ch: 1 // new beginnings

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Riley sat on the edge of her bed, her fingers flying across her phone screen as she texted her hockey team

ririandersen: "hii are we all ready for preseason soon?"
valsieskates: "fs, we need to take down bayside!!!"
avafirehawks35: "You better not be slacking on vacation, ri..."
ririandersen: "Me? Never! Totally packing my skates rn 🙄"

She smiled at their banter, but as she tossed her phone aside, her mood shifted. The excitement for Summer in Toronto was real, but something else tugged at her mind. She stood up, moving to her mirror. Her reflection stared back—blue eyes, blonde ponytail tied tight, but... it didn't feel like her. She couldn't quite place why, but every time she looked, something was missing.

Her eyes darted toward the doorway. With a quick glance to make sure no one was coming, she dropped to her knees, sliding halfway under her bed. She shuffled through some boxes, the sound of rustling paper filling the quiet room. Finally, her fingers brushed the edges of a stack of magazines hidden deep under her bed. She pulled them out, her heart thudding in her chest.

Playboy bunnies.

Riley stared at the covers, the glossy pages showing women in poses that made her stomach twist in a way she couldn't explain. Every night, she looked at them—drawn in, curious, but also confused. She wasn't sure what these feelings were. She felt ashamed for even having them, for keeping these magazines hidden. A 13-year-old girl wasn't supposed to be looking at this, right?

She was lost in her thoughts when—

"Riley?" Her mom's voice called from the hallway.

Riley panicked, shoving the magazines back under her bed, too quickly. Thud! Her head hit the frame, and she winced, scrambling to sit up as her mom stepped into the room.

"Everything okay in here?" her mom asked, a soft smile on her face as she noticed Riley rubbing her head.

"Yeah! Just... uh... just looking for something under the bed," Riley stammered, her face burning red. "You know, packing."

Her mom raised an eyebrow but chuckled. "Well, don't knock yourself out while you're at it." She turned to leave, but Riley could feel her heartbeat racing in her chest.

The door closed, and Riley let out a long breath of relief. That was close.

She shook it off, rolling her suitcase to the door and grabbing her backpack. Her phone buzzed again with more hockey group texts, but she ignored it, her mind still spinning as she joined her family in the van.

As her dad drove them to the airport, Riley slipped her headphones on, the familiar beat of 4Town's "Get Up and Glow" filling her ears. She stared out the window, watching the city of San Francisco fade behind her. The music's thumping bass made her tap her fingers against her leg, but her mind was somewhere else. Maybe, in Toronto, she'd find the answers to these feelings—whatever they were.

Meanwhile, across the U.S. in Toronto, Mei Lee was living her usual whirlwind life. Her long red hair, once tied in buns, now cascaded over her shoulders in a cool, grunge style. Her panda adventures had changed her. No more iron frames; she'd switched to clear lenses, her style evolving into something tougher, edgier.

She walked with her friends, Tyler included, as they raved about 4Town. "Their new album is fire!" Mei gushed, adjusting her glasses.

"Right? 4Town never misses!" Abby added with a sly grin. Priya rolled her eyes as they did laps along the school courtyard.

They laughed, filling the cool Toronto air with their energy as Mei strolled back toward her family's temple. As soon as she stepped through the gates, she greeted her mom and shoved a few A+ papers across the table with pride. Her parents exchanged approving glances. Even though her mom had loosened up, Mei was still Mei—always achieving.

"Oh, by the way Mei, we're going to host a few exchange students for the University of Toronto program." her mom said casually, flicking a cigarette ash into the tray nearby.

Mei's jaw dropped. "What?! Why didn't you tell me sooner?"

Her mom waved a hand dismissively. "It's happening. No arguments."

Mei groaned dramatically, rolling her eyes as she stomped up to her room. "This is gonna be so annoying..."

But as she flopped onto her bed, staring at the ceiling, a tiny thought crossed her mind. Maybe it won't be so bad after all.

The Hope Kids 𓆉 // A New BeginningWhere stories live. Discover now