Chapter Text
Mike was not excited to go to kindergarten. He was meant to be at home, watching his mama cook a very yummy lunch for him and just him because Nancy was at school. Instead he stood in front of a tall building with red doors as many other children ran past him to hurry in.
He held on onto his mom's right leg and nervously looked down at his new blue shoes. He was still learning how to tie them but if he thought really hard, he could remember what his mama had said about bunny ears.
"Honey, we talked about today didn't we? You'll get to meet new friends and I'll be back to pick you up in a few hours." She gently placed a hand on Mike's head and brushed some stray hairs into place.
"I don't want to…"
"Hm, do you think you can promise me something?" Mike felt her fingers reach under his chin and and pull his attention up to her.
He nodded. If he knew one thing, it's that he can keep a promise.
"Will you promise to be brave for me today?"
His mouth split into a small smile, "Yes, Mama."
Mike's mom felt her heart get warmer, smiling down at Mike with a fondness. She knows he's scared. She knows he's trying.
She leans down to give him a final hug before sending him off. Finally peeling him away from her leg.
Mike was not excited to talk with strange new children. He walked into the school building, following the other children who were all talking about the 'first day of kindergarten'. He turned a corner and saw a green door, the first in the hallway. He looked into the room right as a tall lady walked toward the door. She looked down at him and gave him a warm smile.
She greeted him and asked him for his name. He took a deep breath and pronounced his full name clearly just like he practiced. Her pink lips smiled again before she guided him to his seat.
Taped at the top of his desk was a dotted yellow name tag with the name "MICHAEL W." written in black marker ink. Mike thought this was a funny way of spelling "Mike" but he let it slide.
While contemplating his name tag, he started to notice a shift in the noise within the classroom. It was getting louder the longer he stayed in his seat. His desk was pushed up against three other desks that also had name tags.
He didn't want to meet new people. He was perfectly happy with his dinosaur toys at home.
Slowly, the seats around him started to fill up. The one beside him was taken by a little girl who wore a lot of pearls. 'Very fancy for school,' he thought.
The girl in front of her had brought a stuffed elephant toy. At home, he also has a stuffie that he gets to sleep with every night.
And lastly, the seat in front of him had the name tag just like the other desks. This one was yellow with blue dots on it, his had black dots. In the same marker ink, the tag had the letters "WILLIAM B."
It took a few extra minutes for all the students to arrive but somehow the boy who occupied the seat directly in front of him was the last one to enter the classroom.
He was shorter than the other kids, his backpack but too big for him and his hair a little over grown. He walked to his seat with what Mike could only describe as fear. He looked over at the door from where he had just come from and saw two adults talking in whispers, looking over at him between words.
The little boy slipped into the chair and looked around the desk, identifying his name the same way Mike had. He then lifted his head slightly to look at the kids who's desks were right up against his. The boys eyes landed on Mike to which made him feel a little jolt in his shoulders. He suddenly felt the need to sit up straight now that he was being perceived.
The soft spoken teacher begins class by introducing herself. Her name was Ms. Baker. She wore a long light pink dress that reminded Mike of his mama's pink apron. He misses her.
The kids go around and say their names one by one. Mike tries to sound brave, just like his mama asked.
He looked over at the boy in front of him. It was his turn.
Silence.
He was looking down at his desk, slightly shaking with his eyebrows furrowed.
"Ah yes, This is Will! He's a little bit shy but please everyone, help him get to know you." Ms. Baker had now walked over to their side of the room and directed the next child to introduce themselves.
Finally it was recess.
Ms. Baker had explained that every day there was a set time for everyone to go outside and play. Of course, if it was raining they would have indoor recess but today was very warm and breezy.
Mike was unsure of what to do. He could try to join in on the big game of tag that is gathering a bunch of kids on the far right of the field, or he could make his way to the slides and swings.
Mike decides to head over to the play set. He walks around toward the slide and sees the swings behind it. Sitting on them is Will.
All day Mike had been looking over at the shy boy that sits with him. Unsure of how to involve him in things when the girls next to them talked so loudly that Will would startle sometimes.
His new shoes carry him over to the blue swings. The crunch of the leaves below his feet give him away to Will who looks up from the big leaf he had between his small fingers.
Mike looks right at him, his green eyes are very pretty.
"Do you want to be friends?" Mike smiles at the boy causing him to return the smile. It's the biggest smile he's seen on him all day.
Will nods very enthusiastically and kicks off his swing. Mike understands. He sits on the swing next to him and starts to push himself as well. Giggling at his new friend Will.
Safe to say, Mike had found something to be excited about tomorrow.