Actions Over Words

 

Maya was new in town her dad had just moved jobs and their whole family had to move with him to

 the Capitol in many ways she was excited the capital was busy and exciting full of so many new 

opportunities she was super excited to get to know the city all the cool buildings and nice hangout

spots but as with all new places adjusting takes time and some things may not always be as they seem

there was one restaurant that caught her eye it looks super cool from the outside and the staff were

 incredibly welcoming and friendly if that wasn't enough the restaurant was full of people all taking

 pictures of their food to post on social media Maya was convinced she'd give it a try she ordered the

 most exciting thing on the menu but when it arrived it was Bland and tasteless it was though all the

 effort had gone into looking like a nice place to eat and none into making good food Maya Shrugged

 ah back in her old town she knew all the best spots to eat here she was lost if only she had some

friends to show her around but that was the thing she knew no one in this city when her first day at 

the new high school arrived she was nervous what if she couldn't make any new friends what if the

 friends she could make weren't as good as her old ones she tried to reassure her that she'd be 

absolutely fine and that the kids of the capital were just as wonderful and interesting as the one she 

left behind it might be a little scary at first but soon enough she'd be right at home again for a moment

 she felt comforted it didn't last long though walking through the halls of her new High School she 

was completely overwhelmed everyone turned to look at her as she walked past everyone here knew

 each other already what if she didn't fit in she tried to remind herself of what her parents had said

that it would be scary initially and it would take time but at this moment Maya couldn't remember         

how she'd managed to make friends last time and was convinced she'd never be able to do it again

her lessons were fine enough her civics class was all about actions speak louder than words the idea 

is that you can tell much more about someone based on how they act rather than what they say for

 homework I'd like you to think about this idea can you think of any examples Maya thought about it

 but found it confusing it's speaking was all about words how could action say more at lunch she sat 

and ate alone she wished she had some friends to talk to maybe they could help her understand what 

her teacher had been talking about at the end of the day just before she stepped out of the building

a girl caught up with her in the hall hey there I'm Celine you're the new kid right Maya was a little

 startled no one had spoken to her yet Celine had great hair and wore very cool clothes she spoke with 

a bright and upbeat tone and her smile was wide and welcoming yeah hi I'm Maya I just started today

said Maya suddenly feeling a little less alone oh that's so cool welcome to your new high school said

 Celine smiling once more say do you want to be friends Maya felt a rush of excitement Celine clearly

 one of the coolest and most popular kids at the high school wanted to be friends with her yes absolutely

blurted Maya doing her best to sound as cool and upbeat as her new friend awesome let's take a selfie

 together and seal the deal Maya was happy to oblige she leaned in and gave her a best smile Selena

 snapped the selfie and posted it straight away so you'll add me as a friend yeah for sure I'll do it right

 now then it's official we're friends she grinned it Maya once more before returning to the rest of her

friends it was a strange and brief interaction but Maya didn't mind somehow she'd managed to make 

at least one friend before even leaving the building perhaps this wasn't so difficult after all on her          

walk home Maya was approached by another of her classmates this girl looked different her clothes

 were plain and her hair a little messy she looked nervous too hey are you the new girl yeah hi I'm 

Maya I just started today my name's Kim I saw you in math class today do you mind if I walk with 

you for a bit Maya didn't know what to make of Kim she was a little awkward in the way she spoke 

but she seemed nice enough sure said Maya grateful for the company as they walked home they talked

 about their school and the people in it they talked about the city too and where Maya had lived before

they even talked about her old friends by the time they got to Maya's house Maya felt comfortable

 around Kim and Kim had relaxed a bit too I'll see you tomorrow for sure the next day Maya felt much

 better in high school she knew some people now and felt reassured to be able to make friends in

 between classes she saw Celine in the hall Maya waved and Celine shouted hello new friend Maya

 smiled and said hello back when it came to lunchtime there was one seat left at celine's table so Maya

 went over to ask if she could join them it was a perfect opportunity to meet celine's other friends and

 maybe make a few more of her own foreign I have another friend coming in a moment another time 

though Maya was a little hurt oh okay no problem maybe another time then oh and it's Maya not Mia

OMG sorry Maya I'll get it right next time though see you soon she said with a grin once again Maya

 sat alone for lunch Maya it's me Kim we walked home yesterday Maya cut her off with a giggle

don't worry Kim I remember do you mind if I sit with you she said not at all said Maya it's nice to 

see you again Maya and Kim sat chatting all through lunch they talked about all the best food in the      

cafeteria what Maya should avoid and what tasted best she was grateful for the tips and felt more at

 home here with Kim home that night Maya was eating dinner with her parents they asked if she'd 

made any new friends she told them about the two girls she'd met she told them about Celine and how

she claimed to be her friend but forgot her name and didn't seem interested in her and she told them

 about Kim who'd never said anything about being friends but seemed genuinely interested in Maya

actions speak louder than words Maya said her mom after hearing me stories Celine may claim to be

 your friend but does she act like it she sounds quite superficial like a restaurant that looks great but 

the food is Bland and tasteless said her dad and Kim may be too nervous or quiet to call you her friend

 but look at how she acts she is interested and thoughtful and seems to truly want to be your friend her

 mom went on that night Maya thought carefully about what her parents had said maybe actions do

 speak louder than words she thought she'd put it to the test the next day at High School Maya

 approached Celine hey Celine I'm wondering if you know any great places to eat in the city she asked

hey friend said Celine I know loads why are you busy this weekend would you mind taking me to one

oh I'm sorry Mia I'm actually super busy this weekend but I'll send you a pic of one yeah oh no problem

 said Maya yeah I'd love your recommendation either way Celine got out her phone and sent over a

picture of the restaurant Maya ate at when she first got here the one that looked great from the outside 

but where the food was actually terrible makes sense thought Maya she then approached Kim and 

asked her the same question hey Kim do you know any good restaurants in the city Kim's eyes lit up

I know the best pizza place it's this old part of town and no one knows about it it's a bit shabby on the

 outside and the staff aren't particularly polite but the proof of the pudding is in the eating as they say

 the food is fantastic are you busy on Saturday I'll take you Maya grind actions really do speak louder

 than words Maya thought Celine wasn't really her friend she probably just wanted more followers on

social media but Kim was interested in her as a person she was excited to get to know her and show 

her around the city she didn't even need to say they were friends foreign knew from the way she

 behaved finally has something to talk about for her Civics homework hmm that's Saturday Maya met

 up with Kim in the city they walked around all day the saw Celine eating at that terrible restaurant

Kim showed Maya all of her favorite buildings and the best places to hang out and then they went to

 Kim's favorite pizza place sure enough it wasn't much to look at but it was the best pizza Maya had

 ever tasted maybe she'd be happy in this new city after all.