Feya spent an unusually long time in the bathroom. Maisie assumed that was where she went.

        Milo fell asleep in her arms and breathed quietly.

        Maisie stood and walked toward the packed Pieology building without trying to wake him. She remained in the safe zone and searched for Feya through the windows. If she had to run in there, find her, and take her to the ER, she would. Maisie almost did, but she yelped when a hand grabbed her shoulder.

        Milo yowled and fell out of Maisie's grasp, landing on his feet. His fur stuck up like hair under static electricity.

        Maisie whirled around and found Feya laughing maniacally.

        She slapped her knees and pointed at her. "You should've seen your face! I'm sure it would've blown up on TikTok!"

        "Feya! You son of a—!" Maisie playfully punched her shoulder. "Why would you do that?"

        "I had to! OMG!" Feya caught her breath, but just a little. "You were actually worried about me."

        Maisie blushed. "No-No, I wasn't. You should be ashamed, Feya. You almost gave Milo a heart attack." She peered down at the still-puffed-up cat. Maisie kneeled and calmed him. "I'm assuming the cramp's gone?" she inquired.

        "Yep—all better." Feya checked her phone. "It's getting late, so we should start heading back."

        "Didn't you want to show me the village?"

        "Let's do that tomorrow before I go to work." Feya patted her left leg. "This booger is tired, and I think your cat is, too."

        Milo yawned a too-cute of a yawn, showing off his sharp teeth.

        "He's truly a beautiful cat," Feya continued, "but not as cute as little Daisy here. Right, Daisy?"

        At her feet, Daisy nodded and sat back.

        "Shut up, Feya," Maisie said. "I'll race you back."

        A little light left Feya's face. "Uh, no, Maisie—I can't run yet. But I can speed-walk."

        What did she mean by she couldn't run? Well, considering how clumsy she was, maybe it wasn't the best idea.

        "Okay, then." Maisie sported a feeble smile. "Speed-walking it is." OMG, was she starting to enjoy her? But Maisie promised herself no friends. However, something about Feya's bubbliness reminded her of her brother's. For once, it wasn't a painful memory.

        Maisie won the race because Feya still tripped with a few of her strides, but they met up before Flamingo's entrance.

        "I'll catch up with you one day," Feya declared, a little out of breath.

        "You need to get in shape, girl." OMG! Maisie did not just say Feya's nickname for her! That was the most fun she had since whenever, but then she saw it.

        Feya bent her knees, and her jean sleeve moved up her left shin.

        However, instead of a shin, Maisie spotted a white mechanical bar. Her smile faded, and horror replaced it. "Feya, do you have a prosthetic leg?"

        "No!" she instantly yelled, covering her leg again. "You're seeing things, Maisie! You ran so fast."

        "How did it happen?" Why did Maisie feel so heated all of a sudden? She backed away from Feya.

        "Please don't judge me." Tears appeared in Feya's eyes.

        "Don't play dumb with me, Feya! I saw it! That's what's upsetting Milo, right?"

        Feya's tears dripped onto the sidewalk. She hugged Daisy. "You're judging me."

        "No, I'm just trying to figure this out." Maisie almost fell off the sidewalk. Luckily, she caught herself.

        "Maisie..." Feya began to stand.

        "Shut up, Feya!" Heart pounding, Maisie scooped up Milo. "Let's get out of here, Milo."

        "Maisie!"

        But Maisie was already gone.

        She rushed to her and Feya's apartment and locked herself in her room. Maisie sank onto her bed and tried to process what she had just seen. It was almost as horrifying as the day she found her brother.

        The horrible memories returned. Maisie sobbed under them. Her chest hurt (why was it so hard to breathe?).

        Milo instantly crawled onto her lap and purred.

        "You knew, Milo," Maisie hiccupped, her tears soaking his fur. "Cats can sense injuries. It wasn't the dog at all." Oh gosh, how would she survive the College Program now? Wait, she knew! Maisie had to avoid Feya. It was selfish, but she couldn't afford to be around somebody who brought back too many horrible memories of her brother.

        Maisie needed to talk to someone... and fast. She whipped out her phone and pulled up FaceTime. Maisie pressed her mom's number and fearfully waited.

        The phone rang three times, and then a woman who shared Maisie's curly hair appeared on the screen. Unlike her, though, her eyes were blue.

        At first, she didn't notice Maisie's distress. "Baby! It's great to see you!"

        "Mom, I can't do this!" Maisie's tears flowed, but Milo did not move from his spot.

        "What are you talking about?" Confusion flashed across Mrs. Foster's face. "Baby, what happened?"

        "She reminds me too much of him."

        "Who?"

        "My suitemate." Maisie rubbed her eyes. "I caught one glimpse of the prosthetic leg, and all I saw was him."

        "Wait, wait." Mrs. Foster lifted her hands. "That's it? Oh, baby, that's nothing to be scared of."

        "Bu-But, Mom. My brother."

        "Maisie Claire Foster, listen to me."

        Maisie fell silent. Things were about to get real when her mom used her full name.

        Mrs. Foster's voice was steady but stern. "Disney is globally known, meaning you'll see and meet all kinds of people there: people from different countries, backgrounds, cultures, and people like you looking for a new beginning. Disney values diversity and inclusion—I believe they're one of their Five Keys—and you've got to accept it.

        I know you, sweetie. You're among the kindest, most beautiful girls I've ever known. You've always held this key and can't throw it away because of what happened to your brother. Your suitemate may have a prosthetic leg, but that doesn't mean she's not human. I'm sure she came to Disney for the same reason as you—to find a new life meaning. All I'm saying, dear, is to give her and the CP a chance."

        Maisie considered her mom's words. She was right. Disney was globally known; Maisie should've expected to see a few people with prosthetic limbs. "I'm sorry, Mom," she whispered.

        "Don't be, dear." Mrs. Foster gave her a tender look. "You're overwhelmed. It's your first day there. Why don't you sleep on this and see how you feel tomorrow? When do you see the grief counselor?"

        "Thursday, two days before the Traditions class."

        "Okay, until then, I'll be your counselor. We'll chat at this time until Thursday. Is Milo with you?"

        Maisie tilted her phone. "He's right here."

        Mrs. Foster waved. "Hey, Milo."

        "Mrow." Milo placed his paw over Mrs. Foster's hand. He tucked it and his other one under his chest.

        Mrs. Foster met Maisie's eyes. "Stay close to him until Traditions. The first week is always the hardest, but you can do it. Is your suitemate kind at least?"

        "She's very kind, Mom, and she likes Milo and I." Yet, Maisie just slapped her in the face.

        "That's good." Mrs. Foster shifted in her seat. Her screen stopped moving, indicating she put her phone down. "Nobody's perfect, dear. Wasn't that your favorite Hannah Montana song?"

        "Mom!" She did not need to bring up Maisie's childhood Hannah Montana obsession.

        Mrs. Foster giggled. "Yep, you can definitely do this. You and your suitemate will get along just fine once you get past this. Trust me. I love you, Maisie."

        "Love you, too, Mom, and thank you." Maisie ended the call and tossed her phone onto her bed. She examined the darkening world beyond her window for ten minutes, lost in thought, and finally decided.

        Maisie set Milo down and stood. She unlocked her door and opened it, peering out to the common room.

        Feya, still hurt, waited in the kitchen, fingertips tapping each other.

        "Feya..." Maisie started.

        "You're right, Maisie." Feya tugged her hair and limped to her room. She rested her hand on the door handle. "We're suitemates, and that's it. I'm sorry that you don't want to be my friend." Feya sniffed and turned the handle, ducking into her room.

        Oh gosh. What had Maisie done?