The first day of spring arrived with sunshine.
For the first time in months, Maya walked to school without a heavy coat.
The air felt different.
Warmer.
Lighter.
Almost hopeful.
As she approached Riverside High, she noticed students gathered outside talking and laughing.
A few weeks ago, she would have worried about what they were saying.
Now she simply kept walking.
The gossip account incident had faded.
People had moved on.
Life had moved on.
And so had she.
"Morning!"
Lily suddenly appeared beside her carrying an iced coffee.
Maya laughed.
"Where did you come from?"
"Magic."
"You bought coffee, didn't you?"
"Maybe."
"You definitely bought coffee."
Lily grinned.
"Maybe."
Together they entered the building.
For the first time in a long while, Maya felt comfortable.
Like she belonged.
The feeling surprised her.
For years she had convinced herself that she was different from everyone else.
Poor.
Broken.
Behind.
But now?
She wasn't so sure.
Maybe she had been comparing herself unfairly all along.
Maybe she was stronger than she thought.
The day passed quickly.
Classes.
Assignments.
Lunch with friends.
Normal things.
Wonderful things.
Then, after school, Ethan found her waiting near her locker.
"I have a question."
Maya smiled.
"That's usually dangerous."
"Probably."
His grin widened.
"The Spring Festival is next weekend."
Maya nodded.
The annual town festival was one of the biggest events of the year.
Food stalls.
Games.
Music.
Fireworks.
Everyone attended.
"So?"
Ethan rubbed the back of his neck.
For once he looked nervous.
Very nervous.
Maya immediately became suspicious.
"Ethan?"
"Would you maybe want to go with me?"
Her heart skipped.
"Oh."
Brilliant response, Maya.
"Oh."
Ethan laughed.
"That's not a yes."
She felt her cheeks warming.
"Maybe because you caught me off guard."
"So is that a yes?"
Maya looked at him.
Really looked at him.
The boy who had stayed.
The boy who never treated her differently.
The boy who had slowly become one of the most important people in her life.
A smile spread across her face.
"Yes."
Ethan's grin appeared instantly.
And somehow that made her smile even more.
Next weekend suddenly felt very far away.