as life would have it

Byron was back to being Noah again. They wouldn't have it any other way at school.

Of course, Noah knew he needed to make a statement before he started sixth grade.

He could see Dakota didn't understand it, but everybody loved Dakota. And not many liked him.

But there was Dakota who was always at his side. His one true friend.

So when he kissed her the day before school started in the playground not so far from home, he didn't question it. Soon enough, they'd know she was his woman.

"Hold up..." Matty winced hard when Noah was trying to explain it to him. In fact, his brother Matty looked like he had a bad taste in his mouth. "Wait a minute." Matty shook his head. "You can't go around saying 'my woman'."

"What's wrong with that?" Noah winced back. "That dude on MASTER DEVIL says it all the time."

"But..but that's a Chinese drama," Matty shrugged. He still couldn't believe Noah would say such rot to Dakota, of all people. "Did she smack you?"

Noah shook his head, no. When he grinned, Matty gave him a nausea look and rolled his eyes.

"It was awesome," Noah felt he was her man. Was that so bad?

Matty shook his head.

Noah shrugged. Dakota kissed him back. He was pretty sure she'd been waiting a whole lot of time for him to seal the deal. Besides, he felt he could go on with school just fine now.