Ani stepped up to the big school doors. Her fingers held her friend's hand tight. The flags above flapped loudly in the wind.
One flag came loose and fell with a soft plop right on her head. "A hat!" her friend laughed. Ani's mouth curved into a wobbly smile.
They walked down the long hallway. Colorful posters lined the walls while kids laughed behind every classroom door.
A loud SCREECH erupted from somewhere down the hall. A science project was launching! Ani's grip tightened.
Her friend squeezed her hand back. "It's okay," her friend whispered. They kept walking toward the open door at the end.
A teacher with curly hair and a bright yellow apron bent down to their eye level. She held out two shiny name tags.
"Welcome, explorers!" the teacher chirped. She guided them toward a circle of cushions on the floor.
The teacher clapped her hands once. "Who would like to stand up and tell the class their name?" she asked.
Ani's hand stayed at her side. She thought: what if everyone looks at me? Her friend gave a tiny nod.
Ani took a slow breath. Then she lifted her hand high. "Hi," she said, her voice a little shy.
She sat at a small table with her friend. The name tag peeked from her pocket.
Outside the window, the flags bounced in the wind. But now they seemed to wave hello. The teacher began a story, and Ani listened, her foot tapping a happy rhythm on the floor.
