The First Morning

The morning sun streamed through the dorm window, casting warm golden light across Mia’s neatly made bed. She stood in front of her wardrobe, smoothing down the pleated skirt of her brand-new primary school uniform. It felt strange to wear something so juvenile, yet oddly comforting compared to the alternative. A crisp white blouse, navy skirt, and knee-high socks—it wasn’t exactly the mature attire she had hoped for, but at least it meant she still had some level of normalcy.

She glanced over at Lilly’s bed, where her best friend still sat, curled up in the same oversized T-shirt she had slept in. Her crumpled BAM results lay discarded beside her, a silent reminder of the new reality she faced. Unlike Mia, she hadn’t been given a uniform. No neatly folded clothes had arrived for her in the night. No sign that she would be attending structured classes.

Just uncertainty.

A sharp knock at the door made them both jump. Mia hurried to answer, smoothing her uniform down one last time before pulling it open.

A woman stood in the doorway, dressed in a crisp white blouse and dark slacks, her ID badge clipped neatly to her shirt. A staff member. She held a small bundle of clothes in her arms, neatly folded, with a plastic-wrapped nappy sitting on top.

Lilly’s eyes went wide.

“Good morning,” the woman said cheerfully, stepping inside without waiting for an invitation. “Lilly, it’s time to get you dressed for the day.”

Lilly shrank back against the bed, shaking her head. “I—I don’t need that,” she stammered, pointing at the nappy as if it might disappear if she just denied it hard enough.

The woman smiled in that practiced, patient way Mia had seen before—like a nursery worker trying to reason with a **** child. “I know this is a big change, sweetheart, but we need to make sure you’re comfortable and properly dressed for your new schedule.” She held up the clothes—a soft pink T-shirt with a cartoon bunny on the front, a pair of denim shortalls with big, playful buttons, and, of course, the thick, crinkly nappy resting on top.

Mia bit her lip, unsure of what to say.

Lilly shook her head more vehemently, gripping her bedsheets like they could somehow shield her from the inevitable. “I—I don’t want to!”

The staff member simply set the clothes down on the bed beside her and gave her a reassuring pat on the shoulder. “It’s alright, sweetie. We can do this the easy way, or we can get some help if needed. But I promise, once you’re dressed, everything will feel much better.”

Mia watched as Lilly’s face crumbled, her shoulders slumping in defeat. It was happening. There was no escaping it.