The Unexpected Invitation

Sam was definitely nervous. It was his first day at a new school, and lunch was only thirty minutes away. For most people his age, lunch was the best part of the school day. Lunch involved time to talk with your friends, catch up on what everyone one is doing, and, of course, eat. Sam, however, didn’t know anyone. When it came time to go to lunch, he knew he would have no idea where to sit or with whom to sit.

Sam knew he should be used to changing schools by now. His mother was in the military, so his family moved a lot. He had really liked his old school and hated leaving his two best friends. They still talked to each other through texting and emails, but it wasn’t the same as getting to see them every day. He wondered how long they would stay friends. He didn’t want to lose them as friends, but he knew it would be tough to stay close.

“I know this is hard on you,” his mother had said as he got ready for school this morning, “and I’m really sorry you have to keep doing this.” When Sam looked in her eyes, he saw the regret she felt at making the family move yet again, but he didn’t want her to feel that way. She was the one who had things hard, not him. She had been ready to defend not just her family but her country. She never hesitated in her duty to serve others. Sam admired her so much. He hugged her and told her not to worry. He assured her he would be fine.

He had wanted to mean it when he said the words, but there was still always this part of him that worried when they moved.

The lunch period came quickly and, as Sam stood up to walk to the cafeteria, a voice behind him said, “Excuse me.” Sam turned around and realized the red-headed boy was talking to him. He was surrounded by a group of three boys and two girls. One of the girls spoke up, “Would you like to eat lunch with us?”

Sam looked at the faces of each person in the group and could tell they genuinely wanted him to join them for lunch. He smiled and nodded yes. The unexpected invitation was exactly what he needed.