One Last Adventure (Part 2)

Jade's POV

I barely hear the words "Story time!" as I sit there, staring at the clock. 9:30 a.m. It feels like time is speeding up and slowing down at the same time. Every second ticking away is a reminder that soon, I'll have to leave, and after today... I'll never come back.

Izzy is already sitting cross-legged, looking eager for the story. Klyde, Lana, and Sammy are gathered by their blocks, still building their rocket ship, but even they pause for a moment. Everyone else seems excited, but me? I just feel heavy inside.

"Come on, Jade!" Mr. Sun waves me over with his usual cheery smile, and I realize everyone's waiting for me to join them. I take a deep breath, trying to push away the lump in my throat. It's just a story, right? I can listen for a while.

I sit down near Izzy, who glances at me with a small smile.

"Our story begins in a magical land far away..." Mr. Sun's voice slowly fades away as I stare back at the clock on the wall.

Tick tock, tick tock

The sound of the clock seems to grow louder than Mr. Sun's voice.

Tick tock, tick tock.

Each second feels like it's pulling me closer to the end of today...and the start of tomorrow.

I glance at Izzy, who's listening intently to the story, her eyes wide with curiosity. But I can't focus. The words blend together, and all I can think about is that soon, we'll be walking out of here for the last time. What if we never see Mr. Sun again? What if Izzy doesn't see Maya? What if everything changes, and none of this matters anymore? What if the babysitter is mean to us?

Tick tock, tick tock.

I try to shake the thoughts away, but they stick.

Mr. Sun's voice fades in as he ends his story. "And they all lived happily ever after. The end! Wasn't that an amazing story?"

The room bursts into but I can't bring myself to join in. Everyone else seems so happy, like they're not worried about anything. I look around at the kids, clapping and smiling, while my mind is still stuck on that ticking clock.

Mr. Sun claps his hands together, his rays spinning faster with excitement. "Alright, everyone! It's time for arts and crafts! Let's get creative and have some fun!"

The kids scramble to the tables, grabbing their supplies. Izzy hurries over to Maya, gently guiding her to their usual spot. Lana lingers by the small table with Klyde and Sammy, trying to stay in the background as usual.

I slowly walk over to the table, my steps feeling heavier with each one. Today's just another day for everyone else, but for me...it feels like the last.

I sit down at the table and stare blankly at the stack of colored paper in front of me. Around me, the other kids are already cutting, gluing, and scribbling away. But I just can't get into it. I feel like I'm watching everything from far away.

Izzy and Maya are giggling softly, sharing supplies as they make something together. Sammy, still half-asleep, tries to fold a paper airplane, while Klyde and Lana are quietly planning out their next project. Everyone seems so absorbed in their work.

"Jade?" Mr. Sun's cheerful voice snaps me out of my thoughts. I look up to see him crouching down next to me, his rays spinning gently. "What's the matter? You don't seem excited for arts and crafts today."

I shrug, my fingers fiddling with the edge of the paper. "I dunno... I just don't feel like it."

Mr. Sun tilts his head slightly, his usual brightness dimming just a little. "You seem distracted. Is there something on your mind?"

I hesitate, not sure how to explain the heavy feeling sitting in my chest. "It's just... this is the last day I'll be here."

Mr. Sun pauses, his rays spinning slower. "Oh... I see." He leans in a little closer, his voice soft. "It's hard when things change, isn't it?"

I nod, feeling a lump form in my throat. "Yeah. I don't want to leave. I don't want things to be different."

He gives me a warm smile. "Change can be scary, but it's not always bad. You might find new adventures and make new friends. But no matter what, the memories you've made here will stay with you."

I nod again, but it doesn't make the weight in my chest go away. Mr. Sun pats my shoulder gently before standing up. "How about we make something special to remember today by? Maybe a little craft to take with you."

I glance at the supplies on the table, my fingers slowly picking up a pair of scissors. "Maybe...a cat?"

Mr. Sun's rays spin a little faster, his excitement contagious. "A cat? A cat would be perfect! You can make it your own, maybe even give it a name! What do you think?"

I hesitate, but then slowly nod. "Okay... I like cats."

"Great!" Mr. Sun says, bouncing slightly as he gathers some construction paper, scissors, and glue for me. "Let's make the best cat ever!"

I start cutting out shapes for the body and the ears. It's kind of nice, focusing on something simple like this. Slowly, I start to feel a little better. As I work, I hear Izzy giggling with Maya across the table, and Sammy sleepily muttering to Klyde about rockets. The daycare feels a little warmer, a little brighter.

When I finish cutting out the last piece, I hold up the paper cat. "What should I name it?" I ask aloud, mostly to myself.

Mr. Sun crouches down beside me again. "That's up to you, Jade. What feels right?"

I think for a moment, then smile softly. "Maybe... Sunshine."

Mr. Sun's rays spin wildly with excitement. "Sunshine! I love it! A perfect name for a perfect cat."

I smile a little wider, feeling the warmth from his words. Even though tomorrow will be different, at least I'll have Sunshine with me.