Chapter 34 The New Kid

• Suddenly, there was a ruckus at the side of the cafeteria and by the door that distorted our conversation. I could glance up to realize that several students were gathered about a boy I did not know – that was a transfer student, most likely. He was a rather tall and thin young man with rather bushy dark hair falling down nearly to his eyes. Just as I was observing him, he said something that opened the floor for laughter.
• At this point, I wanted to have a seat somewhere nearby and envy them deeply. Part of me wishes I could start anew like them, to be able to join a new school can be easy compared to knowing what it feels to have the past holding you back.
• The boy then looked at us, turning his attention directly on me. I panicked and thought I would see the same look of fear and suspicion I had seen throughout the day. What I expected was him to scowl or even look at me in annoyance, but he only smiled – and I do mean genuinely smiled at me.