Kamila runs when the world feels too loud. Early in the morning, before the rest of the house wakes up, she laces up her shoes and heads out into the quiet, where her breathing steadies, her thoughts slow, and everything feels possible again. Kamila entered foster care when she was young, and she has changed homes and schools more times than she likes to count. Each move brought new faces, a new routine, and a fresh start she never asked for. Running gives her somewhere to put her worries, and joining her school’s cross-country team gave her something she hadn’t felt in a long time: a group of people who expected her at practice and were glad when she showed up. Kamila has dreams of running in college and becoming a sports physical therapist, helping other athletes heal and get back to doing what they love. She is disciplined, quietly funny, and tougher than she realizes. She has learned to keep going through hard stretches, one step at a time.