Because of the Rabbit

To pump herself up for the second school day, Emma makes a list of things that should be easier: She knows her room, her desk, and some of the kids’ names, and she’s bringing a bagged lunch. Emma is excited about inviting her group back to her house, but when she brings it up, Leah and Iris quickly change the subject, deflating Emma’s enthusiasm. Emma focuses on learning her classmates’ names: Matt borrows her pencil, and Sarah sits next to her on the rug.

Emma is looking forward to lunch. Having a bagged lunch means she can quickly join Leah and Iris’s table. But again, every seat at that table is taken, so Emma joins Matt’s table. When Jack also tries to join the table with Emma, she doesn’t make space for him, so he joins Dustin. Even though Emma is surrounded by conversation, she feels alone and realizes that lunchtime is just as difficult today as it was yesterday.

In the afternoon, the class visits the library, and Emma’s mood lifts. She saves a table with four chairs and sits with Jack, waiting for Leah and Iris to join them so she can propose her plan.