LT trudged up the hill to his elementary school. Having always taken the bus, he had never had the opportunity to appreciate that he lived in such a hilly city. Since the buses weren't operating, he literally had to walk to school uphill both ways.

He wiped the sweat from his brow. Despite being a little out of shape after a year of online school, he felt elated at the prospect of returning to in person classes, even if they were only for two hours and forty-five minutes a day. His parents had prepared him for the possibility that he would never go to elementary school again since next year, in 6th grade, he would enter middle school. He felt glad he could enjoy 'ruling the school' for even the six weeks left of 5th grade before again becoming a small fish in a big pond.

The large paved playground swarmed with activity and chaos as parents tried to line up their children in the spaces reserved for each teacher. LT was too old for his parents to accompany him anymore. He walked up to an aide and asked where room 8 should line up.

The kindly old lady consulted a clipboard and wrinkled her nose. She called over to one of the vice principals.

"She called out sick..." LT heard her say. "...a vaccine reaction." They consulted with another woman from the front office.

"No they couldn't find a substitute," said the office lady.

"I'm sorry LT your teacher is out today, but don't worry we'll put you in another classroom."

LT waited to the side as one by one classes marched into the building and settled into their classrooms. When there were only two classes left the aide with the clipboard waved and got his attention. "Go up with Mrs. Tanner's class."

LT couldn't believe it. He had looked forward to the first day of school for so long–seeing his friends again, getting out of the house. His cheeks reddened with frustration but he did as he was told. He followed the line of children into the school and up a flight of stairs. He was given a table to sit at. Every child sat at either a table or a desk turned backwards so as not to store items in the desk since the school day was split into two shifts thereby limiting the number of children per class.

The elementary school desk chair felt ridiculously small. He sat there while the teacher spoke but didn't listen to a word she said. He wished he could go home and play Minecraft and eat chicken nuggets in the comfort of his own room.

At 11:20am he returned home (again walking uphill), slammed the door and threw his sweatshirt on the ground.

"How did school go?" asked his father.

"It sucked!" said LT. "The teacher was sick and you and mom didn't see the email that my first day was canceled."

His father looked surprised. "I called when I saw the email and asked if I should pick you up, but they said they put you in another classroom. I figured you knew the 5th graders in the other classes."

"All the other 5th grade classes meet in the afternoon," said LT, helping himself to a popsicle to soothe his nerves. "They put me in the 3rd grade!"