“ That ’ s a funny name . I like it though . I ’ ve never met a Jupiter before . Jupiter and Tori - I like it . We are going to be a team .”
It confused , but made Jupiter happy , that Tori instantly considered them friends . Her biggest fear from today was squashed before class even technically began - she had a friend and someone to play with . She wouldn ’ t spend the school year alone . For a couple minutes , the two girls solidified their friendship until Miss Higgins fully entered the room and quietly shut the door behind her and began to softly clap .
“ Okay children , welcome to Kindergarten . Please everyone , come up front and sit on a circle .”
“ Let ’ s go !” Tori grabbed Jupiter ’ s hand and together the two bounded to the front of the room along with all the other children .
Tori dropped onto a purple circle , pulling Jupiter onto the orange one beside her . The remaining sitting spots , arranged in a semi circle with several rows , quickly disappeared as others took their positions . Once everyone was settled , Miss . Higgins continued .
“ I ’ m so glad each of you are here . Today we are just going to have fun and get to know each other . You will have the opportunity to do each activity in the classroom , which includes the reading area , art area , building block area , Play-Doh area , and all of the learning areas , like math and science . At the end of the day we will have extra time for everyone to do their favorite of the activities .”
Each activity moved faster than the last as Jupiter and Tori stuck together through each one . This morning , Jupiter had expected the day to drag on and she would be desperate to be home before she was released and the rusted , yellow submarine would take her and her sister home . But , before she realized it , the last activity of the day was completed and there she was again , sitting on her orange spot , with Tori sitting right beside her .
“ That was a wonderful first day children . Each of you should be proud , and I can ’ t wait to see each of your beautiful faces tomorrow . Now , please form a line by the door so we can be dismissed for the day .”
Making sure they took up the caboose , Jupiter and Tori chatted and giggled the entirety of their wait to be dismissed . Per school rules , each child had to be checked out of the classroom by the teacher , so it took several minutes before the girls were at the front of the line .
“ It was great to meet you today Jupiter ,” said Miss . Higgins when she was in front of the teacher . “ I ’ m glad to see you and Tori were getting along . Tomorrow when you get your desk , I ’ ll make sure you two are sitting together .”
Miss . Higgins winked as she gave Jupiter a large sticker that said ‘ great job ’ in large bubble letters . Excitement filled Jupiter as she heard the news her and Tori would be desk buddies . It was exactly what she had hoped .
As she exited the classroom , Lynn was waiting for her just on the other side . When she noticed Jupiter , she skipped forward and wrapped her younger sister in a hug . “ How was your first day of school ?”
Jupiter hugged back and the siblings walked down the hallway holding on to each other . “ It was just as you said . I made a new friend and the teacher is nice . I ’ m excited to come back tomorrow .”
Squeezing harder , Lynn tightened her hug . “ I told you ! Tell me all about it .”
The siblings walked down the hallway holding hands as Jupiter transformed her first day of school into a story as Lynn listened intently to every word .
AUGUST 2024 MoultrieScene 39