Lily is a stegoceratops. What is a stegoceratops, exactly? According to her mother, stegoceratopses are dinosaurs. Lily believes her, of course, but sometimes, she wonders why they are never mentioned in any of her books. She can't read too many words right now, but she can see that none of the pictures in her prehistoric encyclopedia resemble her or her mother. There are many pictures that look like her father, the twoleg, but they are always standing beside the silhouette of a dinosaur. Lily has deduced that this means that each species of dinosaur can also be a twoleg. It's the most obvious explanation.

In any case, Lily has noticed a significant lack of stegoceratopses in popular media. She can think of only one example: a movie about cave people that she was not allowed to watch because a stegoceratops dies at one point. She wouldn't have known this if she hadn't been listening to her parents talk when they thought she was asleep. Sometimes, they'd have very interesting things to say. That was how Lily found out that she had to go to school, in fact. She never expected it to actually happen, because it seemed like something they discussed in passing. Unfortunately, she was wrong, and today would mark the beginning of what grown-ups called "your education". Apparently, the end result of "your education" was getting a "decent job", which was basically another word for working. Lily has asked many people why anyone would go through with "your education" if the consequence was having to work instead of play, but every single time, they've burst out laughing. If there's something funny about what she's saying, she'd like to know it, but nobody lets her in on the joke.

The only two people who have ever been honest with her are her parents, and now, they're going to leave her alone in a strange, strange place. Lily is far too young to understand the principles of the multiverse, but she knows that what her mother and father call "Isla Nublar" is not in their own world. Or perhaps it is, but there are two of them. Lily doesn't think about it too hard, but she can definitely tell that something is different when she walks through the Big Metal Door. There are raptors everywhere, and twolegs, too. Perhaps the twolegs are raptor-twolegs. It's hard to tell, because every twoleg looks different. There are other dinosaurs around, including the ones with flowers around their necks and the ones with strawberry colors, but Lily doesn't see a single stegoceratops as she rides on her father's shoulders. Well, none except for her mother, who has decided to wear clothing today.

When they arrive at a large building, Lily's father lifts her up and places her on the ground. Her mother pulls her fist out of her mouth gently as she tries to suck on it, and adjusts her backpack.

"There. It looks like you're all set. Are you excited?"

Lily stares up at her mother with pleading eyes. Her face twitches in reply, and she gives a too-bright smile.

"I know you're nervous, but you're gonna have so much fun. You'll get to learn about numbers and letters . . . That's gonna be cool, right?"

Lily continues to stare blankly. Her mother bites her lower beak and bends down so that their eyes are at the same level.

"Hey. I'm really proud of you, okay? This is important, and I know you're gonna be just f-"

"Can't you come with me?"

Her mother gulps.

"Oh, sweetheart . . ."

Her father kneels down and puts his hand on her shoulder.

"This is a Lily-only thing. You wouldn't want us to get in the way, would you?"

Lily's lip quivers.

"I don't want you to go."

Her mother puts her front foot over her mouth.

"Oh god, oh god, oh god . . ."

Her father shoots her a look, then turns back to Lily.

"I know it seems scary, but once you're in class, you'll be having so much fun that you'll forget all about us."

Lily shakes her head rapidly and starts to whimper.

"I need you!"

"You'll see us again soon," her father reasons, "We'll be here to pick you up after school, and you can tell us about all the fun stuff you did."

Lily looks up at her parents, who have never left her side for more than a few hours. To suddenly be apart, especially without any extended family to take of her, is something she can't even begin to comprehend. They have been a constant in her life, and now, they're going to be . . . just gone. Lily rushes forward and hugs her mother's leg.

"I don't wanna go! I don't wanna go!"

Her mother nuzzles her back gently.

"Oh, Lily . . ."

When she starts crying, her mother gives her a hug and strokes her frill.

"It's okay. It's okay, baby girl. I'm here. I'm here."

Lily wails.

"Don't leave me!"

Her mother squeezes her eyes shut.

"It's only for a little while, baby. We'll be together soon, I promise."

Lily holds onto her neck, hoping that she won't have to let go. Of course, when it's almost time for class, she has no choice. Her mother places her on the ground again, and Lily notices that her eyes are wet.

"You're so grown-up, Lily. I can hardly believe it. You're very special, you know, and you mean so, so much to me. I know this is hard. I was the same way on my first day. But you can do this. I know you can. You are the most special person I've ever known, and I'm absolutely positive that you're going to be an amazing student. I love you, Lily."

This makes her feel slightly better. Her mother thinks that she can make it through school, and her mother is always right. With a proud smile, Lily lifts her head and stands confidently. Her mother beams with pride.

"Good girl. Now, I've packed your lunch in the big zipper of your backpack. Don't eat it until the teacher tells you it's lunchtime, unless you're really hungry, in which case you should ask her first and tell me so I can pack a better lunch next time. There's a freezer pack in the bag to keep everything cold. Don't throw it out, because it's reusable. If something happens, have the teacher call me. My phone is on the loudest ringer, but if I don't hear it, call one of the five emergency contacts. I wrote them down on a piece of paper in your lunchbag. If you lose the paper, just tell the teacher who you want to call, because she knows who our friends are anyway. If you can't get a hold of anyone, ask the teacher for help. I mean, you'd be talking to her anyway, so . . . Actually, let me give you another contact sheet. I'll have it laminated tomorrow."

As her mother writes down several phone numbers (including some that weren't on the first sheet), she swishes her tail back and forth with a pensive frown.

"Alright . . . I think I have everyone. That should be okay. Am I forgetting something?"

Lily's father lifts his eyebrows, surprised that he has been included in the conversation once again.

"Hm?"

"Am I forgetting something?" her mother repeats.

"Have fun," he says simply.

Lily's mother nods.

"Right. Have fun."

The bell rings. Lily's mother snaps to attention.

"Okay. We should be able to go inside. I think I see your class. Make sure you know who your classmates are, and don't wander off."

Her mother and father walk her to her classroom, taking a moment to speak with the teacher. They help Lily put her backpack away, then say their final goodbyes. Smiling warmly, they wave and walk out the door. As Lily turns to the class full of excited children, she feels her heart flutter.

Her first day of school has officially begun.