Blue had experienced high school before. But he had never experienced new school. Not knowing where anything is, not knowing who anyone was, that was all new. And frustrating.

He just managed to avoid being late to any classes by getting directions to where he needed to go from other students, some more willing then others.

By the time it was lunchtime, he felt exhausted. He had no idea where Luna was and he hadn't made any friends. Blue walked into the cafeteria, carrying a paper bag with his lunch in it. The room was loud and crowded. He looked around for a free table and noticed a table with only one other person sitting at it. He made his way towards the table, and stood in front of it. "Mind if I sit here?"

The student had been reading and the sound of his voice must've startled her. "Oh! No I don't mind." She said, looking up at him. Blue sat down and met the girl's gaze. She had dark skin and dark curly hair and big gold glasses on her nose. Blue thought they looked pretty on her.

"What's your name?" She asked curiously.

"Blue." He answered simply.

"You sure are!" She laughed, looking at his blue shirt, jeans, and eyes. "Oops, sorry. I hope you don't get that often." She quickly apologized.

Blue didn't mind at all. Her laugh felt as warm as sunshine.

"I'm Cricket." She continued. "Are you new? I don't think I've ever seen you here."

"Yeah, I just moved here actually."

"Really?" Her voice was full of interest. "Where did you live before?"

"In a neighboring city. What are you reading?"

Again, Cricket seemed surprised at what Blue had said. "Oh, this?" She held up a thick book with a hard green cover. "This is just some light reading. I found it in the library and I can't put it down! It's called World of Fantasies. It's about a fairy tale dimension!"

"Wow." Blue didn't think he'd read anything that sounded that in years.

Cricket kept chatting about the plot and characters, but Blue didn't get many details. He was admiring how happy Cricket seemed to look when she talked about something she enjoyed. The way her eyes sparkled, the way she waved her hands around to express something, or the way her voice sounded like there was a laugh hiding behind it.

Eventually, she stopped and gave him a curious smile. "What are you smiling at?"

Blue blinked, startled, then smiled. "You just look so happy when you're talking about books."

Cricket smiled for a brief second, then furrowed her brow. "Oh dear, was I rambling? If I'm talking too much you can just tell me to shut up, I'll understand-"

"No, no! Not at all! I like how you talk." Blue said hurriedly.

Cricket laughed her sunshine laugh again. "I think you are the only person who has ever said that to me! It's usually, 'Will you please be quiet, Cricket?' Or, 'Are you having trouble with your mouth, Cricket? It seems to be leaking.'"

Now it was Blue's turn to laugh. "I don't think anyone would say that if they actually listened to what you were saying, it sounds fascinating."

She laughed again as the end of lunch bell rang and students started filing out of the room. Blue and Cricket started clearing their table and she held her hand out. Blue took it awkwardly and shook her hand, it was warm and she had a pleasantly firm grip. "Till we meet again." Cricket said officially. She waved over her shoulder and disappeared in the crowd.

Blue watched her leave, then turned back to the table, the memory of Cricket lingering in his mind, until he noticed that he had forgotten to eat his lunch.