Student Exchange Program

Chapter One - I'm going to New York?

School starts next week.

Those are my least favourite words in the entire world.

And I know I'm not the only one.

The only thing that makes me excited is that it's going to be my birthday tommorow! Sweet sixteen, huh?

Jeez, I feel so old, yet I'm still too young. 

Sighing I put my skirt on and glance at my reflection in the mirror. I'm wearing a black t-shirt with a 'Queen' logo - my favorite band...I'm addicted - and black skirt with some black converses. I like being comfortable, but still dressed up somewhat presentable. I can't just go downstairs in my baggy sweatpants and oversized t-shirt how I always do.

For some reason I'm celebrating my birthday today. It was my parents' idea. They said that I won't have time to celebrate tomorrow and when I asked them why they just shrugged and said "Well, we guess that you will be busy tomorrow."

I smell something fishy going on here and it's definitely not the fish that I had for lunch today.

Or is it?

I smell my breath to make sure it doesn't stink and with one last look into the mirror I make my way down the stairs and then I step outside the house into our garden.

It's nice. There is a big wooden table in the middle of it with five matching chairs. The table is covered with cupcakes, chocolate chip cookies - my speciality - some bio cakes that my dad and I made - he is into this bio/healthy life style - and litres of good old water which we cleaned ourselves without using any chemicals whatsoever.

I guess you could say that most of my family is into this bio-lifestyle.

Music is playing in the backround and when I say music I mean Queen. A compilation of my favorite songs by them.

I smile as I look at the blue sky. I just want to lay down, close my eyes, listen to music, relax and forget about everything. I want to forget about the fact that my friends are all gone. I want to forget about the fact that school starts in two months, even though it just ended. I want to forget about how lonely I sometimes feel. 

I sometimes wish I had a boyfriend. A boyfriend who would stand up for me. A boyfriend who would make me laugh. A boyfriend who would be always there for me and I would be always there for him. 

The problem is that the boys I like don't like me back - at least I think so - and I don't like those boys who like me. If you know what I mean...

I'm probably supposed to become a nun. 

Last week my grandma asked me about my boyfriend and I almost choked on my water. When I told her that I don't have one, she just shook her head disapprovingly and said "When I was your age I broke up with my fourth boyfriend."

'Good for you grandma. So what? You were prettier than me, no need to rub it in my face', I wanted to say, but didn't.

I walk past the table and chairs into the back of our garden where the fence is. 

I look down at the ground at the green grass below me and close my eyes praying.

I made up a prayer about ten months ago. When my dog died. I may sound like a crazy person. I mean, who prays for a dog?

Well, if you had a dog like I had, you would know exactly what I'm talking about. 

Her name was Nika and I basically grew up with her. I've known her since I can remember. We've been through a lot together. She even bit me once. I guess she didn't like it when people pet her while she was eating.