Chapter 16 When Roses Don't Bloom

Carolyn "How was school?" Mrs. Barlow asked as I got back home. I hesitated, wondering what to tell her. "It was fine." I said eventually. "Any new friends yet?" "No." I sighed, thinking of the weirdos at school today—Ryan who wouldn't stop talking to me, Mia who hated me for reasons I didn't know of, Nathan who gave me a weird warning and Gretchen who didn't want to be friends with me to avoid drama. Kids here were as crazy as those back home. She caught my sigh. "Is there a problem?" "No." I shook my head. "I'm just tired." "I thought you were going to come home with a friend." "Not so fast, mum." "Why? Natasha came home with a friend on her first day of school." "Kids are different now, mum." "You don't say." She chuckled. "How was your lunch? Was it not cold by the time you ate it?" It was cold a bit. "No, it wasn't." "You won't have to eat cold meals anymore. Mr. Sanchez told me about the school feeding program while you were having your entrance test. I already p