Paul has a relatively uneventful first day at school. However, there are some events which might be deemed significant. The first significant event is a flashback that Paul has on his way to school. He suddenly remembers an incident from one of his first days at kindergarten when he was standing in line waiting to board the school bus. Another boy in the line called him "Eclipse Boy," which Paul found strange at the time. In retrospect, he infers that this is because he once stared at the sun during the eclipse. As a result, he has had to wear thick-rimmed spectacles.

The second significant event for Paul, on his first day at school, is when he meets his teachers. First of all he meets Ms. Alvarez, a "cheery" and enthusiastic teacher who "smile[s] bravely" through the indifference of her students. After Ms. Alvarez, Paul meets Mrs. Hoffman. Mrs. Hoffman stands "right inside the door, scowling and holding a seating chart." Paul describes her as "clearly at the other end of the teacher food chain from Ms. Alvarez."

The third event of significance that happens to Paul on his first day of school is that he is taken to Mr. Murrow's office. Mr. Murrow is "the head of guidance," and he wears thick glasses just like Paul's. Mr. Murrow tells Paul that he has been assigned a guide to help him find his way around the school. He tells his guide that he can see "just fine" and that he doesn't need any assistance.