Young Lizzie Newman grasped her mother’s hand as they walked
down the long and crowded corridors of Long Peter’s Elementary School. The
muttering of students, parents, and teachers alike grasped onto the hall’s
walls and hung on tight to the air. Lizzie was a shy girl, so it was only
natural that she would be nervous on her first day of kindergarten. However,
Lizzie didn’t even seem fazed by the loud crowds and new environment. In fact,
she seemed more than excited to be at school, unlike a few other kids that
cried and clung to their families as if they were being sent away to some
dreary boarding school for the rest of their lives.
As
Lizzie and her mother approached the area that Lizzie’s new homeroom was
located, tiny Lizzie began to pull in tug on her mother’s hand. Mrs. Newman let
a small smile graze her youthful face. ‘It was only natural,’ Mrs. Newman told
herself. ‘Most kids are scared on their first day of school.’ Before Mrs.
Newman could offer some kind words of comfort to Lizzie, a young woman with
auburn hair tied back into a French braid approached the pair.
“Hello,
I am Ms. Daniels,” she spoke with a friendly tune, “Can I help you with
anything?” Mrs. Newman looked at the brightly colored schedule that was being
held in her other hand and read Lizzie’s homeroom teachers name. Lizzie
continued to tug at her mother’s hand as she stared into the room behind sweet
Ms. Daniels.
“I believe
that this is our room actually,” Mrs. Newman said in a tone as if she were
really asking herself a question. “Is Elizabeth Newman on your class roster,”
inquired Lizzie’s mother. Ms. Daniels looked at the clipboard she had tucked
under arm and smiled.
“I do
actually,” she spoke. Mrs. Newman let out a breath of air. Remember, the first
day is also stressful for the parents and guardians. The two shook hands and
began to talk about the class, the upcoming school year, and Lizzie of course.
Lizzie was still tugging. Mrs. Newman finally looked down at her daughter, and
was shocked by what she saw. Lizzie wasn’t tugging away from the class, she was tugging towards it. “Well I’ll be..” Ms. Daniels smiled as she watched
Lizzie reach out to the room. Mrs. Newman smiled as well.
Mrs.
Newman crouched down to her daughter and talked to her, explaining about the
class, how she will be back later to pick her up, to stay safe and be nice,
etc. Lizzie nodded all the way through, a slight pout on her lips. “Have a good
da-“ before Mrs. Newman could finish her sentence, Lizzie dashed off into the
room to make friends. The two adults chatted and laughed, and eventually parted
ways. The day went on normally for Mrs. Newman, albeit the curious and slightly
anxious feeling that gnawed at her stomach. At 12:30 pm, Mrs. Newman came back
to get Lizzie. She was greeted with a hug. Lizzie explained on the way home all about her day at school.
“We
learned about shapes!” She said with enthusiasm. “The circles are my favorite!”
Mrs.
Newman smiled and nodded on the way home, and continued to smile and nod when
Lizzie retold her story to father at dinner. Lizzie bathed and went to bed as
usual. Mrs. Newman sat down in the living room with her husband as they watched
t.v. , excited to know that their daughter had a good day at school.
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