Something strange also happens as you get older: life goes on.

My mom got a job and we moved out of my ex-grandmothers and into our own condo that summer. I also stopped hanging out with "the Group".

Mainly I focused on my studies in middle school: the ones I enjoyed. There was a freedom in advancing at your own pace there that was way better than the track system. By the end of ninth grade I had gotten into my Advanced Math class, I got an A+ in Earth Systems, a grade that was unheard of, and I even found pottery enjoyable. I made some friends in pottery class; we sat together at lunch, and I found on the last day of my middle school career that I had a new group. One without a Sally or a scapegoat. One where we were all just ourselves.

The line for the yearbooks is long, but as is tradition, we brave the excited crowds to try to fish as many signatures as we can and then collectively decide the rest of the school day is better spent outside of the building than in. Then we do something I have never done before: we leave the grounds during hours.

Focusing on my studies is nice, but it's much more exciting to venture into the real world for a few hours with friends that I trust.

The unconventional days I had spent back with "the Group" were nothing compared to the freedom of walking out of school bounds with allowance money in pocket and no particular destination in mind. I feel accepted here, and my new friends think nothing of my social awkwardness. Speech isn't a pressure but a free exercise here which I use freely among peers I have common interest with.

The freedom of expectation and lack of drama makes it easier to stave off any coming migraine and the sky is overcast and calming.

Beth and Izzy walk ahead, an inseparable unit as Izzy practically lives at Beth's house because her home life is a little more hectic than ours. With Izzy's five younger siblings to get away from and parents that fight lovingly but endlessly as a result, I don't think Beth minds her taking shelter at her house for days, even weeks, at a time.

Cierra and Annabelle make up the rear, both a little more reckless and maybe a bit more immature than the seasoned young adults that are Beth and Izzy. I don't feel like a fifth wheel but canter between them with never an awkward silence in either unit.

"Ye Olde Burgers or Taco Central?" Beth finally asks when we near our undetermined destination. Beth is tall, tan and blonde where Izzy is short like me with long auburn hair that almost falls past her waist.

There are two fast food places near the school and either would have done, but in the end we decide on Ye Olde Burgers.

As we near the small lobby of the fast food joint of choice, I get into a conversation with Annabelle involving a satire of Santa Clause and Rudolf.

"It seems to me," I say, "that good old Saint Nick, who put coins in orphan's shoes at night, has been turned into a commercial money monger by businesses hoping to sell you cookie dough and wrapping paper with little Santa hats on them."

"Exactly!" Annabelle quips. "And flying reindeer with glowing noses? When did that come into the picture?"

Annabelle is probably my most favorite to banter with, probably due to her dry sense of humor and on account of Beth and Izzy's closeness. Anna is a little bit taller than me with black fluffy hair she doesn't feel the need to straighten, unlike Beth and Izzy. She also celebrates Ramadan, which makes it easier to ponder the absurdities of the modern commercialized West with her.

I try to curl my frizzy ends together with my palm as Anna agrees to check out K-mart with Cierra, and Beth and Izzy get in line. But like I said, I don't mind switching between them.

Beth and Izzy are deep into a conversation about Beth's upcoming birthday.

"Something exciting," Beth is saying. After we get our food and sit down, Izzy and I both agree with Beth that Lagoon is an appropriately exciting vendor of choice and we wander together to find Anna and Cierra after getting our fill of Ye Olde Burgers.

Anna and Cierra are both quickly departing as we enter the K-mart parking lot.

"Lagoon!" Beth announces as soon as we cross paths with them. This is what I love about Beth and the rest of them: no secrets, everyone included by default.

"I wanted to check out the make-up section in K-mart," Izzy complains as we get steered away by Anna and Cierra.

"You don't want to be seen with us in there for a while," Cierra insists, continuing in the opposite direction.

Cierra has short layered hair with black highlights and loves Paramore shirts and the like. I fear she's about to say something about shoplifting as I wearily implore: "why not?"

But Annabelle smiles ruefully and says, "I guess they don't like you test riding the bikes in the store."