Dark Blue: Color Me Lonely with Bonus Content (23 page)

Then a tall guy named Ethan Daniels looks over my shoulder. “Hey, you’re in calculus with me.”

“And if you need any help, Ethan’s your man,” Isabella says. Then she introduces me to a guy I swear looks just like Jude Law. “This is Jayden Hammaker.”

Jayden points to the schedule still in my hand. “It looks like we have resource together.”

“What is that anyway?” I ask.

“Your free period,” Isabella says.

“You have to check in,” Jayden informs me, “but then you can go to the library or whatever.”

“Right.” I nod like none of this is the slightest bit overwhelming to me . . . like this is totally normal . . . like I am used to fitting in. But am I in shock? Maybe some kind of culture shock? I remember reading about this once. But something about being received like this, feeling genuinely welcomed by kids I’ve never even met before . . . well, it’s all pretty weird. But also cool. And I like it.

As I ride the transit home, I feel strangely hopeful. Like all the things I’ve been imagining for the upcoming year are really going to come true . . . like this is going to be a life-changing year, after all. And so far, my mom seems happy with her new life, too. It’s only been a little more than three weeks, and although some of her earlier enthusiasm has worn off, she’s still talking positively about her job. So, really, why should I be worried?