Marissa stayed nearby while the two girls began talking.
June opened her notebook.
Inside were drawings of circles, arrows, and stick figures.
Elena leaned closer.
“What are these?”
“The dance formations.”
June pointed toward the page.
“This is where everyone starts. Then they move forward. Then they turn.”
She hesitated.
“And this is where Mr. Pierce wants me.”
At the far edge of the page was a small square marked *music station*.
Elena studied it.
“Did you ask whether you could be in the main formation?”
“Yes.”
“What did he say?”
“He said the stage might be too crowded.”
“Was he worried about the wheelchair hitting someone?”
June nodded.
“He said the other kids might not know how to move around it.”
Elena considered the drawing.
“That’s something you can plan for.”
June looked up.
“Really?”
“Maybe. It depends on the space and how the group moves. But the answer shouldn’t automatically be that you don’t get to participate.”
June looked toward the floor.
“Dani said I could turn when everyone else turns.”
“That sounds worth exploring.”
“But Mr. Pierce said we had to follow the choreography.”
Elena studied the notebook again.
“Who made the choreography?”
