Their bags carried the books.
Their laughter came along for free.
“My name is Auryn, and I like my sister when she isn’t eating my toast.”
Mischa stopped walking.
“That wasn’t the sentence we practised.”
“It was this morning.”
“You said you didn’t want the crust.”
“I was still deciding about the middle.”
On the Way
Auryn’s new teacher had asked everyone to bring a favourite book and be ready to introduce themselves. Her book was safely inside her yellow backpack. The introduction had gone wrong twice before they reached the corner.
Mischa, her older sister, had offered to help on the walk to school.
“Just your name and something you like,” she said. “You don’t have to tell them everything.”
Auryn tightened her fingers around her backpack straps.
“What if I can’t remember something?”
“You like rabbits.”
“What if there’s a rabbit there?”
“In your classroom?”
“It might think I’ve brought it a carrot.”
Mischa looked at the yellow bag. “Have you?”
“No. That’s the problem.”
A Practice Audience
Their shoes scuffed over the pavement. A bakery door opened as they passed, releasing a warm smell of bread. Auryn glanced inside. Mischa gently nudged her shoulder and slowed to match her steps.
“Try again. I’ll be your teacher.”
She straightened her blue vest and folded her hands in front of her.
“Good morning. Tell us your name.”
“You know my name.”
“I’m pretending.”
“Then I’m pretending you’ve forgotten it.”
Mischa pressed her lips together. Auryn watched the corners of her mouth.
“Teachers aren’t supposed to laugh yet,” she said.
“They might, with you.”
They started walking again. Mischa’s ponytail bounced against her pink backpack, and Auryn’s little flower clip had slipped toward one ear. Mischa reached over to straighten it.
“Book,” she said. “Tell them about your book.”
Auryn took a breath.
“My name is Auryn. I like the story about the rabbit who falls asleep in a cabbage.”
“There. Perfect.”
“He doesn’t eat the bed.”
“You can save that part for later.”
One for Mischa
At the next corner, Auryn turned toward her.
“Your turn.”
“I’m not in your class.”
“I’m practising being the teacher.”
Mischa folded her hands obediently. “My name is Mischa, and I like—”
Auryn raised one finger.
“Other people’s toast.”
Mischa made a small choking sound. She tried to finish her sentence, but Auryn’s solemn expression broke first. Soon they were both laughing, their backpacks bobbing as they walked.
“What do you actually like?” Auryn asked when she could speak again.
Mischa wiped beneath one eye.
“I knew before you became my teacher.”
At the Door
They reached Auryn’s classroom with warm cheeks and just enough time before the bell. Her teacher stood beside the open door. Inside, chair legs scraped across the floor and someone was opening a pencil case with a long, determined zip.
Auryn let go of one backpack strap.
“Good morning. I’m Auryn. I brought my rabbit book.”
“Welcome, Auryn.” The teacher smiled at Mischa. “And this is your sister?”
Mischa opened her mouth.
Auryn gave her sleeve a small squeeze.
“Just your name,” she whispered. “You don’t have to tell her about the toast.”
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