Team8s and Counting

126. You're Not Alone

After the first week of school, Thread was settling into her classroom, getting used to the slightly different learning style quite well. The one on one attention that she got from the special ed teacher definitely made a difference in her academic performance.

Another thing that was a part of Thread's education program was a weekly meeting with the school psychologist. She would be with a group of kids ranging from 2nd-4th grade, and the school psychologist would help them with different classroom skills.

Thread's parents had told her about this, but regardless, she was still nervous. She didn't really know who the other kids were that were going to meet with the school psychologist, and the fact that it meant she had to miss a day of recess per week did not help her case.

In any case, when all the other kids went out to recess, she and some other students from her class were instructed to go with the classroom aide, who would guide them to the school psychologists room.

Flare was sad that Thread had to leave her, "So...you won't be at recess today?"

Thread shook her head, "Not today, but only once a week, the other days we can play together."

Flare didn't like not having her friend with her, "Then who's going to play with me at recess?"

Thread took a hold of Flare's hand, "I'm sure you'll make some new friends, I wish I didn't have to leave you though."

As the two girls said goodbye to each other, Thread headed off with the other kids. As Thread examined each of the kids in her class that would join her with the school phycologist, she was less than thrilled.

"Great" she thought to herself , "It's just the annoying boys."

As they made their way to the room, there were some kids from other grades that were waiting for them. Thread was grateful to see another girl in the room, knowing she wouldn't be the only one, and immediately pulled up her wheelchair right next to her.

"Hello! How are you?" Thread asked.

The girl remained quiet, clearly very shy. Thread was disappointed, wanting someone who she could actually talk to and possibly relate to just a little bit.

The school psychologist introduced herself to the group. "Hello everyone, I'm Dr. Horn. Today, you're all going to go around and introduce yourselves and what grade you're in." She turned her head to Thread, smiling at her, "Would you like to go first," she asked Thread.

Thread smiled, "Hi, I'm Thread, and I'm in the second grade!"

"Hello Thread." All the kids said back, sounding monotone as ever.

One by one, each of the kids introduced themselves, until they finally got to the last girl that Thread was sitting next to. She didn't want to introduce herself, and turned away form the rest of the group.

"It's okay," Dr. Horn said to her softly, "No one's here to judge you, I promise."

She took a deep breath, and eventually introduced herself. "My name's Bookmark Word. I'm in the fourth grade."

"Hello Bookmark," all the kids said.

Now that she was at least talking a little bit, Thread thought now was her chance to get to talk to this girl and get to know her better. After all, she wanted to bond with the only other girl in the room amongst all the kids.

"Where do you live?" Thread whispered to Bookmark.

"I live in downtown Goiky, with my mom and my mimi." she stated proudly.

Thread tilted her head in confusion, "What's...a mimi?"

Bookmark knew that not many people had mimi's, and explained it to her, "It's like a mom or a dad, except...they're not, if that makes sense."

Thread was still confused, "I still don't understand."

Bookmark took a deep breath and tried again, "Their another type of parent. Some people have mommies and daddies, some people have mimi's, like me!"

Thread was in awe, "There are more parents than just mommies and daddies?"

Bookmark nodded, "My Mommy and my Mimi love me very much."

Thread wanted to understand what a Mimi was, "So...is your Mimi a boy or a girl."

Bookmark shook her head, "Neither! My Mimi calls themself a nonbinary...so their not a boy or a girl of that makes sense."

Thread nodded, "That makes a little more sense."

Bookmark was pleased to know that it was all making sense to her, "I'm glad. I assume you don't have a mimi then?"

Thread shook her head, "I don't, but my family is different too. I have two moms and a dad?"

Bookmarks eyes widened in surprise, "That's so cool! It must be fun having three parents!"

Thread nodded, "It is! I also have a younger brother, his name is Dimey."

Bookmark sighed, "I don't have any siblings. It gets lonely somtimes."

Thread held her little hand, "I'm sorry, I have the opposite problem. In addition to my parents and brother, I also live with my Aunts and their daughter, and my other Aunt and my Uncle and their twin boys!"

Bookmark was shocked to learn the number of people that live with her, "That's a lot of people in one house, it must get crazy for you!"

Thread nodded, "It does, but it's also a lot of fun!'

Dr. Horn was starting to notice the chatter between the two girls starting to grow, "Okay you two, I'm glad you're getting to know each other more, but we need to get started. We're going to talk about different ways to help out our friends!"

As the two of them got back to engaging with the rest of the group, Bookmark and Thread would smile at each other occasionally, reminding each other that they would always be there for one another.

As the session ended, the whole group said goodbye, ready to part ways until next week.

"Your aides will be here soon to bring you back to class," Dr. Horn said.

Thread was sad to leave Bookmark, as the two were just starting to get along, "It's too bad we can only be here once a week."

Bookmark nodded, "I agree, I'll ask my parents if you and I can play together sometime!"

Thread was eager to hear, "And I'll bring my other friend, her name is Flare. Don't worry, she's very nice, we've been friends for a while now!"

As Thread's aide came to pick her and her classmates up, she waved goodbye to Bookmark one last time. Thread was happy to have not only been able to have someone she could relate to in the group meetings, but a new friend to play with. She hoped that the two could hang out in more ways than just with the school psychologist, and only fate knew where their friendship would take them.

.........................................................................

YAY! Bookmark's back! I've been planning her return for a while now, and she certainly will be more present in this book in the future! I remember in my case when I was Thread's age, I had to miss technology class (aka, the fun class) to go see the school phycologist, so I can relate to this (as I got older I ended up missing recess). 

Also, forgot to mention this last chapter, but we are less than 700 reads away from hitting 30K! You all know the drill, once we hit that mark, you guys get designs of Sprinkle and Sack. It's crazy how fast this book has managed to rack up so many reads, thank you all for sticking with this monster of a book!

Hope you all enjoyed this chapter, and I'll see you in the next chapter!

- Sunny