Closer To The Stars With You [shuji x reader]

2. first day of work

Y/N took a deep breath as she stepped through the doors of the Sunshine Daycare Center. The air was filled with the scent of crayons and disinfectant, a strangely comforting combination. Colorful drawings adorned the walls, and the cheerful chatter of children echoed through the halls.

As she approached the front desk, a friendly-looking woman with short, curly hair and a name tag reading "Ms. Thompson" greeted her with a warm smile.

"Hi there! You must be Y/N. Welcome to Sunshine Daycare. Let me introduce you to the team."

Y/N followed Ms. Thompson down a brightly lit corridor, glancing into rooms filled with giggling toddlers and busy caregivers. They stopped at a small office where two other staff members were sorting through supplies.

"This is Maria and Jake," Ms. Thompson said. "They'll be helping you get settled today."

Maria, a petite woman with a kind face, extended her hand. "Nice to meet you, Y/N! Don't worry, the first day is always a bit overwhelming, but you'll get the hang of it."

Jake, a tall guy with a laid-back demeanor, gave her a thumbs-up. "Yeah, just dive in. The kids are great, and we're here to help."

Y/N spent the next few hours diving into her tasks. She helped serve breakfast, handing out plates of cereal and fruit to the eager children. There were a few minor hiccups—a spill here, a bit of cereal flying there—but overall, it went smoothly.

Later, she found herself in the playroom, supervising a group of kids building a block tower. One little girl, Emily, tugged on her sleeve.

"Can you help me, Miss Y/N? I want to build a castle."

Y/N knelt down, smiling. "Of course, Emily. Let's make the best castle ever."

As the morning flew by, Y/N felt her initial nerves begin to fade. The kids were a handful, but their infectious laughter made every little challenge worthwhile.

At lunchtime, Y/N assisted the children with their meals, opening juice boxes and cutting up sandwiches. One boy, Timmy, refused to eat his vegetables.

"I don't like broccoli," he pouted.

Y/N crouched to his level, her eyes twinkling with mischief. "What if I told you that broccoli gives you superpowers? Just like superheroes."

Timmy's eyes widened. "Really?"

"Really," Y/N nodded solemnly. "But you have to eat them to get the powers."

With newfound determination, Timmy started munching on his broccoli, making Y/N chuckle.

The afternoon brought storytime, and Y/N was tasked with reading to a group of kids gathered on a colorful rug. She picked a book about a brave little dragon and did her best to give each character a unique voice, earning giggles and wide-eyed stares from her audience.

As the day wound down, Y/N helped the children gather their belongings and waited with them for their parents to arrive. She felt a sense of accomplishment mixed with exhaustion—a good kind of tired that came from a day well spent.

Stepping outside, the summer sun was still high in the sky, casting a warm glow over the parking lot. Y/N walked to the bus stop, her thoughts swirling with the events of the day. 

The bus arrived, and Y/N hopped on, taking a seat by the window. She gazed out at the passing scenery, thinking about her new life in Franklin County. It was a big change from her old life, but maybe that wasn't such a bad thing. She needed a fresh start, away from the trouble she had been in at her old school, and away from her mom's old husband.

When the bus reached her stop, Y/N got off and began the short walk home. Her house, a modest two-story with a small garden, came into view. She could see her mom's car wasn't in the driveway. Not that she had expected it to be. Her mom was rarely home these days, too busy with her job or out partying.

Inside, Y/N made herself a quick dinner, reflecting on her day. It was lonely sometimes, but she had learned to take care of herself. She had to. Her mom, who had her at the age of 13, had always been more like a troubled older sister than a parent. Y/N had grown up fast, becoming mature for her age out of necessity. 

After dinner, Y/N decided to take a shower. The warm water was soothing, washing away the exhaustion of the day. She let her mind wander as she stood under the spray, thinking about the upcoming school year. She'd be starting 8th grade at a new school, and while she was nervous, she was also hopeful.

After the shower, she put on her favorite PJs and decided to lay in bed and read her book. It had been a pretty good first day at the summer daycare. She could still feel the slight buzz of excitement and nervous energy from the day's events. The other kids were friendly, the activities were fun, and the counselors seemed cool and supportive.

The book quickly drew her in with its captivating story. Her eyes traced the lines, and her mind wandered into the narrative, blending her reality with the fictional world. The characters' adventures and challenges mirrored her own, and she found comfort in their journeys.

Gradually, her eyelids grew heavy. She marked her place in the book and placed it on the bedside table. She turned off the lamp, letting the room plunge into a serene darkness. The faint sounds of the summer evening outside her window were a soothing backdrop to her thoughts.

As she snuggled under the covers, a sense of contentment washed over her. The first day had gone well, and she felt confident that she could handle whatever came next. The rest of the summer seemed a little less daunting, and the new chapter of her life began to feel more exciting.

And with that, she drifted into a peaceful sleep, her mind filled with dreams of endless possibilities