I studied the selfie, making sure I was okay with the image. My face looked too pale next to my jet-black hair, like I hadn’t ever been out in the sun, and that was thanks to Mom’s overenthusiastic sunscreen policies. I thought about filtering a glowy tan, but I knew I didn’t have time. I quickly checked over the text for typos, and then, satisfied, I uploaded the post.

“TAMIKO!”

I tucked my phone into my backpack, slung it over my shoulder, and bounded down the stairs and into the kitchen. Dad was seated at the kitchen table, calmly drinking a cup of coffee.

“Why is everything so loud this morning?” he asked.

“Yeah, why?” parroted my older brother, Kai, who was halfway out the front door. Outside I could see a blue car idling in front of our house.

“Who’s that? Are you getting a ride? Can I get one too?” I asked.

“That’s Kevin, who’s a senior, and no,” Kai said.

“But—” I protested.

Kai closed the door behind him, and Mom ran up to me and handed me a lunch bag and a granola bar.

“You need to get to that bus stop, Tamiko,” she said. “I’m bummed that you didn’t get down here earlier. I made the pancakes and everything.”

I glanced over at the stove, where pancakes that looked like smiling frog faces were stacked on a plate. Mom had gotten the pancake mold thingy when I was four years old, and she’d made me frog pancakes on special occasions ever since—and always on the first day of school.

“Save them and I’ll microwave them tomorrow,” I said.

“You’re welcome, Tamiko,” Mom said. Then she looked me up and down. “This is the outfit that your blog readers picked?”

I did a twirl. “Yup!”

Mom sighed. “I voted for the white shirt with the black jumper. That looks so cute on you.”

“My readers have spoken!” I said. “Bye-eee!”

I raced out the door and jogged down to the corner bus stop. Even though it was September, the temperature still felt summery, and I was glad to be wearing the T-shirt today. When the bus came, I found a seat and drowned out the noise and took out my phone. First I checked my blog. Nine comments already! Then I texted Allie, my other bestie besides Sierra.

Have a great first day of school! Bet you can’t wait to see Colin!

She texted back: You too! Bet you can’t wait to see Ewan!

I felt my cheeks get hot. Served me right for teasing her about Colin. I replied with a tongue-stuck-out emoji and leaned back in my seat.