Jane Morgendorffer (Part 1)
August 30, 1990 - Highland Elementary School - Highland, Texas
Helen called up from the kitchen. "Jane, Quinn ... time to get up. It's the first day of school. You don't want to be late."
Helen and Jake laughed as they heard a flurry of activity from the rooms above. Quinn came bounding downstairs first, eager to show off her new pink sneakers and t-shirt. Jane arrived a few minutes later wearing a red shirt and black shorts. In one hand was her backpack, the other her favorite book Black Beauty. After finishing breakfast, Jane and Quinn hugged their mom before following their dad out the door.
Both girls were looking forward to school. Quinn was happy because this was her first year in the "big kid" section of the school. Jane had heard from some of the older kids that third grade was when they started giving book reports as homework. The only downside was the sisters wouldn't have lunch at the same time. This didn't bother Quinn as much as it did Jane. Jane's intelligence made it harder for her to make friends.
After Jake wished them good luck, he drove off. Quinn's teacher was waiting outside for her students. Jane's teacher ... Ms. Harrison stood at the front door. She saw Jane approaching and smiled. They had met at the "Get To Know Your Teacher Picnic" that had been held a few days earlier. Jane headed straight to class and began reading. Soon, several other students began entering the room. Oh great ... not Beavis and Butthead. I thought they failed last year. As the school bell rang, the teacher closed her door and sat at her desk. After she was taking roll, there was a tiny knock at the door. She opened it to see a short girl with black hair and large rimmed glasses. The girl handed her a note from the principal. The teacher smiled as she pointed to the desk next to Jane.
"Class ... we have a new student to Highland Elementary. I want everyone to say hi to Daria Lane."
"Hi Daria," the class spoke in unison.
"Umm ... hello," the short girl's voice was barely above a whisper.
"Hey Beavis...the new girl's name is Diarrhea."
"Yeah...Diarrhea"
"That's Daria you neanderthalic sub-humans." Jane growled.
"Jane ... that's not nice."
"I'm sorry Ms. Harrison."
"Yeah that's not nice brain." Butthead laughed.
Jane winced. She really couldn't stand those two. The girl was looking at her now, with a slight smile on her face. Jane returned the gesture. The two turned their attention back to the teacher as the lessons for the day began. A couple of hours later, the teacher announced it was time for recess. Jane didn't like recess. She liked running around, but not to play tag or hide and seek. Spending most of her recesses reading, Jane distanced herself from others. Being the last student to make it outside, she was surprised to see the new girl already at a bench. She appeared to be drawing something in a large notebook. Sitting down on the other end of the bench, Jane opened her book.
"Thank you." Jane heard the other girl whisper.
"You're welcome, Daria. Don't pay any attention to those two. I am surprised they can spell their own names. I'm Jane ... Jane Morgendorffer." She scooted herself to the middle of the bench.
"Nice to meet you Jane." Daria noticed the book in Jane's hands. "What are you reading?"
"Black Beauty, it's my favorite book." Jane handed it to Daria.
Daria opened it up and began to flip through it. "There's no pictures in it."
Daria read the first couple of pages. Giving the book back to Jane, Daria flipped over to a new sheet in her sketchbook. She began to draw a picture of several horses running away from a shadow of someone throwing something at them. Jane recognized the scene immediately. The teacher signaled for the end of recess. Daria closed her sketchbook and walked with Jane back to class. They weren't in class for long. Lunch was forty five minutes later. Daria and Jane sat across from each other. After eating her bread and peanut butter sandwich, Daria went back to work on the picture. By the time lunch was over, Daria was through with the picture. Tearing the page out of her sketchbook, Daria hesitantly gave it to Jane.
"Read the first couple of pages again then look at the drawing. Every good story deserves pictures."
Now it was Jane's turn to say thanks. Jane had never been given anything from anyone outside of her birthdays and holidays. Jane took the picture and folded it to where the picture fit inside the book perfectly. Once the bell rang signifying the end of school, Jane went outside and waited for Quinn. Quinn arrived moments later, chatting with a little group of her classmates. As they waited for Jake, Jane saw Daria finally exit the school. Waving for Daria to join them, Daria paused for a moment before walking towards them.
"Quinn ... this is Daria. She's in my class. Daria - that's my sister Quinn."
"Hi. Are you waiting for your dad to pick you up too?" Quinn asked.
Daria shook her head. "I have to go to the junior high school and wait for my brother. We get picked up and dropped off there by one of the adults from the commune."
"Maybe you can ask your mom and dad if you can come over to our house after school tomorrow. We can play video games or something."
"I'll talk to Trent, my brother. I better go. If I am late, they won't wait for me. See you tomorrow Jane." Daria frowned then walked away quickly, turning to the direction of the junior high that was a couple of blocks away.
A couple of minutes later, Jake arrived at the school. Quinn jumped into the front seat and began telling her dad about her day. Jane sat quietly in the back. As they headed in the opposite direction of the junior high, Jane stared out the back window. Upon arriving home, Jane did what little bit of homework she had. Finishing the work quickly, Jane pulled out the picture Daria had drawn for her. Helen pulled into the driveway shortly after five. As the family ate dinner, Helen asked how their first day of school went. After Quinn excitedly gave her mother a minute by mintue run down of her day, Helen turned to Jane.
"How was your first day sweetie?"
"There's a new girl in my class named Daria. I invited her over to play video games tomorrow if that's okay. I think I made a friend." Jane smiled.