Chapter 1

Sunlight filtered through the thin curtains, casting a warm glow across the room as Lyra slowly blinked awake. She stretched her arms above her head and yawned, the peaceful morning quiet interrupted only by the faint rustling of leaves outside. Rubbing her eyes, she swung her legs out of bed and shuffled to the bathroom.

The cool tiles against her feet helped shake off the remnants of sleep. She splashed her face with cold water and brushed her teeth, the minty freshness bringing a sense of alertness. Satisfied, she returned to her room, the house still quiet.

Just as she picked up her hairbrush, a soft knock echoed through the door, followed by her aunt's gentle voice, "Lyra, if you're awake, come down and have your breakfast. You don't want to be late for school."

Lyra paused, her hand hovering over her school bag. She didn't respond. Instead, she quickly brushed her hair, grabbed her bag, and headed downstairs a few minutes later.

The smell of pancakes and syrup wafted through the air, guiding her to the kitchen where her aunt was bustling around. Lyra offered a small smile and quietly took a seat, ready to start her day.

Lyra took a deep breath as she stood in front of The Kings School, its imposing structure both intimidating and exciting. The morning sun highlighted the school's grand architecture, and the sound of students chattering filled the air. Clutching her bag tightly, she stepped through the large double doors and made her way to the administration office to collect her schedule.

The receptionist greeted her with a warm smile. "Good morning! You must be Lyra Winslow. Here's your schedule and a map of the school. If you need any help, just let me know."

Lyra nodded her thanks and took the papers, carefully studying the map as she navigated the bustling hallways. She found her first class, English, and entered the room, scanning for an empty seat. Choosing one near the back, she settled in, the hum of conversation around her a comforting backdrop.

A few minutes later, the teacher, a tall woman with kind eyes, entered the room and called for attention. "Good morning, everyone! Welcome to The Kings School. I'm Ms. Thompson, your English teacher. Before we start, I'd like the new students to come up and introduce themselves."

Lyra's heart pounded as one by one, her new classmates went up to the front. When her turn came, she stood, taking a deep breath to steady herself. Walking to the chalkboard, she picked up a piece of chalk and neatly wrote "Lyra Winslow" in clear, precise letters.

Ms. Thompson looked at the name and then at Lyra, a slight confusion crossing her face. Understanding the situation, Lyra turned to the teacher and used basic sign language to communicate. She pointed to herself, then made a simple gesture for "mute."

Ms. Thompson's face softened with understanding. "Thank you, Lyra," she said gently. "Class, let's make sure to support our new classmates and make them feel welcome."

Lyra gave a small smile and returned to her seat, relieved to have the introduction behind her. The warmth of the teacher's response and the curious but friendly glances from her classmates made her feel a bit more at ease, ready to face the challenges of her new school.

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