• I didn't know what to say. "Um... well... on who?" I asked. I really shouldn't have. "Raven Harbor!" She shouted. I gasped. Raven Harbor was the meanest, most poplular girl in the school. I tried to read Karrie's mind. Ew, he wouldn't ever like Raven! I love getting unneeded attention by getting sympathy from other people! She thought. I didn't want her to know my secret, but I told her what I heard.

    "Karrie, I'm afraid we can't be friends." I said. Karrie looked hurt. "But why? It really isn't a good time to say that!" She cried. I pulled Karrie over to an empty hallway and lowered my voice. "I read your mind." I whispered. It looked like she didn't believe me. "You were thinking: 'Ew, he wouldn't ever like Raven! I love getting unneeded attention by getting sympathy from other people!'" I said. Karrie gasped.

    "So it's true. My sister does know your secret!" She boasted. After she said it, the Lunch bell rang. "Sorry," she mouthed. I ignored her and I felt my eyes water up. Karrie tried to hug me, but I dodged her and ran to my locker to get my lunch.

    * * *

    I sat at the table alone. A group of guys to the far right of me were laughing and joking around. The two girls next to them looked at them like they loved them. One guy looked my way and whispered something to his friends. They responded something I couldn't make out, and the guy started sliding my way.

    "Hey, why are you alone?" He asked. I looked around. "Are you talking to me?" I replied. He laughed a warm, hearty laugh. "Yeah. You seemed alone. Mind if my posse and I sit by you?" He said, putting his hand on my left cheek. "Well... I don't know..." I murmured. He grinned. "Don't worry. It's only three others," he said. "Sure, why not?" I said. He motioned for the others to come on over. "I'll be right back." He said as he went to grab his tray.

    "So, I'm Joni. What's your name?" I asked as the guy and his friends got settled in. "I'm Eichi-san. Call me Aura-kun." The guy said. I looked confused. "Why? Are you Japanese?" I asked. He laughed along with his friends. "Yeah. In Japan, you call someone their first name and then either san or chan. Or you call them by their last name and add kun." Eichi-san explained. I laughed and tried to hold myself back from hugging him. I thought to myself,

    Am I really falling for him?