Team8s and Counting

153. When the Calm Shatters

Trigger Warning: This chapter contains descriptions of sensory overload, frustration, and emotional distress. Readers who may be sensitive to themes of overwhelming emotions, outbursts, or challenges related to neurodivergence may want to proceed with caution.

Thread, Flare, and Bookmark, were all playing outside at recess. The three of them were in the sandbox building sandcastles. They were all having a great time, and were admiring each other's work.

Bookmark was putting the finishing touches on her sandcastle. "And...done! What do you guys think?"

Flare smiled. "It's pretty cool! I just finished up with mine, too!"

The two other girls were very impressed by Flare's work. "That is so cool, Flare!" Thread exclaimed. "Mine is almost done, I just need like 5 more minutes on it."

However, just as she was starting to finish up, the whistle blew, indicating that recess was now over. Thread didn't want to stop building her sandcastle, so she just kept building, ignoring the fact that she needed to go line up with the rest of her class. Flare was waiting right next to her, ready to help her get back into her wheelchair if she needed it.

The aide quickly noticed that Thread wasn't coming over to her when the whistle blew, so she told on of the other aides to watch the rest of the class, and approached Thread in the sandbox.

"Thread, you heard the whistle," The aide said calmly, "Recess is over, it's time to get back to class."

Thread grumbled back at the aide, still very focused on building her sandcastle. "I'm almost done! Just give me a few minutes."

"I'm sorry Thread, but we need to go now, we can't keep Ms. Green and Ms. Root waiting for too long." The Aide took a hold of Thread's hand. "If you need some help getting in your chair just let me know."

"Mmmm, fine." Thread tried to calm herself down, using some techniques both her parents and Dr. Horn helped her with throughout the year. As Thread was getting back into her chair, Flare tried to make her feel a little better

"Don't worry, Thread." Flare reassured her with a smile. "You can always finish your sandcastle tomorrow!"

Thread was still feeling upset, but knew that she couldn't show it in front of Flare. "Yeah, let's just hope someone doesn't come and ruin it."

Once Thread and Flare made it back with the rest of her class, the aide guided them down the hallway, making their way back to the classroom, where Ms. Green and Ms. Root were waiting for them.

Ms. Green greeted the class with a warm smile. "Welcome back, class! I hope you all had fun during recess."

Thread scoffed to herself. "I WAS, until I was interrupted from my sandcastle building." she thought.

Ms. Root continued on with the lesson. "For this next activity, I'll need you all to get into partners."

Thread and Flare instantly made eye contact, and smiled, ready to pair up as usual. Partnering with Flare was always a relief for Thread. She didn't have to explain herself or worry about things feeling overwhelming—Flare understood her in a way that no one else did.

The two of them got right to work, working on the math worksheet that they were handed.

"What did you get for number 4?" Thread asked Flare.

"I got 53, did you?" Flare asked.

Thread nodded. "Yes! We did it." Flare and Thread high-fived, proud of the hard work they had just done.

After another 10 minutes of working on the worksheet, Ms. Green thought that it was time to move on to the next activity. "Okay, class." Ms. Green announced. "Now we are going to switch partners for this next worksheet.