As Sarah and Jon finished their discussion, Karyn came over to complete the group. Sarah couldn't help but think that, just two days ago, this table would only have had four kids sitting at it. Now that number had doubled to eight. That changed the group dynamics a lot. But then again, so did everything they had gained from Sarah.
She looked around the table.
Jamie, at one corner of the table, seemed happier as a girl than she did as a guy. She was still just as smart, but it seemed like people were less competitive with her, and gave her less pressure. She was absolutely glowing with pride at her position on the chess team.
Biff, next to Jamie, was just plain friendlier than Sarah could remember. He was laughing at everything anyone said, and genuinely seemed to be paying attention to people. No derogatory jokes, no bigger dick contests, just genuine friendship and appreciation of everyone around him.
Isabella was next to him, hanging on his arm like a doll. She seemed much happier than Sarah was picturing from her memories. Sarah figured that, without this group of friends, Isabella had mostly hung out with the boys from ESOL, which had a negative effect on her emotionally. Now that she was around more positive influences, she seemed to be adjusting much more smoothly to her new country.
Renee, sitting across from Sarah, was now the center of all the conversations. She occasionally turned to translate for Sarah, or attempt to translate for Isabella when she thought the French word might be close to the Spanish word. It was a far cry from the timid little oyster she'd been that morning.
Sarah herself knew she felt different. Even now, after losing so much, she somehow felt more accepted than she ever had as a cheerleader. Possibly even because she had lost so much. She knew that one or two more changes and her old friends wouldn't even give her the time of day, but that this new group of friends would stick with her no matter what happened.
Jon was definitely improved. It felt to Sarah almost like Jon had taken on the very best attributes of Biff, and that Biff had taken on the very best attributes of Jon, and that they had met somewhere in the middle. When the two talked to each other, it was like they were two peas in a pod, until one of them specifically mentioned either cheerleading or gymnastics.
Karyn, sitting on the other side of Jon, was the only person at the table who may have been worse off for her changes. She had taken on a very vain aspect of Sarah in the form of clothing choices, and had in turn become a bit vain herself. And somehow a bit more... well, Sarah didn't want to think of Karyn as a slut, but she had certainly become more risque than she'd been before. She was still a very good friend, but her priorities seemed a bit skewed, and sometimes it was hard to take her seriously with all the skin she showed.
Kyla, at the end of the table sitting across from Jamie, had probably changed the least. She seemed a bit more confident by virtue of having more friends, but that probably wasn't a result of her new hair. She still wore the same denim overalls. She still had the same pimply face. She was still just as socially awkward. She just seemed to be okay with it now.
Sarah put a sporkful of food in her mouth contentedly. Maybe she could learn from Kyla. No matter what happened the rest of the day, she wouldn't let it get her down. Even if she somehow turned into a deaf, blind cripple, she'd just accept it and do the best she could with what she had.
For now, she had a lot. A group of cheerleaders and football players passed by the table, and all waved at Sarah. She was still popular, despite not being a cheerleader. Possibly because of her wish. Before her lips could part to smile back, though, she felt another momentary headache come and go. She rolled with it well, and nobody else even noticed as she casually looked around to see what was different.
The cheerleaders and jocks were still waving towards the table, but as Sarah turned to look at her friends, she saw that Kyla was waving back, mouth open and braces shining brilliantly. Somehow, even though she still looked like a dork, it was as if there was a universal spotlight aimed at Kyla. The whole cafeteria seemed to be looking in her direction, and it wasn't in derision. Quite the opposite, in fact.
"Ik ben blij voor haar," Sarah thought subconsciously. She was happy for Kyla, even if it meant that another aspect of hers had left.
