"The sun-kissed afternoon air was alive with laughter as we chased each other through the woods, our bare feet pounding the earth. I was 10 years old, and my friends, Emma, Olivia, and Ava, were my entire world. We had grown up together, exploring every nook and cranny of our small town. On that particular day, we stumbled upon an oak tree, its gnarled branches twisted into a natural sanctuary. We huddled together, our eyes shining with excitement, and made a promise: 'Friends forever, no matter what.' We carved our names into the tree and continued playing until the sun went down.
Years went by, and our carefree days turned into memories. Now we were about to face a new chapter of our lives.
My alarm rang. "Alisa, get up, it's time for school!" my mom shouted from downstairs. I rubbed the sleep from my eyes and headed to the bathroom to get ready. In front of the mirror, I took a deep breath, then started brushing my teeth to prepare for my first day of high school. I felt nervous and unsure of what to expect, but I knew my friends and I would figure it out.
After getting out of the bathroom, I went to the closet to pick out a dress. I chose a yellow dress with white spots and paired it with my sneakers, thinking, "Comfort is key." I glanced at myself one last time before leaving and noticed the dress complemented my complexion.
Downstairs, I greeted my mom with, "Good morning."
"Morning, how are you feeling about your first day of high school?" she asked.
"Honestly, I'm kind of nervous and excited at the same time," I replied.
"Well, love, you'll be fine. Trust me, okay?" she reassured.
Just then, the door opened, and Emma walked in, looking stylish in her jeans and crop top. Emma was a ball of energy, nice once you got to know her, but also capable of being mean. She was outgoing, carefree, and passionate about the environment - one of my best friends.
"Hi, Emma," I said.
"Good morning, Mrs. B," Emma replied. "Ready for high school, Alisa?"
"Kind of," I answered.
"You're cute; everything will be fine!" Emma exclaimed, dragging me to the front door.
Outside, Olivia and Ava waited. Ava's parents had recently given her a new car, and she had just obtained her driver's license.
"Hey girls, get in; let's go to school," Ava said.
We piled into the car, singing along to our favorite song on the way. I hoped we would remain friends no matter what.