Disclaimer: I do not in anyway own Azumanga Daioh. Mkay?

The first day…Sakaki walked along the corridor, holding her bag tight against her as she slowly shuffled by some of the larger students. She looked up at every door, watching as the numbers grew higher, knowing she must be close to her new homeroom now. She'd almost gone the complete opposite way. She'd come very close to having to go up and ask someone for directions, for help, but she had found a crumpled pamphlet from an open day in her bag. On the last page was a small map, and she had been able to make her own way. No need to go for help, she did it by herself.

Grade seven…twelve years old. Sakaki glanced around. A whole new school- she was starting middle school now, elementary school was over. She had been the only person from her class to come to this particular school. She hadn't had many friends back in elementary school, but now she had none around. She gripped the strap of the backpack tightly. She mustn't let herself be scared! She was in a new place, she didn't know anyone, but she could handle this! Everyone went through this, if she couldn't handle it, there must be something wrong with her!

Slowly she came to a stop and looked up at a large wooden door. Scratches were etched into it, and the paint on the frame was flaky. This place didn't look too good…no! She must not allow herself to be scared! Sure the doorway looked scary, and this end of the corridor wasn't as nice, but still…

Oh, she really hoped everyone was nice! She looked up towards the ceiling. She wouldn't mind if she never had any proper friends, just don't let there be anyone to bully her! She could just stay out of the way, get the work done and be lonely- she'd prefer that to being bullied. She hung her head slightly. The day hadn't even started yet, and here she was thinking like that. If that's what she thought people would be like towards her, she was probably already doomed.

"Wow!" said a girl, Sakaki turning her hung head slightly. "Wow, you're so tall! How did you get that tall, no way are you in my class!"

"Just leave her alone Tomo" said a bespectacled girl, appearing beside the excited looking girl.

"Huh?! Hey, how old are you?" asked Tomo.

"T-twelve" said Sakaki.

Tomo turned away from Sakaki and looked towards the bespectacled girl with a look of amazement on her face. "Wow! That girl is the same age as me and you! And look how tall she is! Look Yomi!"

"Tomo you idiot, you're probably hurting her feelings!" growled Yomi, mature at the age of twelve, the only person around to keep Tomo in check.

A faint look crossed Tomo's face, and then she turned to face Sakaki. "I-I'm not hurting your feelings am I?" asked the girl.

Sakaki shook her head, her eyes looking down at the floor, unable to stare into the other girl's eyes. "N-no."

"Cool!" said Tomo sticking up a thumb, and slowly turning to Yomi with the thumb still held high. "Cool!"

"I heard you the first time" said Yomi.

"Yeah, but you were wrong! I didn't hurt her feelings! It's just that some people, like me are good at talking to people, while others like you Yomi are too boring, so have to worry about offending. I'm just funny all the time."

"Funny my butt" growled Yomi.

"Oooh" said Tomo, "I bet you had a naughty word you wanted to say! I'm right aren't I, you were going to say something bad!"

"Gar! Shut up Tomo!" said Yomi, holding up her new looking bag threateningly. Sakaki looked around as a few more students arrived. Just like with her, everything was new- new school, new uniform, and new equipment.

Sakaki slowly moved away, holding her bag tightly. Instead of hung over her back, she held it against her, the straps facing outwards. The chibi picture of a kitten was hidden, resting against her. She had gone shopping with her grandmother during the holiday, and Sakaki had spotted it. Her Nan had seen the look on Sakaki's face, and despite the young girls protests, had brought it for her, telling Sakaki it was a gift…as well as not to tell her father the true price. She still remembered her Nan commenting on how her father was still just a big kid and he'd probably get jealous.

She looked back up, and moved back against the wall, having seen that the group had suddenly grown greatly. She turned away slightly when she realized she was looking straight at a boy, and returned to looking back down at the floor. She faintly see Tomo tapping a foot impatiently as she glanced around.

"Bah, where is this idiot?" she asked out loud.

"Right here" said a man, stepping forwards holding a key. "Sorry I'm late."

"Arghh!" called out Tomo, backing away and trying to hide behind some of the students as Yomi grinned.

"Well, come in class, all of you make yourselves welcome in your new homeroom" said the man, pushing open the door.

Sakaki stood back, trying to avoid the initial rush. She looked to her left to see Yomi standing beside her. The girl adjusted her glasses and nodded at Sakaki who nodded back faintly.

"Good to see you make wise choices, unlike some people" said Yomi, pointing. Near the front of the crush Tomo was busy yelling out excitedly, attempting to push people out of the way as she rushed to be the first one into the room.

"Ha, first place!" called out Tomo, holding up a V-sign.

"Actually I was in here first" said the teacher, who had his briefcase up on the desk.

"Ha first student place!" called out Tomo, still with a V-sign.