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I liked doing that. I liked helping someone, especially the people I loved.

And there weren’t a lot of people I loved, just my mom, dad, and my brother. But I hoped one day, I would love lots of people and that lots of people would love me.

For the last part, Mom and Dad joined us for a complete family picture. I knew by the end of this weekend the picture would be hanging on top of our fireplace in a pretty frame. Because it was our family tradition every school year.

“Katy, Matt, we need to go now.” Mom rushed us out the door, her shoulders tensed as she locked the door behind us.

Dad, however, had a smile playing on his lips while he whispered to his wife, “Calm down, honey. We still have plenty of time.”

“I know, George, I just don’t want them to be late on their first day of school,” Mom replied, her pale green eyes, the same color as mine and my brother’s, shined with nervousness.

Matty and I were not nervous though, because this was a daily occurrence for us. Mom always panicked before school for some reason even though we always made it on time.

Dad reassured her once again before settling us both in the back seat and driving off to school. Matty and I spent the entire car ride looking out the window quietly while Mom and Dad spoke about their job. They were both civil workers at the office in the town square and were always super busy all the time, so Matty and I were used to their conversation, which we understood nothing about.

“Be careful, both of you.” Mom hugged us both tightly, kissing the tops of our heads. “And take care of each other.”

“Okay,” we both mumbled as we waved goodbye to a beaming Dad and hurried off to school.

My heart felt like it was galloping to my throat as we reached the entrance. I swallowed as my fingers twirled around the lace of my dress.

I prayed I would make my first friend today.

“Bye, K,” Matty muttered, nodding to me as he left for his class.

I waved at his disappearing back, hating the fact that we were in separate classes. He was the only friend I ever had in school, my protective blanket, and without him, I had no clue what to do.

But Mom said I was a big girl now, and making friends was easy. She said I just had to be myself and people would love me.

You just have to be yourself, Katy.

I took a deep breath and entered my class.

My eyes dragged over the filled seats in my classroom. Some were new faces, while the others were familiar faces from last year.

My lips tugged into a small smile as I walked to the lone empty seat by the window, but no one seemed to spare me a glance, and that deflated some of my hope.

Everyone already had someone to talk to and were all busy chatting among their groups.

Was I too late?

Just as I settled into my seat, a pretty girl whom I’d never seen before entered the class and when she smiled, the entire class smiled back at her and some even nodded at her like they knew her from before.

Why did they all smile at her and not me? Was there something wrong with me? Or was I doing it all wrong?

My eyes followed her as she took the seat in front of me, her raven hair bouncing like coils of spring and her blue eyes wide as she blinked at everyone. She was my height, wearing a pretty dress similar to mine—only hers fit more gracefully over herthin frame, while mine curved around my bulging belly and my round arms.

Yes, I was a bit chubbier than the girls my age, but Mom and Dad said I looked adorable, and they said not every person looked the same and that everyone was beautiful no matter their size.

I did agree. Everyone was beautiful in their own way.

And I think I did look cute. I had thick, shiny blond hair, glowing skin, and big round eyes.

Soon, everyone in our class crowded around the new girl, asking her so many questions. I leaned in, trying to be a part of the conversation, but everyone spoke above me, and they all treated me like I was invisible, so I cowered back into my seat.

Why won’t anyone talk to me?

They all scurried away when our homeroom teacher, Ms. Rachel, came in greeting everyone with a warm smile and a cheery good morning.