Emma stepped into the bright yellow classroom. She gripped her backpack strap so hard her knuckles turned white. All around her, kids laughed and built towers with blocks.
Emma stood by the door and watched them. The other kids were so close, but she felt like they were on the other side of a window.
A boy walked to the center of the circle. He squared his shoulders and said, 'Hello! My name is Max. Nice to meet you!' The other kids clapped and one did a happy little jump.
Emma's lips moved silently, practicing the words. Then she took a breath and walked toward a girl with a purple lunchbox, but her voice came out as a squeak.
The boy named Max walked over and held out a blue crayon. 'My name is Max,' he said, slower this time, like he was teaching her the rhythm of it.
Emma tried again, louder: 'Hello. My name is Emma.' The girl with the purple lunchbox smiled and held out a silver star sticker. 'Nice to meet you, Emma!'
Emma pinned the star on her backpack and sat down next to the girl. Max waved and joined them. The three of them started coloring a big picture together.
The classroom was loud and bright and full of sounds — paper rustling, crayons snapping, laughter. Emma didn't feel like she was behind a window anymore.
