Cape High Kindergarten

by R. J. Ross

  I nod, when she’s done, and run to the front of the group, only to stop as I see all of them. They’re ALL a lot bigger than me—no, wait, Malina’s not! She grins and waves at me, and then, to my surprise, lets out an ear-piercing whistle.

  “Everyone!” she says as they all wince and cover their ears like I’m doing, right now. “Sorry!” she adds as they give her dirty looks.

  “She’s not sorry,” I hear one guy say.

  “Not sorry AT ALL,” another agrees. I start laughing, because she’s grinning from ear to ear. They’re right, she’s NOT sorry.

  “Thank you for listening…” she says, frowning as she doesn’t see anything to stand on for her big announcement. “Hey, Trent, come here,” she says. “Can you give me a hand?”

  He holds out a hand and she tugs it down, moves it so it’s flat, and steps on it. For a second he looks confused, but then he shrugs and lifts her up so she can see everyone. “Cubby’s going to teach us the dance!” she says. “So everyone pay close attention!”

  “Can I do that?” I ask, completely distracted as she hops off his hand. He laughs.

  “Sure,” he says, holding out a hand. I step on, grinning from ear to ear as he lifts me high in the air. “Are you going to tell them how to do the dance?” he asks.

  “This is AWESOME!” I say, jumping up and down. Oh, wait, I AM supposed to teach them, aren’t I? Whoops. Everyone starts laughing, except for Adanna, who’s shaking her head with a hand to her temple. “Okay, everyone! You gotta do THIS!” I say, since I’m taller than they are, now, so I feel braver! I hold out my arms, and then spin in a circle. “And if you hit somebody, you’re too close,” I tell them with a serious look.

  Several people move after getting hit by accident. “We’re all in place, now, Cubby!” Zoe calls out. I nod and hop off of Trent’s hand, heading to where they should all be able to see me. Before I can say anything, the other three run up to join me.

  “You gotta do THIS!” Evie says before I can start explaining. She starts whirling around like crazy. The older kids look at each other and then, to my shock, start whirling around.

  “And then you have to do this!” Hana says, hopping around.

  “And this!” Robo says, striking a ridiculous pose.

  I take a deep breath and let it out, feeling completely forgotten as the big kids do whatever the others tell them to do. I move over to the nearest wall, sitting down and pouting. This was going to be MY big moment! But they stole it!

  I blink as Nico lands next to me, sitting down right beside me. He reaches out, but I scoot away. I don’t WANT comforted right now, I’m MAD! This was supposed to be MY big moment! I was going to teach them all to do the Sticky-Dance—

  Nico pulls something out of his pocket and I look over, seeing one of the tiny robots like he gave Robo. It’s curled up in a ball, but when he puts it on the ground between us, it stands. I forget all about the dance, watching in wonder as the tiny robot takes a stick from him and starts doing the Sticky-Dance.

  Nico pulls another robot out of his pocket, and another, until four of them are doing the exact same dance, side by side. I look at him, my eyes shining with excitement. “That’s what’s supposed to happen! And it’s not like the art thing! It’s something I’m actually GOOD at! I was going to show them!” I tell him, and then get frustrated. “But they just had to butt in!” I look over at the group of teens and kids, irritated at how they’re laughing and playing instead of doing the dance.

  “But,” he says quietly, “which group do you think is enjoying the dance?”

  I turn and look at the robots as they repeat the dance again. They don’t have faces, so I can’t tell if they’re smiling. I can’t really tell how they feel, actually. I look over at the group, seeing clearly how everyone feels.

  “There’s no harm in doing things like this,” he says, motioning to the robots. “It’s good to know self control and how to do things right, kiddo, but…” he reaches out, holding out his arms, and I crawl onto his lap, leaning against his chest. “Sometimes spending time and having fun… and letting others lead, even though you know how to do it better than they do, is important.”

  I can’t say anything, I just keep watching the teens fall over because Evie fell. “You realize,” he says after a moment, “I did make Robo, but in my mind you are every bit as important to me. Your daddy is my very best friend in the entire world.” I look at him, hesitating, and he gives me a little smile. “I feel a little lonely when you don’t come hug me right off, you know.”

  “But—” I say.

  “Sometimes Robo needs to learn the same lessons you do,” he whispers, and I nod, smiling a little as I watch the dancing. The robots are still doing the sticky dance, but they don’t seem nearly as interesting.

  “The baby is going to like this, isn’t he?” I say, almost laughing as Hana starts telling people that they fell wrong, and need to fall like THIS!

  “The baby is going to LOVE this,” he agrees.

  *This time a black cat walks past in a haughty manner, the sign it was supposed to be carrying dropping to the ground, face down. You just have to assume it says that Cubby Time is over.*

  ***

  “Thank you so much, everyone,” Summer says that afternoon as she unwraps the next present. All of the gifts have been handmade, which she absolutely loves. Of course, when the makers are supers, they tend to be rather impressive, for the most part. She pauses, pulling the floral art from the paper and starting to smile. “Oh, how beautiful! And this was made by…” she looks around and sees Sunny point at a fidgeting Cubby, (who’s wearing a very fetching frilly hat). “Thank you, Cubby! I’m sure the baby will love it! Look at the little dolls hiding in it! Oh, how cute!”

  She hands it over to Nico, who puts it up. She takes a moment to give it another glance. That’s something she wants to hang in her shop!

  “The next is, um, from Evie,” Rocco calls out, bringing out a cart with a strange platform on it. The entire group gathers closer as he just leaves it with the little girl. The little girl unfolds the platform, showing that it’s a puppet show stage, but there’s no one behind the stage—Rocco’s gone.

  All of a sudden, though, the dolls that had been lying limp on the stage stand up, moving as if by magic. Evie looks a bit panicked, though, because everyone’s looking at her expectantly.

  “Once upon a time,” Rocco prompts from the Shadowlands.

  “Oh!” she says. “Once upon a time there was a BEAUTIFUL princess!” she says as the princess doll tosses her hair.

  Cubby’s jaw drops to the floor in astonishment, but nobody seems to notice. They’re too busy cheering for the upgraded puppet show.

  CHAPTER FIVE

  “So,” Nico says, sitting on his desk. In front of him are the parents of the kindergarten class. They’re here for a “Parent Teacher Meeting.” Ashlynn is standing next to the desk, looking a little confused as to why he’s doing the talking. “We have snacks, so help yourself. Pan, thanks for the discretion, love the t-shirt.”

  Panther puffs up his already impressive chest to show off the Technico shirt he’s wearing, looking a bit smug. “Thank you, I agree,” he says, much to his wife’s wry amusement. “Of course I couldn’t wear my uniform, I’m not technically allowed on campus.”

  “The kids have the day off,” Nico says. “Most of them are out shopping right now, so your villainous habits won’t wear off on them—unless they’re villains, then we’ll discuss it.”

  “I do plan on doing another summer camp,” Pan says. “The last one was entertaining.”

  “Just say the word and the kids will be ready,” Nico says. The group gets their snacks and make themselves comfortable at the tables. Ashlynn starts tapping on her tablet, trying to get everything together. This is her first big presentation to parents, and those parents are famous supers. Of course she’s nervous! She hears a familiar squeak and almost groans as she forces herself to look at the wall. There, sitting in the ball
of the tube system that is spread throughout the school, is Clinky, munching on popcorn.

  She lifts a finger to her lips and tries to shush him. Instead of listening, though, he starts dancing in the ball, and then, to her mortification, tapping on a glowing button and lighting up the wall behind her. “Clinky!” she says, forgetting that they’re being watched. “What did I say about taking over the media stream—don’t you dare!” And the hamster dance video starts playing. She groans, shaking her head. “Clinky, don’t make me put you in time out,” she says.

  The laughter behind her catches her off guard. She goes stiff, suddenly remembering where they are, and turns around with a fake smile plastered on her face. “Clinky is a bit mischievous, but he’s a good way to teach the children responsibility,” she says, having had to say that line several times over the months she’s taught.

  “We know, Ashlynn,” Kim says with a hint of sympathy, and a lot of amusement.

  “Um, so… you know about our A.I. pet?” Ashlynn asks.

  “We have access to the school’s system,” Amara says. “We thought Nico told you that. We can check up on our children at any time. Of course there’s been no need to worry, since you’re doing an excellent job!”

  “So… everything’s filmed?” Ashlynn asks, looking at Nico.

  “You knew that, already,” he says, motioning to the walls. “I never hid it from you. All of the classes are available on feed to certain parents. Not all of them. Shadowman has no clue what we’re doing in here, and I don’t plan on letting him, either. But for this group,” he says, motioning to Pan, Amara, and Kim, “I trust them with my life, so of course I’ll trust them with access to see their kids learning the ABC’s.”

  She thinks about it, forcing her ego down for a moment and analyzing it from a distance. It makes perfect sense.

  “These children are… not normal,” she says slowly. “They seem like children typical of their ages, but then you get to know them and realize that each one of them, even my own daughter, is… frankly… astonishing. I believe that every child has that capability, on some level, even if they are normal, it’s just that I see it much more clearly with this group. I understand why you want them in this school.” She sees them smile slightly and nod, and Panther motions for her to go on. “They’re so vulnerable at this age, but they’re also bold and curious and they continuously astound me on a daily—no, an hourly—sometimes every half hour, if I’m being honest.”

  “We know,” Amara says softly, “that we’re asking a lot out of you. We’d like to thank you for doing what you do.”

  The screen lights up again, with a GIF of people cheering and clapping. Ashlynn looks up at Clinky, and then gives up, because he definitely has a mind of his own. “Well, thank you for letting me,” she says to the group. “And I know you’ve been watching, but I’ve thrown together a compilation of my favorite moments for each of the children, and yes, one of you, too, Clinky. I hope this isn’t too redundant.”

  “We check in,” Pan interrupts, “but we do not watch every moment. In fact, we very rarely look in, now, because we trust that you know what you are doing. Please, do show us!”

  “If you have the file, send it to me, please, I would love to have a copy,” Kim says as Ashlynn taps on the tablet. “I’m sure it’s going to be entertaining.”

  “I have to admit,” Ashlynn says, “I didn’t expect the older students would be so caring. They practically spoil my class, actually, even the super villains. I did not expect that when I first started teaching.”

  They start watching, laughing through most of it, and chatting. “So you got your father to watch Hana?” Amara asks Kim. “How does he like babysitting?”

  “Oh, he loves it,” Kim says with amusement. “They spend the time discussing their latest designs. I’ll come home to an entire pile of dresses and shoes, I’m sure. I’ll have to convert the tree house into another closet if this keeps going on.”

  “Oh, I want to come and see!” Amara says. “Your daughter’s eye for design is astonishing!”

  “Did you see the clothes she designed for the baby?” Nico asks.

  “NO!” Amara says. “I want to see!”

  “Ashlynn, who’s watching Evie today?” Kim asks. “I know that Hana wanted to have a play date with her soon, but if we get out early, we could let them do it today!”

  “She’s spending the day with Rocco,” Ashlynn says. “He swore he’d keep her in Central territory, at least,” she adds a bit dryly. “And now, although I’m sure your children tell you many things, I’ve still arranged for a little surprise—unless they’ve already told you, that is.”

  “We would love to see this surprise,” Amara says.

  The screen lights up again with Hana sitting on a stool. They hear Ashlynn speak from off-screen, “So, Hana, what’s your favorite thing about going to school?”

  “EVIE!” Hana says, bouncing up and down excitedly. “She’s my bestest bestest friend!” The screen goes to Cubby, who’s asked the same thing.

  He sits there, looking thoughtful for a long moment, and then says, quite seriously, “Lunch.”

  Nico’s the first to start laughing.

  “Can you tell me why that is?” the Ashlynn in the video asks.

  “’Cause I get to see everybody. And I like food,” he adds, nodding.

  “Those are very good reasons,” she replies. The screen changes, showing Evie, this time, and she asks the question, again.

  “I like… that nobody makes fun of my eyes,” Evie says quietly, looking at her hands, “even when the lights go off.”

  “That’s a very good reason,” Ashlynn says softly, a bit mournfully.

  “And Hana! Hana’s my bestest friend FOREVER!” the little girl says, getting excited. “We play tea party during recess and I get to be a PRINCESS!”

  The screen changes and Robo frowns as he thinks about the question. “I wanna be able to join the big kids in the training field!” he says. “I’ve got a lot of training to do to be a superhero, you know!”

  “In time, Robo, I’m sure you’ll get there,” she says. “But what is it that you like?”

  He frowns, thinking hard. He raises a finger, only to lower it again, clearly racking his mind. “I…” he says after thinking for a long moment, “I like being with friends?” he offers.

  “Do you not like school?” Ashlynn asks.

  “I do!” he says. “I like it, but… I thought I’d be a superhero by now.”

  The adults watching the video choke, trying not to laugh at just how serious he sounds.

  “But Robo, even if you’re an A.I., you’re still a growing boy,” Ashlynn says. “I don’t think they’ll let you be a superhero until you’re big like Trent is.”

  “I’m never going to be big like Trent is. Trent will be ginormous, there’s an algorithm predicting it already written up and everything, ask Nico,” he says very logically. “They won’t build me to be a tank, I’m a robot.”

  “I mean older,” Ashlynn corrects herself. “Like the big boys and girls in the school.”

  “Soooo booooorrrinnnng,” he complains, falling over dramatically.

  “But Cubby has to wait until he’s older to be a villain,” she says. “Sometimes we have to wait for the best things.”

  “Yeeeah,” he says, looking at her. “I’m going to wear a cape!”

  “I’m sure you will,” she says dryly. The screen changes and they see Hana, again, this time wearing a new outfit. “Okay, Hana, what do you want to be when you grow up?” Ashlynn asks.

  “A police woman!” Hana says. “One that has a doggy!”

  The parents look at Kim, who groans and places a hand to her forehead.

  “I’m going to have to get her a dog, aren’t I?” she says.

  ***

  And now, for our final special presentation:

  Evie Time!

  “Okay, okay,” Rocco says as I sob my eyes out. “Hey, it’s okay, sometimes ice cream falls like th
at. We’ll just get you a new one, okay?”

  We’re in the middle of a park, and people are staring at us from all around, and that bully of a dog just JUMPED me and got my favorite dress dirty! “Han—Hana—” I try to get out as I sob at the top of my lungs. I want to tell him that Hana gave me this dress and that stupid doggy got paw prints on it! And he’d been too busy getting napkins to notice it was coming—I blink as he scoops me up, touching my face and kissing me on the temple. It startles me so much that I stop crying.

  “It’s okay,” he says, hugging me gently. “Looks like your pretty dress got a little dirty, huh?” he says, FINALLY noticing what I’ve been trying to say all this time. “Um… well…” he says, looking around. “We can get it cleaned, but I don’t know if we can do it right now. Would you be willing to wear something else?”

  “But—but Hana gave this to me,” I say, tears threatening to fall all over again. He starts for the exit of the park, not even seeming to notice he’s carrying me. Mommy always acts like I get heavy, but he doesn’t. I lean my head against his shoulder, feeling safe. Oh, my dress is dirty, and that stupid doggy is eating my ice cream, but it’s going to be okay. Rocco’s my hero.

  We pass a huge tree, but something seems WRONG about the tree. Usually I have to point at this moment, but Rocco stops before I can, turning and giving the tree a dirty look. “What do you want, old man?” he asks.

  Just as I’d expected, a man steps out of the tree, looking around for a moment before turning his focus on us. “Can’t a man come visit his children?” he asks.

  I stare at him, frowning and trying to move closer to Rocco. I sort of wish I could hide behind him right now. This man is the one that came when I met Reaper for the first time. I like Reaper! He has all sorts of pretty shinies that he lets me dress up in! And Reaper didn’t seem to like him, so I don’t think I like him, either. Even Rocco doesn’t seem to like him!