Homestay

[Pretty Peach]

Craig stood outside the terminal with a sign in his hand that read the name of the boy they would be taking into their home for the next year. Great. Like their small single story, one bath, three bedroom house needed anyone else. His parents had home stay kids before, but the longest was three months and they mostly went to language courses during the week. The kid had been a girl so she stayed with her sisters rather than him. But this time the home stay was with a boy, so he'd have to share his room. His parents already attached the second bunk and he had to take the top. There were other people waiting as well, so he didn't stand out, which was why he had the sigh. He was a pretty average guy, with soft reddish hair and freckles on his face. At least he didn't have to wear glasses though, otherwise he'd really look like a nerd.


In fact, he was pretty tall, and had a nice build. Being on the football team beefed him up a bit, but he just did it because his dad loved football, his friends were on the team and it kept him in shape. Craig wasn't so competitive though. This was his final year, so he hoped he would get through just fine. Hopefully this student knew English well enough to get by. Although Craig would be willing to help him with English, between sports and studying for his own exams, he wouldn't have the time. Besides, his parents loved to interact with the host student the most. Not to say he was jealous... but he was jealous. Of his own parents.


His parents were at home with Craig's sisters, finishing up any last things for the new student they would be hosting. Packing and traveling could be so difficult, so they prepared many things such as bath products, extra bath towels and a hair brush. They had books on English conversation as well. The small book shelf in the kitchen had many books about the English language that they would urge the host student to use if they didn't know English. His mother knew Spanish and French while his father knew Russian and Chinese. His sisters were currently taking Chinese. Craig, on the other hand, knew a little bit of each, but just couldn't pick up any language in particular. His parents had traveled the world before he was even born, but he hadn't left the USA. Well, except that trip to Niagara falls, but he didn't count that since they had drove only a few hours to get there.


Idly he jingled his car keys and peeked at the giant board that stated the arrivals and departures. Unfortunately he couldn't even remember which one the student was on, only that he was supposed to wait at the east gate with the sign in hand, then head home. By now his mother was probably cooking some special American dinner. Either turkey with gravy, like a mini thanksgiving, or her delicious pot roast. Too bad she didn't always cook like that. He'd probably become fat though.

 

[Bombielonia]

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A seven hour flight, that was tiring. The boy left the airplane and stepped onto the foreign land for the first time, somewhat. It was both his first time 'travelling' away alone, and.. welll, studying abroad. He has a jet-black hair, average heigh if not just a bit shorter than average. His build is also average, and nothing really standing out on him. He had an accent, obviously as he is from elsewhere.


Just as soon as arrived, he went straight to the baggage claim to wait onto his suitcase. He sighed and checked his wrist watch. He's wearing a blue buttoned shirt, sleeves lifted up. A pair of dark jeans, which were a bad choice since he was in a seven hour flight not to mention the transit wait. All in all, it was exhausting and this poor lad is fatigued, yet driven by enthusiasm as of right now.


Andrew had always been one to be silent, barely any effort in socializing. He is a silent person, keeping to himself in most cases. His little friends know him for his joyful and spirited attitude, but that is only towards them. His attitude however, is going to be changing depending on the family he is going to meet. The agency didn't even show him any pictures on how they look like! And no, that wasn't discrimination, merely said because he had no idea who to look for. He is basically a lost puppy.


He took out a piece of folded paper from his back pocket which held some information regarding the family he is going to live with. Gnawing on his lower lip, he unfolded it and began reading through before pocketing within his right back-pocket as his eyes peered at a familiar bag, which is his. So he rushed over and grabbed it, as it was heavy, a stranger kindly helped him noticing the said boy struggling. "Thank you..- Yeah, thanks!" He smiled towards the man before moving further into the airport, Eastern side. He walked slowly, pulling his black bag behind him. He is also wearing a backpack. His hair? It was a simple 'cow lick', but now it is just a mess since he slept in the airplane.


Anyhow, he walked slowly and eyed at the signs, chewing on his inner cheek meanwhile.

 

[Pretty Peach]

Who was he even looking for? His parents had told him nothing. Not what flight this kid was on, what he looked like, anything. There were many people who looked lost coming off of flights so he had no idea. He held his sign up and looked around, trying to make eye contact with someone who could be his new host brother. This had been a major international flight with stops from Hong Kong to L.A. so there were many different people on it. All races, gender, age... nothing that could give a hint of a lost foreigner. Judging by the name, which was all he had to go by, the kid was probably European.


After the crowd dispersed some, a boy came over, having looked at their sign. Craig sighed in relief and smiled at the boy. Please speak English, please speak English. "Ah, hello. Homestay boy? My name is Craig Johnson..." He didn't get to say much else because another plane let off and the place grew crowded again. "Come let's go, before I get a ticket for parking in the pick up and drop off lane." In case the boy didn't understand him, he just waved his hand for the boy to follow.


They went down a few escalators, even had to back track once. "Sorry, I rarely come here. Big place..." And this was only the international terminal. There was a huge domestic terminal, a large duty free mall, food court and more. This place was massive. Craig finally lead them out to the parking area and thankfully there was no ticket on his car. "Let me get that for you." He popped his trunk and lifted Andrew's back into the back of his car. He sure had a lot of stuff, but he was staying for a year.


Craig settled in the front seat and waited for Andrew to get into the passenger side. "Well the airport is always fun. My mom is making dinner, so when we get home, you can eat and go to sleep." He was speaking a little slow, just in case the boys first language wasn't English. "My parents didn't say much about you. Where are you from?" Craig really hoped this boy was sociable. They always had shy exchange students and he just wasn't fond or good at bringing people out of their shells when they didn't make the effort. He could understand being shy in a new country, but this boy had to be excited right?

 

[Bombielonia]

Andrew was silent at first, he didn't comment much. He did respond, though, to most of what he was told. "I am Andrew, just Andy is fine." His English is rather fluent, apart from his accent. He looks around, dazzled and amazed. "It's a big airport indeed..- Uh. Sorry, I am just erm, a bit tired if I..- If I do not need seem talkative." Andrew spoke as she followed Craig like a beacon of hope. He would be as lost as a pussy in a crowd.


He handed over his bag when he was asked for it, and went inside the passenger seat and slipped on the belt. He looked at the boy briefly before back in-front, "I uh. I was.. told to get a uh, erm..- " He was too nervous, that he was lost with his words. "To get a sim-card once I arrive. Could we do that? ..You know how mothers are if you are one minute late on doing something they ask." He fiddled with his thumbs as he spoke, "I mean, if there's a shop on the way. Any company's fine." He smiled briefly. "And I am from uh, Sweden." He took a deep breath, "Well, sort of. it's complicated, really." He spoke quickly, clearly fluent in English. "So uh, Craig. Do you go to college, or..-?" He questioned him, trying to build a conversation to make this less awkward.


Besides, Craig is the first person he is meeting on this foreign land, might as well try to get to know him some more, because he'll need to be open to someone as he is new, and hopefully Craig, whom seems to be Andrew's own age.