Casey was sleeping in her bed and was deep asleep in dreams of being Raccoon Girl when she felt a barky lil hand poke her making the five year old female-kit annoyed pushing it away almost pushing Branchie off the bed but gentle knocking on the door jolted her out of her dreams sitting up, with messy fur hair and bed fur despite wearing her Brooklyn Dodgers nightshirt making Branchie and Rocket smirk. "Groot Morning, Raccoon Girl did you forget what today is. Your first day of kindergarten." Rocket told her making her rub her young eyes with her paw feeling confused making Rocket guess she wasn't fully awake yet so breakfast would help her wake up seeing her get dressed but saw Branchie get on her Hawaiian shirt with tiny shorts as she was going to kindergarten too with Casey hearing her mumbling about being scared.
"I am Groot, I am Groot." she hheard Branchie ask. "I-I'm just nervous as Oreo won't be in our class remember which we found out at orientation pkus Oreo's pops told Rockie that was happening." Casey confided in her feeling Brandhie hug her hearing her sniffle wiping tears away with her paw hearing Rocket call them as they flew downstairs entering the kitchen seeing pop tarts one of her and Branchie's favourites guessibg Rocket was trying to sweeten her mood seeing a smile on her furry face eating which relieved Rocket sensibg she was anxious about her first day knowibg Branchie would help her get through her first day even if Oreo wasn't in her class this year and had told her she could still play with her at recess after orientation when Casey had looked upset.
"Now we're in a better mood, we should get going, right Branchie." Rocket told the female sapking seeing her nodding tugging on Casey's trousered leg gently looking at her with her big brown eyes which the female-kit could not resist, Rocket too. "… Okay Branchie…" she said softly with a tremble in her voice which bothered Rocket knowing she might need some time to like kindergarten.
They then left the house holding hands as Rocket had taught both youngsters the buddy system over the summer as part of safety rules but he was talking to them, plus Branchie was pointing at trees saying they'd lost their hair making Casey smile a lil despite her nerves making Rocket get it but when they got to Xavier's, Casey saw Oreo, tackle hugging her making Branchie and Rocket chuckle along with Oreo. She knew that Casey was nervous about not being in the same class as her so understood her mood.
"Awwwww it'll be okay, besides Branchie's gonna be with you and you know her. Plus we can hang out at recess." Oreo told her making her nodding as they along with Branchie and Rocket walked inside going to the kindergarten rooms seeing Oreo going into the other one across from the one Branchie and Casey were going into seeing Oreo give Casey a thumbs up before going inside. She sighed as she and Branchie went inside seeing other kits playing, running around and colouring only their teacher was a big, blue furred male with a X logo on his belt making Branchie curious but Casey more nervous.
"New classroom, new teacher, kids I don't know…. Raccoon Girl no bueno." Casey mumbled playing with her paws which Branchie knew calmed her sometimes or laying with her bracelets helped too making Branchie sense she wasn't okay knowing all the newness was stressing her out hoping her powers wouldn't activate seeing their new teacher notice them.
"You must be Branchie Groot and Casey Raccoon, right. My name's Mr McCoy and sense somebody's overwhelmed." he told them seeing Casey nodding not showing eye contact which he got understanding showing them their cubbies where they could put their stuff which they did heading to the rug but Branchie was sitting on Casey's shoulder noticibg a magenta-furred girl in a red hooded top with black trousers and wore glasses who looked as anxious as Casey but they were paying attention to the teacher and listening to the other kids introduce themselves but Casey was quiet making the teacher understand saying they could have free play so Casey was drawing when she and Oreo mase a giant pillow fort which made her smile for the first time this morning which Branchie noticed
"I am Groot." she asked Casey. "I feel a lil better but not used to here yet." she mumbled feeling her hug her making her smile revealing baby fangs astounding the other kids which Branchie noticed making her confused as Casey was like them just covered in soft, thick brown fur, a cool mask aroubd her eyes and a striped tail making Casey wonder what was going on hearing some kids giggle making her shrug her shoulder but at recess, nobody wanted to lay with her except for Branchie extending her vines knowing Casey loved swinging on them but if the other kids asked, she'd say no because they were being mean to her best pal except for that magenta-furred girl.
"T-Thanks Branchie, you're the best bud a kit a kit could ask for, why're they being not nice." Casey asked stuttering a little because of being anxious making Branchie feel bad explaining making her brown eyes widen feeling tears sting them wiping them away before anybody saw feeling Branchie squeeze her paw gently as they were going back inside but the rest of the day, Casey was quiet but slept away from the other kids at rest time despite Branchie cuddling her like at home which heloed her out surprising them Grandpa Marshmallow was picking them up.
"Rockie had to do Guardians stuff so he asked me to pick you up. Is everything okay as you look sad." he told them.
"I'm fine but let's go." Casey said softly making Rocket Senior sense something had happened.
While Casey was taking an nap and cuddling with her stuffed Tenuki, Bento, Branchie was telling Grandpa Marshmallow about what had happened at school, why Casey had been quiet when he'd picked them up making the big, fluffy male raccoob understand feeling bad for Casey. "I'll tell Rockie when he comes back but we should give her space like right now but thank you for telling me." Rocket Senior told her.
A bit later, Casey came downstairs seeing pizza and soda guessing Rocket Senior was not good at cooking but loved pizza so was sitting at the table talking about other things besides school which she appreciated guessing Branchie had told him what happened but feeling better after her nap which relieved Branchie as she hated seeing her like this but after dinner and putting on pyjamas they were doing art but making bracelets using beads and crystals which was helping Casey feel better after a tough day which Branchie understood squeezing her paw gently knowibg Grabdpa Marshmallow's storiesmade her feel better knowing she'd feel like her tummy hurt
After Rocket returned to them, Rocket Senior told him what had happened to Casey makibg his heart hurt but could talk to Casey in the morning making Rocket Senior nod as that was a good idea saying she and Branchie were sleeping making Rocket sigh as he went to go to bed and rest pkus Rocket Senior was sleeping over which made him smile.
Later that morning, Branchie and Casey were surprised to see Rocket home but he was saying he knew that she'd had a tough first day seeing Caseynoddibg explaining making him astounded saying he'd talk to their teacher making her and Branchie eating breakfast but getting dressed for school making Rocket Senior chuckle at this telling Rocket he was a good brother and parent to Casey making him nod.
"Thanks pops." Rocket told him drinking coffee hoping today would get better for Casey seeing both female youngsters there ready as Rocket was taking them but would talk to their teacher about Casey being picked on making Casey relieved as she and Branchie showed up at school seeing their teacher wanting to talk with him.