The sun was still warm on Khrisana's skin as she walked home, but for once, she didn't mind it. Her bag bounced gently against her side, and her steps, though slow, felt lighter than usual. Today was different. A good different When she reached her front gate, the sent of brown stew chicken hit her. Comfort. Home. She smiled and walked inside. "Mummy?" she called, already tugging off her shoes. " Mi inna di kitchen!" her mom's voice called out. Khrisana followed her noes and found her mother at the stove, apron wrapped around her waist, spoon in hand. The kitchen was warm and loud with the sizzle of bubbling sauce. "Mmm, smells so good," Khrisana said, beaming. Her mother glanced at her, her expression softening. "Yuh look happy." "I am," she said, sitting on a stool. "Guess what happen today?" "Likkle more tan guessin'. Tell mi" her mother said with a grin. Khrisana grinned back, her heart fluttering. "I made a friend." As she spoke, her words began to fade, giving way to the memory...

Amara sat down beside her, sliding her tray into the table like it was the most natural thing in the world. "Those girls are ridiculous," she had said, nudging Khrisana's arm. "Don't listen to them." Khrisana had looked at her, confused, unsure but Amara had just started talking, asking her what she liked to do, where she was from, even if she liked math. They laughed over soggy fries, made fun of a poster on the wall, and somehow ended up walking together to the next class. "...Her name's Amara," Khrisana told her mother, coming back to the present. "She just... started talking to me. I thought she was joking at first, but she's actually cool." Her mother began setting out plates. "That's nice. How ole she is?" "Same age. We had chemistry together today too," She started to remember. They stood side by side at the lab table, goggles crooked on their faces. Khrisana spilled a little solution onto the counter. "Oop! Look at you already causing explosions," Amara had teased. "I'm really not good at this stuff," Khrisana had said with a shy laugh. "I got you," Amara replied, sliding her paper aver so they could compare answers. Khrisana couldn't remember the last time someone had willing worked with her.

The memory faded again. "Then we went to the gym, but she had a sprained ankle so we just sat out and talked. It was actually... really fun," Khrisana said, smiling down at her plate. Her little brother and sister bounced into the room with noise and energy, tossing their bags and yelling over one another. The chaos made the house feel full, alive. The family sat and ate together, her mom listening carefully while Khrisana talked more than usual, her voice light. "Mi glad yuh finally meet somebody nice, "her mom said gently. "Sometimes good friends jus' show up when yuh need' em most" Khrisana nodded, her heart warm. Yeah... she really just showed up." Just then, the front door creaked open. Her fork froze mid- air. Her eyes darted to the hallway. Her mother glanced up briefly but didn't say a word. The energy shifted. Just like that. "I'll go do my home work now," Khrisana said quietly, standing with her plate half-full. She climbed the stairs and entered her room. The moment the door closed behind her, she leaned against it and took a deep breath. 

Her phone buzzed.

Amara: "You free to talk? I wanna hear your voice again lol" Khrisana's lips curved. She sat on her bed, pressed the call button, an waited. " Hey," she said softly once the line picked up. "Hey," Amara replied, her voice bright. And just like that the smile returned