Aliyah
Standing there with my tray in hand, I tried to maintain my mask of confidence, praying no one could see the sweat no doubt pouring from my armpits. I imagined this to be the worst part, lunch break cliques. Who you sat with, determined your status within the school and the people before me gave me no doubt Carter sat with the elites.
“Everyone, I’d like to introduce Lia,” Carter announced to the table and it was like watching everything in slow motion.
Immediately all conversation stopped, and eight sets of eyes were turned on me. Their displeasure evident as they looked me up and down, but as though I’d just imagined it, it was gone and replaced by welcome calls and smiles from the group. Except I know I hadn’t imagined it, the distrust, the competitive flashes I saw. I’d seen
