James marched toward a giant rock in the garden.
"Watch this, Ethan. I'll lift it."
Ethan blinked. "James, that rock is bigger than you."
"That's why I'll lift it." James said confidently.
He crouched and grabbed the rock.
James tried pulling but nothing.
He pulled harder, still nothing
He pulled even harder but… the rock didn't even budge
Not even dust moved, everyone could practically hear the crickets laughing.
James trembled. His face turned red.
A tiny squeak escaped his throat.
Ethan panicked. "James, stop… you're going to hurt yourself…"
"I… can… DO THIS!!!"
He used his entire body weight.
For one glorious second…
the rock didn't budge.
Instead, James let out a little toot and shot backward like a fired arrow as he crashed straight into Alo's legs.
Alo didn't budge an inch.
James slid down his father's shin like a defeated sock.
Ethan ran over, eyes wide. "James! Are you okay?!"
James groaned. "I… almost had it…"
Alo sighed.
"No. You did not."
Ethan helped James stand, brushing dirt off his cheeks.
"You don't need to be strong to impress me," Ethan said gently.
James blinked.
"You already impress me."
Alo and James froze.
The entire garden froze.
James's face slowly turned bright red, like a tomato caught lying.
"I… I DO?!" he practically yelled.
Ethan nodded, smiling.
Alo looked like he wanted to flip the entire castle over….