Nothing to Fear

Written for https://reinventionsreena.wordpress.com/2025/07/10/reenas-xploration-challenge-389/

School is like standing in the middle of a hurricane.

At least that’s what she believed as she hovered beside the entrance of this new secondary school. She glued on her mask and slipped into copy mode. With a smile forced into place, she walked over the threshold.

‘Ode to Joy,’ she repeated, gripping onto her Slytherin schoolbag.

Multiples conversations going inside her head at once, she memorised her gramps’ advice. She didn’t know where the saying came from, just that his tone calmed her down.

The endless corridor shifted forward, other students hiding in the shadows. Holding her shoulders tightly, she remained within the group of Pepper Primary children. Thankfully, some were missing. Josh moved in year six. Social anxiety never made real friends, but it was impossible for her to help being on the spectrum.

Her chest constricted as she approached a teacher with her newly printed out timetable. ‘Look them in the eye this time.’ Her inner monologue kept repeating as she lowered her gaze. ‘Now you’re staring, stop that.’

Barely memorising the first instruction, she joined another student into a seated area. Three hundred children, all talking at once, assaulted her ears. It was way too noisy, and her black blazer warped against her chest. Flight, fight, or freeze.

She chose the latter.

‘You okay?’ a soft voice said.

Beth wanted to lie, but something about this girl seemed familiar. ‘No … I don’t like …’

‘It’s alright, I’m nervous too. Cool bag! I have a Ravenclaw one. Love the books, not so keen on movie five.’

Her mind whirled with all the fun facts she had learned from her mum. She tuned out the noise to focus on the girl. With long ginger hair, she resembled female Ron. With freckles scattered across her nose, her smile reached her blue eyes.

‘I understand, why did they remove the battle at Hogwarts, and blow up the Weasley’s house instead?’

This time her grin spread through all of her face; no mask needed. ‘My name’s Beth, what’s yours?’