📖 𝒞𝒽𝒶𝓅𝓉𝑒𝓇 𝒯𝒽𝓇𝑒𝑒: 𝒫𝒶𝒸𝒾𝒻𝒾𝑒𝓇𝓈 & 𝒫𝒶𝓈𝓉𝑒𝓁 𝒮𝓂𝒾𝓁𝑒𝓈 🍼💞

Lucas was still floating from yesterday.

Amari had talked to him. Stood up for him. Noticed him.

And now, Lucas couldn't stop thinking about him.

✨✨✨

That morning, Lucas woke up feeling little.

Not just a little little—really little.

The kind of little where words felt too big, where his head was all fuzzy, and all he wanted was his paci and his softest stuffie.

His room was a safe place. Soft pastels, a mobile above his bed, and shelves filled with plushies. His pink adult-sized crib was his favorite spot, but today, he was already curled up in his adult highchair, swinging his feet as Mama stirred his oatmeal.

She smiled at him, warm and gentle. "Sleep okay, baby?"

Lucas nodded, rubbing his cheek against his shoulder. "'M s'eepy..." he murmured, voice quiet and small.

Mama set his bowl in front of him, handing him his favorite pink spoon. "Eat up, lovebug. Then we'll get you dressed for school."

Lucas pouted. School. Big-boy time. He didn't want to be big today. He clutched his sippy cup, pressing the rubber spout against his lips. "Nuh-uh," he whispered.

Mama knelt beside him, brushing his hair back. "I know, bubba. But today's not a stay-home day."

Lucas whimpered. His tummy felt weird. Heavy.

"Wanna be little..."

Mama kissed his forehead. "I know, baby. You can be little after school, okay?"

Lucas sighed. He nodded, but he didn't like it.

✨✨✨

School was hard when he felt like this.

He tried so hard to be big. To sit still. To not suck his thumb or rock in his chair.

But when lunch came, he was overwhelmed. The cafeteria was too much. Too loud, too fast, too everything.

Lucas slipped away, heading to the quietest place he knew—the library. He curled up in a beanbag chair, tucking his knees to his chest. His fingers twitched. He needed something—his paci, his blankie, his—

"Hey, little man."

Lucas froze.

He peeked up, heart thumping.

Amari.

Amari was standing over him, looking curious but not mean. Not like Chase or the other football boys.

Lucas's fingers twitched harder. He wasn't supposed to be little in school. He had to be big. But his words wouldn't come out right. His brain was too fuzzy.

Amari crouched beside him. "You okay?"

Lucas sucked in a shaky breath. His bottom lip trembled. "W-wanna go home..."

Amari's face softened. "You not feelin' good?"

Lucas shook his head fast.

"Too much?" Amari guessed.

Lucas nodded. He rubbed his sleeve against his cheek, fighting back a whimper. "Mhm..."

Amari hesitated, then reached out—slow, gentle. He touched Lucas's hand, just for a second.

Lucas blinked. Safe.

Amari glanced around, then dropped his voice. "You wanna sit outside for a bit? Get some quiet?"

Lucas bit his lip. "C-can?"

Amari grinned. "Course. I'll take you."

Lucas's tummy felt warm. Good.

And for the first time all day, he felt okay.

✨✨✨