Zuri had practiced her parade wave all week.
She would walk beside Niko, carry their paper star, and wave to the neighbors.
At the starting corner, drums thumped. A whistle chirped. People called hello.
Zuri’s shoulders rose toward her ears.
“It’s louder than I expected,” she told Niko.
He held the star lower. “Do you want to stay, or find a quieter place?”

