• The burn of embarrassment settled into the pit of my stomach sending a wave of nausea up to my throat. I swallowed it back and attempted to look my fellow peers in the eyes. Everyone was staring at me like I was some exhibit at the zoo. Really, I was starting to feel like one.
    "So Kayce, where is it that you come from?
    "Um, New York."
    "State or City?"
    The teacher meant well with her questions but it was uncomfortable standing in front of the classroom playing twenty questions. I never was one for the spotlight.
    "City?" Somehow I made it seem like a question of where I came from, like I wasn't quite sure myself where I grew up all my life.
    "Ah, the Big Apple. I've been there once, loved it." I highly doubt she was really in New York City. To really be in New York you have to stray from the designated tourist spots and immerse yourself into the city culture. Going to the Statue of Liberty doesn't count.
    "So what brings you to our little town?"
    "Um, my dad's work sent us here." Everyone in the class snickered. Why? I don't know. But my cheeks flared a faded red and my eyes promptly fell to the floor. They were amused with my obvious discomfort. I was never going to fit in here.
    As if the teacher could finally sense my silent S.O.S she sent me to an empty seat in the back of the classroom. I hurried back there, stumbling once sending a fresh wave of laughter through the room, and took a seat without looking to so who sat next to me. I spent the rest of the class with my eyes to my desk not being able to look up. My crippling shyness prevented my from making eye contact with anyone, let alone speak. The graffiti scattered across the desk was all the entertainment I needed. The bell rang signaling lunch and I slowly packed my bag up hoping to be the last one out.
    "Hey, do you want to sit with me at lunch? I know what it's like to be the new kid. It isn't very fun" The voice was so uncertain and soft I almost thought I made it up. But no, there she was, a small girl who only came up to about my shoulder with shoulder length brown hair and thick rimmed glasses. She smiled at me with hopeful eyes.
    "Sure..." I trailed off, not sure what to do next.
    "My name is Brittney."
    "Nice to meet you Brittney. I'm Kayce, but you probably already knew that seeing as the teacher saw it necessary to introduce me in front of the whole class. Well anyways, um, yeah, so..." I was rambling and I knew it, so instead I stuck out my hand in an oddly formal fashion and waited. A wide smile broke out across her face and you could tell she was trying not to laugh. I smiled too, and a giggle escaped her lips before she could stop it. I laughed too, and before you know it, we were in a full fit of laughter. Taking deep breath of air, Brittney started to talk again.
    "Come on before all the good pizza is taken." Her cheeks were red from laughing and I could only imagine what I looked like. But none the less we walked out into the hallway, joining the throng of traffic into the cafeteria.
    It looks like I was going to fit in after all.