Atticus Finch said "You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view - until you climb into his skin and walk around in it." I’m sitting at the lunch table in the hot cafeteria, and there are only a few people at the big table. I look across the cafeteria and there’s a girl sitting alone. She keeps to herself, meticulously opening her yogurt. I ask myself if I should ask her to sit with me. I’m new here. I know how scary it is to come into the Union and be afraid I won’t have anyone to sit with, I don’t want to be like her. She does seem okay with it, though. I wonder if the other people at my table will care if I invite her over, after all I’ve only just met them and I don't want them to be annoyed with me or think poorly of me.

I consult them. “Should I invite that freshman over there to sit with us? She looks really lonely.”

The pretty Mexican girl at my table glances over at her. “Actually she’s a junior.” Oops. I remember now that she’s in my writing class and speaks kind of nervously when she raises her hand. “I’ve asked her before,” she continues, “She always says no. I think she likes sitting alone, she’s just kind of like that.”

I pause, staring into her beautiful complexion and eyes. I can tell she’s telling the truth. Everyone here at this new school is so nice. I think about just trusting the past facts, the rumors. After all, no one wants to run the risk of failing or having others thinking they're less cool.

“Well, I’ll just go see and give it a try.” She doesn’t seem to mind, so I walk over towards the girl alone. As I approach, she’s looking down and I can tell she doesn’t expect to be approached.

“Hey! Do you want to come sit with us?” I ask.

“Oh no, I really don’t want to be a bother--” She says as if she’s been offered a ride and I'll be late for something important.

“Are you kidding? It won’t be a bother at all. I’m new here, I transferred this last year, and I know how it is to come into the Union and not really have anyone to sit with, and it’s scary.”

“I always feel like such an inconvenience!” She gushes.

“No way, if you’re an inconvenience, I’m an inconvenience. I just met these people, and they’re super nice! One of them is in my homeroom.”

“Well, I suppose so, then!” She gives me a little frantic smile.

I’d like to think if I didn’t at least change this girl’s self esteem and future life, I still changed her day. Thirty seconds of insane bravery, strength, and walking into someone else's skin makes all the difference.