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Upon arriving at school, the driver opened the door and smiled, "Have a great day, miss." Missy stepped out, my heart racing as I offered him a grateful smile. As I took in my new surroundings, I spotted my friend Semi, radiating excitement in her school uniform. Semi’s enthusiasm was contagious, but it only seemed to amplify my nerves. I felt a flutter of anxiety in my stomach, my hands fidgeting, and my palms sweaty. Thoughts raced through my mind as I approached Semi: What would today hold for us? Will it be okay?

As Missy and Semi strolled toward the main gate, the lively buzz of other students began to fade as they turned to look at Missy, the captivating new girl with a pretty face. Murmurs rippled through the crowd like waves, with bits of conversation drifting toward her.

"Hey, look over there! They’re stunning!" one girl exclaimed, her eyes alight with curiosity. "Are they new? I haven’t seen them before, especially that girl," another added, subtly pointing at Missy. "She’s so beautiful; I think the school’s ‘Bella’ might finally have some competition," a girl said with a wide grin.

Rather than feeling flattered, Missy’s heart sank as she overheard the whispers. An overwhelming sense of dread rushed over her; she believed they were mocking her instead of complimenting her. Growing up in a family that had very attractive physical looks left her unaware of her own beauty. Sensing her discomfort, Semi, familiar with this pattern from their old school, kept her voice calm.

"Don’t you think we’re not welcome here? They’re not even hiding their comments," Missy said anxiously, turning to Semi.

Semi, ever the optimist, shrugged with a dismissive smile. "It’s not what you think. They’re admiring us; let’s not overthink it. Come on, let’s go." She hoped to pull Missy out of her spiral of self-doubt.

With a tight knot of anxiety in my stomach, we made our way to the teacher's office. Missy hesitantly spoke up, "Excuse me, sir, we are new transfer students and would like to know where our classroom is." The teacher welcomed them warmly. "Ah! So you’re the new students! I’m so glad you’re here. Let me show you to your class."

Upon entering the classroom, they were greeted by a wave of curious glances. “Bang bang!” the teacher called, tapping a duster against the whiteboard. "Everyone, please take your seats! We have new students," he announced, gesturing to Missy and Semi. "Introduce yourselves, girls."

Panic surged through me at that moment. My palms were clammy, and my voice felt stuck in my throat. What was I going to say? The weight of the moment pressed down on me, making it hard to breathe.

With a bright smile, Semi stepped forward, her cheerful energy contagious. "Hello, everyone! I’m Semi G.r.g and I just transferred from E.L.V.T All-Girls High School. I’m really excited to meet all of you! If you’d like to know more about me, I’d love to make some friends!" The classroom erupted in applause, enthusiastic cheers echoing, especially from the boys, whose excitement was clear.

As I watched the scene unfold, a mix of relief and embarrassment washed over me. The reaction from my classmates was overwhelming, making me feel both exposed and accepted. Amid the cheering, I noticed a boy sitting in the middle-right corner of the room. Unlike the others, he seemed uninterested in the excitement. He wore glasses, and although he didn’t join in, he exuded a quiet charm. To my surprise, he was looking directly at me, and in that moment, I felt a strange connection, as if he could see beyond my nerves and uncertainty.

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