The rising conflicts between my family and my aunt's family had finally reached their peak. The shouting matches, the whispered accusations, and the tension that hung in the air like a storm cloud were too much for anyone to bear. My father, who had always been calm and composed, decided it was time for a fresh start. We packed our belongings and left the home I had grown up in. I was sad to leave but excited by the promise of something new. A new house, a new school, and, I hoped, new friends.
Our first day in the new house was chaotic but thrilling. Boxes lined every corner, and furniture sat half-assembled as we tried to make sense of our new space. My siblings and I spent most of the day exploring the yard. It was much larger than the one at our old house, with tall trees that shaded the grass and plenty of room to run around. We played tag, made up silly games, and laughed until our stomachs hurt. When exhaustion finally claimed me, I collapsed into sleep without even realizing it.
I woke up the next morning, cozy and snug in my new bed. Sunlight filtered through the curtains, painting the walls in golden hues. The house was quiet, the kind of calm that only existed in the early hours of the day. I loved mornings like these, where I could surprise my mom by getting ready all by myself. Unlike my siblings, who needed help with everything, I prided myself on being independent. Even Marie, my eldest sister, wasn't as quick as I was.
I hurried to the bathroom, brushing my teeth and washing my face. After neatly buttoning my uniform and tying my shoes, I dashed downstairs to the kitchen. Mom stood by the stove, humming softly as she prepared breakfast. I crept up behind her and shouted, "Tada! Look, Mom, I'm all ready!"
She turned, startled at first, but her face softened into a smile. "Well, look at you, my little early riser," she said, lifting me into her arms. "Are you that excited for your first day at school?"
"Yes, Mom! I can't wait to make new friends. But…" My voice faltered, and I looked down. "I'll miss Jenny and Mr. Crock."
Jenny was my best friend from our old neighborhood, and Mr. Crock was the frog we'd discovered together by the pond. He was our little secret, and I'd spent countless afternoons feeding him breadcrumbs and watching him hop around.
Mom kissed my forehead. "Jenny and Mr. Crock will miss you too, sweetheart. But remember what I always tell you—don't hold onto things that make you sad. Let them go, and you'll find new joys waiting for you. Now," she said, setting me down gently, "go wake your brother and sisters. They're going to need your help if they want to be ready on time."
I ran upstairs and began the task of waking my siblings. Rose and Joseph were groggy but compliant as I helped them into their clothes. Marie, always a little vain, insisted that I braid her hair just right. Despite the extra effort, I didn't mind. It made me feel important, like a big sister should.
When we finally gathered at the dining table, breakfast was already waiting for us—plates of pancakes, scrambled eggs, and freshly sliced fruit. We ate amidst laughter and chatter, recounting dreams from the night before and speculating about our new school. Once breakfast was done, Dad ushered us into the car, and we were off.
As we pulled up to the school, my heart skipped a beat. The building was enormous, with tall, imposing walls and a playground that seemed to stretch forever. It was nothing like my old school, and the sight of it filled me with a mix of excitement and nerves.
The moment the car stopped, I bolted out and ran toward the entrance, leaving my siblings trailing behind. Inside, the corridors buzzed with energy. Students rushed past, their laughter and chatter echoing off the walls. I wandered through the halls, peeking into classrooms until I finally found mine at the very end.
The room was already bustling with children. Some sat in their seats, talking in hushed tones, while others stood in small groups, giggling and exchanging stories. I spotted an empty desk at the back and quickly claimed it. Settling in, I glanced at the blonde-haired girl beside me.
With a bright smile, I extended my hand. "Hi! I'm Hope Steeve. Nice to meet you. I hope we can be friends!"
The girl barely acknowledged me, turning her head to whisper something to the girl beside her. My hand hovered awkwardly in the air before I withdrew it, trying to keep my smile intact.
"It's okay," I whispered to myself. "I'll find someone else to be my friend."
I turned my attention to the chubby boy in front of me. Tapping his shoulder, I repeated my introduction. "Hey! My name's Hope Steeve. Can we be friends?"
He glanced back, scrunching his nose. "Eww, no! Our superhero gang doesn't allow girls. You can't be my friend."
Rejection stung, but I didn't let it show. Instead, I leaned back in my chair, mumbling, "Guess making friends isn't as easy as I thought."
Days turned into weeks, and my attempts at making friends continued to fail. Most of my classmates already had their groups, and it was hard to fit in. The most popular kids in our class were a trio: Jessica, a blonde-haired girl with dazzling blue eyes; Amelia, the rich girl who always had the newest toys; and Emerald, the leader with striking green eyes and jet-black hair.
I admired them from afar, like everyone else, but I never dared approach them. They seemed untouchable, surrounded by an invisible wall that only a few could cross.
One afternoon during break, I sat alone on the playground, eating my second ice cream of the day. Marie had an extra math class, so I had no one to talk to. As I licked my cone, I noticed Jessica at the ice cream cart. She bought a cone and started walking back, but moments later, she tripped. Her ice cream fell to the ground, and she burst into tears.
I hesitated. Should I approach her? She was part of the popular group, after all. But seeing her cry made me forget my doubts. I stood up and walked over.
"It's okay," I said gently, offering her my hand. "No one saw you fall."
Jessica took my hand, sniffling as she got up. She looked at her ruined ice cream, tears welling up again.
"You can have mine," I said, holding out my cone. "I've already had one, and you look like you really wanted yours."
Her eyes widened. "Really? Don't you want it?"
I shook my head. "Nope. It's yours."
Jessica smiled, taking the cone. "Thank you. What's your name?"
"Hope Steeve," I replied, surprised by her sudden interest.
Before I knew it, Jessica grabbed my hand and dragged me to the cafeteria, where Emerald and Amelia were sitting.
"Emerald, Amelia! Look! Hope gave me her ice cream. Let's make her our friend. She's really nice!"
For the first time in weeks, hope fluttered in my chest.