Miles sat cross-legged on his bed, clutching his favorite red scarf, eyes darting between his mother and the outfit she laid out for him. The tiny blue shirt and brown trousers looked crisp and new, neatly folded on the edge of the bed. Miles’s mother, gentle and patient, smoothed out a wrinkle in the shirt before turning to him with a reassuring smile. "Tomorrow is a big day, Miles. Are you feeling ready for school?"

"I’m a little nervous," Miles admitted, twisting the end of his scarf, his whiskers quivering. "What if I can’t find my classroom or I forget what to say?" Miles’s mother sat beside him, wrapping her tail around his. "It’s normal to feel scared before something new, but you’re braver than you think. If you get lost, just ask a teacher, and remember, everyone feels a little unsure on their first day."

Miles[/@ch_1], and the room feels safe and warm.] Miles’s mother brushed his forehead with a soft kiss. "All you need to do is be yourself. You’ll make friends, and I’ll be here waiting to hear all about it when you come home." Miles managed a small smile, feeling the knot of worry in his tummy loosen a little. He listened to his mother’s gentle words until his eyelids drooped and sleep claimed him.

Miles woke to the soft chirping of birds, stretching and yawning away the last of his nerves. He dressed in his carefully chosen clothes, feeling proud as he smoothed his shirt. In the kitchen, Miles’s mother hummed a cheerful tune as she served breakfast. "Eat up, sweetheart. A good breakfast helps you think and play your best."

Miles[/@ch_1] stands at the threshold, backpack on his shoulders, his favorite red scarf tied neatly around his neck.] Miles’s mother knelt to give him a final squeeze. "You’ve got this, Miles. Remember, I love you so much." Miles took a deep breath, his heart fluttering with excitement instead of fear. He stepped outside, paws steady, ready to greet the adventures of his very first school day.