Kooli koridorid olid täis sebimist ja elevust, kui lapsed vahetundidest uutesse tundidesse kiirustasid.

The school corridors were full of hustle and excitement as the children hurried from recess to new classes.

Tallinna keskkooli vanad ja uued hooned, mis olid kaetud lumevaipadega, seisid majesteetlikult keset linna.

The old and new buildings of the Tallinna high school, covered with blankets of snow, stood majestically in the middle of the city.

Aknast välja vaadates oli näha, kuidas puude oksad kandsid veel lumekoormat, mis talvarõõmu kogu oma hiilguses hoidis.

Looking out the window, one could see how the branches of the trees still carried their load of snow, holding the joy of winter in all its glory.

Kertu istus kunstiklassis, tema lemmikkohas, kus värvilõhnad ja pehmete akende valgus pakkusid talle rahu.

Kertu sat in the art class, her favorite spot, where the smell of paint and the light from the soft windows offered her peace.

Ta libistas oma pintslit üle lõuendi ja mõtles, kui palju on muutunud.

She glided her brush over the canvas and thought about how much had changed.

Kodus oli olukord keeruline.

At home, the situation was complicated.

Ema ja isa olid otsustanud lahku minna ning see oli Kertu jaoks raske.

Her mother and father had decided to separate, and it was difficult for Kertu.

Kertu soovis meeleheitlikult hoida oma peret koos ja alles jätta normaalsus, mida ta tundis hääbumas.

She desperately wished to keep her family together and retain the normalcy she felt fading away.

Klassiuks avanes ja Tanel, Kertu parim sõber, astus sisse, olles täis oma tavalist optimistlikku energiat.

The classroom door opened, and Tanel, Kertu's best friend, walked in, full of his usual optimistic energy.

"Tere, Kertu!

"Hello, Kertu!

Kuidas läheb?"

How's it going?"

Tanel küsis säravalt.

Tanel asked brightly.

Kertu naeratas pealiskaudselt.

Kertu smiled superficially.

"Hästi, Tanel," ütles ta vaikselt.

"Fine, Tanel," she said quietly.

Tegelikult ei olnud kõik hästi.

In truth, not everything was fine.

Ta tundis, kuidas koolitööd ja kunstiprojektid olid hakanud aina rohkem vaevama meelt.

She felt the schoolwork and art projects were starting to weigh heavier on her mind.

Samuti muretses ta oma noorema õe, Maarja, pärast.

She was also worried about her younger sister, Maarja.

Maarja oli küll noorem, aga tema jõuline vaim oli hakanud vaikselt mässama.

Although Maarja was younger, her strong spirit had begun to quietly rebel.

"Pead sa abi?"

"Do you need help?"

Tanel küsis ettevaatlikult, tajudes Kertu muret.

Tanel asked cautiously, sensing Kertu's concern.

Kertu kõhkles, kas rääkida Tanelile kõigest.

Kertu hesitated whether to tell Tanel everything.

Ta kartis, et see võib tema raskust veelgi tõsta.

She feared that it might add to her burden.

Samas tundis ta, et vajab kedagi, kelle peale toetuda.

At the same time, she felt she needed someone to lean on.

"See on lihtsalt perekond... see on keeruline," pomises ta lõpuks.

"It's just family... it's complicated," she finally mumbled.

Tanel naeratas julgustavalt.

Tanel smiled encouragingly.

"Sa tead, et ma olen alati siin sinu jaoks," ütles ta kindlalt.

"You know I'm always here for you," he said firmly.

Päevad möödusid ja kätte jõudis hetk, mil Kertu ei suutnud enam kõike endale hoida.

Days passed, and the moment came when Kertu could no longer keep everything to herself.

Kunstiprojekt oli viimasel minutil, pinged kasvasid ja tunded, mida ta oli seni pea märke andmata alla surunud, purskasid esile.

The art project was at the last minute, tensions were rising, and the feelings she had so far suppressed without showing signs suddenly erupted.

Ta puhkes nutma keset tundi.

She burst into tears in the middle of the class.

Tanel jooksis koheselt tema juurde ja kaisutas teda hoolikalt.

Tanel immediately ran to her and hugged her carefully.

"Kertu, sa pead rääkima.

"Kertu, you need to talk.

See aitab," julgustas Tanel teda õrnalt.

It helps," Tanel gently encouraged her.

Pärast seda päeva otsustas Kertu rohkem avatud olla.

After that day, Kertu decided to be more open.

Ta rääkis Tanelile oma vanemate lahutusest ja sellest, kuidas ta tundis, et Maarja vajab teda rohkem kui kunagi varem.

She talked to Tanel about her parents' divorce and how she felt that Maarja needed her more than ever.

Kertu leidis, et rääkides oma muredest, tundis ta end kergemini ja vabamalt.

Kertu found that by talking about her worries, she felt lighter and freer.

Samal õhtul istus Kertu Maarjaga nende ühises toas.

That same evening, Kertu sat with Maarja in their shared room.

"Maarja, ma tean, et asjad on rasked, aga me saame hakkama," ütles ta õrnalt.

"Maarja, I know things are tough, but we will manage," she said gently.

Maarja vaatas Kertu poole oma suurte silmadega.

Maarja looked at Kertu with her big eyes.

"Ma tean, Kertu.

"I know, Kertu.

Sa oled minu tugi," vastas Maarja kindlalt.

You are my support," Maarja replied firmly.

Kertu tajus oma tugevust ja tundis, kuidas tema ja Maarja vaheline side muutus tugevamaks.

Kertu sensed her own strength and felt how the bond between her and Maarja grew stronger.

Ta mõistis, et pere ei pea olema täiuslik, et olla koos ja hoolida.

She understood that a family doesn't have to be perfect to be together and care.

Samuti mõistis ta, et sõpradele toetumine ei ole nõrkuse märk, vaid hoopis julgus.

She also realized that relying on friends is not a sign of weakness but rather of courage.

Talv jäi mõneks ajaks Tallinna peatuma, ent Kertu süda oli nüüd palju soojem.

Winter stayed in Tallinn for a while, yet Kertu's heart was now much warmer.

Ta oli leidnud oma jõu ja oli valmis vaatama tulevikku, olles teadlik, et tal on kellega oma teekonda jagada.

She had found her strength and was ready to look to the future, knowing she had someone with whom to share her journey.