Sophie, clutching her new backpack, stands at the edge of the crowd, her heart beating like a drum in her chest. She scans the unfamiliar faces, unsure where to go next. A gentle breeze tousles her hair as she steps forward, determination flickering in her eyes.
Mr. Evans, the cheerful guidance counselor, greets new students at the entrance to the auditorium. "Welcome to Crestwood! Find a seat, and we'll get started soon," he beams, handing out schedules. Sophie takes a deep breath and finds an empty chair near the back, her fingers tracing the edge of her schedule card as she tries to steady herself.
Liam, a boy with a shock of curly hair and a friendly smile, turns to Sophie. "Is this your first day too?" he asks. "Yeah. I barely know where the science lab is," Sophie admits, her voice barely above a whisper. "Don’t worry, I’ll show you! My older sister says the cafeteria food is actually edible," Liam jokes, and Sophie laughs, feeling her nerves slowly ease.
With Liam leading the way, Sophie weaves through the maze of hallways, her footsteps quickening as excitement replaces anxiety. "Thanks for helping me. I was afraid I’d get lost," she says. "Stick with me. I hear the science teacher is cool—sometimes he does experiments during lunch," Liam replies, grinning.
Ms. Alvarez[/@ch_4], welcomes each student with a bright smile.]
"Pick any seat you like! Today we’ll learn about chemical reactions—and maybe make something fizz," she announces. Sophie chooses a desk beside Liam, her nerves almost forgotten as excitement grows. She glances around at her new classmates, feeling a spark of hope.
Sophie steps outside, the air warm and sweet, her backpack a little lighter. She waves to Liam, who grins and shouts, "See you tomorrow, Sophie!" For the first time, she feels excited for what comes next, ready to embrace the adventures of her new school.
