Starting your junior year in a new school, in a different state was nerve racking. People in each part of the country were different. Southerners were always friendly, whereas East Coasters were a bit rushed. I had yet to ever be on the west coast, and I anticipated the change. I followed the directions the principal’s secritary had given me to find my homeroom class. I got lost twice before I stopped in front of two oh two. I breathed in and opened the door to which twenty pairs of eyes darted my way.

"Come in, come in dear," the teacher, an older lady said and gestured for me to come to her, "do you have a pass?"

"Yes ma’am," I said and handed her the note from the principal.

"Very good, Miss Kennard," she said reading my name, "I’m Mrs. Goodwin, class, this is Christina Kennard, she just moved here and I hope you’ll welcome her warmly. Miss Kennard, tell us a little about yourself."

"I…um..," I stutter, my face flushes as I am being put on the spot, "Well, I just moved here from Alexandria, Virginia, my father’s a First Lieutenant in the Marine Corps and I would much rather be called Tina."

"Very well Tina, class let’s give her a warm McLawhorn High welcome."

"Hi Tina," they all said unenthusiastically in unison. I smile awkardly, the feeling of running out of here takes over.

"Great well, take a seat over next to Miss. McCutcheon, Shane! Raise your hand," she says as and I see a pale palm, "Go ahead Tina. Shane! No sleeping! I’m watching you."

"Of course ma’am," she said as I reach the table and put my stuff down.

I keep my eyes toward the front of the class. I wasn’t sure what to do during homeroom. We never had one in my old school, we just went straight to class in the mornings. I saw everyone getting books and papers out, some light talking going on. Mrs. Goodwin sat behind her desk as a couple of students went to talk to her. I could feel Shane’s eyes on me and I felt my face flush. I looked at her from the corner of my eye and she smiled, I finally looked at her.