“Ты не волнуйся, мой маленький лебедь, вы будете делать хорошо здесь.»
(“Do not worry, my little swan, you'll do well here.”)
Natalia released a held breath as she turned to look at her father, trying to mirror his smile, but her nervousness remained.
"Я знаю, папа, я просто очень боюсь, что это будет, как и другие школы ... там, где другие найдут способ поднять на меня ..."
(“I know, Poppa, I'm just so afraid that it will be like the other schools ... where others find a way to pick up on me ...")
Petr leaned down and kissed his daughter on the top of her head.
“Вы сказали, что они очень хорошо к вам на гастроли, Наталья, я не думаю, что они притворяются. Просто будьте открыты для разговора. Хорошо?»
(“You said they were very good to you on the tour, Natalia, I do not think they're pretending. Just be open to conversation. Okay?”)
Natalia nodded slowly as she took a deep breath, opening the car door, clutching her journal against her chest. Petr exited the vehicle as well, popping open the trunk latch, allowing him to begin to take Natalie’s belongings out of the trunk. Petr called over to Natalia, this time in English.
“Natalia, could you give a hand?”
Natalia had been staring at the academy, trying to keep her mind from getting ahead of her. Hearing her father speak in English caught Natalia’s attention as she hurried over to him.
“Of course, Poppa…”
Natalia pulled her jacket close to her, as the hem of her skirt flitted as she hurried, taking the laptop bag from the trunk and the case that contained her makeup. Petr sighed as he removed the two suitcases of clothing and miscellaneous items.
“This will be good for you, Natalia, they will be able to help you as I continue to work for a cure.”
Natalia nodded in response as they walked towards the entrance.
“I know, Poppa, I just haven’t been this nervous before, but…”
Natalia stopped in her steps, causing Petr to stop and turn to look at his daughter.
“But what, Natalia?”
For the first time during the whole day, a genuine smile, ever so slight, began to spread across Natalia’s face.
“…I am a bit excited, Poppa.”
Petr let out a hearty laugh as he pulled his daughter close to him.
“As you should be, Natalia, you may find that friends await you here.”
Natalia nodded as she hugged Petr tightly. After a few minutes, father and daughter released the embrace, looking at the entrance in unison. Petr looked down at Natalia out of the corner of his eye.
“Are you ready, my little swan.”
Natalia nodded.
“Yes, let’s continue…”
Father and daughter continued to walk through the entrance and disappeared within.
*****
A while later, Natalia was finally alone…on her own. The first time in her life, she had no one, but herself. However…she did hope to make friends, not just hoped, she WANTED to make friends. She met a lot of very kind people during the tour and would love to get to know everyone, but…her shyness. An obstacle that has always kept her from functioning socially. Sure, she would converse and interact, but it would be in a quiet tone and made very little eye contact, but…this would be different. A clean slate. People with powers, just like her.With a deep breath, Natalia resolved that she would make friends if it was the last thing she did. Shyness or not, this was her time to begin to grow into the swan her father had always called her, but first…she needed to unpack. Natalia went to work unpacking as she mused to herself in Russian ways to begin conversations with the other students, a smile growing wider on her face as she couldn’t wait for tomorrow. Her first full day of classes.