Everyone in our school has a place. A tight-nit group where they fit in. Where they belong. The only time we're all together is lunchtime, and even then we categorize ourselves. The jocks sit with the cheerleaders by the stage at the "popular" table, the punks and skate boarders hang by the north door overlooking the street, the geeks and chess club sit at the back and the socialites sit everywhere else. We all have a place.

No one told Kerri McNutt about our places. Her first day at Henbroke High started well enough. She managed to find all her classes and even make a few new friends before lunchtime. During gym her class was excused early and she made her way into the cafeteria. She sat herself by the stage and began to eat her chicken sandwich.

Five minutes went by and the cafeteria began to fill. Kerri noticed quite a few people staring at her. She flicked her hair back self-consciously and lowered her head, trying to ignore the peering eyes. No one sat with her at the big, empty table. She continued with her lunch, doing her best to act like nothing was wrong.

As usual the popular kids were "fashionably late." The captain of the football team, Mark Higgs, and his cheerleader girlfriend walked in, followed by the rest of the popular kids. They were laughing and joking. Then Mark stopped and looked over at their table. He saw Kerri sitting there eating her lunch. The room went dead silent.

Kerri looked up and locked eyes with Mark. She dropped her sandwich container on the table. Now she knew why everyone was staring at her. She fumbled for her lunch bag, knocking it to the floor. Several other students began to laugh. Then the whole room echoed with laughter. Kerri's heart began to race. What had she done! She felt tears in her eyes and collapsed in the seat too scared to move.

Mark let go of his girlfriend's hand and walked up to the frantic girl. He bent down, picked up her scattered lunch and then placed it in front of her. He sat down beside her and the room went still one more.

Mark's eyes twinkled brightly. He smiled warmly and said, "Hi, I'm Mark Higgs."

Kerri stopped panicking and replied in a stammer, "I-I'm Kerri."

Mark held out his hand and shook Kerri's. "Pleased to meet you." He turned to his friends and beckoned them over, "Come on guys, don't stand there all day!"

That day changed Henbroke High completely. No one has a specific place anymore. They're just one big happy family, and that's the way it should be.