It is fall. The sunshine of summer is finally starting to disappear and the wind is getting colder. I always hated summer. It’s so hot! But some people seem to like that weather. I’ll never understand. The school year also starts today. But the constant rain that comes from the cloudy sky above doesn’t announce a nice day. Oh, well. It can’t be worse than those horrible math tests from the previous year. Or those English… Ok! I’ll admit it! I am extremely nervous. This is my last year in school before I go to university and the exams that will come at the end of the year aren’t helping. But it’s fine, I tell myself for the billionth time. It will all be fine. I am walking on the street with headphones in my ears, when, suddenly, someone screams behind me. Alarmed, I instantly turn and see a girl running towards me. Selena, my best friend, is dancing along the sidewalk, happy to see me. Her dark, long hair is flowing through the air like it’s underwater, and her blue and purple skirt is dancing along with her. She has a small, red purse, which she always carries around, and a camera in one hand.

“Noah! I finally found you! I was looking all over for you!’’ she says between deep breaths from exhaustion.

“Oh! Sorry! I was caught up in my thoughts and I…”

“And forgot about meeting me before school. No problem! I know how you are when you are trapped in your head. What took you to the sky this time?” she asks.

“Nothing too important. Sorry again!” I say, feeling horrible for forgetting.

“Hey! It’s nothing. But come on, please tell me what’s bothering you?”

“I don’t want to put my worries on you!” I say.

“Noah… Please!’’

“Ok. I’m terrified of what will happen. It’s our final year in school and I’m scared.” I say, feeling my face warm up from embarrassment.

“All will be fine! Trust me on this! You have nothing to be worried about.” Selena says with a warm and kind smile.

How can someone be so kind?!

“Thanks, I appreciate it!” I say, feeling a smile forming on my face.

“No problem! Now off to school, or we’ll be late again!”

I immediately look at my phone’s watch and see that we only have five minutes till class. Selena, seeing my fear, grabs my hand, and, while laughing, she pulls me towards the school. The two of us barge in the classroom at the last second. Our teacher, Ms Smith, looks at us and raises an eyebrow in disapproval. She says nothing and we go to our seats in the back of the classroom. We stayed here since our first day of high school. It is the best place in class for copying. I smile, reminiscing on those beautiful days. The teacher speaks up for the class to make silence. She then says in a happy tone:

“Class! This is our final year, so I thought about doing something fun for us to remember our time together. How about we have ourselves a photo competition! The group who’ll make the best three pictures will win chocolate! But not any chocolate! One made by me and my boyfriend!”

The class immediately starts talking, as Ms Smith’s chocolate is the best we’ve ever tasted, and she very rarely makes some. This is a big prize! Me and Selena look happily at each other.

“Team?” I say excited.

“Of course, dummy!” she says happily.

But then, the teacher speaks again.

“Class! Class! Class, please! Let me finish!”

Everyone shuts up instantly.

“Thank you! As I was saying. Everyone will work in teams of three. You’ll have all of autumn to take all the photos and we will look at them on the last day before the Christmas holiday. Each member of the team will take a photo. Ok?”

The class nods excitedly in agreement, but me and Selena look at each other worried. I don’t really get along with the rest of the class. Well, actually, I just don’t talk much with them. Selena does. She says they are really nice people. But I barely know any of them. So that is a problem. The rest of the day goes fine, but I’m still worried about what to do with the competition. Selena leaves for home without me, as she has homework to complete for tomorrow. I walk alone on the street, rain pouring all around me. Out of nowhere, a gust of wind takes my umbrella and throws it into the forest. Oh no! Next to my village, there is a big forest, but no one ever goes in. It is said that it is very easy to get lost in there. I, not knowing what to do, chase after the purple umbrella. The rain wets my clothes and now they feel like heavy stones. I go through the mud, hoping no one can see me like this. My spiky hair is now wet and flat and it’s getting in my eyes. I usually like rain, but I don’t want people to see me like this. It is so embarrassing! I look around terrified, then I continue to walk towards the forest. My chocolate-like skin is now shining in the moonlight, and I start to realise that I have nothing to fear. It’s not that bad! No one ever comes here, so I am safe. I finally enter the forest. Here, the rain is a little less powerful. The dark leaves shake above me, creating a mysterious melody. The rain is like a piano and the leaves are like a violin. The little frogs that jump around me are like vocalists. I laugh at the thought, but I am starting to enjoy this. Then, out of nowhere, a small bird falls to the ground. I see that she broke her wing. The wind must have been too powerful for her.

“Oh no! You poor thing!” I say while I pick her up.

She is so cold. I must help her! I can feel how scared she is. Her heartbeat is extremely high. Before I can help, I must calm her down. I look around to see if there is any food, but there’s none. Suddenly, I realise what I could do. I start singing. I sing what my grandmother always used to sing when she would put me to bed.

“Sleep, my darling son. Don’t let the past control you. Don’t let it obtain you. Stay brave and never fear. All the trouble that is here. The night is not so scary if you know how to turn on the light. Remember hope and love are always at your side. Tomorrow all will be okay. If you remember this, you’ll be okay.”

The bird finally stopped trembling. She looked at me curiously. Her big and dark eyes looking up at me. I smile back and then look around for my umbrella. Suddenly, I hear a twig break.

Scared, I turn around to see a boy looking at me. He has beautiful blue eyes, which look like the clear sky. His blond hair is flowing like waves. He is so handsome! He wears a blue jacket and a green T-shirt. He also wears purple shorts and sneakers. He looks worried at me. My face burns with embarrassment and I look around for an opening to get out of here.

“Hey, are you…” he starts, but I immediately run past him, towards the road.

I don’t care about that umbrella anymore. The embarrassment isn’t worth it! I run faster than ever before until I arrive home. I enter inside, then I zoom towards my room. I put the small bird on the table and get her some seeds. I also make her a small contraption to help her wing. Good thing I want to become a vet! After I make sure that she is well, I change my clothes and let myself fall on the bed. I put my hands on my face, which is still red. Well, that was embarrassing!