know, the instructor said that in the course,” Nicole confirmed.

“You should talk to your mom,” Sara said, “she probably wants what’s best.”

“I tried, but she doesn’t listen,” Nicole explained, “Insisting that I’m just a girl, I’ll understand when I’m older.”  Nicole’s frustration came through with each word.

Sara nodded in understanding, texting Nicole the link to the Guardian helpline she’d learned about from Chloe, “This should help you.”

“Keep trying to talk with your mom,’ Kayla said, “she should listen to you if you explain how you feel”

Nicole nodded gratefully, “thanks, I will,” her spirit seemed lifted as the teens spoke to her, the conversation changed topics as it continued, and Nicole felt like the weight floated off her shoulders.

……

“I like your scarf,” Mandy told Kelli, having had her fill of the swings she’d decided to greet the other Littles.

“Thanks,” Kellis responded, checking her scarf to ensure her collar wasn’t visible. “Kayla’s friend Talisa got it for me, it was a surprise.”

“Do you like my collar?” asked Mandy, showing it off, “It’s a temporary one.”

“I didn’t know that was legal,” Kelli said.

“It’s because we’re young,” Dayton explained, “once we’re adults and stop growing, they’ll give us permanent ones.”

“Oh,” Kelli said, hiding her disappointment realising she didn’t have a way to get hers removed.

Nicole’s phone vibrated prompting the tween to stand up. “C’mon Mandy, Mom’s ready for us,” she declared as he reached for her sister, “Bye guys.”

“See you later, Nicole” Sara said, followed by the other girls farewelling her.

“Bye-bye Mandy,” Ellie cooed with a wave.

“What do you say?” Nicole prompted expectantly.

“Love you,” Mandy yelled back at Ellie.

“What?” Nicole asked in confusion.

“She pushed my swing; I love her now.” Nicole said, her childish smile peering at Ellie.

“Love you too,” Ellie responded, getting confused looks from everyone except Mandy, “what?  She called me pretty, I love her now.”

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