By Your Side
By Kyra
Chapter 1
The silver letters, frigid and sharp, stretched across the school, like a metallic, bold warning. Wilkon Middle School. My heart was pounding. Each beat was a cry for help.
“Sweetie, you have to go in eventually.”
My mom hugged me tightly, crushed my ribcage, and then left. I was alone.
​
Just last month, me and my friends were discussing which middle school we were going to. It was supposed to be Wilkon Middle School, but then something changed. First, it was Jessica. Next, it was Carlos. Then it was Mia and Dean. They had all chosen their schools. Those private schools where only the rich, privileged, posh British students go, or at least, that’s what we all used to say. Until they decided that they wanted to go to these schools. The schools with the students we used to poke fun at. Looking back, yes, we were mean, but it was funny. We were just joking around, but now, it felt like the joke was on me. They started a group chat without me, started sending these inside jokes to each other, and made fun of kids like me, whose parents couldn’t afford these fancy schools. Now, there was a fresh, bloody, and cold scar on my back. They had stabbed me in the back, and I was left to pick up the scraps of what we had. My heart was broken. I felt fragile, vulnerable, and helpless. I had no one. Only myself. I fixed up the courage and walked into the school. The doors opened automatically. Automatically into a foggy void. I didn’t know what was going to happen. I hated not knowing what was going to happen. I hated that everything was changing.
​
Chapter 2
As I weaved through the sea of unknown faces, my fists clenching, seniors towering, I felt the sting of the girls' whispers as their chuckles filled my ears. To add salt to the wound, the boys’ stares and cackles sent shivers down my spine. Their eyes were tracking my every move, stifling me like a fish out of sea. Was I having a panic attack? I couldn’t be. Not on the first day of school. This was not going to be like 1st grade. I was not going to have to switch schools after just an hour in school like I did then. I kept on twisting and turning, and the eyes kept on stalking. B022. My locker. I opened, expecting a clean, polished, inside. Instead, I was met with soggy tissues, grimy socks, and a jungle of mold like vines. My mind exploded, my limbs untied, my bag collapsed. The fluid surged up my throat as I struggled to keep it down. Before I knew it, It came flowing out like a waterfall. My vision was a blurred, blood red painting. One by one, the eyes were crawling on my back, snickering, sneering, and staring. A room full of whispers and camera flashes erupted in my ear. Suddenly, it was as if I was the rope in tug of war, except there was only one person tugging on me. The janitors and teachers all rushed to the scene, eyes wide with something that seemed to be disgust. Then I noticed. I was off the ground, being carried like Snow White. The words seemed to escape before I could even put them together, “Who.. Who are you?”
New Growth
By Erin
Chapter 1: New Growth
​
Elise was a 14-year-old girl with curly brown hair and a shy smile. She had just moved to a brand-new city with her mom and her little brother, Max. Everything around her felt unfamiliar:, the weather was hotter, the streets looked different, the houses weren’t like the ones she was used to, and the school looked much bigger than her old one. Elise missed her old home, her school, and most of all, her friends. She felt nervous and unsure. What if no one talked to her? What if she didn’t fit in? What if she got lost in the big school? Tomorrow was her first day at her new school, and she couldn’t stop thinking about all the things that might go wrong.
The next morning, Elise put on her new school uniform, tied back her curly hair, and walked quietly with her mom and Max to the International Community School Singapore. Her heart beat faster with every step. When she walked through the school gates, she saw kids laughing, chatting, and walking in groups. She felt even more nervous, everyone already seemed to have their friends. The school principal greeted her with a warm smile and offered to walk her to the canteen, where many middle and high school students were sitting. Elise followed closely, feeling small and out of place in the crowd. The principal stopped in front of a group of middle school girls who were chatting at a lunch bench.
“Hi girls!” the principal said cheerfully. “How are you all doing today?”
“Good!” they answered together.
“That’s great! I want to introduce you to Elise Friedman. She’s new and in your grade. I know you’ll all make her feel welcome!” the principal added, turning to Elise with a bright smile.
“Yes!” said one of the girls politely.
“Of course!” added another.
The principal gave Elise a little nod. “Awesome! Then I’ll leave her with you. Have a great day, Elise!”
“Thank you,” Elise said quietly.
After the principal walked away, there was a short, awkward silence. None of the girls seemed to know what to say, and Elise didn’t know how to start a conversation. Just then, the bell rang, and everyone stood up to head to class. Elise quickly picked up her bag and looked around, unsure of where to go. She turned to one of the girls and asked, “Excuse me, could you tell me how to get to the science room?”
The girl replied kindly, “Oh, I’m going there too. You can walk with me.”
Elise felt a small wave of relief. “Thank you so much,” she said with a grateful smile.
As they walked down the hallway together, the girl told Elise a little about her family and how she had been going to ICS for seven years. Elise was surprised. Seven years? That was a long time to be at one school. The girl seemed nice, and Elise began to feel a little more relaxed. That short walk helped her feel like maybe this school wouldn’t be so bad after all.
As the days turned into weeks, Elise began to settle into her new life. She started to learn her way around the school and got to know her teachers better. She also started talking to more people and even made some new friends. Slowly, the nervous feeling in her stomach started to disappear. She began to feel more like herself. Her confidence grew every time she raised her hand in class, found her way without help, or laughed at lunch with her classmates. She realized that the only thing holding her back before was fear, and that fear was starting to fade.
One of the biggest surprises for Elise was discovering that she was actually really good at math. In her old school, she never really thought of math as something she was good at, but one of her new teachers noticed her skills and encouraged her to join the school’s math competition. At first, Elise didn’t think she could do it. She was worried she would mess up or embarrass herself. But with practice, encouragement, and the support of her friends and teacher, she gave it a try. She worked hard, pushed herself, and stayed focused. When the competition results came out, Elise was shocked, she got first place! It was one of the proudest moments of her life.
Now, Elise is in her second year at ICS, and she absolutely loves it. Her classes are fun, she has close friends, and she’s even joined a few school clubs. She’s grown so much since her first nervous day. She’s more confident, braver, and happier. Her mom and little brother Max are also enjoying their new life in Singapore. They’ve made new friends too and often say, “We never want to leave!” Elise knows that moving was scary at first, but it helped her grow in ways she never expected. She learned that change can be hard, but it can also lead to something wonderful.
​
Chapter 2: Fitting in
Noon. Elise's favourite time of day. Her stomach growled. Feeling drowsy in the lunch line, Elise looked around for something to keep her awake. That’s when she saw it, right there hung by the canteen walls was the very thing that was gonna change Elise’s life — the Uknighted Press Club. The golden ticket to fitting in. She had always loved reading and writing in her free time, and the club was the perfect fit. At first, she was shy about sharing her ideas, unsure if anyone would care what she had to say. But the club advisor was kind and encouraging, and the other members welcomed her in with friendly smiles and open notebooks.
During one of their meetings, the club announced that they were putting together a writing piece that would be on a website. Elise decided to write an article about student life at ICS. She interviewed classmates, took notes, and carefully typed up her first piece. When the issue was published, Elise felt a rush of pride seeing her name printed at the bottom of the article. Her classmates told her they liked what she wrote, and one teacher even posted it on the classroom board. For the first time, Elise saw how her words could make an impact.
As time went on, Elise began writing more regularly. She covered school events, interviewed teachers, and even wrote opinion pieces on topics she cared about. Eventually, she was chosen to be one of the Chief Editors of the Uknighted Press Club. She helped organize meetings, guided younger writers, and made sure the website was the best it could be. The club became more than just an activity — it became a place where Elise truly belonged.
Looking back, Elise sometimes still remembers how scared she was on that first day. But now, those memories remind her of how far she has come. She knows that it is okay to be afraid of change, but what matters most is having the courage to try. Elise is no longer just the new girl — she is someone who found her voice, discovered her talents, and learned to believe in herself. She is proud of the person she has become, and she is excited for whatever comes next.