The morning sun filtered through the curtains in soft streaks of gold, painting gentle patterns across the small apartment walls. The aroma of boiling tea filled the room, mingled with the faint sound of a distant train and the chatter of neighbors already awake. It was another new day in the city — but for Yuni and Aeris, it wasn't just any day.
Today was the day they would visit their new school.
Yuni stood by the window, brushing her hair in quiet thought. The city morning was still strange to her — the rush of cars, the smell of metal and dust, the endless noise that never really stopped. Back home, her school days began with the sound of birds and the cool air brushing her cheeks as she walked barefoot through grass still wet with dew. But here… everything was different.
Behind her, Aeris was wrestling with his shoelaces."Yuni," he groaned, "why do they have to make them so long?!"
She turned, hiding a small smile. "Because you never tie them properly."
"I did! Twice!" he protested, tugging again until the lace made a hopeless knot.
With a sigh, she knelt down beside him. "Hold still."
Aeris looked at her with a grin as she untangled the mess. "You think they'll let us keep chickens at this school?"
Yuni blinked. "Chickens?"
"Yeah," he said seriously. "Our old school had them. They'd walk around the yard, and the teacher said they were part of nature class."
Yuni laughed softly. "This is the city, Aeris. They have buses, not chickens."
He frowned. "Buses don't lay eggs."
Their mother's voice came from the kitchen, light but firm. "Aeris, finish your milk before you start comparing buses to chickens again!"
He sighed dramatically. "See, even milk tastes different here."
"It's called packaged milk," Yuni said, handing him his school bag. "Welcome to city life."
By the time they stepped outside, the lane was alive with sound. Street vendors called out, bicycles zipped past, and the smell of freshly fried snacks floated through the air. Yuni clutched Aeris's hand as they crossed the narrow road, her eyes widening slightly at the sight of the busy junction.
Her father led the way, checking the small paper in his pocket. "It should be just two streets down," he said.
Their mother nodded. "Yes, near the temple."
Aeris tugged Yuni's sleeve. "Do you think they'll make us wear ties? I hate ties."
"They make you look smart," Yuni replied.
"They make me choke," he muttered.
Yuni laughed, the sound lost in the hum of traffic. Despite her teasing, she felt a flutter in her chest. New school. New people. New everything.
Would she fit in? Would they like her?
As they turned the corner, the school came into view — a three-story building with wide windows, painted a faded cream. A large banyan tree stood at the entrance, its branches spreading shade over the gate where a blue sign read:
Yuni paused for a moment, staring at it. It wasn't grand or modern like the schools she'd imagined. But it looked alive — with laughter, movement, and a certain warmth.
Children in neatly pressed uniforms rushed through the gates, their shoes polished, their bags swinging. Some mothers waved from rickshaws, others lingered to chat by the fence.
Aeris gasped. "Look! They have a slide! And swings!"
He pointed toward the small playground to the side, eyes wide with excitement.
Their mother smiled. "You can play later. First, we need to talk to the principal."
"Do we have to call him sir?" Aeris whispered.
Yuni nudged him. "Of course. And be polite."
"I am polite," he said indignantly. "Mostly."
Inside, the corridors smelled faintly of chalk and old books. Yuni's heart raced as they passed classrooms. She could hear the murmur of lessons, the scrape of chairs, the laughter of children.
She peeked through one open door — rows of desks, sunlight streaming in, a teacher writing equations on the board. It all looked so normal, and yet it felt like another world entirely.
Her father stopped at the office door. "Here," he said, knocking gently.
A woman's voice answered, "Come in."
The room was small but bright, with shelves of files and a pot of marigolds on the window sill. Behind the desk sat a woman in her forties, wearing glasses and a calm, kind expression.
"Good morning," Yuni's father began politely. "We've just moved here from village. We'd like to admit our children — Yuni and Aeris."
The principal smiled. "Welcome. Please, have a seat."
As they sat down, Yuni noticed the certificates on the wall — Best School Award, Excellence in Academics, Community Participation. Her palms felt clammy.
The principal turned her gaze toward her. "So, Yuni, which grade were you in before?"
Yuni hesitated. "Sixth, ma'am."
"And Aeris?"
He grinned proudly. "Eight! But I can do Nine-grade math sometimes."
The woman chuckled. "That's good to hear."
Her mother spoke softly. "They're good children, ma'am. Hardworking. They've just… been through a big change."
The principal nodded gently. "Adjustment takes time, but you'll find that children adapt faster than adults think. You'll make new friends soon, Yuni."
Yuni smiled faintly, unsure how to respond.
"Classes start day after tomorrow," the principal continued, handing over two forms. "Uniforms are available at the store nearby. Please submit these with photos and documents tomorrow morning."
Her father nodded. "Thank you so much."
As they stood to leave, the principal added kindly, "Welcome to our school. I hope this becomes your second home."
Outside the office, Aeris whispered, "She was nice. Not scary like I thought."
Yuni nodded. "Yeah… she was."
Her mother looked at her. "Feeling better?"
Yuni hesitated. "A little." She glanced back at the building — the sound of the bell ringing, children laughing, a teacher calling out names. "It feels… different."
Her father smiled. "Different isn't bad. It just means new beginnings."
Aeris grinned. "And new snacks at the canteen!"
Yuni rolled her eyes, laughing softly. "Of course, that's what you care about."
As they walked out, the breeze rustled through the banyan leaves. The sunlight danced across the gate, and Yuni looked back once more. The school stood quietly — familiar already in some strange, comforting way.
For the first time since moving, she felt a small spark of excitement.
On the way home, Aeris skipped ahead, humming a tune. "I'm gonna sit by the window!
When they reached their building, she paused at the stairs. The city air felt warmer now, the sounds less sharp. Maybe her mother was right — even noise could sound like music once you started listening.
She glanced at her reflection in the stairwell window — a girl standing between two worlds, still unsure but quietly hopeful.
Tomorrow, they would buy their uniforms.The day after, school would begin.
Aeris was already talking about playing football. Her parents were chatting about fees and books. Yuni, though, stayed quiet — listening to the echo of the city heartbeat around her.
Something inside her whispered that this was only the beginning.
That night, as she lay in bed, Yuni looked at the wind chime swaying gently near the window. The faint sound mixed with the distant hum of traffic — two worlds colliding softly.
She closed her eyes and smiled.
Tomorrow would bring new faces, new stories, and maybe — just maybe — a new version of herself.
But outside, unseen by the sleeping family, the city was wide awake — alive with whispers, lights, and possibilities.
And somewhere in that endless rhythm, a thread of destiny had just begun to weave itself around Yuni and Aeris's new life.
🖤🖤🖤....
Chapter 11 is Done!
✨ "Every beginning feels uncertain — until it starts to bloom."
Thank you for reading! This chapter marks a new chapter in Yuni and Aeris's journey. The next update will take them to their first real school day — stay tuned!
💬 If you enjoyed this gentle, hopeful chapter, leave a comment! What kind of students do you think Yuni and Aeris will become in their new school? Do you think the city has more surprises waiting for them? 🌸