Serafina's POV

The sound of my alarm jolted me awake, pulling me from a restless sleep. My room was still dim, the early morning light filtering through the curtains in soft streaks. For a moment, I lay there, staring at the ceiling, trying to muster the courage to get out of bed.

Today was the day. My first day at school.

The thought sent a wave of nerves through me. My stomach churned, and I pulled the blanket tighter around myself. Part of me wanted to stay curled up in bed, to pretend this day didn't exist. But another part—a braver, quieter part—reminded me why I was doing this.

This wasn't just about school. It was about proving to myself that I could move forward, even if it was terrifying.

Taking a deep breath, I swung my legs over the side of the bed and stood up. My body felt heavy, like it was resisting every movement, but I forced myself to keep going.

By the time I made it downstairs, the house was already alive with the usual morning chaos. Antonio was arguing with Luca over who ate the last slice of bread, while Matteo tried to mediate with little success. Dante sat at the table, sipping coffee and scrolling through his phone like the chaos didn't even register.

"Morning, Fina," Mama said, her voice warm as she flipped a pancake on the stove.

"Morning," I murmured, rubbing my arms.

Papa looked up from the newspaper he was reading. "Ready for the big day?"

I shrugged, unsure how to answer. Was I ready? Not really. But I was going anyway.

"You're going to do great," Mama said, setting a plate of pancakes in front of me. "And remember, if it gets too much, just call. We're here for you."

I nodded, grateful for her reassurance. Even if I wasn't sure I believed it, it helped to hear her say it.

The ride to school was quiet. Papa drove while Mama sat in the passenger seat, occasionally glancing back at me with an encouraging smile. I stared out the window, watching the world blur past, my heart pounding in my chest.

When we pulled up in front of the school, the building looked massive, its tall windows reflecting the morning sun. I swallowed hard, gripping the straps of my backpack.

"You've got this," Mama said, turning to face me. "One step at a time, okay?"

"Okay," I whispered, though my voice was barely audible.

Papa reached over and gave my shoulder a firm squeeze. "We're proud of you, Fina. Remember that."

I nodded, blinking back tears, and stepped out of the car. The weight of their support gave me the strength to walk through the front doors.

The school hallways were a blur of noise and movement. Lockers slammed, students laughed and shouted, and the faint smell of cleaning supplies lingered in the air. I kept my head down, trying to ignore the curious glances from the students I passed.

"Serafina?"

I looked up to see a woman with kind eyes and a clipboard. She smiled warmly, and her name tag read Ms. Morales—School Counselor.

"Hi," I said softly, clutching my backpack tighter.

"I'm Ms. Morales," she said, her voice gentle. "I'll be helping you get settled today. Why don't we head to my office for a bit?"

Ms. Morales's office was cozy, with soft lighting and a few plants on the windowsill. It felt safe, which was a relief after the chaos of the hallways.

"We've worked out a schedule that should help ease you into things," she said, sliding a folder across her desk. "Take a look and let me know if you have any questions."

I opened the folder and scanned the schedule. It looked manageable—mostly core classes with some study periods mixed in. Still, the thought of sitting in a room full of strangers made my chest tighten.

"How are you feeling?" Ms. Morales asked, her tone kind but observant.

"Nervous," I admitted, my voice barely above a whisper.

"That's perfectly normal," she said. "Starting something new is always scary. But remember, you're not alone. If you ever need a break, you can come here anytime."

Her reassurance helped a little. I nodded, taking another deep breath.

My first class was English, and walking into that room felt like stepping into the lion's den. As soon as I entered, the noise quieted, and all eyes turned to me. My face burned, and I stared at the floor, wishing I could disappear.

"This is Serafina Romano," the teacher announced. "She'll be joining us starting today."

I mumbled a quiet "hi" and quickly made my way to the empty seat in the back of the room. My heart was pounding so hard I was sure everyone could hear it.

The class passed in a blur. I focused on my notebook, scribbling random words just to avoid looking up. By the time the bell rang, I felt drained, but I was relieved to escape the classroom.

Lunchtime was a whole new challenge. The cafeteria was packed, the noise level almost unbearable. I stood near the entrance, clutching my tray and scanning the room for a place to sit.

"Fina!"

My heart lifted when I saw Dante standing near the edge of the room. Alessandro had arranged for him to stop by during lunch, and seeing him felt like a lifeline.

I hurried over, setting my tray down on the table with shaky hands.

"How's it going?" he asked, his voice calm and steady.

"It's... a lot," I admitted, poking at my food. "But I'm getting through it."

"You're doing great," he said, his tone firm. "Just take it one period at a time."

Having Dante there made the rest of lunch bearable. He didn't push me to talk, but his presence was enough to keep me grounded.

By the time the final bell rang, I felt like I'd run a marathon. My legs ached, my head was pounding, and all I wanted was to go home.

When I walked out the front doors, I spotted Mama and Papa waiting by the car. Their smiles were warm and proud, and for the first time all day, I felt a flicker of relief.

"How was it?" Mama asked as I climbed into the backseat.

"It was... okay," I said, my voice tired but genuine. "It was hard, but I think I can do it."

Papa glanced at me through the rearview mirror, his expression soft. "That's my girl."

Back home, I collapsed onto the couch, too exhausted to do much of anything. Antonio and Luca bombarded me with questions about my day, their voices overlapping in their usual chaotic way.

"Did anyone try to mess with you?" Antonio asked, his expression protective.

"Do you need help with homework?" Luca added.

"Guys, give her a break," Matteo said, rolling his eyes. "She just got home."

Despite their fussing, I couldn't help but smile. My brothers might drive me crazy sometimes, but their concern felt like a safety net.

Later, Mama brought me a cup of tea and sat beside me on the couch. "You did something brave today, Fina," she said, her voice soft. "Don't forget to be proud of yourself."

I nodded, leaning my head against her shoulder. It had been one of the hardest days of my life, but I had made it through.

And that, for now, was enough.