The Exchange Student

After Ishani fainted, it took our dad and Big Rob to carry her up to her room.

"Usually they scream before fainting." our dad muttered.

Our mom, on the other hand, looked almost sad to see this happen.

"This isn't what I wanted to happen..." she trailed off, and Nick looked at her.

"Didn't you tell her?" he asked.

"Of course not! I wanted it to be a surprise."

"Some surprise..." Kevin commented.

Our dad and Big Rob came down from upstairs, and we all looked at them.

"Is she alright?" our mom asked, and our dad smiled.

"She is fine, Denise. Stop worrying."

I looked at him.

"Can we see her?"

Our dad nodded.

"Yes. But, just to be safe, I want you guys to go in at a time. I don't want her to faint again."

It was decided that I should go first, so I went upstairs.

Her room was at the end of the hallway, which is sometimes served as a gust-room if any one wanted to stay over.

The door was open, and I looked inside.

Ishani was lying on the bed, and I smiled.

Since I didn't want it to be weird, I just waited outside.

"Ugh...what happened?" I heard Ishani ask, and that was my cue to go in.

"You fainted." I said simply, and Ishani's eyes went big.

"So....I wasn't dreaming?" she asked, and I shook my head.

"No. The last time I checked, this wasn't a dream." I replied, and Ishani gave me a small smile, but then she frowned.

"I didn't scare anyone, did I?" she asked, and I chuckled.

"Our mom. I think she wanted it to be a surprise."

Ishani smirked.

"Well, she certainly surprised me then."

I laughed as I got up.

"Well, I should probably go. Nick and Kevin want to see you too."

Ishani nodded as I walked out of her room, and almost bumped into Nick and Kevin.

"Is she up?" Nick asked, and I nodded.

"Yeah."

As I got down the stairs, I went into the living room.

Our mom looked up at me.

"How is she?"

I smiled as I sat down in a chair.

"Relax mom, she's fine."

"Well, I promised her mother I'd look out for her while she's here. It must be hard to adjust to a new country, much less a new city." Mom told me.

I nodded.

I think Ishani would fit right in.

She already sort of fits in our family (as Kevin puts it).

"But, you, Nick, and Kevin will have to keep an eye on her too..."

I looked at our mom.

"What? I think Ishani can fend for herself, mom."

"All you have to do is keep an eye on her during school, Joe. It's not like you have to baby-sit, but it'd be nice."

I sighed.

There was no use saying no to mom.

"Okay."

Our mom gave me a smile.

"Good."

I could just as well imagine what kind of adventures this will bring....