The school creaked open. Ayu stepped inside and looked up at the big blackboard — all different words everywhere.
She pulled her bag strap tight and sank onto a wooden chair. RIIIIIING! The bell made her jump.
The teacher pointed to a flashcard. 'Bola,' she said. Ayu whispered 'ball' under her breath.
A boy beside her leaned over. 'Ball,' he said softly. Ayu frowned and traced the round shape in the picture.
The next day, Ayu opened a Chinese storybook. The characters swam on the page. She sighed and closed it.
She looked up. A girl was tapping her yellow notebook, smiling. Ayu looked back at the book.
Weeks passed. Ayu practiced every day. She opened her mouth and tried again.
During a game, Ayu said a whole sentence in Malay. The children cheered. One dropped his wooden block.
Ayu's lips curved into a small smile. She had done it. A whole sentence.
Weeks later, Ayu stood at the front of the class. She held her book and looked at her friends.
Sunlight spilled across the desk. Ayu began to read — her voice growing stronger with every word.
Her friends leaned in close. They listened hard as her voice rang clear and sure across the room.
