The Exchange Program - NCT

CHAPTER 1 - WAIT WHAT?!

"What'd you do this time?" asked Sarah as we make our way to the principals office.

"For the tenth time, I swear I did nothing!" I said forcefully.

What does the principal want this time? I couldn't remember a single thing I did wrong, I thought.

"Fine. Then, do you have any idea why are we being called to the principals office?" asked Sarah again.

"No." I answered curtly.

"Did you throw your anger to Betty again or did you.." before she can continue, I cut her off saying, "No, I did not argue with Betty. First of all, I'm on probation as a prefect trainee since last week. Do you actually think I want to get myself in trouble? Again?"

We walked into the office and saw Miss Grungie looking at us with her eyebrows raised as if we're some delinquents.

"We're here to see Mrs. Johnson." said Sarah.

Miss.Grungie nodded and said, "Mrs. Johnson has some errands to run. You girls can wait for her in her room. She'll be back in a minute."

Quietly, we stepped inside the room and take our seat across the principal.

"What do you think? Would it be good news or bad news?" I asked Sarah.

"Definitely bad news." she answered shortly.

Ignoring whatever she just said, "I think it's good news. Be positive!" I said, trying to cheer her up.

After a long pause, Sarah said "Let's make a bet."

Bet? What bet? Confused, I said "Huh?"

Turning to me, she said, "Look, if it's good news, I'll treat you three cups of your favorite ice cream. If not, then you'll have to help me clean the library for a week." looking at me with mischievous eyes.

"Hmm.. I like it. Deal." I shrugged. But deep inside, I'm not so sure if it's really good news. And she knows how much I hate cleaning. Damn it.

"Hello girls. How're you doing?" asked Mrs. Johnson as she walked in and sat across the table.

"We're good." both of said at the same time. I hope Mrs Johnson did not notice how pale our knuckles have gone. We're scared stiff as to what she has to say to us this time.

As seconds of awkwardness passed, we looked at each other. And without thinking, both of us starts blabbing on how sorry we are, and we don't know what we did wrong and that we never meant it to harm anyone.

"Please Mrs. Johnson, don't call my parents I'm truly am sorry." begged Sarah.

" and me too Mrs. Johnson. I don't even know what I did wrong. I'm truly sorry. I will even do kitchen duty but please don't call my parents." I said quickly, with my pleading hands.

" Sya. Sarah. Stop!" exclaimed Mrs. Johnson. " Calm down." she continues. " Sya, Sarah."

" Yeah?"

" How's your Japanese class going?" she suddenly asked.

Huh? That's like the last thing I think she would ever ask Sarah and I. Sarah seems like she won't be answering. So, I quickly said, " It's so-so."

" Really? I heard both of you got 99% in your monthly test." she said.

" I guess." I said suspiciously and couldn't help thinking where this weird conversation is heading.

" Well, I guess it is an achievement though." Sarah said slowly.

" It's something to be very proud of, don't you think?" chirped Mrs.Johnson.

Both of us aren't answering.

Mrs. Johnson sighed and said, " I guess I can't keep it any longer. It's a pity to see my dear students so sad like this."

" Keep what any longer?" asked Sarah curiously.

Mrs. Johnson smiled and looked up at us and said, " Let's just say both of you were chosen to.."

" Chosen to? For what?" I said impatiently. I can feel the suspense building up inside me ready to explode.

"..participate an exchange program to.." continued Mrs. Johnson, completely ignoring my question.

This time it's Sarah's turn to be impatient, " An exchange program? Where to?" she asked.

Again, Mrs. Johnson ignored the question and go on saying, " Japan."

"WAIT WHAT?!" I shrieked in total disbelief. Is this really happening? I couldn't be more happy than my whole entire life! I could barely hear what Mrs.Johnson was saying as a million and one things came in torrents in my mind.

" I already talked about it with your parents and they're allowing both of you to go. And since Sya's birthday is next month, think of it as an early birthday present." she said smiling.

Sarah was still in shock. She couldn't close her mouth.

" You're going to get a fly in your mouth if you keep on doing that." I said looking at Sarah in amusement.

She immediately shut her mouth. Although, she was still speechless.

" What about graduation?" asked Sarah, coming back to her senses.

" You needn't worry about that. You'll be graduating in Japan of course." Mrs. Johnson answered smiling.

" Going to Japan isn't just for sightseeing. You girls still have to work hard because you only have 6 months to prepare for your exam." continued Mrs. Johnson.

" But Japanese students graduate at the age of 19? We're only 17." asked Sarah again.

" Simple to say, you're going to be graduating a two years early than most Japanese students. " said Mrs. Johnson.

Sarah nods her head in understanding.

As a feeling of great relief came over me, I guess I was right after all. It was good news that awaits us. Wait no. More like the GREATEST news I have ever heard in my 17 years of existence!

Putting on the sweetest smile that I could manage while batting my eyelashes, I turned to Sarah, " So, what about my ice cream, huh?"