Teenage Relocation Tales

Yesterday, something happened. Like something good happened! At lunch, one of the boys from my class asked if I wanted to join their weekend soccer game. I almost said no, because I’ve gotten used to being invited but pushed to the sidelines. But I wanted to go. This was the first invitation I have gotten since moving here.

Today, when I ran across the field, everything felt easier. No one cared that I said my words differently because of my accent, or that my shoes were a bit older and stuffier than theirs. Instead they shouted my name, when I kicked the ball and when I was open they kicked to me! For the first time since we moved, I didn’t feel like the new kid trying to fit in. I was just there.

It wasn’t like everything suddenly got better. I still walk into school alone, sometimes they now invite me to eat with them and they now wave at me in the hall when passing by. It has made me think that maybe I don’t have to change myself to belong somewhere.