Amelia arrives at Excel High, feeling like an outsider in the sea of familiar faces. She's immediately overwhelmed by the crowded hallways and the clicking of the popular kids. She gets lost on her way to her first class and is helped by Lucas, who offers a shy but warm smile. They exchange a few words, but Amelia feels her heart race in a way she doesn't understand. She feels embarrassed by how out of place she is, but Lucas' kindness lingers. At the end of the day, she walks home alone, lost in her thoughts about this new chapter in her life.

Internal Conflict: Amelia reflects on how she's always been the shy, quiet girl who has trouble making friends. She worries about fitting in at her new school.