3

After those two hours of Social Studies, we have English. Then we have a free period, lunch and finally two hours of Physics. Yeah, I know. Ugh.

The teachers all seem nice, and I try to make conversation with a few of my other classmates.

During Physics, I started talking to some girls. They looked like nice people, but when class started, I heard one of them whisper to the other, "What a weirdo."

So, yeah. I'm not having a lot of luck in the making-friends section.

Whatever, I don't care.

Finally, it's lunchtime. As Karen and I walk out of the classroom, I see Suzy and Sarah walking out of the front doors, so I run after them. As Karen sees me leave, she yells, "Emma, what the"

I'm too far to hear the rest, but I have a pretty good idea of what she said.

I reach Sarah and Suzy, and together we decide to go eat in the school cafeteria, after waiting for Karen of course.

As we sit down and eat, Sarah starts cheering loudly. "OH MY GOD! I'm so happy you're getting along with everyone!"

"Uh, yeah." I answer. "Me too."

"OH! WHAT IF WE GO OUT TOGETHER? Yes! Yes! Yes!" she yells. With every "yes", Sarah jumps up and down, reminding me of a very happy monkey I once saw at the zoo.

"Please Emma! We can meet up tomorrow and hang out!"

I couldn't say no to that adorable face, so I nod. I underestimate how Sarah would react.

"WOOOHOOOO! WE'RE GOING OUT TOMORROW! YEEEEAAAAAAH!"

The whole cafeteria turns around to look at our little group, but we're too busy laughing to care. After we calm down a bit, we start to talk about ourselves. I find out a lot of interesting stuff about everyone, but I try to keep most of my personality hidden. I'm still a little hesitant in telling them everything about me.

I start making images in my head about the people around me.

Karen is a seventeen-year-old that loves to party. She's currently in a relationship with a guy at the other side of the country. She's had a lot of boyfriends, and I think she's not a virgin anymore. She doesn't like to read and wants to become a teacher.

Suzy is sixteen but is really smart and friendly. She likes to listen to music, but she only likes K-Pop. I'm not even sure what that is, but Sarah told me not to ask. She's only had one boyfriend, but they broke up during the summer. She was still sad about that.

Sarah is a very positive person. She's always smiling and, as I've noticed, overreacts over a lot of stuff. I'm still not sure about this, since I've known her only for a couple of hours, but she doesn't seem really smart to me. I'm curious to know more about her, and I remember the conversation we'd started in the great hall, so I ask. "What happened to you? In the great hall, you were talking about something."

Suzy glares at me for a microsecond, but it vanishes as fast as it appears. Sarah's smile wavers. She tries to talk, but she chokes up. "I'm sorry. But I can't say." she finally says. "It's hard to talk about."

"It's fine." I say. "If you don't want to talk, that's okay. Don't worry about it, I won't push it."

Sarah's wide grin comes back; even bigger than before, if that's possible.

When the bell rings, Karen and I go back to our class: Physics.

After two hours of boredom, the bell rings.

Finally, the first day of school is over. Karen and I walk out and head towards the bus stop and look at the time. A few minutes and it should arrive. I pull out my phone and check my e-mails.

Suddenly, I get shoved to one side. My phone slips out of my hand and crashes to the floor. I stagger and try to regain my balance, but I have to grab Karen's arm to pull myself up.

Without even looking at the culprit, I kneel down to pick up my phone and click the home button. The screen turns on, but a small crack in the glass is noticeable. Oh, hell no.

"Sorry." Tom says. Yes, it's the same Tom that winked at me and the same Tom that I met in the principal's office. "You shouldn't have been in the way."

"Excuse me?" I snap, ignoring the fact that I was in the middle of a crowd. "Did you say I was in the way? How about saying sorry to me, the girl whose phone you broke and almost made fall down?" I ask sarcastically.

Tom shrugs and smirks. "Nah. Blaming it on you seems easier."

I swear I'm about to kick this guy in the balls, but Karen grabs me by the shoulder and pulls me away. When we're far enough, I turn to face Karen. "Why did you drag me away? I was just about to punch that asshole!" I complain.

"I know, I saw it in your eyes." she replies. "But I don't think hitting the most popular guy in school will be a good first day."

For some reason, her words calm me down a little. After only a day, I can safely assume that

Karen is my friend. I usually open up the more I know somebody, so I didn't have any problem talking to her freely now. I take a deep breath. "Yeah, okay. Good call."

"I know how you feel." Karen says. "Tom is always snooping around the new girls. He did the same thing with me too."

"Oh my gosh, that's sick! So he'll just follow me around trying to get in my pants?" I ask.

The bus arrives, so we both get in and take a seat before restarting our conversation.

"Basically, yeah." Karen says. "But if you're reluctant enough, he'll soon lose interest. You'll be fine. You seemed to be reluctant enough."

"Yes. Yes, I am." I say, confident in my words. "But he broke my phone!" I complain.

Karen laughs, then answers. "Please, that phone needed changing anyway. What is that, an iPhone 4? iPhone 5? You have to keep up."

She's right. But I'm kind of attached to that phone. My father gave it to me five years ago for my twelfth birthday. But, yes. I should probably change it.

After a few seconds of silence, I ask a question that had been in my all day. "So, what's the deal with Sarah? Did something happen to her?"

Karen lowers her head. "It's really not my place to say."

"C'mon! I don't want to be the one who knows nothing! Please? I swear I won't tell." I ask.

"It doesn't matter if you don't tell, everyone here knows already."

I blink. "Then why can't you tell me?"

She sighs. "It's complicated." she pauses. "I can't tell you, but I can send you a link. You can watch it on your own later."

I'm about to ask why would there be a link about Sarah and why everyone knows about it, but Karen interrupts my thoughts. "Can I have your phone number? I can't send you the link otherwise." She hands me her phone and I type in my number. As I give her her phone back, I realize that it's my stop.

"I have to go." I say. "See you tomorrow!"

"Bye!" Karen replies.

I step off the vehicle and head home.