Lucia pressed her forehead to the airplane window and whispered, "Snow — I’m really going to see snow." Her heart ached as she told herself Mami said it was only for a few weeks, "just until she comes."
At the arrivals hall she saw two familiar faces and heard, "¡Lucia! ¡Mira cómo has crecido!" as Tía Valentina hugged her tight and Tío Juan laughed about how tall she was.
In the car Lucia stared at icy streets and asked, "Why did you leave Colombia?" Tío Juan answered softly, "La guerrilla came to our mountain. It wasn’t safe anymore."
Lucia’s eyes filled with tears; "But what about Mami?" she asked. Uncle Juan promised, "She’s coming — she’s packing everything. She’ll be here soon."
That night she folded a paper and wrote, Dear Mami, I miss you already. I’ll be brave. I promise.
A few days later Lucia stood on the curb bundled in her winter coat and watched the huge school bus arrive — "That’s your bus," said Tía Valentina. "Just smile at the driver," she added.
She climbed aboard and a girl with blonde hair and glasses greeted her, saying something Lucia didn’t understand; the girl gently handed her a tissue when a tear slipped down Lucia’s cheek.
The bus pulled up to a large school: "École élémentaire Sainte-Thérèse," the driver said, and a teacher smiled, "Bonjour, Lucia! Come with me."
Inside the classroom the teacher had Lucia remove her coat and stand so everyone could meet her; Lucia hesitated, then spotted Amanda and whispered, "Is that the same girl?"
Amanda smiled and said, "I’m Amanda," and Lucia answered, "Lucia." Amanda pointed to her sweater and teased, "Different color, same person," and Lucia giggled, "You look like sunshine."
The teacher handed out crayons and said, "Let’s draw a bonhomme de neige!" Lucia held up a carrot and asked, "Is this his nose?" Amanda laughed and said, "And sticks for arms!"
When the bell rang Amanda shouted, "Recess!" and Lucia followed her outside, gasping, "That slide is taller than my house!" Amanda grinned, "Race you to the top!"
They were breathless and laughing when a lunch lady approached looking worried; Amanda whispered, "I think she wants us to go inside."
Inside the lunchroom everyone sat at long tables; the lunch lady asked Amanda something, and Amanda pointed toward the classroom while Lucia watched her walk away, confused.
The lunch lady showed Lucia a picture of a school bus and Lucia’s eyes widened — "Oh no… I forgot!" she breathed, and she followed the lady to the office with her heart pounding.
In the office the principal looked kind but serious and said, "Let’s call someone," while Lucia sat quietly, trying not to cry.
Then a boy walked in and said, "Hola — I’m José. I speak Spanish." Lucia relaxed and whispered, "Gracias."
José asked, "Why were you outside during lunch?" and Lucia blushed, "I forgot about the bus… I thought I was lost forever."
José smiled gently and told her the principal had called Tía Valentina — "She’s coming," he said, and Lucia sniffled, "Really? You mean I’m safe?"
When her aunt arrived Lucia ran into her arms, crying, "I thought I missed you forever!" Tía Valentina kissed her forehead and said, "Never, mi amor. Never."
In the car Tía Valentina explained the bus routine: "Bus 778 — Mr. Lucas will always wait at morning, lunch, and after school." Lucia nodded, "I’ll remember this time."
That night over arroz con pollo, Uncle Juan asked, "So, how was school?" Lucia smiled, "I made a friend. Her name’s Amanda — she gave me a tissue."
Lucia added, "She’s the best kind of friend," and Tía Valentina laughed, "That’s a good friend to have."
The next morning Lucia woke with a new plan: she would learn the bus routine and help others who felt lost, too.
At school that day she noticed a new boy at recess who looked scared and alone — Lucia remembered her own fear, and she stepped forward to say hello.
The boy’s eyes widened when Lucia spoke Spanish — "Hola, soy Lucia," she said, and his shoulders eased as he answered with a shy smile.
Plot twist — later that afternoon Lucia found a small embroidered hummingbird tucked inside her backpack pocket, the same tiny bird she had seen on the bus and on Tía Valentina’s coat.
She ran to show Tía Valentina, who smiled and said quietly, "Your Mami left it when she packed — she wanted you to have a piece of home until she arrives."
Lucia felt something change inside — the hummingbird felt like a promise, and she decided being brave meant asking for help when she needed it and helping others when she could.
A few days later, on a snowy afternoon, a small plane appeared over the town and landed nearby — everyone turned, whispering that Mami’s arrival might finally be soon.
In the final moment Lucia felt steady and brave — whether Mami stepped off that plane or wrote one more letter, Lucia knew she belonged where people caught each other when they fell.
