Mia, Aisha, Zara, and Leena had been close friends since seventh grade, bound by shared laughter, whispered secrets, and dreams that stretched far beyond the expectations of their small town. Each of them had a vision for her future, a vision that seemed at odds with the lives everyone expected them to lead. Mia, the bold and creative one, dreamed of directing films that told meaningful, raw stories. But her parents had different ideas. They saw her only as a future doctor and had little patience for her “hobby.” Mia often found herself defending her passion to her friends, feeling guilty yet unwavering, even on the days when her parents tore down her storyboards.

Aisha, the quiet genius of the group, had set her sights on a top science university, where she hoped to break new ground in biotechnology. Her family supported her, but her biggest obstacle lay within. Aisha struggled with a heavy imposter syndrome, doubting her abilities even as she outperformed her classmates. To her friends, she was a star, but in her own eyes, she was always “just...