1-Nora Becker
Welp. I’m screwed.
Okay, that’s not a proper introduction but it’s the truth. My name is Nora Becker and it’s only been my first day in an American high school (or any American school in that case) and I died. The day started normal enough.
I woke up in my newly decorated bedroom, with my alarm piercing through my ears. A groan escapes me as I get up, And begin to start getting ready for my day. I try my best to ignore my thoughts but I can't help but let my mind race. 
All of my life I lived in Berlin but my dad got a new job he couldn't refuse in America so he had to drag me and my mom with him. Not that I minded it that much. It's not like I've never been there, I have relatives that live in America and I know quite a bit of English. And it's not like there was anything or anyone important back in Berlin other than my grandmother. And I don't even know if she liked me that much either. I have never been any good at making connections. I was always too quiet or too afraid to speak up. And even if I did want to talk to anyone no one wanted to talk to me because my teeth were all messed up and crooked.
Now here I am at the start of orientation day for my freshman year at Oakwood Heights. New braces new country new school. I want this to be different. I want to make friends. I want to be someone. Someone people get excited to see. Someone who talks and others listen. My thoughts are interrupted by my mother. “NORA! COME ON YOU’ RE GONNA BE LATE.” I look down and groan again seeing that I was so lost in thought that I put my shirt on inside out. Great start.
My mom's car is cleaned to perfection as always. Not a single thing out of place, not a single crumb in sight. Even being eight months pregnant my moms one of the most powerful people I know. At a red light, she studied my face. “Are you alright meine liebe”? “Yea Mama, ” I bluff. She scoffs. “ No need to lie to me. I'm your mother, I know when you lie.” “I'm not lying,” I muttered.
“Listen,” she starts. “I know this must be scary to you”. So many different changes in so little time. But you’ll get through it. You are so much stronger than you think you think you are.” I smile at her. Even if that's true it can't stop my heart from sinking as we reach the school. It was honestly one of the most impressive buildings I've seen towering over the trees that surround it, But in the moment it just made everything more intimidating. “Good luck,” Mom tells me as she squeezes my hand. I exit the car and take a big breath. This is it. It could either be the start of something great or a never-ending nightmare. I make my way into the building and I put my hand on the door handle. “ Ok,” I whispered “ I can do this” I heard the door creak as I opened it.
I walked around the building until I found the cafeteria. An instant wave of noise washed past me but I ignored it and walked to the Woman in charge an elderly lady with cat eyeglasses. “Excuse Me?” I say my voice barely above a whisper. Her eyes dart toward me. “ Hello young lady” she quipped. “You must be Nora.” I nodded. “I'm Mrs Peeters. We were doing some get-to-know-you worksheets but we were just going to start our tour of the school. Let me take you to your group” She guided me along to the very end of the cafeteria while I was practically jogging behind her. I wonder what my group will be like. A little hopeful part of me even wishes that we could be friends.
The fastest elderly woman I've ever met suddenly stops. “Nora. This is your group.” I stopped and looked at three people who were staring daggers at each other. One girl, who was muttering Spanish under her breath, and Two boys, one with a tired expression and a face that showed he was done with everything and one that with his nonchalant expression I guessed was responsible for this ordeal.
“I'll let you introduce yourself.” Mrs Peeters said not noticing the tenseness in the room. Before I could scream no please don't leave me she was gone, Her fast old lady feet moving again. I turn to face the three strangers whose eyes all face toward me. Oh God. As I said before, I'm screwed.
