The Class Project

I walk into the classroom and glance at the board. It announces that today is the day we'll be paired with partners for the month. At my school, freshmen and seniors go through this tradition where teachers match up two students who barely know each other. The goal is to attend each other's classes, a sort of forced friendship experiment to help us branch out and meet new people. As I take my seat, the bell rings, signaling the last chance for latecomers to shuffle in. The air feels thick with anticipation as all eyes shift nervously toward the teacher. She starts reading off names, writing them on the board for anyone who's late to see. The classroom is buzzing with whispers, but my mind zones out when I hear my name, "Skylar and Rylo!"

Suddenly, I jolt awake, my alarm blaring. I roll over, groggily hitting the snooze button before lying back down, my mind racing. Memories of how Rylo and I became best friends flood in, and I can't shake the thought that this year will be different. This time, the pairing isn't just within our homeroom class-it's the entire grade. The idea of starting over with someone new, of having to navigate unfamiliar territory again, makes my stomach twist in knots. I'm scared.