The Exchange

Chapter 9

I step out of the shower several minutes later and wrap the towel around me.  The mirror is fogged from the steam.  I open the window a crack to let some of the steam out and walk back to my room to change.  

I dig through my suitcase until I find a pair of black sweatpants and a grey scoop-neck t-shirt.  I put on a pair of socks and leave my hair down to air dry.  I look at the clock on my desk which says 5:50.  The numbers soak into my head but I can't comprehend what they mean.  Jet-lag is definitely becoming present on me.  

I snap out of my daze and start to organize the contents in my suitcase.  I put away all my clothes into the dresser and the closet.  It doesn't take me long once I got down to it.  

I clos my suitcase and push it under my bed.  I guess I can say I'm almost settled in.  I open the bedroom door and walk to the kitchen where I can here Louis and Harry talking while they cook.  I never knew they could cook...

"Can I help?" I ask from the door way, not wanting to intrude on  them.  They turn around and looked at me in my lazy clothes.  

"Umm we're pretty good." Louis says looking around the kitchen and then going back to choping vegetables for a salad.  

"Would you like me to set the table?" I attempt again taking a step into the kitchen.  

"If you want." Harry says.  Louis nudges him and gives him a look.

"What?" Harry aska Louis, completely ignoring his stare and taking a few placemats from a drawer.  I pick them up and start to set the round kitchen table.  

"So why don't you tell us more about yourself?"  Harry suggests pulling out a few white plates from an upper cabinet.  The cabinet doors are a light stain, even lighter than the floors.  

"Well there isn't much to tell." I shrug, "What would you like to know?" 

"Do you like music?" Harry asks as I take the plates from him.

"I love music."  I state, putting a plate on each mat.

"What kind of music?" He continues and I feel like I know where this is going.

"Mostly pop music." I reply, walking behind the island to the preparation section of the kitchen.

"Do you like One Direction's music?" Harry asks with a flirty smile.

"I love One Direction." I tell him with a smirk.

"What if I told you we were in One Direction?"  He asks.

"What if I told you I know?" 

"Wait, you know?" He asks stunned, "Why didn't you say anything?" 

"I didn't really want to seem like a fangirl." I admit, searching through the drawers for cutlery.  Harry turns back to the island to help Louis chop some peppers.

"Fair enough."  He says as he slices into a green one.  

I find the cutlery drawer next to the sink.  I take out three knives and three forks and carry them back to the table to put them in the proper spot.  Fork left, knife right.  I return to the other side of the kitchen in search of glasses.  

Once the table is set and the food is prepared, we sit around the circular table.  Louis passes around an oven roasted chicken with potatoes and carrotts.  I have to admit the food was quite tasty.

"So Mira, what made you decide to participate in the exchange trip?"  Louis asks cuting a piece of chicken.  

"I didn't have a choice." I say confused.  Had the school not told them?