The new kid’s first friend is usually someone else standing a little outside the circle. Don’t underrate them.

Whoever stands slightly outside the circle is the only person with attention to spare. Everyone in the middle is busy maintaining their place there, so the first friendly face a new arrival gets is usually someone who also knows what the edge feels like. Friendships that start from recognising something in each other tend to outlast the ones based on proximity.

So do not treat that person as a stepping stone toward the middle. Keep sitting with them after you have options, and introduce them when your circle widens. A year from now you will know which choice you were glad about.