Hi, my name is Jase. I am growing up really fast. I get to start kindergarten tomorrow, but I am really nervous. My sister is making me nervous. 

“Oh, Jase, school is so hard. It isn’t easy growing up,” said Harper as she looked down her nose at me. She flipped her hair back and huffed. “You have no idea how scary it is to go to school.” Now I was really scared. 

“That’s not true Harper. You’re just trying to scare me,” I yell.

“Oh Yeah. Last year a girl went home because she couldn’t handle learning big kid stuff. The math made her go crazy. Growing up means more responsibility,” she said. 

“STOP SCARING ME HARPER,” I yelled as I ran out of the room. I could hear her laughing at me. It is not funny. At least not to me. 

I ran to my mom and just held on to her leg. 

“Mom, I don’t want to grow up,” I cried. I hugged her leg even tighter. My mom patted my head. 

“Sweetie, you have to grow up,” she replied patting my head.

“No, Harper said kindergarten is hard,” I said shaking my head, “I do not want to grow up.”

My mom kneeled beside me and gave me a hug. I love my mommy’s hugs. They make me feel warm inside. It took a little bit of that fear away. 

“Jase, son, you have nothing to be scared about. You are going to love school. School is fun,” she said smiling at me.

“Yeah, but what if I put my shoes on the wrong feet or put my clothes on backwards,” I cried.

“Now Jase, I would never let you leave the house looking so silly,” My mom laughed. “I promise you have nothing to worry about. Why don’t You go play with your friend Luke to help you feel better?”

“Okay, Mommy. I love you.”

"I love you too.”

I ran to my room and got on my favorite play shoes and ran to Luke’s house. He is my best friend. He is going to start Kindergarten with me. We are even in the same class. I wonder if he is as scared as I am to go to school. 

I knocked on his door and his mommy answered. “Hello, Mrs. Murphy can Luke come out to play,” I asked.

“Yes. Hold on and I will get him. Luke,” she called, “Jase is here to play with you.” Luke came running at full speed to the front door and almost bumped into me. 

“Wow, sorry Jase, sometimes my feet are super-fast,” he laughed. 

“Hey, Let’s have a race,” I said. 

We raced all around the yard and even played some football and soccer. We played until we were both huffing and puffing for air.  Since we were playing, I figured I would go ahead and ask Luke if he was worried about school. “Luke,” I asked, “are you scared to start kindergarten? Harper said School was scary.”

“No way. Kindergarten is going to be so much fun. My mom said we will get to play outside on swings and slides just like at the park. She said that I will even learn how to read this year. I am so excited. Plus, you will be in my class, and you are my best friend.”

Hearing Luke say this made me feel a lot better. “Yeah, You’re right. As long as we are together, kindergarten will be fun,” I replied. 

We continued to play until both of our parents hollered for us to go inside the house. It was a good day. 

“Well, do you feel better now after talking to Luke,” asked my mom. 

“Yes, I can’t wait to start school tomorrow. It is going to be fun. Luke said we will get to play outside, and even learn how to read. I cannot wait to learn how to read,” I replied. 

“You better not look at my diary after you learn to read,” yelled Harper from her room.

“Don’t worry Harper, I don’t want to read that girly thing,” I said back.