Lunch time. Pray time.

I wave to Mavis (who I'm pretty sure is going to be a good friend to me) and try to fade into the crowd as I make my way to my locker. It doesn't work. All the kids I pass turn their heads in shock. I head a few people whisper  "hijabi?" under their breath. I get to my locker, empty my books, get my new books and lunch box, and snatch my mat and slip it into the main pouch of my backpack. There.

I head towards the girls bathroom. It's early on in the period, so not many kids should be there. I survive the trek to the bathroom and walk into a completely empty room. Thank you, Allah.

I go into the handicapped stall, the biggest, and lay my mat down. I kneel.

---

I enter the cafeteria a few minutes late. All eyes on me. I look down at where my hijab meets my sweater. Don't make eye contact. I find a table where Mavis is sitting. There's also a group of girls there. Tons of girls. Mavis is so nice, she must have lots of friends.

I walk over. "Sana!" She calls to me, and motions for me to come over. Relief floods me as I slip into the seat beside her. The group of girls stops chatting. "Janette," one of them begins in an expecting tone. "Hijabi," she addresses me. I haven't had this girl in any of my classes. She's really beautiful, with skin even more in richness and color than mine. "Okay, so we deal with poor girl over here, but to have the Muslim and poor at the same table... uh, maybe you guys could leave?" I stare at her. Did she actually just say that? And Mavis... I examine her clothes and backpack for the first time. How did I not see this? She clearly has an economic situation.

Mavis grabs her lunch Tay and stands up, "Come on, Sana." Wait?! Is Mavis just letting her do that?! "No." I respond. "Janette." I think that's her name. "Mavis has more kindness at age 12 then you'll ever have in your life. So, next time why don't you--"

"Sana?" Mavis whispers. I turn to face her. "Can we just go?" She pleads with her expression.

What did I just do? No. This is bad. They'll bully us forever. I lean in towards Mavis, "Sorry. Yes."

We cross the cafeteria to an empty table. People keep staring at us.

"Mavis," I say once we sit down, "I'm sorry. I just got mad, but now they'll bully us forever." She shrugs and twirls the straw in her lemonade. "They already tease me, Sana." She sighs and fixes her gaze on the table, slumping one shoulder to the side and resting on her elbow. She's aggravated.

"You think I'm homeless, don't you?"

I was shocked by what she just said... partly because it was truthful.

"No." I say too quickly. She looks up at me. "Don't lie, you're not very good at it." I'm certain my cheeks turn red, "Mavis, I-- yes." I admit. "Well then you'd be right." She grabs her backpack just as the bell rings. "Mavis!" I call as she jumps up immediately. She's just one with the crowd, impossible to pinpoint. I pick up both our lunch trays and throw out the garbage. I'm Muslim, she's poor. How... convenient?