Diego held his lunch tray and looked around the cafeteria. Every table was full of kids laughing, talking, and trading snacks. He had only been at Lincoln Elementary for two days. He still didn't know anyone.

He spotted an empty seat at the end of a long table. A girl with bright yellow shoes was sitting two seats down. Diego sat down, careful not to bump her tray. He opened his milk and stared at his sandwich.

"Hi," the girl said. "Are you new?"

Diego nodded. "I just moved here from Texas. My name is Diego."

"I'm Camila. I'm in Mrs. Lee's class. Want to sit with us tomorrow? We have a whole table." She pointed to a corner of the cafeteria where four other kids were waving at her.

Diego looked over. They were smiling. One of them held up a peace sign. He felt the tight knot in his stomach loosen a little.

"Yeah," he said. "I'd like that."

When Diego got home that afternoon, his mom asked how school was going. He thought about it for a second.

"Better," he said. "Way better than yesterday."