Third person pov~
The taxi weaved through crowded streets. Lyra pressed her small hands against the glass, her eyes widening as they passed by skyscrapers, neon signs, and glistening cars.
"Look, Eva!" Lyra whispered while pointing at a large fountain in the middle of a busy plaza. "It's huge."
Eva's blue eyes widened with delight. "It's like magic. Can we go see?"
Eva turned to her father with pleading eyes, and Lyra joined her sister.
"Soon," their father smiled. "But first, let's get to our apartment."
The taxi stopped in front of an apartment building with glass panels. The family got out of the taxi, and Arya guided her children into the building, chatting about unpacking and setting up their new rooms.
Eva clutched Lyra's hand as they stepped into the lobby.
"Do you like it?" Arya asked.
The girls nodded slowly. Their mother led them into the elevator, then to their apartment's floor. For the girls who had spent all their lives in that small house in the woods, this new world seemed foreign.
Eva twirled in their new apartment, giggling as she admired the large windows. "Look, I can see the street. So many people."
Their father came in shortly after they did. He let out a low chuckle as he saw his family's excited faces. "I think you two are going to enjoy this more than you think."
Lyra's gaze wandered to the street below, she watched kids rush past with backpacks and headphones, and her heart fluttered with nervous excitement.
This city was loud and bustling, unlike the quiet woods they had left behind.
"School tomorrow," their mother's voice made Lyra jolt out of her thoughts.
Lyra swallowed. She went over to her sister and picked her up.
"I hope we make friends," Eva whispered.
Lyra smiled. "Look at you. You're adorable. Who wouldn't want to be friends with you?"
Their father was busy moving the boxes up, and as he moved the last box beside the couch, he clapped his hands. "Alright, girls. You'll both get your uniforms later tonight, so try to sleep early."
Eva groaned. "But it's still bright outside."
"That's because the city never sleeps," Arya teased. "But you two need to."
Lyra placed Eva down gently, letting her wander towards their room. Boxes were stacked neatly along the walls and labeled with their names.
Lyra lingered in the living room. Tomorrow, she would stand in a place filled with children who had routines and friendships. Things she had only read in books. The thought of experiencing everything tomorrow made her chest tighten in excitement.
A soft hand rested on her head. She looked up to see her father smiling at her.
"You're thinking too much," he said.
"I'm just hoping it goes well," Lyra shrugged.
He kneeled so he was at eye level with her. "You only have to walk into your classroom with that same smile you always have, and everything will go just fine."
Lyra smiled.
"Go check out your room. You've not been there yet, right?"
Her father led her to her and Eva's room with her hand in his. Eva was already in the room, and had chosen the bed at the right side of the room.
"Sister! The beds are hugeeeee!" Eva laughed.
Lyra went to join her sister on the bed and the both of them curled up together, enjoying each other's presence.
****
It wasn't difficult to get the girls ready. For the first time in forever, they got up and got dressed without intervention from their mother.
"Sister, look!" Eva pointed excitedly at a group of kids waiting at a bus stop.
Lyra smiled as she looked through the taxi window.
"Settle down, girls," Arya said with a smile at the edge of her lips. She was excited for her little girls to experience a normal life.
The taxi slowed down as it approached the massive school building. It had tall glass windows, a wide front gate, and a crowd of students was already streaming in.
Lyra's mouth parted in awe. It was so different from what she had imagined.
Arya led the children out of the taxi. Eva and Lyra clung to their mother, their previous excitement had been replaced with shyness. A teacher stood at the entrance, her smile widened when she saw Arya and the girls.
"Good morning. New students?" she asked warmly.
Arya nodded and nudged the two girls. "Yes, this is Lyra and this is Eva."
"Welcome, girls," the teacher said. "Are you ready for a fun first day?"
The girls nodded shyly, still hiding behind their mother.
"Everyone is gathering around the courtyard for morning assembly," the teacher said to Arya, "I'll show them where to go."
Arya bent down and hugged both girls tightly.
"I'll be right here at closing time," she whispered.
The teacher extended a hand. "Come on, girls."
Hand in hand, the girls followed after the kind teacher. She stayed with them during morning assembly, and slowly, their nerves started to dissipate. They had not made any friends yet, but at least they weren't so nervous anymore.
After morning assembly, the teacher led them to a classroom and turned to Eva.
"Go in, Eva."
Eva froze.
"Alone?" she whimpered.
The teacher smiled. "Don't worry. They're expecting you. I can go in with you if you like."
Eva looked up at her sister. Neither of them had even considered that they would be separated. But they were a year apart and couldn't be in the same class.
Eva walked into the class and settled in with the help of the teacher. Lyra watched from the hallway as she smiled. The kids looked nice. Before long, the teacher reappeared from Eva's classroom and led Lyra to her class.
"I can go in on my own," Lyra said when she noticed that the teacher wanted to go in with her.
The teacher smiled and gestured to the entrance of the classroom. Lyra entered slowly and all eyes fell to her.
The teacher in the classroom noticed her and gestured for Lyra to come closer.
"Children, here is your new classmate that I mentioned earlier. Lyra Whitfield."