The Exchange Student

"You're not doing that." Marissa told me.

It was the end of the day, and we were standing outside of the office, where the sign-ups for the exchange program were held.

"Why not?" I asked.

"Because. You might get a host family that's completely mental." Marissa told me, but I shrugged.

"So? I could fit right in." I replied, signing my name on the sheet.

Marissa rolled her eyes.

I looked at her.

"Don't be so negative. Remember: you took a trip to Mexico, and stayed with a host family. Why is this any different?" I asked.

"I don't know. America's different than England, Ishani. They do things differently there." Marissa pointed out.

"A lot of people said that America's not any different than England. In fact, there's nothing different about it." I explained.

Marissa shook her head as we headed out into the parking lot.

"When are you suppose to go to America?" Marissa asked.

"Friday, I think. We stay there for an entire year, and if we like it, we can stay."

Marissa's eyes got big.

"Are you serious? They can actually let you do that?" Marissa asked, and I nodded.

"Of course. Though, some kids choose to go back."

"Would you stay?" Marissa asked.

I thought about it as we got into my car.

Would I?

I wasn't shallow:

I wouldn't stay if I had an awesome host family, though that'd be a major plus.

But, I'd stay if I liked where I was staying well enough, and contuine my life there.

I was eighteen, after all.

"I don't know. That's kind of a hard question." I stated.

"Sure. I bet if you got an awesome host family, you'd probably never leave." scoffed Marissa, and I shook my head.

"That's not true. I don't dwell on that, but that would be nice. I think if I liked the place, I'd consider on staying." I commented.

After I dropped off Marissa, I headed for home.

I'm not going to say my parents are rich, but we weren't excately poor, either.

I'd say we were well-off.

I walked into the house, and found my mum sitting in the kitchen.

"Hi, sweetie. How was your day?" my mum asked, and I nodded.

"Alright. I signed up for the exchange program, but I don't think Marissa wants me to do it."

My mum raised an eyebrow.

"I'd thought she'd think it'd be brillant."

I shook my head.

"Not really. She just thought it'd be a bad idea."

My mum looked at me with a half-smile on her face.

"Marissa probably thinks you'd be leaving her if you did."

"If I decide to stay after the year is up."

My mum frowned at that point.

"Oh. Well, whatever you decide dear should be up to you."

After saying a quick hello to my dad, I went up to my room.

All in all, it was kind of my choice to do this exchange program because I wanted to see America.

But, now that I think about it, was Marissa right?

What if I get a host family that is nothing but trouble?

What if I get lost?

I furiously pushed those thoughts a-side.

One of the main reasons I wanted to go to America was to see it.

And blimey, what's what I going to do!