When the bell rang to signal lunch, everyone raced out to get first place in the cafeteria line, I held back so as to take my time and not be caught in the throng of people all rushing like scavengers for food and conversation with their already established friend groups. I sighed at the prospect of having to meet new people and worm my way into another friend group. As if reading my mind, God or whoever sent an angel in the form of Theodora Altman. Looking up, a slim blonde girl with emerald green eyes was staring back, her head tilted to one side and scrutinizing my every move.

”Ehm hi.” I said quietly.

”Hey. Your the new kid right?”

”Arizona. Yeah.”

”Teddy. Teddy Altman.” She greeted me, sticking out her hand which I shook slightly. After that there was an awkward silence as I packed the rest of my books into my bag. In all the schools I have been to, no one has ever approached me on the first day and introduced themselves so confidently. It made me feel at ease, that I didn’t have to try overly hard to gain the attention of this girl. We walked out together in silence, until she started asking me generic questions about my relatively boring ass life.

”So, where did you move from?”

”California.”

”I went there once with my Mom. It’s beautiful.”

”Yeah. It’s nice. You always lived in Seattle?”

”Nah, moved a few years ago from New York. Long Island baby!” At this she threw her hands above her head. I laughed, Teddy was cool, well, at least she talked to me.

Entering the cafeteria, the place was reminiscent of a jungle except inhabited by teenagers, they were everywhere it felt a little overwhelming, but I always felt like that until I got my bearings. I’m sort of grateful I get to stay here until I finish high school, moving schools can get old but the first day is always daunting – especially lunch, sitting alone never bodes well for reputation and by proxy, making friends.

I felt Teddy grab my hand as she pulled me through a few groups of congregated people until we reached a smaller more secluded group. Sitting in what looked like a very heated debate was a girl with luscious red hair that fell around her shoulders and a tall, broad guy with a very attractive bone structure and dark, but very manicured hair. They merely glanced up at me before returning to their conversation, forgoing acknowledging that I was there for the time being.