Leo wakes up to the soft chirping of birds outside his window. He hugs his favorite stuffed dinosaur, feeling the comforting texture beneath his fingers. The sun paints golden stripes across his bed, and today, like every day, Leo knows the world outside can feel too loud, too bright, and sometimes, a little scary.

Leo stands with his mom at the edge of the playground, his hands pressed over his ears to soften the noise. Mom, gentle-eyed and patient, kneels beside him. "Remember, Leo, if things get too much, you can squeeze your dinosaur or come find me," she reassures him, tucking a small dinosaur into his pocket. Leo nods, breathing deeply and watching the swirling colors of the playground.

Ms. Rivera, the cheerful teacher, greets everyone at the door. Leo finds his desk, away from the window so the light won't hurt his eyes. When the teacher asks a question, Leo knows the answer but feels his heart race, words stuck behind a wall. Sammy, a classmate, looks over and smiles. "Want to build the puzzle with me, Leo?" he asks kindly.

Leo's hands fly to his ears as the world spins. Everything feels too much—too bright, too loud, too fast. He crouches under his desk, clutching his dinosaur, breathing quickly. Ms. Rivera kneels beside him, her voice soft and calm. "It's okay, Leo. Let's count together until it’s quiet again. One, two, three..."

Leo sits quietly, feeling his heartbeat slow. Mom arrives to check on him, giving him a proud smile. "I did it, Mom. I stayed and counted and now it’s okay," he says, voice small but sure. "You are so brave, Leo," she whispers, hugging him tight.

Sammy waves from below. "Come on, Leo! You can do it!" Leo takes a deep breath, heart pounding with excitement. He slides down, laughter bubbling out, feeling the wind on his face. In that moment, Leo shines brighter than the sun, proud of every step he’s taken.