cover
In Kirana’s cozy bedroom at dawn, soft pink sunlight filters through the window. Kirana, still in pajamas, sits on the bed’s edge gently stroking kitten curled on the blanket, both faces calm.
Kirana woke up early. Today was her first day at a new school. Her tummy felt funny, like butterflies were flying inside. She looked at her kitten sleeping on the bed. "I wish you could come with me," she whispered. The kitten opened one eye and purred softly. Kirana smiled a little. She got dressed in her new school clothes and tried to be brave.
Under bright kitchen lights, Kirana pushes a nearly full cereal bowl away while Mom offers a reassuring smile. Kitten winds between Kirana’s sneakers, tail high, as Dad calls, "Time to go," from the doorway.
At breakfast, Kirana could barely eat her cereal. Mom noticed her worried face. "You'll make wonderful friends today," Mom said gently. Kirana nodded but didn't feel sure. Her kitten rubbed against her legs under the table. That made her feel a tiny bit better. "Time to go," Dad said cheerfully. Kirana hugged her kitten tight before leaving.
Inside the bustling school hallway, fluorescent lights glare off lockers as Kirana grips Mom’s hand, wide-eyed. Other children in colorful backpacks race past, making her pause before the towering classroom doors ahead.
The school building looked enormous. Kirana held Mom's hand tightly as they walked through the big front doors. So many kids were running and laughing everywhere. The hallways seemed like a giant maze. "Your classroom is just down here," Mom said. Kirana's heart beat faster with each step. Everything felt so new and scary. She took a deep breath.
At the bright classroom doorway, daylight from large windows mixes with cheerful wall lamps. Ms. Chen offers a warm handshake to Kirana while Mom kneels for a quick encouraging hug, posters and crayons visible behind them.
A kind teacher with a warm smile greeted them at the classroom door. "Hello! You must be Kirana. I'm Ms. Chen," she said. The classroom was bright and colorful with pictures everywhere. "We're so happy you're joining us," Ms. Chen continued. Kirana whispered a quiet hello. Mom gave her an encouraging hug goodbye. Now Kirana was alone. Her hands felt cold and shaky.
Morning sun streams through the classroom window onto Kirana seated at her new desk, hands folded. Emma, freckles and red braids glowing, leans from the next desk with a shy smile, colored blocks scattered on their table.
Ms. Chen showed Kirana to a desk near the window. Kirana sat down carefully and looked around. The other children were already talking and playing together. They all seemed to know each other. Nobody was looking at her. Kirana felt very small and alone. She wished her kitten was there. A girl at the next desk smiled at her.
Under cool fluorescent lights, Kirana clutches a backpack bearing a shiny kitten sticker across adjoining desks. Emma points at the sticker, eyes bright and mouth open mid-question about pets.
"Hi! I'm Emma," the girl said brightly. She had freckles and red braids. "Is this your first day?" she asked. Kirana nodded, feeling too nervous to say much. "Don't worry, everyone is really nice here," Emma said kindly. "Do you like animals?" Emma asked, noticing Kirana's kitten sticker on her backpack. "Yes! I have a kitten," Kirana said softly. Finally, she smiled a real smile.
In the sunlit classroom corner, Emma leans forward with an excited grin, palms on the shared desk, while Kirana taps the kitten sticker softly. Two pencils and an open notebook rest between them.
"Really? I love kittens!" Emma exclaimed excitedly. "What's your kitten's name?" Kirana thought about her sweet kitten at home. "I just call her Kitten," she explained. Emma giggled. "That's a perfect name!" she said. They started talking about their pets. Emma had a goldfish named Bubbles. Kirana felt the butterflies in her tummy flying away. Talking with Emma felt easy and fun.
On the colorful classroom carpet under bright midday light, Ms. Chen lifts an illustrated brave-mouse book, mouth mid-voice-acting. Kirana and Emma sit cross-legged together, eyes wide, other students forming a quiet semicircle behind them.
Ms. Chen gathered everyone on the colorful carpet for story time. Kirana sat next to Emma. The teacher held up a book about a brave mouse. Everyone listened quietly as Ms. Chen read with funny voices. Kirana forgot to feel nervous. She even laughed at the silly parts. When the story ended, Emma whispered, "That was my favorite book!" Kirana felt happy to be there.
At a paint-splattered art table under warm afternoon light, Kirana shades a drawing of kitten with black fur and green eyes. Beside her, Emma proudly holds up a vivid orange-and-yellow goldfish sketch, crayons and markers scattered around.
After story time, Ms. Chen announced art time. "Today we'll draw our favorite animals," she said. Kirana knew exactly what to draw. She carefully drew her kitten with black fur and green eyes. Emma drew her goldfish with orange and yellow colors. "Your kitten is so cute!" Emma said, looking at Kirana's picture. "Your fish is beautiful!" Kirana replied. They both smiled proudly.
Outside on the sunny playground, Kirana soars forward on a blue swing, hair flying and mouth open in laughter. Emma pumps the neighboring swing in perfect rhythm, metal chains gleaming against the clear sky.
At recess, Emma grabbed Kirana's hand. "Come play with me on the swings!" she said excitedly. They ran outside together into the sunshine. Emma showed Kirana how to pump her legs to swing higher. "Look how high I'm going!" Kirana called out, laughing. The wind felt wonderful on her face. Emma swung right beside her. Kirana couldn't believe how fun school was becoming.
Under bright cafeteria lights, Kirana sits at a long table between Emma and Maya, half-unwrapped sandwiches and colorful lunchboxes spread out. All three girls burst into laughter as Kirana nearly spills milk from her carton.
In the cafeteria, Emma invited Kirana to sit at her table. Two other girls, Maya and Sophie, were already there. "This is my new friend Kirana," Emma announced proudly. Everyone said hello and made room for her. They shared their snacks and told jokes. Kirana laughed so hard her milk almost came out her nose. She felt warm and happy inside. These girls were so friendly and kind.
In the cozy living-room lit by golden late-afternoon light, Kirana kneels on the rug hugging kitten who stretches up to meet her. Behind them, Mom smiles gently, holding Kirana’s small backpack by the door.
When Mom picked up Kirana after school, she found a very different girl. Kirana was smiling and talking excitedly. "Mom, I made a friend named Emma! We drew pictures and played on the swings!" she said happily. Mom hugged her tight. At home, Kitten ran to greet her. "Guess what, Kitten? School was amazing!" Kirana said. The first day jitters were completely gone. Tomorrow couldn't come soon enough.