"Okay, Maya, you can do this... you're tough enough to do this." Maya stood outside the 5th grade classroom, staring directly at the door. She reached up for the doorknob and turned it, pushing the door open. As she walked in, all eyes turned to look at her.
"Ah yes, our new student!" The teacher walked over to Maya, took her hand, and walked her over to the front of the classroom.
"Everyone, this is our new student, Maya Hart. She transfered her from South River Elementary in Pennsylvania. Please Welcome her to the class," the teacher glanced down at Maya, "You may take that seat in the front."
Maya walked up to her desk, placing her bookbag under the desk and her notebook on top, and calmly sat down. The teacher began instructing the class once more.
"Psst... Psst, hey!"
Maya turned to see a dark haired girl in pigtails smiling at her.
"Whaddya want?" Maya was appalled by how cheering the girl appeared.
"My name's Riley. I've been at this school since Kindergarten. I hope you'll really like it here!" She smiled a big, sun-shiny smile.
Maya sighed and replied, "Thanks."
Before they both knew it, it was lunch time. Maya got her food from the lunch line and was looking for a quiet place to sit, when Riley came bounding over to her, her pigtails flopping up and down like puppy ears.
"Hi there, Maya! Do you wanna sit together?" Riley asked.
Maya really didn't feel like talking to anyone. She wasn't the kind of person who liked making friends...
"Please..." Just then, Riley gave Maya the best puppy dog eyes Maya has ever seen. And Maya fell for it.
"Alright FINE. Just for today I suppose..." Maya replied.
"Yay! Follow me!" Riley bound away across the cafeteria to where her lunch box was already placed. Maya sat her tray down on the table and started eating. Just then, as if out of nowhere, this strange boy appeared.
"Hello, Ladies!"
"Hiya, Farkle, what's u-"
"Hold on," Maya interrupted Riley's question, "You're name... is 'Farkle'? What kind of name is that?"
"I'm not sure. But it suits me pretty well so I like it!" Farkle replied, "Hey... you're that new girl, right? Maya, if I remember correctly."
"Yeah, that's me." Maya answered.
"Nice to meet you!" Farkle smiled.
"Right back at ya." Maya once again replied.
"So Farkle," Riley jumped back into the conversation, "What's up? How's the Science Club going?"
"It's going really well actually. I'm hoping to finally beat Smackle this year!" Farkle's look turned almost sinister as he mentioned Smackle's name.
"Who's Smackle?" Maya asked.
"Only Farkle's main rival for the Science Contest's award!" Riley happily answered. She turned back to Farkle, "I'm sure you'll win this year!"
"Yeah, I hope so. Anyways, I'll let you get back to your lunch. See ya!" Farkle left the girls alone and returned to his table.
The girls finished up lunch and headed back to class. The rest of the day was uneventful, up until the bell rang to signal the end of the day. Maya had started walking out of the classroom when she heard a familiar voice call after her.
"WAIT!" Riley ran after her, "I meant to ask you earlier... but would your mom and dad be okay will you coming over tomorrow? I know this was your first day, but I think it'd be super fun!"
Maya stopped and looked at Riley intently, "I only have a mother. My father left us."
Riley's cheerful face took a serious drop, "Maya... I'm so sorry, I had no idea... I-"
"It's fine. I'd love to come over. I'm sure she'll say yes."
Riley's face brightened up again, "Okay great! I'll see you tomorrow then!" Riley then merrily skipped towards the front door of the school.
For the first time since Maya had arrived, a smile formed across her face. Maybe this wouldn't be so bad.