Hugs for Teens Stories, Sayings, And Scriptures to Encourage And Inspire

Chapter One First Day Theresa had always lookedforward to the first day of school, but this year was different. Due to herfather's recent job change, she and her family had moved across the country to anew town and a new neighborhood. They had barely had a chance to meet the peoplenext-door. It was hard enough to leave the friends she'd known for thirteenyears, but right before school started? Did her parents really expect her toadjust? She didn't even want to get out of bed. Getting up meantgoing to school, and that meant groups and cliques that were already wellestablished -- and that she wasn't a part of. She didn't know a soul. She had nofriends. Who would she talk to? Who would she hang out with? The thought ofwalking through the halls and not seeing any familiar faces terrified her. Maybeshe could be sick. No, her parents would see right through that one, and she'dstill have to face her first day at a new school sometime. It might as well betoday. While trying to decide what to wear, Theresa caught a glimpseof herself in the mirror. Of course, today would have to be a bad hair day. Thisday is not starting out well, she thought to herself. But on with theinevitable. After a quick breakfast, she grabbed her things and headed down thestreet to the corner where the bus would pick her up. In the distance, she could see three girls laughing aboutsomething. As Theresa got closer, the girls shot a brief look her way and thencontinued on with their conversation. Finally the bus arrived. Theresa steppedon and sat alone. The ride was bumpy, and it seemed like an eternity until thebus pulled up in front of the school. Theresa climbed off the bus with no idea where to go. Shetried to blend in as best she could and followed the other kids inside. Her oldschool was much smaller. This one was a sea of lockers. How would she everfigure out where hers was? After quite a lengthy search, she found it -- number454. She dropped off some of her things and began the trek down the long hallwayto first period, trying desperately not to bump into anyone. She had made it through the first three or so hours. Theclasses weren't so bad. She could simply find a desk and sit there. The teacherspretty much just went over class rules and grading policies -- no serious learningwas expected the first day. But now it was lunchtime, and the question of whereto eat was looming large. The groups would form quickly, as friends were eagerto catch up with one another after a long summer. Theresa was keenly aware ofthe fact that she had no one to catch up with -- no one to sit with at all. Shewondered if she had ever reached out to any of the new students where she usedto go to school. Now she was the new kid, and it was harder than she had everimagined. She found a place alone in the corner and sat down with herlunch. Just as she started to eat, she saw three girls approaching. They werethe girls from the bus stop."Do you mind if we join you?" said the one in front.Mind? Please was more like it. "Not at all," Theresa replied."This is usually where we sit for lunch, and we just thought that since we sawyou at the bus stop this morning and since you are sitting here now, it must befate or something," said another. "Maybe we're supposed to be friends.""How's your first day?" said the third, a redhead."OK, I guess," Theresa replied. "We just moved here three days ago.""Where are you from?""Tennessee, born and raised.""My family moved here from MiKrippayne, Scott is the author of 'Hugs for Teens Stories, Sayings, And Scriptures to Encourage And Inspire' with ISBN 9781416533504 and ISBN 1416533508.