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A listener note. This episode contains adult language.

Imagine. You're shuffling your feet down the hallway, walking zombie-style towards the double doors of the cafeteria.

Keep your eyes locked on your worn-out sneakers, counting steps to distract you from the brick of nerves sitting in your stomach.

94, 95, 96 until you reach the doors.

You stop, take a deep breath and remind yourself. It's gonna be okay.

Just don't lose your shit.

Today is your first day at your new school. And so far everything's been fine.

But you've done enough of these first days to know the cafeteria is where it all gets real.

Well, real with the exception of lunch, lady. Moves and talks like a robot.

You want the pizza or the sloppy joe? God both.

You like food. A lot. Food never lets you down. Unlike, say, your father, whose hit and missed job situation is the reason you had to change schools again in the first place.

It's 50 cents extra. You know without looking exactly how much money you have in your pocket. Two dollars and 57 cents.

More than you've had most days, but not enough for the extra entry.

I'll just take this sloppy joe. I'm a promising start.

Your face burns as you count out the money. All loose coins. Enjoy your meal.

Then you turn and face the lunchroom full of tables full of people you've never met.

Oh God. Where to sit? Come on. You tell yourself you should be a pro at this by now.

In your 15 years on earth, you've lived in 15 states and one foreign country.

Something always seems to go wrong. Still, your mom told you to think of today as a fresh start.

The troubles of the past are all behind you. Then she told you something else.

Don't lose your cool. You spot a table in the corner with only one kid sitting at it.

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