Chosen by Sarah Swan

heard of kids wanting to go to Harvard, but never of anyone who’s had relatives who went there.”
    “Yeah,” I said.  This wasn’t really what I wanted to talk about, and looked for a way to change the course of conversation.  Luckily, just then I saw my way out.  At the other end of the cafeteria, I noticed Chris standing alone, glaring at our table.  We made eye contact briefly, and immediately he turned away.
    “Excuse me for a second,” I said, pushing myself up from the table quickly, “I just saw a friend…”
    I walked around the table, keeping my eyes on Chris’s dark hoody as he stalked away.  Suddenly, a hand on my upper arm stopped me in my tracks.  I looked over, and saw Liz holding me.
    “Is your friend Chris ?” she asked, pulling me back.  She put a shocking amount of vehemence in the name.
    “Yes,” I answered quickly.  He was quickly getting away, and I was afraid I’d lose him in the crowd.  “How’d you know?” 
    She made a face.  “Oh Tracy, you don’t want to be seen talking to him ,” she said in disgust.
    “What?  Why?” I asked, confused.
    “Trust me on this one.  You’re new here.  So, I’ll give you a pass this time, but just between us…” she moved closer to whisper in my ear, “…he’s not somebody you want to be associated with.  Ever!”
    “What are you talking about…?” I began, trying to pull away.  I wanted to make my own decisions about my friends, not be told by someone I just met – and barely knew! – who I could talk to.  I looked back at Chris.  But, he was already lost in the crowd.  Why had he run away like that?  I turned back to the table.
    “Good choice,” Liz said.  “You’ll fit in with us in no time.”

Chapter Seven – A New Meeting
     
    “Who was your friend?” Madison asked as I sat down.  I started to answer, but Liz gave me such a strong look that I had to change what I was going to say.
    “Nobody,” I admitted, shaking my head.  “I thought I saw someone I knew, but I was mistaken.”
    “Oh,” Madison said.  Liz gave me a tight, approving smile.  I didn’t like the way she seemed to think I needed her approval.  But, at the same time, I knew that I had to tread carefully if I wanted to become part of her circle of friends.  Whether I really wanted that or not, I wasn’t sure yet.  I didn’t want to preclude myself from the possibility by a few rash, ill thought out decisions.
    “Oh my god, Liz! Look who it is!” Eve exclaimed excitedly.  Too excitedly.  She pointed with one finger to a crowd of kids behind Liz, who spun around in her chair quickly.
    “No, no! Don’t look! ” Eve warned her quickly, and Liz turned back.  “It’s R-O-B ,” she mouthed.
    “Oh!” Liz exclaimed.  For the first time since I’ve known her, she looked flustered.  Instinctively, she started stroking a hand through her hair.  “How do I look?” she asked eagerly, and with a touch of anxiety.  “How’s my hair?  My makeup?  Oh my god, I haven’t seen him since last year!” she gushed.
    “Liz,” Madison said reassuringly, taking her hand, “you look fine .  Just take a deep breath, and try to stay calm.”
    “Calm.  Right.  Calm.  Oh my god!  Do you think he saw me?”
    “Why else would he be coming over?” Zoe said with that twinkle in her eye.  Liz snuck a peek back, squawked, and jumped back around.
    All the while, I was trying to figure out just who the girls were so excited about.  There were other guys everywhere.  I couldn’t pick anyone out who seemed to be walking toward us.  Somebody named Rob?  I frowned.  There were literally hundreds of guys all around us, and at least the same number of girls.  The cafeteria was large.  But the influx of students for breakfast had it filled completely to the brim.
    “Liz,” a strong voice said.  It took me a second to find its owner.  But when I did, I could see why the girls were so excited.
    Standing at the side of the