Project: CA, U.S.A. | Harry Styles AU

Chapter 2

Aliyah's P.O.V.

I am so damned, ok. Here I am, sitting on my uncomfortable luggage, desperately trying to keep my eyes open, while searching for any possible sign in the crowded airport now for the 4th time, that could've written my name on it. No success. No-where. Poop. You have to know that my flight went at 6. In the morning. And it's not like I live anywhere near an airport, no, that would've been too comfortable and relaxed. Precisely said, I had to get up at 3 am. AM. Side note: I'm not a morning person. Like, at all. Usually I would sleep till noon if it wasn't for my dearest friend, my everyday exceedingly loved stalker, a.k.a. school. Note the sarcasm.

Of course I could've slept at the flight. But as I said, that would've been too easy. Because, -of course- the seats next to me had been occupied by a mother with her over-excited children. Not that I have something against children, you know. I usually love them, got a little 10-year-old sister of my own. I just get a tiny little bit annoyed, when I'm trapped with them, in the cheapest and most space-limited part of a plane on a 15-h-flight, while they're bored and inhumanly awake as, you know, children -pumped with holiday-adrenaline- can be. Please explain to me, why exactly I wanted to do this in the first place.

So while my jetlagged body was ready to go to my well deserved sleeping mode, Californian-afternoon-sunshine, shining directly on my half-opened eyes, prevented me from giving in to exactly this first mentioned human desire. But hey - at least the hard and positive thinking fighter I am, I  said half-opened not half-closed. I can do this. But it would be very appreciated if my strongly awaited host family would finally come and pick me up. Because that's with whom I'll be living the next 12 months.

Just as I was looking around for more or less comfy sleeping-possibilities, I heard two rather loud clicking pairs of heels directing their way through the now almost empty hall over to where I was seated. I turned around and saw the three most pleasing words written in a curly-pink font on a white cardboard: Aliyah E. Urban. That is my name. And the two widely grinning women holding it had to be my new life savers.

"You must be Aliyah, right?" said the middle-aged looking woman, giving me no time to stand up by surprisingly engulfing me in a bone-crushing but loving hug.

"Can't.....br-reath.." I managed to choke out.

"Oh I'm sorry, I didn't mean to.." the woman -Mrs. Colins- started but was soon interrupted by the young girl.

"Mom, don't scare her away already...she must think we're psychos!" Her mom let go off me now, a little embarrassed smile on her face.

"It's okay, you just surprised me a little." I assured them. "It's Ali, by the way. You must be my host family?" They both grinned happily. I wondered where they got their energy from at this ungodly time of the day. Oh right, it was just about 1 pm here in Cali. Also on a Saturday - they must've just gotten up a few hours ago.

"Yes, I'm Mrs. Colins, I mean, you can call me Grace of course, and this is my daughter Leah. She's your age and will guide and accompany you at high school and stuff." Mrs. Colins - ehh - Grace answered.

"I can talk for myself, you know, mom?" The girl, Leah, shoved her mom weakly away and hugged me too. This time, a little more gentle. "Sorry 'bout that. She's just very excited. We've never had an exchange student before." she whispered.

I just smiled and nodded understandingly. Actually, it felt very good to be welcomed like that, and I definitely wasn't that tired anymore. "So...." I broke the silence while looking questioningly at my new company.

"Yes, right, let's go darling. Got all your stuff?" Grace asked and I just nodded, pointed at the rather large suitcase and another smaller one and threw my rucksack over my left shoulder. They -still keeping these enormous smiles on their faces, that lit up your mood just by looking at it- took a bag each and guided me outside to a red car, diagonally parked, two spots occupying.

"I was in a rush." Leah apologized, as she noticed my smirk.

"It's cool, I wish I could drive at all. I'd probably crash into every single car nearby until I would give in and park my car at home and go walk instead." I answered honestly and the three of us laughed, while getting into the car, heading towards my new home.   

After we arrived, Leah showed me around the house. It was little but not in a oppressive, more like in a very cozy way. My room was upstairs, directly next to the bathroom, which I found rather optimal. It was colored in a light blue and it had a massive window, which made the room beautifully vivid and homey. Leah's room was just two doors away and her parents' room was downstairs, along with a big open kitchen-dining-living-room area. It's safe to say, that I was pretty content. I could've gotten away much worse!

The rest of the day though, was horrible. Okay, just the I-am-dying-to-go-wrap-myself-up-in-that-comfy-bed-but-have-to-stay-awake-until-evening-part. But Grace and Leah tried their best to keep me busy, not-thinking about giving in to my inner desires. They chatted along with me as if they've known me for years and almost every second time someone said something, we all laughed together until we felt an even stronger need than my tiredness. The need of food. So, Grace made us a delicious dinner while Leah and I got to know us better. At 9 pm, they finally allowed me to "get that, what's still living left of me" into my "well-deserved slumber" but without forgetting to tell me, that "I shouldn't dare to skip brushing my teeth." on which I just poked out my tongue and laughed along. What. A. Day.

****

I hope you like it so far..(:
Please tell me, what you think of it, also things you think I could maybe improve :)
I'm still new at this and I appreciate every single read, vote and comment!
(btw picture of Ali on the side!)

Sarah xx