new city blues

i just moved to this new city and it feels like everyone else has their tribe already. i see these groups hanging out all the time, laughing and walking together like they’ve known each other forever. it’s hard not feeling left out. plus, every place seems to be asking for an instagram account or some long-term residency proof just to sign up for classes or get discounts. why can’t i join a book club online yet? i know it’s silly but every time someone smiles at me in passing and then walks off, i feel like they saw right through my attempt to fit in with this weird shirt or the wrong kind of coffee cup in hand. maybe if i could just find one person who’d talk to me for real instead of just saying hi on the street it would help.