The sun's first rays shyly peeped over the horizon, slowly chasing away the chill of the night breeze. But it was still not enough to stop the shivers running through her spine as she walked silently, slowly, into the building.
She had dreaded this day for months, longed for it never to come, but time takes no command from anyone, least of all a girl like her with nothing to her name. Nothing good at least, but that's her secret to keep. A deep dark secret she has to hide or risk moving home yet again.
As memories of the past slowly engulfed her mind, she almost missed the room. The sign 4-1 loomed menacingly above her head and seemed to mock her in the shadows.
This was it. She took a deep breath and opened the sliding door.

Today is Emma's first day of school.