Over the next few weeks, I slowly began to find my footing at school. I joined the debate team, started attending club meetings, and even landed a part-time job at the local coffee shop. Emily and I became fast friends, studying together for exams, sharing laughs during lunch, and exploring the town on weekends.
But despite my growing confidence, I couldn't shake the feeling that I didn't quite fit in. The popular kids seemed to have their own clique, and the athletes had their own team. I felt like I was floating between different social circles, never quite belonging to any one group.