Reading Buddies

The two 5th graders walked down the hallway. Each carried a few books in their hands. They were picture books each girl had gathered from the library. Today was their turn to read to a group of kindergarteners. One of them looked forward to it, while the other wasn't so sure about the whole ordeal.

"Cheer up, Anubitu. At least you get out of class."

Anubitu sighed. "I guess so."

"Would you rather do math?"

"No."

"What books did you pick out?"

"I don't know. I just grabbed some that looked good."

"Let me see," her companion persisted.

"Fine." Anubitu handed over the three books she'd chosen.

"You're sure you want to read these?"

"I guess. Why?"

"You've got one on trains with helical engines, one on where the lightning came from, and another on farm animals."

"And?" asked Anubitu, crossing her arms and stopping.

"Well… they may not like the books very much."

"Why do you say that, Guragie?"

"Would you want to read them?"

"Maybe."

"Would you?"

"Not really."

Guragie paused outside of the kindergarten door. She looked over at her friend, who looked ready to run in the other direction. "I'm sure some of them will like your books. Make it fun for them, okay?" She placed her hand on top of Anubitu's, patting hers.

"I'll try, but I don't do well with kids."

Guragie knocked on the door. "Just do what I do, and you'll be fine."

Anubitu opened her mouth to respond, but the door opening prevented her from doing so. Both girls smiled at the teacher who opened the door. "Welcome to the kindergarten class. We've been expecting you. The girls are just getting ready to clean up their centers. Which of you is Anubitu and which is Guragie?"

After a few pleasant exchanges, the girls entered the classroom behind the teacher. They looked about the room, each remembering pieces of their own days spent in kindergarten. They hadn't been back since that year. Anubitu took one look at the housekeeping area and remembered how Guragie would always dress her up, no matter how she'd protest. Somehow, Guragie had always convinced her to wear the outfits. She looked over at Guragie, who seemed to be remembering the same thing.

"All right girls! It's time to clean up your areas. Once you're finished, go sit on the rug. Our readers are here from 5th grade, so let's make it quick."

There was a sudden flurry of activity and noise as the toys were put away and centers were put back to their original neat arrangement. Some of the girls seemed to finish more quickly than others, and rushed off to help their classmates. Slowly the rug became filled with all twelve girls, who whispered among themselves. They looked over at Anubitu and Guragie, and whispered some more.

"I don't want to know what they're saying about me," remarked Anubitu softly.

"They're excited to see us. They're not talking bad about you."

"How do you know?"

"If you two will just come over to the rug, I'll introduce you and we'll split the girls into groups. I'll watch and keep an eye from afar," explained the teacher.

Anubitu groaned inwardly. It was one thing to have a group of little kindergarteners watching her every move as she read. It was another thing to have the teacher paying attention as well. She could only hope the time they were here went by quickly.