Slowly I sauntered down the empty white and blue hallway, skipping every four to five steps to miss cracks in the faded brown tiles. Ahead of me I could see the bright sunlight radiating off of the glassed-in trophy case and spilling down onto the worn-mismatched tiles leading to the side door. With renewed energy, I quickened my pace while rounding the corner and throwing open the heavy prison-like door. Freedom!

Suddenly I stopped. There in front of me appeared . . . the New Girl. I was reluctant to move. She sat there with a far-off look on her face like the one I get in Math class. A smile lifted from the corners of her mouth. In my mind, pictures of things that make me smile popped up: circus, little kids, and pure joy.

Quietly, I stepped forward and then tripped over my darn shoe string! Creak! I tumbled forward. Like a frightened mouse, she jumped up and turned around with a wide-eyed expression. I pulled myself up with a cool I most certainly did not feel, nervously smiled at her, and introduced myself.