It was winter in Los Angeles and the days were short. At only four o' clock in the afternoon, the sun had already hung low over the horizon, casting a sharp pink light on the clouds above the skyscrapers. Sally Egglebluff lagged six steps behind her classmate, Hannah, as they walked down the street. School had just ended for the day and all the kids rushed out of class. Hannah with her long curly hair blowing the wind circled around Sally to face her.
             "Come on, hurry up, Sally", she said prickly, as if Sally were an annoying little girl. Sally quickened her pace. "So, what do you want to do this afternoon?" Hannah asked without any enthusiasm after they had walked several blocks in complete silence.
             For Sally these types of situations were very common for her. In certain social cliques, she was well known for being extremely reserved. Most girls her age had many social groups filled with friends, sisters, and cousins fluttering around them. However, Sally didn't. She spent most of her time alone and didn't have playmates since the fifth grade. Invitations to parties and after school hangouts had become rare. When Sally did get asked over to someone's house, most of the time it was to tutor someone in her class. Even then, she was terribly out of place and awkward.
             "We can do whatever you want, "Sally answered, her breath forming a cloud in the oddly cold air.
             Hannah sighed impatiently, "Well, I just got some new playing cards for Christmas, care for some Blackjack".
             Sally's heart sank, "I've never played that game before," she said longing for her warm room at home with her bed and all of her books.
             "Fine", Hannah said, "My older sister just got a karaoke machine as one of her presents. Why don't we use that?"
             "What a nightmare! Honestly, Hannah I don't like singing at all", Sally said in a timid...