The school was buzzing with life. Brightly colored banners reading "Welcome, Kindergartners!" flapped in the morning breeze. Tiny shoes tapped against pavement, squeals of laughter and nervous chatter filled the air, and everywhere Katherine looked, there were parents adjusting backpacks, fixing bows, kneeling for goodbye hugs. It was a scene straight from a children's book—warm, chaotic, and full of promise.
Katherine's car pulled into the designated drop-off area, the engine humming softly before she switched it off. She turned to the back seat, where Maya and Nathan sat side-by-side in their car seats, hands clutching their small backpacks.
"Are you two ready?" she asked gently, smoothing a curl from Maya's forehead.
Maya's eyes were wide with excitement. "Yes! I want to see if they really have a bunny in the reading corner like the website said!"
Nathan nodded, his grip on the strap of his blue backpack tightening slightly. He wasn't smiling, but his eyes were calm.
