cover
On a softly glowing yellow road under the open dusk sky, Rowan stands still, sneakers lit from beneath. She leans forward slightly, whispering 'Hello,' eyes wide with curiosity as the humming path illuminates the surrounding darkness.
Rowan stood still, feeling mixed-up. A soft yellow road glowed under her sneakers. 'Hello,' she whispered, surprised and curious. The road hummed like warm sunshine. Rowan breathed slow and stepped forward.
Inside a bright classroom, midday sunlight on posters, Rowan sits at her desk beside a faintly shimmering yellow road. She calmly sketches mountains and rivers while other students draw rockets, crayons scattered between their papers.
At school, everyone drew rockets. Rowan drew mountains and rivers instead. The yellow road shimmered beside her desk. 'It's okay to be different,' she murmured. When pushed to switch, Rowan said, 'No, thanks.'
In the rehearsal hall lit by overhead stage lights, Rowan pauses mid-step on polished floor as the steady yellow road glows along the boards. She breathes, chin lifted, then lifts her foot again, determined expression replacing earlier doubt.
During rehearsal, Rowan missed a step. The yellow road stayed steady, glowing softly. 'You don't need everyone cheering,' she told herself, 'just keep going.' She tried again with quiet courage. Mistakes became footprints leading forward.
At night in a quiet room with lamplight dim, Rowan sits cross-legged, eyes closed, palms over her heart. A soft yellow road shape glows within her chest, bathing her face in warm light as she whispers reassurance to herself.
That evening, Rowan closed her eyes. The yellow road glowed within her, guiding. 'You're with me,' she whispered. Dear Reader, your road lives inside you too. You're doing better than you know.