Blazepanzer here, and a new chapter is ready! I'd like to thank The Cybernetic Unicorn for the fav and follow, and I hope that you and everyone else enjoys the new chapter!
Also, I've went back and done a bit of correcting in the older chapters as well. And with that being said, enjoy! Note: Blazepanzer does not own Girls und Panzer!
It was always soothing for her. Long forgotten was the days when the car would make her car sick, and now the Irish girl closed her eyes as she enjoyed the ride to school, the warm sun mixed with the cool but low level ac on her bare arms. She was wearing a short sleeve light blue dress with matching stockings, with a slight ruffled sleeve reaching just slightly past her shoulders, and of course light gray dress shoes.
"First day jitters?" Her mother asked quietly.
"A little. Just trying to take it one minute at a time," Hanoashi smiled.
"Teachers will either be impressed or sissified," Drake laughed.
"Sissified?" Hanoashi asked.
"Well...maybe more apt they'll be frightened. Your...vocabulary is much higher than most girls your age...guys too," Nova smirked. He was wearing a pair of blue jeans, sneakers, and a gray tee-shirt.
"Vocabulary?" Hanoashi glanced over at him, confused.
"Word usage. Having a good vocabulary level is a good thing," Yu sighed, giving Drake and Nova a little glance.
"I see..." Hanoashi mused, not too sure if there was a hidden joke or something. Even so, she let out a small quiet smile. "Think I'll make any new friends?" she asked.
"Maybe, depends if you are willing to talk to people, or willing to respond to people who talk to you," Drake chuckled.
"So what was your first day of school-like?" Nova dared to ask.
"Mine was quiet,mostly..." Yu sighed in relief. "All I did was say my name, and read through the entire literature book," she added in explanation.
"Mine ended up with a punch to the face,"Drake laughed.
"Don't scare her deerie," Yu chastised, glancing at Hanoashi in worry.
"Come on, no one's going to punch a girl," Drake reassured her.
"A girl did get punched on my first day," Yu shook her head in exasperation.
"What...not in my Japan!? Drake exclaimed in mock anger.
"Um...what's it like to get punched?" Hanoashi asked.
"Painful, which is why you should never punch someone," Yu chastised.
"But you told me that if an adult I don't know grabs me I should fight back...right?" Hanoashi tipped her head in confusion.
"Yes, if it's not abundantly clear that they are pulling you away from danger," Yu affirmed. "But a punch is a move of last resort, not something you have a right to pull just because you get angry or frustrated," she added sternly.
"Yes mother," Hanoashi noted earnestly.
"Alright, we're here," Drake smiled.
Hanoashi watched as he assisted her brother out of the car, and felt a small eager twinge of eagerness and apprehension as her mother unbuckled her and guided her into the school. Glancing around, she glanced up at her mother. "Will you be staying at school with me today?" she asked quietly.
"Fraid not, but I've spoken plenty with your teacher, and she has a stellar reputation among the teachers, so you'll be fine," Yu reassured her.
"What about Nova?" She asked, growing a tad scared.
"I'll be on the lower level," he noted. "Higher grades go on the lower level after all. But I'll be close enough, so you don't have to worry," he added, giving her a quiet smile.
"I...I'll be alright...I think," Hanoashi stammered, her green eyes glowing in a mixture of fear and determination.
"You'll feel better once class starts," Yu reassured her.
"Welp, I'm off, thanks for the ride pops," Nova flashed a smile at Drake as he walked over to a group.
"Your group is over there," Yu nosed to a particular group of boys and girls,roughly sixteen of them in total.
Hanoashi nodded, walking a bit before glancing back at her mother, giving her a quiet smile before returning to her desired path. However, as she reached the path, she realized that the was becoming increasingly nervous.
"You seem unsure of yourself..." a girl noted, scrutinizing her gently. She had on blue jeans and a white tee-shirt, with gray tennis shoes, and long dark brown, almost blackish hair with dark brown eyes.
"I...uh..." Hanoashi wasn't too sure of what to say.
"I feel ya," the girl shrugged. "Tried to go early last year...didn't work out. Name's Anna Iruma by the way," she introduced herself.
"Hanoashi Katoni," the Irish girl introduced herself tepidly.
"No need to be nervousness Hanoashi," she smiled, before extending her hand. "You want to be friends?" she added with a quiet smile.
"Sure," Hanoashi nodded, accepting the handshake.
"Great!" Anna smiled.
"So, you live in Nishmari?" she asked.
"For the time being, Father seems to like to move around every couple of years or so I'm told," Anna shrugged. "Not too sure why though."
"Huh...I wasn't aware that people moved like that," Hanoashi tipped her head in confusion. "I mean I guess it makes sense though, neither of my parents live in their parent's houses, and I'm fairly sure that if Nova and I were to begin a family of our own."
"You...speak like an adult," Anna mused,
"I do?" Hanoashi tipped her head.
"I mean...you're words are more..." Anna began, but the teacher clapped her hands.
"Alright class, let's begin roll call. We'll be doing this again once we get to class, but still...Yukaro Akiyama!"
"Here!" A boy noted, raising his hand.
"Anna Iruma."
"Here ma'am!" Her friend raised her hand.
"Hanoashi Katoni!"
"Here ma'am!" Hanoashi echoed, raising her hand as well.
The list went on and on, until they got to the last girl on the list. "Ayumi Yamagou!"
"Here ma'am!" a girl with long black hair and blue eyes raised up her hand. She had on a white sundress and daisies painted on it.
"Right, we'll double check when we get to the class room, but for now let's go up the elevator," their teacher nudged them.
Following close to Anna, Hanoashi shuddered.
"No need to be scared," her friend reassured her.
"I guess not...just unfamiliar with all this is all," Hanoashi shrugged.
"You five or six?" Anna asked.
"Going to turn six in a few days, on the eighth," Hanoashi noted.
"Nice...I'll turn seven in December," Anna sighed. "Really wish that I've have done better the first time, wouldn't even let me try again until I turned six," she added bitterly.
"I'm sure you'll do fine," Hanoashi smiled reassuringly.
"As will you, my friend," Anna smiled in return.
I sure hope so, Hanoashi fretted. Before she knew it though she felt Anna's hand slide across hers. "Thanks," she whispered at the brunet.
Anna let out a quiet smile as the elevator ascended.
"That's a bit scary," one of the girls noted.
"No kidding," a boy sighed.
"Wuss..." A third guy muttered, shaking his head.
"Takou, that will not be tolerated," the teacher hissed, her amber eyes growing with disappointment.
"Yes ma'am," Takou hung his head.
Wuss...a weak or ineffectual person...not a name we should be using for each other...Hanoashi mused. As the elevator doors opened, Anna released her grip and followed the teacher, sending her following suit quickly.
As soon as she entered the classroom, she found herself staring at the various posters on the wall, brightly colored. Some held math concepts, like place values, divisions, a multiplication chart and a geometry table. (Albeit the multiplication and geometry table were refereed to as a count by and shape name tables respectively.) Some other tables include a geology chart, disaster chart, world map, map of Japan, a seasonal chart, a calendar, solar system chart, and so in.
In addition to these kinds of posters, they were various other kinds of posters displaying various sayings, including be kind, no bullying, and treat others the way you'd want to be treated...things of that sort.
Glancing around, she noticed that the kids were also glancing around, some nervous, some eager, some impassive.
"Alright class, please take your seats, we'll be introducing ourselves briefly, and once we get done it'll be time for lunch. After that you'll be free to hang out together." Their teacher noted as she clapped her hands gently. "I'll begin, my name is Honoka Terime, and I'll be your teacher. If you have any questions, needs, or concerns, feel free to ask me at any time," she added with a smile.
Glancing up at her, she noted that her teacher had raven black, waist length hair, and sharp amber eyes that held an undying love for her students. Although she didn't see it in the exact same light as when her mother was gazing at her, she felt a familiar level of trust for the adult.
"Let's see...Hanoashi, would you like to begin?" the teacher noted.
Walking up gently, she turned around and bowed gently. "My name is Hanoashi Amelia Katoni, It's nice to meet you all," she introduced herself.
"Such a proper greeting!" Honoka smiled. "Perhaps you'd like to tell us a bit more about yourself?" she added.
"Well...I have an older brother, Nova Katoni," Hanoashi begin. "He and I really like to play Checkers...although I can never seem to beat him...oh, and I really like studying," she added.
"Nerd," a girl hissed.
"Ayumi Yamagou, apologize right now!" Honoka snapped, giving the girl a good glare-down.
"Sorry Hanoashi," Ayumi glanced down, though she said her name wrong.
"Say her name right.." Honoka growled.
"Sorry Ha-no-As-hi," Ayumi sighed, saying her name correctly instead of the Ha-Na-shi she had initially said.
"I forgive you Ayumi," Hanoashi noted, keeping her tone neutral.
"Very well then, you've done well young Hanoashi," Honoka smiled. "Now...let's see... Yukaro Akiyama, would you like to come up?"
"Yes ma'am," he nodded, walking up to the front of the class while Hanoashi took her seat. Gazing up at him, she found herself impressed with his composure.
"My name is Yukaro Akiyama, and I live with my grandmother over is Nishmari proper," he bowed gently. "I like tanks and cars," he added.
"Very well done as well...now Ayumi...you're next," she nodded.
Oh great...Hanoashi closed her eyes, rolling them as she did not like this rude child. Granted, she had forgiven her, but she was clearly not happy about being called a nerd and having her names mispronounced like that. It'd have been fine had she just apologize for calling her a nerd, but her name had been said a good ten times by that point with Ayumi in earshot and she had no reason to be mispronouncing it like that. It wasn't even hard, just a mouth full.
However, glancing up, she caught Yukaro's amber eyes. He was gazing at her with great interest. Is...is there something on my face for something...she stammered inwardly, barely avoiding asking the question.
"Ha...no...ashi...pretty name," Yukaro muttered...before shaking his head and sitting back down.
O...okay...what was that all about? Hanoashi mused, more intrigued and confused than creeped out. While she had a bit of a concept about liking people, she didn't exactly grasp the concept of romance and crushes, or that Yukaro liked her already.
"My name is Ayumi Yamagou," the black haired girl chattered excitedly. "My interest include picking flowers, horses, drawing, and Hello-Kitty!"
What is this Hello-kitty she speakers of? Hanoashi mused, only half paying attention.
"Very well then...let's see...Takou, you're up!"
"My name is Takou Rimo, and my interest include Scrabble, Transformers, and whatever strange fads my older sister is into," he introduced.
"Very...interesting," Hanoka mused.
Will Nova be interested in any of these so called strange fads I pick up? Hanoashi mused in worry. And what does he mean by strange fads?
Glancing around, she noticed that the boy known as Yukaro was glancing at her before glancing away. What is it about me that he's so intrigued by? She wondered.
"Anna, you're up!" Honoka mused.
"Yes ma'am," Anna smiled, walking up to the front of the class and bowed. "Anna Iruma, I'm an only child, and my interest include...well...being outdoors mostly. I also like any kind of vehicle."
All kinds of Vehicles? Hanoashi mused in interest. Would that make her a bit of a tom-boy? Not that there's anything wrong with that, but I'd kinda like a tomboy as a friend...I think...
Introductions came and went, and before long Hanoashi found herself sounded with the girls.
"So, favorite Horse?" Anna asked Ayumi.
Traitor, Hanoashi hissed inwardly before mentally slapping herself. Don't do that idiot! You wanna be the girl who's always left out because she's a snapping turtle...finding fault with every little thing?
I like the Palominos," Ayumi noted. What about you?"
"Hm...Zebra?" Anna shrugged.
"A Zebra is not a horse," Ayumi muttered.
"Yes it is!" Anna shook her head in disagreement.
Horse nerd? Hanoashi teased silently, but before she could join in she overheard her teacher talking.
"Yukaro...why are you gazing at Hanoashi like that?"
Turning to the boys section Hanoashi caught his gaze just as he turned to his teacher. "She...interests me," he mused with a shrug.
"Why don't you talk to her...she seems really nice," Honoka urged.
"Does she even like boys?" Yukaro muttered in doubt.
"Honoka, may we play Checkers?" Takou asked.
"Sure thing sweetie," Honoka smiled.
"I play winner!" Yukaro shouted, seeming forgetting about the Irish girl.
Hanoashi watched him go, sighing in defeat. I wish he'd have invited me...or at least tried to start up a conversation, Hanoashi asked.
"Hey, Hanoashi, what do you think, is a Horse a Zebra?" Anna asked.
Having to stop herself from snorting in contempt, Hanoashi shook her head. "Zebras, Horses, Donkeys, and Mules belong to the Equine Species," she explained.
"What's a species?" Ayumi asked, tipping her head.
"Basically a group of animals who are closely related to each other," Honoka joined in.
"I don't get it," Anna shrugged.
"You will, in time," Honoka smiled indulgently. "Right now though it's almost time for lunch, so we'd better head on over to the cafeteria."
Filing in between Maple and Mei, two other girls from her class, she found herself a bit eager to fill her belly and apprehensive about eating around others. Granted, she did so at home, but she had known them all her life, and these people she just all met!
Arriving in the cafeteria, she sat down with her class and glancing around, she shuddered at how many students there was in the school. All in all, there seemed to be more people than she could imagine existing in the world, albeit. She'd later learn that this school averaged about a hundred students per grade, kindergarten through year five, and that it was a fairly small school.
"Alright students, listen up. Here at Hokota Villige Elementary, our elder classmates serve the younger classmates, with the exception of our fifth graders, who are served by our fourth graders as a way of appreciation for our upper classmates. Once you are served you will wait for a bell, and once that bell rings you may begin eating." A teacher noted.
To her surprise her brother came up, carrying a plate full of curry, two pieces of Sushi, a piece of Tamagoyaki, and a small slice of white cake. He sat it down in front of her, and whispered something about he'll be back in a bit.
"Now you may make small talk, but please remember that you are here to eat, not chatter the lunch time away," the cafeteria worker noted as their upperclassmen returned with their own food. "Now you may begin," the cafeteria worker smiled, making a tinging sound.
"So how was your first day?" Nova asked, digging into his curry.
"Pretty good, actually," Hanoashi smiled. "Thanks for bringing me the food by the way," she added.
"No problem sis, but remember that one day you'll be bringing food to your upperclassmen," Nova teased.
Taking a bite, her eyes lit up. "The curry's very good," she smiled.
"Yep! It's some of the best cooking I've had," Nova complimented.
"Does mom know you're saying that?" Hanoashi smirked.
"Don't you dare sis," Nova groaned.
"Relax, I wasn't going to tell her. And you know mom and dad cook well," she added, swapping to the Tamagoyaki.
"True," Nova smiled. "Make any friends?" he added.
"Anna," Hanoashi smiled. "Or at least we've agreed to be friends, I hope it goes well between us," she added.
"It will, just be kind and considerate, and you'll be best friends in no time," Nova encouraged.
"Oh, and there's this boy who's staring at me," Hanoashi whispered.
"Staring at you?" Nova asked.
"Not with malice...I think he's interested in me," Hanoashi tilled her head a bit in confusion before turning back into her curry.
"Me might have a crush on you," Nova mused.
"He wants to crush me?!" Hanoashi squeaked, before gazing down as those near her glared at her. "I'm sorry," she mummered, taking another bite of curry while feeling heat on her cheeks.
"That was cute," Nova shook his head. "But no, he has a crush on you," he corrected.
"Meaning..."Hanoashi paused, the previous embarrassment still stinging but beginning to wane.
"Well...you know how mom and dad sometimes stare at each other?" Nova prompted.
"Oh...so he wants to marry me then," Hanoashi took a bite, almost beginning to choke when she registered the implications.
"Not quite there yet...but that's how these things start, according to mom," Nova shrugged. "I asked her about it last year because I found myself staring at this cute Japanese girl last year. Not that it went anywhere," he ended with a groan.
"I'm sure you'll find someone, you're a great guy," Hanoashi smiled.
"He's going to get an amazing girl if he snags you," Nova smiled.
"If?" Hanoashi tipped her head.
"It's your choice," Nova mused. "You can pursue, ignore, or just tell him no if it makes you uncomfortable," he added.
"It doesn't make me uncomfortable, a bit confused, but mostly fascinated," Hanoashi noted.
"That is a good sign. Don't feel the need to jump on it and take your time, marriage won't come for a good while," Nova encouraged.
The rest of lunch went by quickly, and she found herself back in the room, hanging out with Ayumi and Anna.
"Hanoashi, you said you had a brother, right?" Ayumi asked.
"That's right, Nova was his name," Hanoashi smiled, feeling a bit better about Ayumi, though still apprehensive about her.
"What's he like?" Anna asked.
"Well, he's kind, considerate, apt to teach, the best big brother a sis could ask for," Hanoashi smiled.
"Does he steal the strawberries off your cake? My big sister does," Ayumi sighed.
Hanoashi paused, scrutinizing Ayumi. Are you insulting my brother by insulating he's a thief? She mused, before mentally shrugging off that implication. "We...don't really eat cake at the Katoni household. Mom always said that we may eat sweets offered by trusted adults, but we tend to avoid them. Even so, I don't think he'd do it, and if he tried, mom would have it out with him."
"Are you sure that you're a sixth grader...your sentence structure is too advanced," Anna shook her head.
"And what is a sentence structure?" Ayumi asked, her dark blue eyes glazing over with confusion and boredom.
"More importantly, why is that guy staring at you, does he have a crush on you or something?" Anna asked, glancing toward Yukaro.
"Oh my gosh, Hanoashi and Yukaro, sitting in a tree!" Ayumi sang loudly.
The class stopped. Mei was just about to place down a checkers peace, and her mouth dropped. Yukaro and Hanoashi stared at Ayumi, then to each other.
Move Hanoashi...go up to him...offer your friendship...something! She silently urged herself.
He began to take a step forward, but paused, hanging his head low and sat at the checker's game, silently watching Mei as she got her act together and made her move. Hanoka promptly took Ayumi by the hand and half guided, half dragged her out of the classroom.
"Why'd you take a step back?" Anna asked.
"Huh?" Hanoashi blinked, before realizing that she was very...very...slightly back from where she had been standing. "I...I didn't even realize that I had," she stammered, before walking over to him. "Um...I'm sorry...I just..."
"I creep you out, I get it," Yukaro sighed, laying his head down in defeat.
"It's not that," Hanoashi sat next to him. "I don't really mind the staring that much, it's just...all this is new to me," she added, trailing off as she realized that he wasn't really paying attention to her. Well... she mused in the exact tone her father would have used, which was long and drawn out, slightly sarcastic. She then rose up and walking back to Anna.
"So...no luck?"
"Why do I get the feeling that this is one of those times where someone does something inappropriate that causes us grief now and later on we laugh about it?" Hanoashi shook her head.
"There you go again with your advanced sentence structure," Anna shook her head. "My mother grilled me hard over the past year and yet you..."
Mom grilled my brother and I since we could speak," Hanoashi shook her head. "And we...always built off each other. I have both of them to thank for where I am now in life," she added.
"I see..." Anna mused.
Ayumi came back in, glared at the both of them, and then sat down next to Hanoka.
Guess she got into trouble, Hanoashi shrugged, trying not to anger the girl.
"What's her problem" Anna whispered.
"No one likes getting into trouble," Hanoashi whispered back in sympathy.
"I suppose so," Anna shrugged.
Taking out a deep sigh, Hanoashi walked up to the window, letting out a sigh as she saw rural Nishmari stretching out for quite a while, giving way to more aquaculture type farms.
"Quite different from the city," Anna joined her, her amber gaze stretching out for miles.
"I wonder what it'd be like to work on one of those farms?" Hanoashi mused.
"We graduate and maybe we can find out?" Anna shrugged.
"Mother says that some places hire part time. I'm hoping to take advance of that," Hanoashi smiled.
"That's good and all, but I'm hoping to make it big in sports...now sure which one or when...but..." Anna shrugged.
"That's a good goal," Hanoashi noted.
"Maybe...father's supportive of me going into sports and all, but he says to keep my eye out for other ways of making a living."
"What would you like to do though?" Hanoashi asked,curious.
"Something...outdoors," Anna noted without hesitation. "What exactly is beyond me, but as long as I'm outdoors and or active, I'd be happy. Not really the one to sit inside all day so to speak."
"I'd like to become a mother, like my mom," Hanoashi noted, her eyes shining.
"You want to work during motherhood? My mother doesn't, but my father says that some do," Anna asked.
"Hm...I kind of like household chores, so probably stay at home. Might take a page out of mom's book and work only when I'm not expecting or raising a young child, but...who knows," Hanoashi shrugged.
"Alright class, it's time to clean up the classroom," Honoka called out.
Garbing a broom, Hanoashi began her portion of the work, both Ayumi and Takou also on sweeping duties. She noticed that Yukaro, Mai, and Anna were on desk cleaning duties. Mei was on what was counting duties, which just meant ensuring that nothing was missing. Since they only played checkers today, there wasn't much need for the other roles.
As she was sweeping up a particular nasty piece of dust, she noticed that Honoka had steeped out for a brief second. Nothing to worry about, she reassured herself. Probably just needed a quick word with another teacher.
Right as she was a bout to do that she heard Yukaro gasp "Don't do that!" Shuddering, she paused, and glanced around wildly.
"You just don't want your precious crush to get dirty," Ayumi muttered.
"And what's wrong with that?" Mei challenged, glancing up from the checkerboard.
"Yeah, it's not right to try and brush a broom up against a girl's dress," Takou muttered.
"Guess your right, I'm sorry," Ayumi glanced down.
"I'm tired of you starting trouble...but apology accepted," Hanoashi muttered begrudgingly, before focusing on her task. The nerve of that woman! She growled to herself, in a sour mood.
Honoka steeped into the building, letting out a rather suspicious "hmmm," as she clearly noticed that something was wrong but not really seeing anything odd. By this time everyone had gotten back to their task.
It took another ten minutes to finish sweeping, and Hanoashi gently placed her broom in the rack, her hand nearly brushing against Ayumi's by mistake. However, the girl sighed and turned to her. "Are you mad at me?" she asked softly.
"A little, but I understand making mistakes, mom only knows how many I've made."
"I see...my mom usually just let's me do whatever me and my sister want...so..." Ayumi trailed off. "That's no excuse though." she added lamely.
Hanoashi extended her hand. "Friends?" she asked.
"Even though you're mad at me?" Ayumi gasped softly.
"I'd rather us be friends than enemies, even if you do annoy me a little," Hanoashi smiled.
"S...sure," Ayumi smiled, accepting the handshake.
Before long, Hanoashi found herself waiting next to Nova, enjoying the warm spring sun.
"Good day huh?" Nova inquired.
"Very much, I had fun," Hanoashi smiled.
"I got homework, but...well..."
"Homework?" Hanoashi inquired, tipping her head.
"Work you do from home, kinda what mom has us do already," Nova smiled.
"Speaking of which, we both have another multiplication chart test, right?" Hanoashi asked.
"Yes, but thankfully you only have to go through the twenties. Mom is bringing me up to the hundreds mark."
"Ouch," Hanoashi sympathized.
"You'll be doing it before too long,"Nova informed her.
"Kinda looking forward to it," Hanoashi smiled.
"You're about the only girl I know who enjoys test," Nova shook his head.
"Why not, they are fun!" Hanoashi smiled.
"Speak for yourself sis," Nova muttered. "I mean I don't mind doing them, but they are other things I'd rather spend my time doing," he added.
"I wouldn't want to spend all my time doing test...but...they are fun," Hanoashi retorted.
"If you say so. Oh, mom's here," he noted as the familiar gray van known as the 2001 Honda Stream rolling in. It was a slightly used van her parents had bought, trading in their old car for it in anticipation of needing extra room for the new arrivals they had planned.
Climbing in, she felt relief at being able to go home, but also an eagerness to come back to school tomorrow.
"So how was it?" Yu asked as she strapped her in.
"Pretty good actually," Hanoashi smiled. "Only a few downs, but still..."
"Mom! Hanoashi has a crush!" Nova shouted.
"Nova..." Hanoashi whined.
"Oh, picked yourself out a boy already?" Yu rolled her eyes, knowing that Nova as being dramatic but still.
"Actually...he has a crush on me," Hanoashi admitted.
"You should pursue it then," Yu smiled.
"You think I'd make a good wife?" Hanoashi asked.
"Woah woah woah...slow down there little tiger," Yu chuckled. "You won't be getting married until he and you graduate and he has a stable job, for starters," she noted sternly, yet caring. "And second, childhood crushes are...not as likely to end up going to that level."
"But you said that I should pursue it?" Hanoashi asked, confused.
"Yes, you should. If you end up going all the way, then congratulations. And if not, well then you had a good time and learned a lot about the opposite sex in the process, and plus you'll remain good friends still...most likely."
"I'll...think about it," Hanoashi mused. "They're...a lot of things I need to think about...actually."
"You have your whole life ahead of you young one," Yu encouraged. "So take your time with it okay?"
"Yes mother,"Hanoashi mused. My whole life ahead of me...she thought in awe, becoming excited at all the things she'd experience in the future.