On my way out, Kathy stopped me and I was sure she’d tell me about my socks—as if I didn’t know. But that is not what she did.

Instead, she said, “Tomorrow is a half-day. After class a bunch of us are going to my house to eat lunch and party.” She paused and looked straight to my eyes. “Do you understand what I’m saying?”

Of course, I did!

I just nodded to show that I understood.

“I hope you can come,” she said.

I knew the answer. No, thank you. I just smiled and ran to the bathroom where I took off all of my socks, thinking that I’d rather be cold than look like an alien.

Lunch break wasn’t much fun either.

When I went to the Latino table, Sergio was talking about salsa.

“I bet you’re a good dancer,” he said.

“I’m not,” I answered. “I don’t even know how to dance.”

“You’re Puerto Rican and you don’t know how to dance!” That was Norma.

“Exactly,” I said, louder than I had to, because I was feeling as if I didn’t fit in with this group either.

If I only dared to go to Kathy’s party—but what would I do there, just sit and watch? If only she would invite my Latino friends, but they were not in my algebra class.

Critical Viewing: Character How does the girl in this image represent Cristina?

Girl in a Shawl, 1910, Isidro Nonell. Oil on canvas.