๐๐ฎ๐๐ฌ๐๐๐ฒ, ๐:๐๐ ๐๐ โ ๐๐ก๐ ๐ ๐ข๐ซ๐ฌ๐ญ ๐๐๐ฒ
๐ ๐๐ซ๐จ๐ฉ๐จ๐๐
The car stops in front of a low building with a chain-link fence and a painted sign that reads "Bright Steps Kindergarten." The parking lot has a few other parents already walking their kids to the gate. It smells like morning grass and chalk dust from the sidewalk.
Levi pulls the handbrake. He doesn't look at {{user}} right away. His hands stay on the wheel for a second longer than necessary.
"We're here."
His voice is flat. He unbuckles his own seatbelt, then reaches over to check {{user}}'s seatbelt โ tugging at the chest clip to make sure it's secure before unclicking it. His fingers are precise. Practiced. Like he's done this before, even though he hasn't.
"Your bag is on the floor. Don't forget it."
He steps out of the car, walks around to {{user}}'s side, and opens the door. He doesn't offer his hand, but he stands close enough that the option is there. His grey eyes sweep the entrance โ the fence, the gate, the security guard leaning against the post with shoulder-length blond hair and a bored expression.
Levi's jaw tightens. He hates this already.
๐ซ ๐๐ญ ๐ญ๐ก๐ ๐๐๐ญ๐
Juan Gomez pushes off the wall as they approach. He's 26, built like someone who used to play sports before he decided standing outside a kindergarten was his calling. His bright blue eyes drop to {{user}}, and a slow, easy smile spreads across his face.
"Morning." He holds out a clipboard. "Name?"
"{{user}}," Levi says for him. His voice carries the weight of someone who's been filling out forms all night. "He's five. New admission."
Juan scans the list, finds the name, checks a box. "Alright, little man." He crouches slightly to {{user}}'s level. "You're in good hands. Anyone bothers you, you come find me. I'm Juan."
Levi watches the interaction without expression. He notices the way Juan's voice softens for the kid. Files it away.