Broken Glasses

001

It was another one of those fine mornings where the sun would be shining bright and there would be a subtle breeze to make the weather more pleasant. The day spoke positivity. Also, it spoke first day of high school. Keira Streep had just moved from Chicago to New York, and so far, she loved every moment. Sure leaving her friends was a little tough, but then again, she was never close to many, or any, of them. Tightening the laces of her brand new shoes, Keira locked her determined gaze on the school board. 'Park East High School' it said, the school where she'll spend her last year of high school. After half a day of consecutive classes, Keira concluded that she hated French and Physics. Oh well, she was never good at them anyway.

Keira was nice and friendly but slightly introverted. In short, she wouldn't talk to anyone unless not talked to first; a habit, due to which she couldn't make many friends during her first week at her new high school. The first entire week she attended without a single befriended soul. She had spent her break sitting on the rooftop with her food and her book. However, because of her mother's constant nagging and complaints as to how she wasn't trying to fit in, Keira swore that she'd make at least one friend this week. Talking in class was close to vandalism of student rights in her eyes; therefore, she decided to find herself a friend during lunch break. Despite her bustling confidence and self assurance, the moment Keira stepped into the cafeteria with her lunch, she felt lost. There were so many people there, so many students from so many grades. So many new faces she hadn't seen before today. Keira convinced herself that the sudden lack of self esteem was warranted, because really, have you SEEN the clothes they were wearing? Keira wished she had never left the rooftop. She almost passed the double doors but then she halted. This won't do. She wasn't a wimp, she was Keira Streep, and she can do this. Besides, she already promised her mom she'd make a friend by the end of this week. Therefore, with new found courage, Keira marched deeper into the cafeteria.

Standing in the middle of the room, she could see many tables. Many were already full, some were somewhat occupied by cliques she already felt goose bumps looking at, and some were just...there. Perusing her options, Keira's feet itched to walk towards one of the empty tables. It looked tempting. That one table on the corner was hidden behind a pillar, no one could see her if she sat there, she can eat in peace- no. She shook the thoughts out her head. She needs to sit with someone, ANYONE. She looked around desperately, and finally, she saw a table with only one girl. It was at the corner as well, next to an obnoxious poster with the school mascot made on it. The girl seemed fine too. Keira smiled, that was the table she'd be occupying. Finally at the table, Keira called out to get the girl's attention. The girl flinched but relaxed visibly once she saw Keira. Keira smiled.

"If you don't mind, can I sit here?" she asked.

The girl stared at her through her spectacles and Keira noticed the little crack in the left glass. Brows furrowed a little when the unknown girl looked around the cafeteria. Keira looked behind her, was this girl looking for someone?

"Um..." Keira spoke again," so can I?"

The girl looked back at her with eyes that almost looked dubious, "Uh-Sure. Okay."

Keira brightened, "Great!"

She settled on the chair opposite hers and placed her zip-lock bag on the table. Keira brought her hand forward.

"Hi! I'm Keira Streep," she introduced herself. The girl looked taken aback. She looked from her hand, to Keira's face, and then looked around. With reluctance, she brought her hand forward.

"Nice to meet you," was all she said.

Keira tilted her head, "Your name?"

The girl looked at her again, "My name?" She asked again and Keira nodded.