Lost in her train of thought , it took a moment for Jupiter to register that her sister had stopped in front of an open door with a wide-smiling adult in front of it . She was slender with big , round glasses and long , straight hair . Styling a bright orange shirt with a tiger on it – the school ’ s mascot – and dark , almost black jeans , her shoes matched the hue of her top .
“ Good morning , Miss . Higgins . This is my sister , Jupiter . She is in your class this year . I wanted to drop her off for her first day . I ’ m going to pick her up later as well .”
The smile on Miss . Higgins ’ face grew . “ That was very nice of you Lynn .” Crouching down , Miss . Higgins ’ put herself at Jupiter ’ s level . “ It ’ s nice to meet you . I ’ m Miss . Higgins . I ’ m excited to have you in my class this year .”
Jupiter looked up at Miss . Higgins and when she spoke there was a tinge of angst in her voice . “ Nice to meet you .”
Miss . Higgins softened her smile and looked Jupiter straight in the eye for a second before straightening up . “ Come on in .” Raising her hand she gestured into the room , keeping a friendly disposition .
Shifting her gaze to Lynn , Jupiter raised her eyebrows just slightly in a silent question . “ You ’ ve got this , remember ?” With a curt nod , Jupiter slowly released the grip she had kept on her sisters ’ hand and baby stepped into the classroom .
Her eyes widened as she took in the room . Bright colors created a kaleidoscope that filled every space and everywhere she looked there was a specially created space for a different activity . In the back were several easels waiting for inspiration to strike and next to that were a plethora of beanbags with a miniature library . There were also so many blocks that Jupiter couldn ’ t count them , a play kitchen that would fit a mansion , and Play-Doh of every color on each child-sized desk . Already , there were children playing everywhere , but none familiar to Jupiter .
Without thinking , Jupiter began moving toward the easels . She loved to paint , and hadn ’ t been anticipating that being something she would do at school . It excited her that she would be able to continue to bring the adventures with her imaginary friend alive and not have to wait until she was home .
Once she reached the art corner everything else in the room disappeared and she was absorbed in what options were available to her . Large paper canvas pads were stacked on a low bookshelf , and there was such a large variety of mediums that Jupiter didn ’ t know where to begin . After a moments thought , she settled on pastels and set up at the easel closest to her . Just as she grabbed her first color - green - a voice asking her what she was going to make made her jump .
“ Sorry , I didn ’ t mean to scare you .” It was another little girl who had approached Jupiter . Her short , black hair was pulled up in pigtails and she wore a polkadot dress with a rainbow of colors . A sheepish smile pulled at her mouth while her eyes sparkled with curiosity . She took a step closer to Jupiter before re-asking her question . “ What are you drawing ?”
Jupiter took a big , nervous gulp before answering , wondering if the girl would think her weird . “ Me with my sister , Lynn , and a friend .”
“ That ’ s cool .” The girl grabbed a set of paints and set up shop directly next to Jupiter . “ I always make-up animals I think should exist . Yesterday I made a Eleale , half elephant , half whale . It can survive in the water and the land .”
“ I love elephants !” The words blurted out of Jupiter before she realized . Embarrassment pulled at the edges of her emotions for the small outburst .
A large grin spread across the girls face . “ Me too . That makes us friends . My name is Tori , by the way . Well , really it ’ s Victoria , but that ’ s too fancy for me . I go by Tori . That ’ s what you can call me .” Mimicking her newfound friend , before long Jupiter was smiling ear-to-ear . “ I ’ m Jupiter . Just Jupiter .”
38 MoultrieScene AUGUST 2024