(Let's fast forward to periods later)

"Ding dong ding dong, ding dong ding dong." What sounded like a church bell echoed from the speakers, signalling the end of the fourth period. "And that's all for today!" Our English teacher, Mrs Wilson (who also lead us to the hall for orientation earlier) ended, a smile on her wrinkled face. "Class dismissed!" 

Excitement filled the room as we grabbed our wallets, some grabbing their lunch boxes, ready to burst out the hallway. 

"Please follow the seniors outside. " Mrs Wilson instructed, gesturing to a group of taller students outside. "They'll take and guide you in the canteen." 

"Hello first years!" One of the seniors, A beautiful girl in a white dress with hair in a braid like mine, but adorned with ribbons, greeted with a bright smile , her vibes radiating confidence. 

"Hello are you Diamond Walker?" Another, with beautiful blonde curls and pale skin in a trendy orange summer dress asked diamond. " "Of course!" Diamond responded, smiling and tossing her wavy blonde hair.  "I saw you  earlier today, and you look stunning !"  She complimented. "Oh thank you!" Diamond responded. 

"I'm Stacey. And I'm one of the popular students." The senior introduced herself. " Can I show you and your friends around? I can tell you three are going to be very popular!" 

"Of course! " Diamond replied with a flick of her hair , her voice dripping with self assurance before turning to me. "Tata Alex! See ya!" She waved dismissively before she and her friends strutted off with the popular seniors. 

Meanwhile, Lily and I, along with other nerdy classmates , were lead down the hallway by a group of nerd seniors, their faces though unattractive and full of acne,  displayed eagerness to show the canteen's secrets.

"Alright guys. You need to know this. " One of them explained when we reached, adjusting his round , black glasses as he gestured dramatically. 

"Where you sit is essential to what clique you're in." He pointed to a long, red table filled with vibrant, stylish teens laughing and socialising. I noticed one doing her manicure using light pink nail polish with glitter and another adding blood red lip gloss to her lips, in front of a mini makeup mirror. "That's the popular table," he said. I couldn't help but noticed all attention at the table turned to diamond  and her friends when they arrived with their food. 

"On your right, " the senior continued, pointing with the flair, "is the geek table. " I glanced over to see a group of students huddled together, animatedly discussing a video game. Their enthusiasm was infectious, but I felt a pang of awkwardness knowing it could be us. 

"And over there, " he said hesitantly. "Is ... Urm... The outcasts. " He pointed to a small, round table , contrasting the long red ones, with five unattractive teenagers sitting around, plain clothes covering their bodies. Their heads down, facing their food, gloom expressions on their faces, their demeanor closed off.  They looked like they were trying to fade into the background. Contrasting the lively scene at the popular table. 

As I stared at the outcast table, I noticed a group of tall jocks , about 5'9 in height, presumably our seniors,  approaching the direction of a table. Chatting energetically. One whispered something to the others, a mischievous and cruel smug on his face before swaggering to that table, tripping an unattractive blonde girl in a black hoodie making a beeline for the table, her tray of what appeared to be spaghetti and meatballs with a side of salad in a small white bowl, flying in the air before landing on the floor with a. "splat!" 

"Oops! Sorry! I didn't see where I was going, but that's what happens when you're an outcast!" He apologised Insincerely, sarcasm dripping from his tone.  Before turning to his friends, giving him  high fives and patting him on the back. "nice move, bro!" One praised " That was wild!" Another added before they walked off, giving her a mocking wave.  

My eyebrows arched and my lips formed a snarl. Paired with an unpleasant nostalgia of memories of my own experiences with Diamond , who fates seem to write her as future queen bee and miss popular, flooding back, of her snickering while i grew under her shadow. 

"Right! And There's our table! " The senior suddenly said, interrupting my thoughts. Pointing to A group of seniors mixed with some fellow first years, majority wearing glasses, all seated with textbooks open and engaging in a serious conversation about projects. 

"That sounds interesting!" Lily exclaimed. 

After a brief explanation of the cafeteria menu, today being spaghetti with meatballs or pizza ,  with a side of salad or fruit, giving a first day of school vibes. 

We headed towards the food line. With our trays piled high, Lily and I searched for a place to sit with our fellow freshmen, a mix of nervousness and excitement surging our veins. 

We spotted some empty spots at the middle of the nerd table. 

"Excuse me, is anyone sitting here?" I asked politely. 

"No. Go ahead. " Came The response. 

Wow. No one has ever been kind to me except Lily and Mrs miller... Until now!  

"Thank you. " I replied. Turning to lily, "let's sit down!" 

As we settled in, the atmosphere felt immediately more welcoming than the chaos swirling at the popular table. 

"Wow. What a first day. " I muttered , glancing at Lily and then around at our new peers. A glimmer of hope shone in my heart. Maybe this wasn't going to be so bad after all. Or would it?