AN: I don't know how kindergartens work in America. I started going to it when I was 4, skipped a year, went to pre-school group at age 5 and a half (it's last year of kindergarten, if you are wondering).

"Come on Jim! You're going to go to kindergarten! Remember? Toby is also going." – Barbara grunted as she tried to pry him off the car door.

"NO! Don't wanna! Meanie!" – he screeched as he clung to the door with all his strength, which was quite a bit.

People were stopping to look and stare as Barbara struggled with her son. He had latched to the car seat the moment he saw where they stopped. Barbara had managed to pry him off of it but before she could get him away from the car, he had grabbed the open door.

"Jimbo!" – someone suddenly shouted.

They both looked and saw Toby excitedly running towards them, waving his hand.

"Tobes!" – Jim said excitedly and his grip loosened a bit.

Barbara took the chance and pulled him away from the car. By the time he noticed what had happened, Jim was dangling in the air like a shocked cat. He tried to wriggle out of the hold but Barbara held firm.

"Stop squirming! If you don't, I will make you eat only peas for 3 days!" – she finally scolded Jim.

He froze for a second and then went limp.

"okay…" – he said very quietly.

Barbara nodded, satisfied with herself and let Jim on the ground.

"Now, you two go inside and good luck! Make some good memories!" – Barbara said and waved at the two boys.

Jim was on the verge of tears; she could see it. He looked at her with a face that would have made most people feel heartbroken. Barbara held firm and didn't change her decision, even though Jim looked like he's going to die. When the doors closed, she breathed a sigh of relief and went towards her car. Nana had left earlier, going to the convenience store to buy some discounted fruit. Barbara then drove to work.

"Hello class! I am Ms. Brown, but you can also call me Angie. Nice to meet you!"

"" Nice to meet you."" – the group of 15 kids parroted back.

Jim stood behind Toby, trying to distance himself from the others. Toby on the other hand was bouncing in hopes of meeting some new friends.

"Come on Jimbo! Why are you so shy right now? Let's show em how cool you are!"

Jim just stepped back and looked at the place warily. He didn't mind people, really. He would talk with others, shake hands with others, allow girls take pictures with him and even let old ladies pinch his cheeks, but that was because he was with his mother. Back at home, he felt safe and knew that he had to protect his mom and his places from 'baddies', he knew what he had to do and found security in that. But here, where his mother wasn't with him, the only familiar person being Toby and this woman now apparently being in charge confused him a lot, it even scared him. His instinct was screaming at him, he might not understand it, but it made him want to crawl somewhere and wait for his mother to come.

===Time skip===

Toby had finally managed to make Jim go out instead of hiding in a corner or behind him the whole time. The chubby boy was determined to show the others just how amazing his first ever friend was. Jim was super strong after all! Toby saw him lift the couch a bit, so he could get a toy from under it, Jim even ate a soda can once they were playing in the park, so in Toby's mind, Jim was someone very cool (like Super-man or something similar). He even expected to be told that Jim had come from space and see what other secret powers he had. Although he also didn't want Dr. Lake to scold him and Jim again. He liked her but she was scary when angry.

He led Jim by the hand towards the playground. He beamed at the other kids and bounced at the thought that they'd have more friends to play with.

"C'mon Jimbo! Hurry up!"

….

Jim still didn't like this place. It had gotten better during the few days he spent in kindergarten but it still rubbed him the wrong way. It was very different than his home, in more than physical way. The place was kind of 'chaotic' and 'unorderly?' to him. The only certain thing was Toby being his buddy. He also didn't want to listen to the people that were apparently in charge, but after his first attempt of escape, his mother ordered him to not try and leave. He was now looking at the new ground with many children playing. It didn't look to be anyone's, so he followed Toby. He didn't want to be out of his spot but his desire to keep an eye on his buddy was stronger.

He and toby settled near the sandbox. Toby looked unsure and shy about approaching the other children and Jim hovered behind Toby, his hairs standing up every time he was too far away. After a while the two found a small ball and began tossing it to each other.

…..

Steve was a jerk. He would push the other kids and do whatever he wanted on the playground only because he was bigger. He had been lazing around but then got bored, so he went to the playground.

First, he chased some kids from the monkey bars but got bored after a few minutes and left. Then he kicked the sand figures some other kids had made and the two girls cried. A ball flew in the air and Steve saw a chubby boy catch and throw it at his friend, a black-haired boy. Steve decided that he wanted the ball, so he went towards the chubby one and ripped it out of his arms as soon as the ball landed in them.

"Hey! I was playing with this!" – Toby shouted at Steve.

"Well, no longer! I'm playing with it."

"Give it back!" – Toby tried to get it back but Steve was taller and the ball was out of reach.

Jim saw what happened and went to help his friend. He had also started to like the small yellow ball and planned to keep it, so that blonde boy taking it was a no-no.

"Go away!" – Steve got annoyed and pushed Toby.

Toby fell backwards but was caught by Jim.

"Leave Toby! The ball is ours!" – Jim said, confidently standing in front of the taller boy.

"What are ya going to do about it?!" – Steve taunted.

Jim grabbed the ball and started to pull. Steve also pulled but was dragged by Jim's strength. No matter how much he tried, Jim's body was naturally tougher and stronger than any human's.

Steve tried to kick but that almost made him fall. In the end he let go of the ball and went to punch Jim.

"Jimbo!" – Toby shouted in panic.

Jim saw the attack coming and dodged to the side. He quickly got closer to Steve, ball in both his hands. Steve tried to step away but Jim was faster and head-butted Steve in the nose, because he couldn't reach higher. Like that Steve was knocked out, blood leaking from his nose.

"Kyaaa! Teacheeeer!" – someone screamed.

A plump man came out because of the noise along with Ms. Brown.

"Oh my GOD! I'll go call the nurse!"

"Wow, the thin guy sure packs a punch!" – the man exclaimed.

"Frank!" – she scolded him.

"OK! I'll make sure nothing else happens, you go call the nurse!" – he told her.

Ms. Brown huffed and ran inside the kindergarten.

===A hour later===

Jim sat in Ms. Brown's room and was being scolded by her as his mother apologized and tried to diffuse the situation.

"And make sure it doesn't happen again!" – Ms. Brown finished.

"Yes, Ms. Brown, I'll have a good talk with him when we get back home." – Barbara took his hand and led him out.

Toby, who had been trying to listen through the door, almost fell on his fave when Barbara opened it.

"H-hi, Dr. Lake."

"Come with us. I called your grandmother and told her I'd drive you home."

"O-OK." – he took his backpack and followed Jim and Barbara.

….

Toby was home and Jim was now sitting on the couch. He was too nervous to look his mother in the eyes.

"Jim. You can't do such things! Fighting is no good and I don't want you to be known as a violent kid."

"But he was picking on Tobes and tried to hit me!" – he whined.

"It doesn't mean you can head-butt him in the nose!"

He flinched at her tone and looked away.

"Jim, look at me." He looked at her, she was kneeling in front of him "I'm just worried about you. So, please try to not fight. If something like this happens again, please go and call a teacher or someone else. OK?"

"OK, mom."

"Good! Now, let's eat! I managed to make a slightly burned beef today! I even got some wool socks." – she said in a light tone.

"Yay!" – he cheered and followed her in the kitchen.

So! I'm asking you this: Do you want option 1 (Ch.5 – The first beach day; Ch.6 –First sparks of love) or option 2 (Ch.5 –First sparks of love)?