Chapter 1: The Night Before
Dear Diary,
Tomorrow is a big day — my first day of middle school. I can’t sleep. My mind is racing with so many thoughts. What if I don’t make any friends? What if I get lost? What if I forget my locker combination?
Mom says I shouldn’t worry so much, but I can’t help it. I’ve never been in a new school before, and everything feels so big and scary right now. I keep thinking about the stories I’ve heard — about kids feeling lonely or getting picked on. I don’t want that to happen to me.
I packed my backpack tonight. I made sure I had my notebooks, pens, lunch, and even my favorite lucky bracelet — just in case I need a little extra courage. I wrote a list of hopes and fears on a sticky note and stuck it inside my journal.
Hopes:
- Make at least one new friend
- Find my classes easily
- Have fun learning new things
Fears:
- Getting lost
- Not knowing what to say
- Feeling lonely
Mom keeps telling me, “Be brave, Alex. Everyone feels nervous on the first day. It’s okay to be scared — it means you care.” I guess she’s right, but that doesn’t make me feel less nervous now.
I wish tomorrow was tomorrow afternoon already — maybe then I’d know how everything went. But for now, I’ll try to sleep and hope that morning comes quickly, and that I can face it with a little bit of courage.
Goodnight, Diary.
Wish me luck.
—Alex
