π½ππΈπβπΉπΈβπ #2
"I called it." She laughed quietly into her coffee.
"Daddy?"
I looked over. Jordyn had somehow managed to get syrup on her cheek despite never being allowed to pour it herself.
"How?" I cover my eyes, smiling.
She blinked innocently. "I don't know."
Dixie reached over with a napkin.
"Hold still."
Jordyn giggled as Dixie gently wiped her face clean.
"There. All done for now."
Jordyn looked at me. "I'm clean! I can go to kindergarten now."
I smiled. "I think you're ready."
Dixie stood up, grabbing my arm with her.
"Speaking of kindergarten, we should leave now."
Jordyn immediately squeaked before rushing inside her room to grab her backpack.
Dixie and I called after her in unison: "Don't run!"
~
When I glanced into the rearview mirror, she wasn't looking out the window anymore. She was staring at her lap. She was trying to be brave.
We rounded one final corner, and then the school appeared.
Children were wearing matching uniforms walking beside their parents, teachers greeted families outside.
It was one of the biggest private schools in Minnesota. Dixie liked it purely because of the high education levels.
Jordyn leaned forward between our seats. "That's my school?"
"It is." I tell her, patting her shoulder.
"It's really big." She didn't say anything else.
I parked in the visitor lot before turning the engine off.
Dixie twisted around first. "Jords?"
Jordyn's little fingers had found the straps of her backpack. She held onto them tightly.
Her lower lip trembled. "I.....I don't think I wanna go anymore."
Her voice came out so small it almost didn't sound like her.
My heart immediately broke.
Dixie immediately unbuckled her seatbelt. "Oh, sweetheart."
She climbed into the backseat beside her without another thought. Jordyn climbed directly into her lap.
"I want to go home. I changed my mind. I don't wanna stay."
Dixie wrapped both arms around her.
"You don't have to stay forever." She kissed the side of her head.
"I don't?" Jordyn looked up.
"No. Just today."
"How long is today?" Jordyn sniffled.
I smiled despite the lump in my throat. "Until Mommy and I come back."
She looked between us.
Jordyn buried her face against Dixie's shoulder.
"I don't know anybody there."
"You're going to find friends." I said.
"What if they don't like me?"
Dixie gently brushed a curl away from her forehead. "They don't even know you yet."
"What if my teacher is mean?"
"I don't think she will be."
I twist my body so I'm looking straight at Jordyn. Unfortunately, I don't have the body to go all the way in the back like Dixie did.
"Hey, bug."
She looked at me with watery eyes. "Do you remember when you were scared to ride your bike?"
She nodded.
"You remember what happened?"
"I fell."
"You did, but then you got back up. And now you can ride."
I smiled. "This is just another bike. You'll learn this too."
Jordyn wiped away her tears, putting her finger in her mouth.
~
By the time we walked across campus, Jordyn was holding one of my hands and one of Dixie's. She refused to let go.
Everything felt prestigious. And I knew exactly how that felt.
I knew what it was like to be a Jordyn. Except it wasn't the first day of school for me.
It was publicly speaking about my dad's company at 5.
The hallway smelled faintly of fresh paint, sharpened pencils, and books. A woman standing outside one classroom smiled warmly the moment she saw us approaching.
"You must be Jordyn."
Jordyn immediately disappeared behind my leg, only one eye peeking around my knee.
I immediately apologize. "Sorry, the girl's shy."
"That's okay." The teacher laughed softly.
She crouched until she was eye level.
"My name is Mrs. Thompson."
Jordyn stayed quiet. I tried nudging her forward, but she wouldn't move.
"I've been very excited to meet you."
Jordyn hid again. I felt tiny fingers clutch the back of my pants.
Dixie stepped forward first. "Don't you want to say hi to Mrs. Thompson?"
"We've heard so many lovely things about Jordyn."
I looked down. Jordyn was now hiding behind both of us. I wasn't entirely sure how she'd managed to do that.
Mrs. Thompson smiled again. "I have something very important to show you."
"What?" Jordyn peeked out.
"My classroom bunny."
Jordyn's eyes widened. "You have a bunny?"
"I do, and someone has to help feed him today."
"Really?"
Mrs. Thompson nodded. "I was hoping it could be you."
"Can I?" Jordyn looked up at Dixie.
Dixie smiled. "I think that's entirely up to you."
Jordyn slowly stepped away from us. Mrs. Thompson held out her hand.
After a long moment, Jordyn slipped her tiny hand into hers.
My heart melted as I grinned.
Mrs. Thompson smiled.
"We'll take very good care of her."
I nodded. "Thank you, we appreciate this."
"Bye, Mommy." Jordyn turned back toward us.
Dixie knelt immediately, wrapping her in one last hug.
"I love you."
"I love you too."
Then she looked at me. "Bye, Daddy."
I bent down, kissing the top of her head.
"Be kind, be curious. And if you're scared-"
She nodded before I even finished. "I'll be brave anyway."
I smiled.
"That's my girl."
She let go of us and turned. Then walked into her classroom beside Mrs. Thompson.
~