Happy Place Inside

The day of the school project arrived like a bright, curious butterfly fluttering into the classroom. Lily clutched her sketchbook, its pages filled with the secret world she had discovered, and Mr. Snuggles nestled snugly in her backpack, his button eyes peeking out. Her heart did a little drum solo against her ribs. This was different from drawing quietly in her room or whispering to Mr. Snuggles by the stream. This was… public.

Mrs. Gable, her teacher, had a smile as warm as sunshine. "Today, children," she announced, her voice like a gentle breeze, "we get to share something special about ourselves. It could be a talent, a favorite hobby, or even a secret place that makes you happy!"

A wave of excited chatter erupted. Leo was going to show everyone how to juggle three brightly colored balls. Maya had practiced a poem about her pet hamster, Squeaky. Lily watched them, a familiar knot tightening in her stomach. Their energy buzzed around her, a whirlwind of confidence she sometimes felt she could never match.