About to be thirteen-years-old Brianna stood anxiously, her heart a fluttering bird, in front of her mirror, a reflective surface promising both truth and transformation. Her brown, thin, straight hair, a familiar comfort, was pulled back into a ponytail, a style she had favored for years, that swayed slightly with each nervous fidget, a subtle sign of her inner state.

  She stared at her reflection, a portrait of herself, debating between two vibrant shirts, each a statement of possibility, hanging neatly on her closet door, waiting to be chosen. The blue one, a calming shade, seemed to complement her dark brown eyes, creating a bright pop of color, a visual harmony. On the other hand, the red shirt, a bold choice, conveyed a boldness and confidence, an outward expression of an emotion she desperately hoped to embody, a feeling she yearned for.

  "The blue one brings out your eyes, Brianna, you look good in it," her mother, Misty, called out from the hallway, her voice, a familiar sound, cheerful despite the morning rush, the urgency of the day.

  Brianna sighed, a sound of apprehension, her stomach fluttering with nerves, the first day jitters. "But the red one makes me look more confident, more sure of myself," she replied, a whisper of hope, half-heartedly tugging at the fabric of each shirt, a visible display of her conflict.

  Her mother appeared at the door, a friendly smile, a beacon of reassurance, on her face that Brianna found comforting, her source of strength. "Sweetie, confidence, it doesn't come from your clothing, it comes from within, from who you are, it is the truth of you. Wear what makes you feel good, what makes you shine, what makes you happy."

  Taking a deep breath, a moment of internal reflection, Brianna ultimately chose the blue shirt, envisioning it as her ticket to new friendships and adventures, a symbol of her hope. "Okay, blue it is," she muttered, the words a promise, hoping it would sprinkle a bit of luck, a touch of magic, on her first day of seventh grade, a day that would change everything.

  After carefully layering on some simple jewelry, a touch of self-expression, she made her way down the stairs, each step taking her closer to a new beginning, where Sam, her older sister, was darting around the kitchen, a blur of activity, pouring coffee, and grabbing her keys, all signs of the impending departure.

  "Don't forget your lunch money, sweetie," Misty reminded her as she handed over a crumpled bill, a simple gesture, her gaze briefly locking with Brianna’s a moment of unspoken connection.

  Brianna accepted the money, the small act a comfort, her fingers brushing against her mother's warm hand, a transfer of energy. "Thanks, Mom," she replied, her voice betraying the bubbling anxiety, the undercurrent, beneath her calm facade.

  "You'll do fantastic today, I believe in you," Misty assured her with a warm hug, a gesture of love and support. "Just be yourself, and you'll shine, like a star."

  With one last nod, a final commitment, Brianna stepped out of the house and into the crisp morning air, a promise of renewal, the scent of freshly cut grass, the familiar aroma wafting around her, a scent of home.

  This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.

  She began her walk to school, each step sending a mix of excitement and anxiety racing through her mind, the twin emotions intertwined. Thoughts swirled around, a whirlwind of ideas; she rehearsed potential conversation starters, the perfect words, smiling to herself as she imagined all the possibilities that the new school year could bring, the promise of something new.

  As Brianna neared the school gates, the imposing structure, she spotted her best friend Kim standing off to the side, her usual spot, a wide smile plastered across her face, radiating energy as she waved exuberantly, a signal of welcome. "Bri! Over here!" Kim shouted, her enthusiasm, a source of strength, contagious, an invitation to join the joy.

  Brianna jogged over, relief washing over her, a feeling of gratitude, as she reached Kim, grateful for a familiar face in the sea of students, a comforting anchor. "Can you believe we're in seventh grade now? Where did the time go?” Kim chatted excitedly, her energy, a force of nature, lighting up the otherwise daunting first day, the beginning of a new era.

  "Yeah, I hope we have some classes together. I can't wait," Brianna replied, injecting her voice with as much excitement as she could muster, trying to meet her friend’s with energy. Yet, deep down, she couldn’t shake off her worries about fitting in, about navigating the social landscape, and making new friends, the challenges of being a teenager.

  As they entered the bustling school building, a wave of humanity, a sea of faces, Brianna took a deep breath, steadying herself, preparing for the onslaught. "We've got this, right? Together," she asked, looking into Kim’s hopeful eyes, her voice trembling slightly, betraying her fear.

  Kim grabbed and squeezed her hand reassuringly, the touch a comfort. "Absolutely! This year is going to be awesome, a true adventure, I can feel it!"

  The hallways buzzed with activity, a symphony of greetings, as students reconnected, a reunion of sorts, shuffling through their schedules, navigating the system, and chatting about summer vacations, new crushes, and the excitement, the anticipation, surrounding the upcoming school talent show, a focal point of the social calendar. Brianna straightened her posture, adopting a confident pose, and plastered on her best confident smile, a practiced expression, determined to make a good impression, to present her best self. She wished she could just blend in, to disappear, to avoid the scrutiny.

  As they reached their lockers, a haven of personal space, Brianna turned to Kim, her heart racing, her nerves still evident. "So, what is our game plan for making new friends? How do we start?" she asked, half-joking but genuinely curious, seeking guidance.

  Kim grinned, her eyes sparkling with mischief, a plan already forming. "Just be your awesome self, Bri, that is all you need to do. And if all else fails, if things are tough, use your killer sense of humor! You've got it! Remember the time we made our science teacher laugh, we had him in stitches? That was golden, a perfect moment!"

  Brianna chuckled, relaxing a bit, the tension easing. She opened her locker with a satisfying click, a sound of organization, carefully arranging her books, her life, and hanging a small mirror inside, a way to check in. As the first bell rang, a signal of the day's commencement, signaling the start of the day, she took one last look at her reflection, a final assessment. She adjusted her shirt, a final adjustment, and whispered to herself, a silent promise, "Okay, Brianna. Time to rock seventh grade."

  With a mix of determination and jittery energy, a combination of the familiar emotions, Brianna stepped out of the safety of her locker, her sanctuary, ready to face whatever challenges awaited her, ready for the adventure. Little did she know that a chance encounter in the hallway later that day, a moment of destiny, would alter the trajectory of her life in ways she could have never imagined, that would change everything.

  When she walked into her first class, science, she saw Kim hanging with some other girls, a new development, and Kim waved Brianna over, an invitation. After Brianna said hi, a simple greeting, they exchanged names and swapped social media handles, a modern form of connection, a way to begin new friendships. Brianna felt a warm glow of belonging blossoming in her chest, a welcome sensation. She realized that her blue shirt was more than just a piece of clothing; it had become a symbol of courage, a reminder, and newfound friendships, a sign of hope. She spent the rest of her science class feeling more at ease, her confidence slowly building with each smile and friendly nod, each encouraging word.

  The bell rang, a welcoming sound, signaling the end of science, a release, and Brianna found herself looking forward to the rest of the day, a feeling she hadn't expected. “Just be yourself,” she reminded herself, a mantra, a phrase that resonated within her, a mantra embedded in her mind as she stepped into her next class, blissfully unaware of the incredible journey, the adventures, her seventh-grade year had in store for her—friends, challenges, and memories that would shape her in ways she had yet to discover, that would define her.