The Student Exchange Program

Chapter 3 - Plot Twist

"Marina, when are you going to get a boyfriend?" Brooke looked up at me from the royal blue peplin dress she was holding. 

I felt my cheeks heat up to a tomato red as I thought up of a response. Oh how I hated how my cheeks always gave me away.  

I noticed a smirk grow and Brooke's bubblegum pink lips while I thought out loud. "Boys these days are dumb and only want one thing." 

Brooke looked at Carmen, the two of them sharing a look before they look back at me, but this time it was Carmen who spoke up. 

"Rina, we'll be here for you, if you ever feel like coming out-"  

"with the truth!" Brooke added. 

I stared at both of them for a long time, very confused by what they said until it all slowly came together. 

My two best friends think I'm a lesbian. 

"Oh my god. I hate you guys." I huffed as I folded a light blue, studded sweater over my shoulder while walking over to the changing room to line up. 

I've never really thought about it, in all actuality. I never felt a strong attraction to either gender, actually. 

Maybe I'm asexual? 

I tensed up my shoulder before I could lift and drop them in a shrug. 

They already think I'm a lesbian. I can't have them thinking that I'm a crazy lesbian. 

I decided to keep my mouth shut until the three of us were side by side in the changing stalls. "Guys. Just because I'm not interested in any boys at school does not make me a lesbian. I have more important things to worry about than immature boys." 

"Like what?" Brooke questioned, sounding as if there is nothing more important than boys. 

"Let me guess, school?" Carmen grunted from my other side. 

"Yup." I popped the 'p'. "My mom didn't emigrate from Germany for nothing y'know." I grinned as I looked at my reflection.  

My straight ebony hair and naturally tanned skin looked nothing like my mother and older brothers ivory skin and light coloured hair. Though Alex shares my eye colour, his eye shade looks way cooler than my ordinary brown ones. 

Now that I really think about it, my family members and I really dont look anything alike. My mom always blames it on my dead-beat father though, since the father of my brothers and my own father are two different men who share one thing in common- not being here for their kids. 

"Earth to Rina, you come in?" Carmen pulled me out of my thoughts.  

"Oh. Uh, yeah I'm here." I quickly pulled the sweater over my head and slipped my cardigan around my slim torso before stepping out to see matching looks of disappointment plastered on the faces of my best friends. 

"Were you ignoring us?" Carmen arched her brow at me. 

"I think she was." Brooke kissed her teeth. 

All I could think of doing is give them an apologetic smile. "Sorry guys, I promise to pay attention to both of your ridiculous ramblings from here on out!"  

"Ugh, I feel like you never appreciate us." Brooke sighed as we walked over to line up at the check out area. 

Here we go... 

***

Six hours of shopping and seven bags full of clothing later, I was being dropped off at my house. 

"I can't believe I'm saying this but, that was actually kind of fun." I admitted sheepishly. 

The two looked at each other before looking at me with giant Cheshire grins on their coloured lips.  

"Sometimes you just have to accept fashion into your life. See you on Monday bitch!" Brooke blew me a kiss as I shut the door, laughing.  

I lifted my jacket and caught the kiss, bending over to slap it on my ass. They honked the horn and laughed as Carmen pulled away. 

I smiled as I walked to my front door. They may be crazy and too out going for my taste, but that's what I love about them. 

"Hey Mar-Bar." Masen smiled at me as he rubbed the back of his neck, something him and Alex tend to do when they are nervous or embarrassed. 

Oh God, what happened now? 

"Now dont worry, I didn't do anything bad," he assured me, as if he read my mind. "I just thought you should meet someone before you leave for Australia." 

I relaxed my tensed shoulder muscles as he explained himself. As long as he didn't ruin or touch any of my stuff, I'm good. 

"What's her name?" I smirked at him, laughing at the silly grin and red cheeks that took over his features. 

"Her name is Kira and she'll be here any minute with her family!" I heard my mom yell from the kitchen as she cooked up some dinner. 

"Well," I shifted my weight onto my other foot, still smirking at him "you better go and get changed because that won't fit." I nodded at his dirty white tee and faded black jeans. 

"Right." And with a quick nod, he ran up to his room and raided his closet for something decent for him to wear. 

I left my shopping bags with my combat boots near the stairs and lounged on the couch, watching YouTube videos on my phone until I heard a knock on the door. 

"HOLY FUCK! SHE'S HERE ALREADY?!" Masen raced down the stairs and stood in front of the mirror, fixing up his hair while my brothers and I watching him, all of is sporting an amused smile on our full lips.  

My amused smile faded away when my eyes made contact with the last person to step in our house. 

Chester.

My brother is dating Chester's sister?!