Chapter 2
Part 1: Daisy
I was in the middle of biology when my phone buzzed. I hoped Ms. Ackley didn't hear it; I had worked too hard to keep my record clean to have it ruined by getting a detention for something as stupid as having my phone on in class. Even if she did hear it, maybe she's ignoring it. I am, after all, her best student. But I'm not saying I enjoy biology
Ever so quietly, I took out my phone. I had a text from someone named Regan-it was a forward-saying, "NATE AND ADRIENNE BROKE UP!" Did they, really? It shouldn't be so "shocking" as it seemed to be to everyone else. I mean, they'd only been going out about a month. In my opinion, it was such a cliché; the football player going out with the cheerleader. I'd never expected them to last. They never do in real life, or in movies. The jock always goes for some outcast in the end, so he can be "himself". What a bunch of-.
The intercom came on; the daily announcements early, perhaps? But, instead of one of the students, it was Principal Hoffman. "Good morning students and staff. Today is September 7th, Friday." He droned on and on, until he reached the end. "Staff, could you please excuse all sophomores to the auditorium now please? Thank you, and have a great day!"
Ms. Ackley didn't have to say anything, because the sophomores had already sprinted from the room. Anything was better than biology, even a boring assembly. I had a slight feeling this was different, although I couldn't put my finger on why.
I walked alone through the full halls, as I usually did. You'd think exchange students would make friends straight away because they're interesting, but in my case this isn't true. I'm the shy, British girl. My first week people only liked me for my accent, and then abandoned me after my first three weeks. It probably didn't help that I was abnormally tall. I was six feet tall-SIX FEET TALL! Life is so unfair.
I took a seat in the auditorium toward the back, so people could see. My first week I made the mistake of sitting in the middle, the principal personally had to ask me to move-quite embarrassing if you ask me. I sat next to some random boy, almost taller than me. He had dark hair and light, golden-brown eyes. "Hey." He said, looking right at me.
"Hi!" I tried to not sound too excited, but inside I was screaming. A boy was talking to me-me, Daisy Diamond! No boy had ever talked to me in America before, and I had to say, I liked it. Maybe he'd ask me out on a date! Wouldn't that be exciting? We could go to the movies, or maybe dinner! What if he kissed me? Oh God, what was I going to do then? I hadn't exactly had my first kiss yet...not something I was very proud of. 15 years old and never been kissed, such a tragedy.
To my surprise he continued talking to me, "I'm Gordon." He smiled, "And you are?"
I smiled back, "I'm Daisy."
"Daisy-nice to meet you Daisy. What brings you here today?" he asked.
"Um," How do I answer this? "The...principal? I don't-"
Gordon cut me off, "Indeed. Do you have any idea what this is about?"
"Not a clue."
Part 2: Gordon
I didn't know why I was carrying on this conversation with Daisy. I didn't know her, but she was really pretty, and tall. Some girl was actually on my level, height-wise at least. Her pale skin went well with her black hair and bright blue eyes. She had a great smile too. I also couldn't help being really attracted to her accent.
"Maybe we can...hang out later?" I asked her, "Maybe go to a movie?"
I could see her eyes light up and her mouth curved into a breathtaking smile, "Sure! I'd absolutely love to!"
Perhaps she likes me too? I sure hope so. I wanted to say more, but then Principal Hoffman took the stage. He tapped the microphone, and then said, "Good morning sophomores, thank you for joining me today for this quick assembly.
"For a little less than a month we've had a sign-up sheet for the first ever 'Insights trip'." Cue the confused glances at the people sitting next to you and quiet, questioning whispers. Daisy looked at me and raised an eyebrow; I nodded to show that I didn't understand either. "Since only freshman and seniors signed up, and the trip is exclusively for 10th graders, I was forced to put every student's name in the box." He held up a small, cardboard box that was overflowing with slips of paper.
"Now, the 'Insights trip' is provided by a company-Insights-to schools that good test scores. This year, the sophomores had the best test scores out of all four grades. Six lucky students will be headed to a mystery destination for the remainder of the school year. You're gaining insight on another culture than here in Wisconsin. So, without further ado, the six students going are as follows:
"Congratulations Heath Roberts, Gwenyth Black, Daisy Diamond, Regan Pennington, Nathan Harvard, and Gordon Parker. Please see me in my office now." Principal Hoffman walked off the stage with a slight smile on his face.
I looked at Daisy, and said, "Guess we'll be hanging out a lot more than I thought."
She looked slightly hurt, "Are you okay with that?"
"Yeah, more than okay-more like thrilled." We stood up to walk out of the auditorium, hand in hand.
