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Inside a parked family car on a sunny suburban street, Amy presses her nose to the window, hugging a floppy stuffed bunny, while Mom in the driver seat offers a gentle reassuring smile at her.
"This is Maya. She’s a brand-new memory. She just arrived at the gates of Memory Town. Maya is hoping to find a permanent home, but she has a long way to go before she hits the 'Forever Vault.' She has to survive the streets of the brain without being forgotten!"
Morning light bathes the school playground; Amy sits alone at a red bench clutching her backpack as Sammy stands beside her, smiling brightly and gesturing toward children playing tag near the slide.
The next morning, Amy walked slowly to her new school. Her tummy felt like butterflies were dancing inside. At the playground, she saw kids laughing and playing together. They all knew each other already. Amy sat alone on a bench, feeling invisible. Then a boy with light brown hair noticed her. "Hi! I'm Sammy," he said with a big smile. "Want to play tag with us?" Amy's heart felt a tiny bit lighter.
Inside the quiet library’s reading nook, Henry the turtle librarian, vest and glasses gleaming in warm lamplight, hands an adventure book to Amy while Wanda waves excitedly beside a tall shelf of colorful stories.
During library time, Amy met Henry the turtle librarian. His glasses sparkled as he smiled. "New students are my specialty," Henry said kindly. He showed Amy where the adventure books were kept. "These stories are about brave kids just like you." Then a girl with long blonde hair waved. "I'm Wanda! Want to be reading partners?" she asked. Amy nodded happily. Maybe this new place wasn't so scary after all. She had already made two wonderful friends!
In the hidden flower garden behind the playground’s big oak, midday sun sparkles on petals as Amy, Sammy, and Wanda kneel on smooth stones, linking pinky fingers and declaring the spot their secret friendship place.
At recess, Sammy, Wanda, and Amy explored the playground together. "Look! A secret path behind the big tree!" Sammy exclaimed. They discovered a little garden with colorful flowers and smooth stones. "Let's call this our special friendship spot," Wanda suggested. Amy smiled her biggest smile. Moving had been scary, but now she had real friends. "This is better than I ever imagined," Amy said. Her new friends cheered. Sometimes the scariest changes bring the most amazing adventures. Home wasn't just a place anymore—it was wherever her friends were.