DEAR ABBY: I am 13 years old and in the eighth grade. I just moved from one set of grandparents to my other grandma's house and had to change schools.
At my old school, I had friends. At this new school, I don't have anybody to hang out with. Every once in a while, someone talks to me. But every day I eat lunch alone.
Grandma works, so I have to go to school an hour early and stay an hour later than the other kids. I'm trying to stick it out for this school year, but next year I want to go back to my old school where I have friends and transportation.
I'm afraid my grandma will be heartbroken if I leave her. I love her and don't want to hurt her. If she wanted me to, I could still visit her every weekend like I used to. I don't know how to handle this. Please help me. -- LONELY IN TEXAS
DEAR LONELY: You have my sympathy. The timing for your move could not have been worse. By eighth grade, cliques and friendships have been well-established, and trying to break in is difficult.
I hope you will be patient and give things in your new community a little more time. In the fall, everyone in your class will be starting high school. Very often the people who were close in grammar/middle school start forming new alliances at that time, and you will be able to find friends and fit in. You will be able to join clubs or go out for sports, if that interests you.
At the end of your freshman year, if your situation has not improved, you should speak to your grandmother about returning to your old community. But if you do go back, don't be surprised if things are not the way you remembered them. As circumstances change and time passes, people also change.