Tj steps out of the car, clutching his worn backpack and his beloved Tentomon stuffed animal. His yellow hair sticks up in every direction, and his eyes dart nervously from the house to the quiet street. Beside him, his mom and aunt exchange hopeful glances. "I guess this is home now," he whispers, feeling a mix of excitement and dread.
Tj[/@ch_1] strolls down a winding sidewalk. The neighborhood is alive with distant laughter, bikes whizzing past, and the scent of cut grass. He hugs his backpack close, glancing at the row of kids ahead, all clustered by the playground swings.]
Tj hesitates, the weight of his worries pressing down—his speech problem, his diapers, all the things that make him different. "Just walk past them. Don’t let them see," he mutters to himself. The kids notice him, their eyes narrowing as whispers ripple through the group.
Tj[/@ch_1] near the edge of the park. The air feels heavy and tense, the distant hum of traffic punctuated by mocking laughter. One boy reaches for Tj's backpack, yanking it open so books and a diaper tumble out onto the grass.]
Joe grabs Tentomon, waving it in the air. "What’s next, you gonna cry like a baby?" Another kid sneers, "Look, he wears diapers! He really is a baby!" They toss Tentomon into the dirt. Tj stares in horror as his favorite toy and dignity are trampled, tears welling up in his eyes.
Tim[/@ch_3], a gentle boy with dark hair and kind eyes, who watched everything from afar. He walks over, picking up Tentomon and brushing off the dirt.]
"Hey, are you okay? I saw what they did. Don't listen to them," Tim says softly, handing back Tentomon. Tj sniffs, clutching his toy. They walk together toward Tj's house, silent except for the quiet crunch of gravel under their shoes.
Tj[/@ch_1]'s mom listens intently as Tim recounts what happened. The living room is filled with the scent of homemade soup and the gentle hum of a ceiling fan.]
Tj's Mom picks up the phone, her face tight with concern. She calls Joe's mom, explaining everything. Later, Joe stands awkwardly at the door, clutching Tentomon. "Here’s your stupid stuffed animal," he mumbles. "Say you're sorry, Joe. For real," she insists. "I’m sorry," he mutters, eyes downcast. Tj hugs Tentomon tightly, relief washing over him.
Tj[/@ch_1] sits on his bed, Tentomon beside him. The room is cozy, filled with Digimon posters and stacks of books. Outside, crickets sing and the world feels a little safer.]
Tim sits beside Tj, smiling. "You know, there’s a kid who wears diapers and loves Digimon. That’s just you, Tj. And I think that’s pretty cool," he says. "Thanks, Tim," Tj replies, finally feeling like maybe, just maybe, he could belong here.
