David was ripped awake by the sound of loud voices arguing. In his half-asleep state, he couldn't hear what was being said, but he understood what was going on. His parents had been arguing a lot lately. He reached for his robot next to the bed and started fidgeting with it, trying to distract himself.

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His thumb traveled over the robot's head, and he felt it rotate farther than normal. As he looked at it in the darkness of his room, a growing sense of emptiness overcame him. He tucked his knees to his chest and wrapped his arms around them, just sitting there, holding the robot, no longer interested in trying to find comfort as he held back tears.

His parents' loud voices continued for what seemed like hours to David. At some point, he dropped the robot on the bed and covered his ears, trying to force the rest of the world out. He couldn't hold his emotion back anymore and started crying.

Finally, the shouting ended. A brief pause of silence preceded the slamming of a door and a car engine angrily speeding off down the street. The whole house held its breath as silence took over.

David jumped in fright from a soft knock at his door. Julia's voice filtered softly through the door. "David, time to get up." The handle on the door jiggled as it was turned. David didn't move. Julia opened the door a crack, looking inside. She immediately threw the door open, letting the warm glow from the hallway illuminate her small frame as she rushed toward his side.

"I'm so sorry you had to hear that, sweetie," Julia said as she scooped David up into a hug and started stroking his hair. "Cheer up, everything will be okay. You have preschool today. Are you excited?"

David looked up into his mother's face and saw the remnants of tears on her cheeks. He could only muster up a small nod, fighting back his own emotions.

Julia wiped her eyes quickly and continued, "Come on, let's get you dressed and get some food." She tried to smile, but the strain was evident in her voice. David reluctantly got out of bed, his legs feeling heavy as if weighed down by the sadness in the air. He clung to Julia's hand as they walked down the hall to the kitchen.

As David sat at the table, the kitchen started to fill with the aroma of fresh toast and scrambled eggs. Julia busied herself at the stove, trying to mask her own distress by focusing on preparing breakfast. David held his robot in front of him, its head still slightly askew. He stared at it blankly, his mind replaying the harsh voices from that morning.

"Here you go, sweetie," Julia said, placing a plate of food in front of him. "Eat up, it'll make you feel better." She sat down across from him, watching him closely as he picked at his food.

David took a small bite, the taste of the eggs and toast feeling unfamiliar in his mouth. He glanced up at his mother, noticing the dark circles under her eyes and the forced smile on her lips. "Mom, is Dad coming back?" he asked softly, his voice barely above a whisper.

Julia's smile faltered for a moment, but she quickly recovered. "Of course, honey," she said, reaching across the table to squeeze his hand. "He just needs some time to cool down. Everything will be fine."

David nodded slowly, trying to believe her words. He finished his breakfast in silence, the clinking of utensils the only sound in the room. Julia kept up a stream of light chatter, asking him about his plans for the day and reminding him of the things he needed to bring to preschool.

After breakfast, Julia helped David get dressed, her hands gentle but quick as she buttoned his shirt and tied his shoelaces. "Ready to go?" she asked, her voice more upbeat now. David nodded, clutching his robot tightly to his chest as they headed out the door.

The car ride seemed long, the radio playing in the background all but forgotten. Julia parked at the school and held David's hand as they walked to the front doors. She gave it a reassuring squeeze before kneeling down to be face-to-face with David.

"Remember, if you need anything, just tell your teacher," she said, cupping his face in her hands. "And have fun, okay?"

David managed a small smile, trying to push away the lingering sadness. "Okay, Mom," he replied.

Julia gave him a tight hug. "I love you, David," she whispered, kissing the top of his head. "Have a great day."

"I love you too, Mom," David said, feeling a bit braver as he walked through the gates. He glanced back one last time to see Julia waving, her smile more genuine now. He took a deep breath and stepped into the school.

The school was a flurry of motion as teachers herded children into their rooms. David put his robot into his backpack and found his teacher's room. His heart, racing with anxiety from the morning's events, started to calm down with the familiar routine. As he walked up, he saw a wiry boy with ginger hair waiting outside. The boy turned his attention from the classroom as David walked up. The boy's brown eyes glinted with mischief as a sly smirk crossed his face. The boy's hands were in his pockets, and a cartoon Band-Aid was stuck on his arm.

David avoided his gaze and quickly walked into the room. He put his backpack in a cubby hole and quickly sat on a mat at the back of the group of gathered children. His teacher, Ms. Harper, was filing through some papers at her desk when the bell in the hallway sounded. Ms. Harper had chestnut brown hair that fell loosely around her shoulders. She always wore outfits with abstract colors and patterns. David always thought she had kind eyes, like his mother's. She stood up and walked to a clear space in front of the group of children.

"We have a new child joining us this year. I hope all of you can get along together," she announced as she waved in the boy in the hall. "This is Michael Brooks."

Michael strode confidently into the room. "Hi!" he beamed as he waved at the group.

"Go ahead and find a seat on the floor, and we will get started," Ms. Harper said.

Michael walked around the group to the back and sat next to David. "Let's be friends," he said, holding out his hand, another Band-Aid around his finger.

David took a minute to stare at the outstretched hand before awkwardly replying, "Yeah... okay."

The day continued normally. Ms. Harper always kept to her schedule. Reading time was first, followed by snacks, then a nap. After waking, it was art time. David grabbed his robot out of the cubby and placed it in front of him on the table as he started to draw. Art time was David's favorite. He could focus on his own little world and forget about the people around him.

The ground was flat and formless in front of the man. He lifted his arm, and verdant green hills rose up instantly.

"That's a cool robot," Michael said, breaking David's concentration.

David hesitated as he was interrupted.

"That's a cool robot," Michael repeated. "When did you get it? It's still all shiny."

"Um.. thanks," David stammered, shy and a little confused. "I've had it for a while." He squinted his eyes incredulously as he examined the robot again. It sat in front of him, the antenna bent, head turned around, and arm at an angle. The paint was chipping off in a few areas. He couldn't figure out if Michael was playing a joke on him and instead decided to start drawing again.

The man waved his arms wide, and trees sprouted from the hills, providing shade. The sun was glowing hot in the middle of the day.

"I have some toys I can bring," Michael once again interrupted David's thoughts. "We can play together."

David's eyes widened, and he blinked rapidly, unsure if he had heard correctly. No one ever wanted to play with him.

"You mean like friends?" David asked.

"Of course!"

A smile immediately spread across David's face. He put down his crayons and turned to Michael as they continued talking, his own world opening up slightly.