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  Niki’s backpack straps dug into her shoulders as she hurried down the sidewalk, trying to make herself small. High school felt enormous, like a city she had no map for, and every laugh, every glance from older students made her stomach flutter. Beside her, Zorya walked with quiet confidence, sliding her hand over Niki’s shoulder for a reassuring bump.

  “You’ll be fine,” Zorya said, voice low but steady.

  Niki forced a smile, nodding, though she wished she could shrink and disappear into the morning breeze. They had grown up together—climbed rooftops, counted stars, and shared secrets that only the wind and the city’s pigeons could have heard—but today, that bond was the only thing keeping her steady.

  The path to school was longer than it should have felt. The streets were filled with other students, some running to catch the bell, others chatting casually as if high school had always been easy. Niki’s eyes scanned the crowd, searching for friendly faces, but most were strangers, faces she had only seen in passing, on notices or in the classrooms she had peeked into. Each laugh, each whisper, made her grip her backpack straps tighter.

  Zorya noticed and leaned closer. “Just breathe,” she said softly. “Step by step. You don’t have to face everyone at once.”

  Niki nodded again. Her throat felt tight, but Zorya’s steady presence was a small anchor. They had always been together—best friends since the sandbox days—and somehow, that made everything feel slightly less terrifying.

  A group of older girls, laughing too loudly and whispering to one another, passed by. Their eyes flicked toward Niki, and she could feel the weight of judgment pressing down. She wanted to disappear, or at least duck into a quiet corner. She took another deep breath and focused on the small joys she knew were waiting later—her favorite bench under the old oak tree near the schoolyard, and maybe, if she was lucky, a glimpse of pigeons fluttering along the rooftops above.

  The school gates loomed ahead, crowded with students jostling for position. Niki adjusted her backpack again, but the strap caught on a small metal post. She stumbled slightly, and a few stifled laughs followed her stumble. Her cheeks burned as heat spread through her face. She kept walking, head down, willing herself to be invisible.

  Zorya’s hand gripped hers briefly. “Ignore them. They’re not worth it,” she whispered. Her calm, quiet confidence was like a protective shield, and Niki felt a little of her tension ease.

  The bell rang suddenly—a clear, sharp sound that echoed across the yard. It was startling in its precision, cutting through the murmur of voices and the clatter of lockers. Students hurried past, finding friends, fumbling with schedules, laughing, and teasing. Niki clutched her backpack tighter and tried to keep up with Zorya.

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  Somewhere in the chaos, she noticed a girl standing off to the side. Long dark hair framed her face, and she was watching Niki with quiet, unwavering eyes. She didn’t approach or speak, only observed. Niki’s stomach gave a flutter. There was something different about her, something that made Niki feel… seen, in a way that had nothing to do with the teasing or laughter around her.

  Zorya followed her gaze. “Do you know her?” she asked quietly.

  Niki shook her head. “No. I’ve never seen her before.”

  “Hmm,” Zorya said thoughtfully. “She seems… different.”

  Niki tried to focus on the bell, the crowd, the first class she would attend, but her thoughts kept drifting back to the girl watching her. There was a calmness about her, a sort of quiet strength that contrasted sharply with the nervous flutter in Niki’s chest. She wondered if she would see her again.

  The first bell ended with a final clang, and the tide of students surged forward. Niki and Zorya followed, weaving through the crowd toward the main entrance. The hallways were louder than she expected, lockers slamming, sneakers squeaking, and voices overlapping in a constant hum. Niki tried to match Zorya’s calm pace, keeping her eyes down, but she couldn’t help glancing around.

  Classrooms filled with groups of friends chatting and laughing, sharing jokes and schedules. Niki found herself noticing little details: the way a boy tucked his hair behind his ear, the careful way a girl arranged her books, the posters on the walls that reminded her of older students’ achievements. Everything felt new, strange, and slightly overwhelming.

  Zorya nudged her gently. “Come on, let’s find our first class.” She guided Niki down the hall, their steps in sync, like they had always moved together. Niki felt a small spark of comfort. With Zorya by her side, maybe she could survive this first day without tripping, or crying, or getting completely lost.

  Passing the windows overlooking the schoolyard, Niki caught sight of pigeons hopping along the rooftops, cooing softly. She paused for a moment, watching them. They seemed so fearless, so free, moving together with an unspoken understanding. She envied them a little, wishing she could have that kind of confidence.

  Zorya noticed her pause. “Thinking about them again?” she asked with a small smile.

  Niki shrugged. “Yeah… they’re just… calm, you know? They don’t care what anyone thinks.”

  Zorya smiled, squeezing her shoulder. “Maybe that’s something we can learn from, then.”

  As they entered their classroom, Niki took a deep breath. The walls were covered with fresh posters, schedules, and motivational quotes, all bright and welcoming, yet somehow intimidating. She focused on Zorya’s steady presence and let herself relax, even just a little.

  And in the corner of her mind, the girl who had been watching earlier lingered—a quiet, distant thought she couldn’t shake. Something told Niki that this was only the beginning of her first day, and that not everything in this new world would be ordinary.

  Somewhere far above, pigeons fluttered across the rooftops, catching the first rays of sunlight. Niki’s heart gave a small, hopeful lift. Perhaps the day wouldn’t be as overwhelming as it seemed. Perhaps, with friends at her side, she could survive the first day, and maybe even enjoy it.