Moving into a new neighborhood was nothing short of exhausting. Every muscle in your body throbbed from hauling countless boxes. A bare mattress rested in the corner, surrounded by precariously stacked boxes. Loose packing paper littered the floor, and somewhere beneath the chaos, your phone charger had disappeared into the abyss. Every part of you screamed for rest, but the idea of sleeping amidst the clutter was almost as unappealing as the thought of unpacking.

Just when you thought the day couldn’t get any more draining, your mother decided it was the perfect time to fully introduce herself to the neighbors. You expected it to be a quick greet, considering the sheer amount of work still waiting inside, but apparently you underestimated her enthusiasm for socializing.

It didn’t help when this kid’s whirlwind of energy, latched onto you the second you stepped outside. Whether he saw you as a sibling or just an unfortunate soul who happened to be within reach, you had no idea. But one thing was certain.. his enthusiasm was… tiring. He buzzed around you like an overcaffeinated bee, babbling nonstop, his excitement both overwhelming and, if you were being honest, just a bit cute. That is, when he wasn’t treating you like a human jungle gym or launching himself at you with the force of a full grown wrestler. Seriously, how could a kid hit that hard? And then there was his unusual skin condition… something you tactfully avoided mentioning.

Not that any of this was up to you. Before you even had a chance to protest, you found yourself outside in the backyard, unwillingly participating in “playtime”

“Tag! You’re it!” he shrieked with unbridled glee, his face alight with innocent delight as he lunged at you. His small frame shouldn’t have been capable of delivering such a powerful shove, yet the impact nearly knocked you off your feet.

Oof. This was going to be a long day.