The rain had just stopped when six-year-old Josh stepped into his new school, hand tightly clutching his mom's. He didn't want to be here. The hallways smelled weird, the floors squeaked, and the kids were loud. He felt small and scared.
"You're going to be fine," his mom whispered. She kissed his forehead and let go of his hand. Josh watched her walk away, wishing she'd turn back. She didn't.
That's when he heard someone crying.
Behind the big water dispenser near the door was a girl, tiny like him, with short hair and scraped knees. She was wiping her eyes with her sleeves, sniffling.
Josh hesitated but walked over. "You okay?"
The girl looked up. "No. Some big kid pushed me."
Josh sat beside her. "I don't like it here either."
She blinked. "Wanna run away?"
He thought for a moment. "Only if we have snacks."
She laughed. That was the first time he heard Aki laugh, and somehow, it made the school feel less scary.
From that day on, they were inseparable.