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but I didn’t know Charli and them well enough. Clusters of girls were emerging from the other dorms, making their way to the dining hall. “Dinner doesn’t wait for anyone around here,” Charli said, pressing her shades up on her nose.
    The four of us entered the dining hall together, and for a moment, I felt like we were banding together against everyone. I wasn’t sure if I was going to make any friends here, but I didn’t want to risk it by hanging with just Marie, Sheila, and Charli.
    The dining hall was big and warm. There were about twenty tables all set with white tablecloths, off-white plates, and silver. Black-and-white rag rugs were laid out in the aisles between the tables. Logs sat at the far corner beside a huge fireplace.
    â€œSit at our table,” Marie said. “It’s over there.” She pointed to the corner table and then went off to speak to a group of older girls huddled in the corner.
    â€œYou have to serve tonight, Charli,” Mrs. Miller said. “With or without the shades.”
    Charli scowled, then headed off to the kitchen, leaving Sheila and me alone at the table.
    â€œI think you’re going to like Blue Hill, Maizon. It’s a good school. It’s hard on some kids. But it all depends on what you came here for.” Sheila shrugged. “Me, I just came here to get some good learning before I head off for Spelman.” She picked up a fork and twirled it on the table. “Sometimes, I hate this place.”
    â€œYou just said it’s not so bad.”
    Sheila looked at me like she was about to say something, then caught herself and started twirling her fork again. “You’ll see what it’s like, Maizon,” she said slowly. “Then you’ll know what I mean.”
    I pulled out a chair at the head of the table and sat down. Then turned in my seat to see the other girls. Everyone seemed to know each other.
    â€œSomebody sock you, Charli?” someone called across the dining hall. Charli set a basket of bread on our table, then raised her shades and winked in the direction of the voice.
    â€œIt’s this year’s look,” Charli said, heading back toward the kitchen. Another girl came out and set a plate of chicken on the table across from ours.
    The dining hall was filling up quickly. I had never seen so many girls together in one place.
    â€œHi, Maizon.” A brown-haired girl stood at the edge of our table. “I’m Sandy, your roommate.”
    â€œHi,” I said. My heart sank a bit. I’d been hoping Sandy would be black.
    â€œHi, Sheila. Happy autumn.”
    Without lifting her head, Sheila waved in the direction of Sandy’s voice.
    â€œWell ... I guess I’ll see you back at the room later, Maizon.”
    I nodded. “Later, Sandy.”
    We were the only ones sitting at our table, which was set for six.
    â€œBlack bonding,” Marie said to me, pulling a chair out at the other end of the table. “It’s good for the spirit.”
    I served myself a piece of chicken, some peas, and a spoonful of rice. I chewed slowly, liking the newness of the food. The chicken could’ve used some salt and the rice was a little dry, but I was starving, so it didn’t matter.
    â€œPass me the bread, please,” Sheila said.
    I took a dinner roll and passed the basket to Sheila.
    Marie looked annoyed. “Maizon, you don’t serve yourself when you’re passing the food. You let the other person help themselves first. Otherwise, it’s rude.”
    â€œOh, kill it, Marie. I don’t mind.” Sheila took a roll, broke off a piece, and buttered it.
    â€œI do things my way, Marie.” I laid my fork beside my plate and glared at her. She glared back. “If I want a piece of bread, I take it.”
    â€œIt’s rude. It means you have no home training.”
    â€œI don’t care if it means I paint my nails green. It’s my way of