The New Girl

Chapter 3: Connections

"THERE'S AN AZURA BOOK CLUB HERE?!" I shouted at Willow and Gus, as they slowly backed away from my sudden eagerness. "Sorry..but seriously, there is???"

"Yeah, although it isn't an official club from the school. A student here made it at some point last year." Gus shrugged his shoulders as he walked forwards. "We don't know who made it, or who else is in it."

"Oh well you can bet your ass I'm about to sign up for that immediately! Where can I do that?" Willow stepped forwards in front of Gus.

"The main office has sign up sheets for all the clubs. You can go down now as we pass to the next class." I blankly just stared at Willow until she realized. "Oh right. You're new here. Here, I'll walk with you there. Once you get to know Hexside, traversing these halls will be easy."

"Well, the rest of us are gonna go to our separate classes now, we'll see you soon Luz. It was fun talking to you!" The rest of the group waved goodbye as they disappeared within the sea of kids. I stuck close to Willow as we progressed forwards, but there were many times where I almost lost her within the halls. She's a fast walker I must say.

"So Willow...you joined this school last year with everyone else right?" She nodded her head. "What was your first year like? You know...what were the people like?" Willow slowed down and walked at my pace.

"It was honestly simple. I mean, we were all new obviously. Freshman year for the most part goes by easy for everyone. Some people came here with their friends from middle school...like Boscha." I sensed a bit of aggravation when Willow said her name, but she quickly brushed that off before I could question it.

"I came here alone. No one from my old school chose to come here. That didn't stop me though from looking for new people to talk to."

I thought about the reason why I came here in the first place. I didn't even have friends. I was always alone. How am I suppose to be confident when I never had the encouragement in the first place.

Willow saw the look I had, and she patted my shoulder, a gesture that was alien to me.

"It's gonna be okay Luz. You're already doing good for the most part. You made four new friends today, and a potential fifth. Just keep being yourself, and ignore all the people who will put you down." My mind flashed Boscha in front of me, and I felt my blood run cold immediately.

"Yeah, I'll try..." I had a thought for a moment. I was considering something. I wanted to say something, to get something off my chest to my new friend next to me, but I was scared. My mind was fighting itself with this decision, but before I felt myself back down, I opened my mouth.

"Hey Willow, can I...tell you something..?" I immediately felt my gut churn with anxiety, and the twitching in my fingers were coming in. She looked over at me with a smile and nodded.

"Yeah go ahead! You can tell me anything."

I took a deep breath.

"Well...you had friends...at your old school.....but I didn't..." I looked away from Willow, l didn't want to see the judging face she would have by now. "That's why I came here in the first place....I was a loser...I still feel like I am..."

I heard Willow sigh, and patted my shoulder once again.

"You weren't alone with that Luz...lemme tell you something. I was quite the loner too." I shot my direction to her and gave a surprised look. How could no one like her? From what I know, she's a sweet girl who's really nice.