Once there, I took a seat closest to her desk. As I was sitting in my chair, I glanced around the room to see if any changes were made. “Not much has changed around here.” Miss Hardy said. I was surprised she mentioned that. It was if she read my mind. Miss Hardy must had noticed my facial expression, because she began to chuckle a bit. With a heartwarming smile, Miss Hardy gave me a toasted bagel with cream cheese on the side. Although it looked delicious, I just couldn’t bring myself to take a bite. For some reason my appetite had left me. “Would you like some orange juice?” Miss Hardy offered.

“No thank you.” I replied. Miss Hardy looked somewhat disappointed, but she still managed to keep her smile. After a while I began to feel rude for accepting her offer and wasn’t even eating. So I picked up my bagel, and forced myself to take a bite.

“Now Sophia you don’t have to force yourself.” Once more Miss Hardy had gotten inside my head. I guess it wasn’t too hard to figure out what was on my mind. My actions spoke for me. “Sophia.” Miss Hardy said. “Are you still thinking about what happen between you and Emily?” I didn’t say anything, I just turned my vision elsewhere. “You can’t let people like Emily get you down baby girl. Because if you do, then you’ll just be letting them win.”

“I know.” I said, but I didn’t bother to make eye contact. I just kept looking down at the floor. It wasn’t the scene I had with Emily that was making me feel sad. It was my own thoughts. How could I believe that I would actually make friends? School has always been the same for me. Every year the other kids would pick on me, steal my animal crackers, and call me crybaby. And if it wasn’t for some magical powers, or Miss Hardy saving me. This year would have been no different.

Soon I felt the warmth of my tears starting to flood my eyes. I didn’t want to cry, but I just couldn’t help myself. “Miss Hardy.” I said. “I’m never going to make any friends aren’t I?” Miss Hardy than exchanged her smile for a concerning look.

“Now why would you say a thing like that?” She questioned me while pouring herself a cup of orange juice.

“Because I thought this year could be different. My mommy said I would make some friends this year. All I had to do was just believe, and put forth the effort. And I did believe her, but with me getting into trouble with Emily, makes me think otherwise.” I tried my hardest to hold back my tears, but it was hopeless. My tears just forced their way out. I knew Miss Hardy was probably tired of me crying all the time, and she probably wanted me to just leave her alone. But to my surprise she just chuckled.

“Sophia, what time is it?” Miss Hardy asked. I then left my head and started looking around the room for a clock, but I couldn’t find one anywhere. “It’s eight thirty-five. School hasn’t even started yet, and you’re already thinking about giving up?”

“But Miss Hardy. Emily is already picking on me, and if she hasn’t changed why should I believe anyone else did? They’re just going to call me crybaby just like last year. So why should I even try? Nothing’s changed.” Miss Hardy just observed me for the moment. Then a smile came across her face.

“Because you have changed.” Miss Hardy said. I paused my tears, and began to stare at her with a blank expression. How had I changed? How was I any different? I mean sure my clothes and hair style has changed. And I believed I might had grown a few inches, but with everything so much bigger than me it was hard to tell. But besides all that, I’m sure I was just plain, old, normal, simple Sophia. “Don’t you remember? Last year you wouldn’t have dared to speak with me like this. You always kept to yourself, and I believe you cried more often than a new born baby.”

“Hey! I didn’t cry that often!” I said in my defense, but Miss Hardy just laughed. I guess she was finding it funny that I was getting worked up over it. Personally I didn’t think it was that funny, but I still couldn’t help myself from laughing anyways. In that moment Miss Hardy stopped laughing, and made a serious face.

“You see Sophia? Just look at yourself. Child I never, not even once, have I ever heard you laugh. I may not be able to put my finger on it, but you’re definitely an entire new person. Baby girl, I believe you can change the world.”

Miss Hardy was making me blush. Maybe she was right. I had changed, and not just on the outside but the inside too. I had confidence, determination, and the heart to believe that I was going to make some friends. It might not be today or tomorrow, but sometime soon I was going to at least make one friend this year; that was a promise to me.

Miss Hardy must had notice the smile that came across my face, because she gave one in return. “Here you go dear.” Miss Hardy said while handing me a cup filled with orange juice. Now that I wasn’t filling down in the dumps. My apatite had return, and it felt as if I hadn’t eaten in weeks.

“Thank you.” I gladly accepted it this time. As I took my first sips, my mouth watered from the sweet tangy taste that came from the orange juice. Judging by the flavor and the water down sugary feel. I could easily tell it was the cheap off brand that I wasn’t use too. I didn’t mind though, in fact I rather liked it. After I got done with my juice. I went straight for my bagel. As I scooped up the perfect amount of cream cheese, I easily spread it across my bagel. Just as I was getting ready to take the first bite. I noticed Miss Hardy was staring and giggling at me. I felt somewhat embarrassed, but I still continued to eat anyways. I guess she was happy that I was starting to enjoy her breakfast now.

“So how is your Mother and Father?” Miss Hardy asked after taking a bite out of her own bagel. Though my mouth was still full from my first bite. I still managed to muffle out my words.

“Oh, their doing fine.” Once I finally swallowed my food, I continued on with what I had to say. “Although Mommy misses Daddy a lot. In fact, we all miss him.”

“Yes, that’s right. Doesn’t your father do genetic engineering?” To be honest I wasn’t really sure what my father did actually. But I did know he always was working very hard overseas, and that made him very busy to where we couldn’t hardly see him; but I didn’t it mind too much. It just made our time with him that more special.

“Yes, I think so.” I replied unsure. For some reason Miss Hardy was starting to feel a bit uncomfortable with the topic, so she immediately changed the subject.

“I hear you have a younger sister. You never told me that.” Miss Hardy said while pretending to be upset with me. I thought of her changing the subject like that to be pretty fishy, but my heart lite up at the chance to talk about my younger sister.

“Her name is Ginger! She’s eight years old, and she will be starting second grade this year! Although she is very sick right now, so I don’t know when she will be well enough to attend. But I can’t wait to start showing her around, helping her with homework, picking out her clothes, and even packing her lunch.”

“Oh my.” Miss Hardy said while laughing. I knew my sudden outburst was out of character, but I couldn’t help it. I always got so excited when talking about Ginger. I was very proud of her, and loved her with all my Heart. “She’s a very lucky girl to have an older sister like you.”

“I know you’ll like her Miss Hardy.” I tried to calm down, but it really wasn’t working.

“I’m sure I would.” Just as I was about to tell Miss Hardy more about Ginger. I was out of time, and the first bell had rung. “Oh, is it that time already? Well Sophia it’s been a pleasure.” I was a little disappointed that we couldn’t talk more, but I knew I had to get going, and Miss Hardy seemed pretty busy; so I didn’t want to take up anymore of her time.

“Thank you for everything Miss Hardy.” I said while gathering my things.

“My door is always open for you Sophia. Come by anytime.” Miss Hardy gave me one last wave goodbye, and with a smile and a heartfelt cheer, I did the same.