The Familiar Route

Ages 12-15

Nechama follows Hindy past the stairs.

Her new classroom is upstairs. She sees its sign through the open railing.

Hindy turns down the ground-floor hall.

A second lunch bag hangs beside her own.

"Up there," Nechama says, pointing.

Hindy keeps walking. "One minute."

At the far end of the hall, younger children are taking out their lunches. Hindy stops in the doorway.

She lifts the extra bag.

A little boy comes over with an empty container in his hands. Hindy gives him the bag. He sets down the container and pulls out a sandwich.

Nechama waits beside the doorframe.

Through the railing, two girls enter her new classroom. They take the desks nearest the window.

Hindy comes back with only her own bag.

They go to the stairs together.

"Is there a shorter way from here?" Nechama asks.

Hindy points to a door at the other end of the hall.

"Those stairs. I'll show you after class."

Nechama looks up at the classroom sign. She can still see it from this landing.

They reach the room before the bell.

The window desks are occupied. Hindy takes one near the aisle. Nechama sits beside her and puts her lunch bag under the desk.

After class, she waits while Hindy gathers her things.

They leave by the far door and go down the other stairs.

At the bottom, Nechama can see the front entrance directly ahead. Hindy stands beside her with one lunch bag.