British Exchange Agent

Chapter 3

The crowd in the picture concealed him well, and I glanced at the text below it, decoding quickly.

'You're coming to our party, right?'

My eyes shifted back to the faces on my phone, drifting towards the right. They stopped on a guy holding a bottle of Coke.

'The drinks are on me.'

After I sent my message I casually angled my phone out of view. Becky continued her rave about ice tea, and they didn't seem to notice when I glanced down at their reply.

'Don't be late.'

My eyebrow lifted ever so slightly as I scanned it, before locking my phone and slipping it back into my backpack.

It was a warning.

I drummed my fingers on my leg, pondering on their words.

"Isn't that right, Kayla?" A voice next to me asked. Expectant faces turned towards me. Thinking fast, I gave a non-committal shrug.

"Well, maybe."

"I'll take that as a yes." Becky replied, her smile triumphant.

The rest of the drive to their home was filled with her nattering, and my (truthfully, tired) replies. When we pulled into the driveway I let out a silent sigh of relief.

"Home sweet home." Tessa chirped, hopping out. Nick flashed me a smile and got out as well, opening the door of the truck for me.

"Thanks." I smiled, jumping out - the distance to the ground was two or three foot. I was quickly followed by the girls and my host 'grandmama', who seemed fixed on sending me winks when Aaron's car strolled up behind us.

I avoided all eye contact as I followed the girls into the house, and stopped still when the door was opened.

A gorgeous white rug lay on the wooden floor as a stunning contrast. The grey walls were garnished with only a handful of family portraits and white shelves, which held exquisite ornaments. I quickly pulled off my shoes and placed them next to the coral-coloured shoe rack, trailing after the others.

I held back a gasp as a large wooden staircase came into view, the sheer size leaving me breathless. The hallway had been huge, but the room it opened up to was staggeringly big.

Nick and Tessa reappeared from a doorway to the left, offering me warm smiles.

"Obviously we need to show you around, but you'll need to set off for school soon. How about we take you to your room?" Tessa asked, laying a hand on Nick's shoulder and leaning her head on it.

I nodded slowly, and she grinned and hopped up the wooden hill with her husband, the girls and I following in suit.

We reached the top and they led me to a pristinely white door. I glanced to my right, and Becky nodded excitedly, her grin wide. I placed my hand on the doorknob and twisted it.

I swallowed as I took in the room, my eyes drinking it all in. A queen-sized bed lay in the middle, nestled in between two grey bedside tables. The bed itself was adorned with teal cushions and a fluffy white blanket.

I walked around the room cautiously, making sure not to touch anything. Placing my backpack next to the chest of drawers, I slowly turned to face the group of people huddled in the doorway.

The twins gave me knowing smiles as Tessa clasped her hands together anxiously.

"Do you like it?" She asked, chewing on her lip. I shook my head and her face fell.