𝐟𝐢𝐥𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐝 𝐨𝐮𝐭 ;

je m'appelle alana.

in the bustling halls of delaware high, admits the ebb and flow of students, there was a new comer who brought a burst of energy to the campus. alana, a sophomore with a radiant smile and a twinkle in her eye, traded the vast prairies of kansas for the coastal charm of delaware. as she navigated her way through a maze of unfamiliar faces, her heart fluttered with a mix of excitement and apprehension.

the move has been a whirlwind of emotions for alana. leaving behind the familiar sights and sounds of kansas felt like stepping into the unknown. yet, there was a spark of anticipation that danced in her chest— a chance to start anew, to carve out a place for herself in this unfamiliar landscape.

with each step that she took through the crowded hallways, alana felt a wave of uncertainty wash over her. would she fit in here? would she find friends who share her interests and passions? the echoes of these questions reverberated in her mind as she searched for a sense of belonging in her new surroundings.

among the chatter and laughter that filled the air, alana's eyes caught a vibrant mural on the wall—a depiction of the school's diverse community and its achievements. it was a small comfort, a reminder that even here, in this new place, there were stories of newcomers finding their way, of individuals forging connections and leaving their mark.

determined or make the most of her new start, alana took a deep breath and pressed forward. she knew that the path ahead might be challenging, but she also knew that it was full of possibilities.

she approached her first class with a mixture of determination and nerves, her grip tightening around the straps of
her backpack. as the door swung open, she was greeted by a chorus of voices and the scraping of chairs against the floor. taking a seat near the window, alana glanced around, observing the new faces, and the subtle hum of curiosity that followed her.

the teacher, a middle-aged woman with kind eyes, and a welcoming smile introduced her to the class. " everyone this is alana. she just moved here from kansas. let's make her feel at home." there were polite smiles and a few nods but it was the girl sitting next to her who leaned in with genuine interest.

"hey, i'm monerah," she whispered. " if you need any help finding your way around, just let me know" alana's heart lifted a little; perhaps finding friends wouldn't be as hard as she feared.

throughout the day, small moments of kindness from her new classmate eased her apprehension. by lunch, she found herself seated at a table with monerah and a group of friendly faces, sharing stories of laughter. the initial wave of uncertainty began to ebb, replaced by building sense of belonging.

as the final bell rang, signaling the end of her first day, alana stepped outside into the bright delaware sunshine. she looked back at the school building, feeling a quiet sense of accomplishment. the halls of delaware high might be vast and filled with unfamiliar faces, but she was ready to make them her own.

walking towards home, she felt a thrill of excitement for the days to come. this new chapter was just beginning, and with each step, she felt more certain that delaware could become a place where she belonged, a place where her story would flourish.