Exiled


 * Exiled** by Austin July

__Chapter 1__
 * 1:30 a.m. **
 * I couldn't sleep much. What teenage girl sleeps after she finds out she's being exiled? Um... none! It's not a jolly feeling, ya know. Anyway, anyone would absolutly hate to be in my situation. A sixteen year old girl trying to live her beautiful life is forced to get shipped out off to China. On the bright side, it's only China... where most things are made. I mean it's a lovely country and I could probably come back to New York with a few extra handbags, but I don't want to leave this city. No, I'm //not// going to leave this city. But I'm already in this mess, I might as well explain how and why I'm leaving for the summer. **


 * I'm not exactly the best person to get along with, but in my defense, I'm the kind of person you'd want to get along with. I'm popular, pretty, talented, and needless to say, everyone adores me (exept for my parents). I'm provident at school, everyone in this big city knows or heard of me. How, you ask? I get along. Although, my parents were easy going... up until I was fifteen and they took that "How to be good parents" club and they realized that I was taking advantage of them. I hate to admit it, but I was taking advantage of them. I was using them for the most part and when they almost cought on, I denied everything and blamed them for raising a selfish girl. Sad but true. It is there fault anyway. They don't trust. They trust each other, just not me. They trust, trust, and trust everybody but me. I feel like if a someone tried to kidnap me, they'd just smile and say, "Oh, you can take her, I trust that you'll be safe with my only daughter. But, Micky, make sure you're good and home by ten because we don't trust you! And we don't trust you because we're mean and controlling and-" Okay, maybe I'm exaggerating, but you get the point! Okay, so finally, this is where my story first began. **

"Micky Boswell, you a grounded for the twelth time this year!" Mom sighed. "New record," I smirked, "Hey, Mom, I'm going to the mall with Yandi and the rest of my friends. Drop me off?" "No!" She was heated, "You're staying here! Your grandma is flying in tonight and to celebrate her eightieth birthday." "Wasn't she eighty last year?!" I groaned, "Gosh, she has to celebrate every birthday with us! Can't we just say we're not home and send her a card?" "Your grandma and grandpa helped buy this house. They took care of you for a year when Daddy was in the army and I was in the hospital." "And I thank them. And I love them. And I get it! Moooommmmm, please, I'll celebrate her birthday next year. I'm not getting any younger!" Mom yelled, "And niether are your grandparents!" "At least they lived most of their lives already. I'm sixteen! I want to see the world!" "You will!" Mom argued, "After you move out of my house." "Fine, then at least let me walk outside of the mall?!" "Haha! NO!" Mom said sarcastically. "Mom paaaleeeaaassseee!!! Just let me go for an hour!" I wasn't letting this go. "Uh no!" <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">"Fine, then I'm staying in my room for forever!" I screamed, stomping up to my bedroom. "Ugh!" <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">"Congradulations!" Mom yelled from downstairs, "You're grounded again!" <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">I slammed the door. After there was complete silence, I laughed and dialed Yandi's number. Yandi is my best friend. Her real name is Lauri, but her adopted parents changed it was she was just months old. Yeah, her adopted parents are a little weird. <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">"Hey!" I smiled, jumping on my bed. <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">"Wassup, chicky!" Yandi laughed, "What'd your mom say?" <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">"She freaked out. I ticked her off badly." <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">"I bet! You're such a pest!" I joked. <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">"She said I couldn't go." Yandi sighed, then she busted out laughing. <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">"So what time should I meet you there?" I asked. <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">"Eight!" <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">"Great! I'll just kiss the grandparents and head out!" <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">"Fine." <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">It took me two hours to get ready. I threw on my favorite dress and shoes. I put my long jacket over it and headed downstairs. Grandma and Grandpa were already downstairs laughing and talking. I looked at them, full of life and happiness those two were. I had a feeling they'd live longer than me. <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">"Grandma! Grandpa!" I hugged them both. <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">Mom tapped Dad and mumbled something. Finally, she cleared her throat and said, "Hey, Micky, I thought you were going to stay in your room forever." <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">"That's right. I smiled, "Matter of fact, I'll be in my room now! Happy birthday, Grandma, I'm grounded. Bye." I walked up to my room. <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">I heard Grandma say to my mom, "Now, Gretchen, why'd you have to go on and say that!?" <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">I smiled, sneaking down the steps again and tip-toing out the door. <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">This was going to be the greatest night ever. I thought, unaware of what I had coming.

__Chapter 2__ <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">You probably already figured this out, but I was NOT going to the mall. I remember this night because it was the worst, dumbest, absolutely the most unfair night in all my years of living. <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">So I had this really cute dress on and I was ready to party. I met Yandi, and my other two buds, Alicia and Penny. We were ready to go to the ultimate teens only club. At first, the club started out as a school rec dance, but it got so popular that the school agreed to make it a every weekend thing for students. <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">"Yes! Finally, I'm free!" I shouted, taking off my coat and walking into the school, "My mom so doesn't understand me." <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">"I bet!" Alicia nodded in agreement, "No mom understands her daughter." <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">We met up with a bunch of other students. <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">One guy that I was specifically interested in was this beautiful boy named Lee Smith. He was so cute and had the most amazing hair. His eyes were kind of cold and cool. Oh and his smile- well, he never really smiled much, but when he did, it would make you melt. <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">"Go talk to him!" Yandi whispered, noticing me gaze at him. She pushed me in his direction. <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">"Okay!" I fixed myself up and casually strutted over to him. <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">"Hey..." He said mysteriously. <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">"Hi, Lee!" I exclaimed, "You want to dance?" <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">"Um... sure, why not." He shrugged, taking my hand. <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">We danced to the music. He looked down the whole time. <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">"So, Lee, how are you likin' this dance, huh?" I seemingly interrupted his thoughts. <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">"What? Oh yeah." He nodded, grinning. <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">"You never smile." I blurted out, "Smile!" <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">He smiled, not showing any of his blinding white teeth. <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">"You realize that you have a nice smile, right." I said, "So you should show it more often." <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">He laughed, "So, Micky, what makes you so interested in my smile?" <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">I shrugged, "It's pretty cool." <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">"Smiling is cool? Since when?" He scoffed. <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">"Since I made it cool!" I smirked. <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">"Yeah, okay. Hey, we should hang out some time." <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">I tried to play cool, "I don't really 'hang out' with guys." I was itching for him to ask me out. <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">"Okay fine. We should go out sometime." He said. <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">"I agree." I beamed. We've hung out before, but I still wanted to be his girlfriend. <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">"Yeah, so..." He danced. <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">"So..." I repeated, "Thanks for the dance." <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">"No problem." He shrugged. <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">Suddenly, my phone rang. I looked at it. It was my mom. I ignored it. Then, I got a text message from her. It said, "So, you're in your room forever, huh? Come home right NOW!" <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">"I'm sorry, Lee." I sighed, as the song ended, "I gotta' go now. Bye." I ran out of the school, grabbed my jacket and rushed home. <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">When I ran in the door, Grandma, Mom, and Dad were looking down at me, crossing their arms, and scowling. Grandpa was on the couch, snoring. <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">I pretended to yawn, "I'm as tired as Grandpa!" I smiled. <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">"Where were you?" Dad barked. <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">"Um... at the mall." I sneered. <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">"Oh yeah right." Mom shook her head, "We looked through your computer. You sent Penny a message that said you two would wear matching colors to the dance!" <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">"You looked through my stuff! That's unconstitutional!" I argued. <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">"What happened to the mall?" Grandma questioned. <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">"What happened to staying in you room?" Dad asked. <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">"Actually, staying in my room was a cover-up for the cover-up. Get it?" I tried to bring humor into this conflict. <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">Mom handed me a flyer and frowned. I looked at the flyer. It was titled, "EXILED". The slogan was: "Bad kid. Bad kid. Watcha' gonna' do when they come for you? Exiled!" <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">"The only available country is China." Mom shrugged, "You wanna see the world? There you go." <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">"I'm being shipped out of the country against my will! No! Noooo!!" I shouted. <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">No said anything. <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">"I'm not going anywhere!" I looked at Grandma for relief, "Grandma? Tell them that I'm not going!" I grimaced. <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">"Sorry, sweets." She said apologetic, "It wasn't my idea." <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">"Why can't I just go back to Florida with Grandma?" I begged. "You trust a foreign family to look after me! No one trusts me, but you can trust a family on the other side of the planet! Oh my gosh! Fine, I'll go to China! As long as I NEVER have to come back!" I screamed, marching up to my room.

__**<span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">Chapter 3 **__ __**<span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">Chapter 4 **__ //**<span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">Since you won't speak to me in words, I guess we can communicate in writing. I said I was sorry for getting on your case earlier. Calm down. Sorry. **// //**<span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">I'm not speaking to you in writing either. **// //**<span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">How 'bout poetry. Roses are red. Violets are blue. I'm kind of sorry that I hurt you. **// //**<span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">You still have to try a little harder than that. **// //**<span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">I am trying. Please accept my apology and be sincere. The next time you see me, don't freak out. **// //**<span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">Yeah right. It's kind of hard not to. It's rediculous going back and fourth with these notes, okay? I still don't know if I accept your apology. Even though we don't see eye to eye, it seems like you're the only sane person here. **//
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">So now I'm here and tomorrow, I'm being shipped off. It took me two weeks to pack, with out talking to my parents, and Grandma stayed to ruefully watch me go. **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">8:00 a.m. **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">That morning, Grandma came in my room with some breakfast. **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">"I brought you some sausage, french toast, and mini muffins, muffin!" She sat next to me on my bed with a trey of food. **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">"Thanks, Grandma." I was silently sobbing. **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">"Hey, don't cry, honey. It's okay. It's just for the summer. You want me to drive you to your friends' house to say good-bye?" **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">"No! If anyone asks, I'm just... I'm just-" I broke out in even more tears. **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">"It's okay-" **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">"No it's not!" I yelled, getting out of my bed, and grabbing my bags, "I'm just going on a... shopping spree, 'kay?" **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">She nooded, as I walked out the door, "Grandma," I said, "Love you." **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">At the airport, Mom and Dad weren't talking. Grandma was smiling. The plane was about to leave, so now was the time for good-byes. **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">I went over to Grandma and gave her a big hug, "Bye, Grandma. Thank you for all the things that I should be thanking my parents for." **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">She caressed my hair, "Yes, darling, but thank your parents for caring enough to send you somewhere. Love you two, by the way." **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">I nodded. I walked over to Mom and Dad and glared. **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">They opened their arms for a hug, but I rejected them. **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">"Tell Grandpa I said bye and that I'll miss him." I glowered. **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">They gasped as I walked away and stomped on the plane. **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">"Welcome, ma'am!" The country usher said as I put my bags away and took my seat. **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">"I'm Sherry!" She smiled, "So your going to China?" **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">"Stop talking." I ordered, putting in my headphones. **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">She made a face and walked away. **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">Well, might as well get this summer done with. **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">2:00 p.m. **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">The plane ride seemed like forever. After about two days of shifting uncomfortably in my seat, I finally saw the countryest part of China ever. As the plane landed, I grabbed my bags and tearfully walked off the plane. There was a bunch of signs with Chinese symbols on it. I couldn't read any of it, resulting in a confused, angry knot in my stomach. I took a bunch of deep breaths. Suddenly, I heard someone call my name. **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">"Micky Boswell! Micky Boswell!" They called out. It was a short, middle-aged woman with two teenaged girls by her side. I walked in their direction. **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">"Hi! I'm Maymi!" She smiled. **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">"May me?" enunciated. **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">"Maymi!" She repeated then she said something in Chinese, "That's my real name... it may sound like gibberish to you, but it will catch on! These two are my daughters, Mimi and Lulu!" **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">They both beamed, "Hi!" **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">Maymi grabbed my bags, "Let's go!" **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">"Maymi, the next time you want to hold a sign up with my name on it, make it bigger and better, thanks." I replied. **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">"Hi, I'm Lulu... this is my twin sister, Mimi!" Lulu smiled. **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">Lulu was tall, pretty, skinny, and had curly hair with perfect bangs. She had little red lips and a pale white roundish face. Mimi, on the other hand, was kind of chunky, but it worked for her because she was absolutely beautiful. She wasn't tall or short and had a nice but simple haircut with side bangs. **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">"Hi!" Mimi exclaimed, as we got into the car, "Don't worry, Lulu and I speak really good English! We learned about America all our lives! We're practically American... kind of." It was funny because her accent was so legit and she was talking about being American. **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">"IKR!" Lulu squealed, "Hahaha! We're really fun and cool!" **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">These girls were so perky. I mean like if you looked "vivacious" up in the dictionary, you'd find two pictures of Lulu and Mimi! I had to laugh at their liveliness, although, it was kind of annoying. **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">We pulled up to a small house with a farm. We got out the car and walked right into the house. **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">"Ew." I mumbled. **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">"We'll show you to your room!" Mimi exclaimed, as her and her sister ran my bags upstairs to my room. When I got in my room I realized how small it was. **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">"We may not be the most luxurious family in the country, but this is good enough." Lulu dropped my bags and she and Mimi walked out, leaving me in my room. I closed the door and plopped on my new bed. I decided that now was a good time to cry, but I couldn't even think because of the ruckus in the next room. I got up, opened the door, and banged on the door next to mine. **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">"Will you please hush! Hush up!" I screamed. **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">The door opened and out appeared a teenaged boy who also looked my age. He was really really REALLY cute. He had warm eyes, unlike Lee's, and had blackish brown hair. He was tall and muscular. If only he went to my school, I would've dropped Lee like a hot potato an try to date this one. But this reality came back. I was mad and came over to yell at him. **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">"I'm Jackie" He smiled. **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">"I'm Micky and you need to cut out the noise because I'm trying to cry over there and you're making me so mad!" I yelled. **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">He scoffed, "Why were you crying?" **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">"Because I'm here!" **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">Suddenly his nice face vanished and he frowned, "You're the one who was sent here?" **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">"Correct." **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">"That's so sad." **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">"Finally someone gets it!" **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">"No, I don't get anything because you were so horrible that you had to be sent somewhere else to get away from your parents?" **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">I gasped, "Well, when you put it that way, ugh!" **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">"Yeah there's pretty much no other way to put it!" He slammed the door in my face. **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">"Maybe you should've been sent out of the country too!" I shouted. **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">I marched into another room, which apparently belonged to Mimi and Lulu. **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">"I want to go home!" I growled. **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">"What happened?" Lulu asked. They were both sitting on the floor, reading some magazines. **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">"Jackie happened!" I yelled, sitting on a chair next to them. **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">"Oh no..." Mimi shook her head. **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">"We knew it." Lulu cringed. **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">"Knew what?!" I was now eager to know what they were talking about. "Tell me! Now." **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">They looked at each other and nodded. Lulu took a deep breath and sighed, "Jackie's an orphan. His parents died when he was like two and he's been from family to family and finally, last year, Maymi took him in. He never really had any parents to fight with, like you obviously have, and he's just really appreciative." **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">"So?" I shrugged. **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">Mimi cleared her throat, "And you wouldn't be exactly considered thankful... or nice... and he just thinks it's really dumb that you were so... bad... that your parents had to send you out the country." **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">Suddenly, Jackie appeared in the doorway, "Mimi, where the buckets for the-" he stopped and looked at me, "Look, I'm sorry for snapping at you." **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">"It's okay." I said, "I just don't like you, so don't expect me to feel sorry for you." **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">"Yeah, right. I wasn't asking for your sympathy." He responded, "But one thing I hope you learn this summer is how to be thankful for the things you already have before there all gone. Seems like you have a little problem with greed and advantage." **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">I was so mad, "Excuse me!" I gasped, "Well, Mr. Know-it-all, you have no right to-" **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">"To what?" He interrupted, "To be right?" With that he walked out. **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">"He's in so much trouble." I mumbled. **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">"Take it easy." Lulu warned, "He has a hard life." **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">No one ever called me out. Like anyone would tell me that! I don't know how I feel about that. **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">I grinned, "So is he like your brother?" **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">They both jumped up, "NO!" They said simultaneously. **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">"What? Why not?" I asked. **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">"Have you seen him?!" Lulu groaned, "He's so cute! We do NOT consider him our brother because someday one of us will marry him!" **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">Mimi laughed, "Yeah, we're close, but I mean like ew, he's just a friend. You can't have feelings for your brother, but you can have some for your friend!" **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">"Oh... clever." I nodded, "Well, he's not my brother OR friend." **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">They giggled. **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">"It's fun talking to you." Lulu nodded, ****<span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">"You have the weirdest accent." **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">"I have an accent?" I rolled my eyes, leaving their room. **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">3:30 p.m. **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">I havn't done any actual work, which is totally cool with me, but I kind of feel like if you're going to exile me, then have me at least learn something. I'm just walking around the house wearing my new sweater and designer jeans, that are definatly meant to be worn in public! I was sitting in my room thinking about what kind of things I might discover this summer, when a note slid under my door. I stood up quicker than you could say peanut butter and dashed over to get the note. **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">It read: **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">I knew it was from Jackie, so I decided to write this: **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">I walked out the room and slid the note under his door. Then I walked back to my room and pouted. Suddenly, another note fell beneath my door. This one stated: **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">I laughed and wrote: **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">I got up, slid it underneith his door, and walked back to my room ounce again. **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">The next note that appeared under my door read: **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">I sighed and wrote: **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">I stood up, put the note through the crack of Jackie's door, and walked downstairs. **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">Maymi was frying some rice when I appeared in the kitchen. **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">"Hi, honey!" She smiled, "Want to help me cook?" **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">"No." I said. **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">"I was hoping you would say that." **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">"Why?" **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">"Because we need your help on the farm. You have a special job from this point out. Micky, you will be in charge of planting the rice!" **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">"No," I shook my head, "Sorry, but no thanks." **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">"No, you have to. We're housing another guest for the summer, so therefore, you have to help keep up the food suply." Maymi explained. **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">"No." I refused, "Anyway, I don't know how." **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">"Stop saying no. Sorry, Micki, but you need to help out too." She said in the nicest way possible, "Umm... Mimi is in charge of the animals. Lulu is in charge of the cleaning. So, Jackie can help you." **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">"No!" I yelled, "No! No! NO! Sorry, but I'm not getting down on my hands and knees!" **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">"Sorry, sweetpea, but you have to. Go put on some work clothes, becuase you have to start now!" She pointed upstairs. **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">"Ugh!" I complained, marching up the stairs. I put on the jumper that Mimi and Lulu bought me as a welcome gift and put my hair into a messy bun. I suspiciously stumbled sadly down the stairs and walked out to the farm. Jackie was already there. **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">"Err, I don't wanna' do this!" I whined. **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">He shrugged. **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">"You're not actually gonna' make me get down on the dirt with you, are you?!" My eyes widened. **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">"You can make rice standing up," He sighed, "but with great difficulty." **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">I grimaced as I put on my gloves and got down in the dirt. **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">"okay," Jackie said, "This is how you make rice-" **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">"I don't care, just show me." I rolled my eyes. **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">"First," He began, ignoring me, "you make sure you have your buckets." He looked around at the big buckets, "Check! Then, we fill our buckets with about six inches of dirt. Go ahead and do that now." **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">I winced, "Ew!" I picked up a little bit of dirt in disgust. Jackie put his hand over mine and guided me putting in the dirt. Okay... that wasn't too bad. **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">"Next," He continued, "add some water." **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">I grabbed the water bucket and poured it in with the dirt. **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">"Now put your hand in there and mix it." He ordered. **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">"Yikes!" I cringed, placing my hand in the mud and stirring it, "Why do I have to stir it?" **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">"You don't." He laughed, "I just wanted to see your reaction." **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">I picked up my muddy hand and wiped it on his smock, "Meanie!" **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">"Okay," He chuckled, "Now put the grains of rice in the bucket." **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">I grabbed the long grained rice and dropped it in the bucket. **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">"The rice should sink and we should wait." He shrugged, "Not too hard, huh?" **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">"Yeah it is!" I disagreed, "I hate being dirty and being covered in mud! Do you even know what it looks like?! I looks like I went swimming in a sewer! Jackie, a clean presentation means a good reputation!" I freaked out. **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">He was just laughing, "It doesn't look like that to me. I see a hard worker whose not afraid to get dirty, unlike yourself, I respect laborers. They build the society." **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">"You sound like a history book." I gagged, "Yeah right. I think money takes you places." **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">He laid on his back, with hands behind his head, "That's where your wrong. Listen to this: a rich man and a poor farmer were neighbors. The rich man couldn't pay his debt, and the farmer suffered from the terrible drought. The rich one lost his house, car, and everything else. The farmer, lost his farm, which decreased the money, which caused him lose his house. Which one do you think survived?" **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">"Um... the rich guy." **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">"Wrong." He replied. **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">"Wrong?" I asked. **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">"Wrong!" He repeated. **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">"Why?" I frowned. **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">"Because, the rich guy and the farmer had to live on the streets. The farmer was able to work with his surroundings, because he was so fimaliar with the land and was so hardworking. The farmer got up and built a house. The rich man sat there, still excpecting everything to be handed to him. Get it?" **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">I smirked, "That was probably the dumbest thing I've ever heard." **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">"Probably," He strugged, "But it makes sense!" **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">Suddenly a dark cloud came over us. **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">"Hey," Jackie stood up, "we gotta' get the rice to a sunny area or else it won't grow properly." **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">"Awww!" I whined, picking up the heavy bucket, "Help me!" **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">Jackie grabbed the other end. I started raining and the bucket's handle became slippery and wet. **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">"Nooo! My hair!!" I complained. **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">Then, I slipped on a puddle of mud, knocking the bucket right on top of me. The soggy grains and mud seeped through my clothes. **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">"Ewww!!!!" I screamed. **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">Jacket picked up the empty bucket and tried to help me up, but the wind knocked him off his feet and right on to me. **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">"OW!!!" I shouted. **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">"Please be quiet and let me think!" He yelled, standing up, and helping me back to my feet. **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">"Why's it raining so hard?" I asked, dumbfounded. **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">"It's probably gonna' flood. It's just another simple storm." He answered, as we ran into the barn. **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">I don't run much, so I was falling behind, until Jackie grabbed my hand and we took off. Ounce we got into the barn, we closed the doors. **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">"Thanks!" I panted, "I owe you one." I realized that I scraped my heel on the bucket when I fell, "Ouch! That hurts." **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">He put my arm around his shoulder and walked me to the bench. **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">"You really gotta' be careful when your running with a heavy bucket, in the rainy dark, when it's slippery outside." He nodded. **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">"Thanks" I said sarcastically, "It was my fault that I was blinded by the rain and unable to run!" **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">He agreed, "It really was." **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">Then, he took off his smock and wrabbed it around my bleeding foot. **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">"Thanks." I sighed at his benevolence. **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">"No problem. We better stay here until the storm passes. It shouldn't be long." He assured. **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">"Yeah... it's just a little storm, right?" I tried to make myself think little about this situation. **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">All of a sudden, water flooded in from undernieth the door. I had a melancholic feeling that this was not going to be a little storm. **

__**<span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">Chapter 5 **__ __**<span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">Chapter 6 **__
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">The water was up to our ankles and all I could think about was drowning in the barn with some rice guy that I barely liked. Because of my paniky manner, Jackie made it clear that I was irking him. I couldn't help it! The closest to a natural disaster in New York is a bad thunder storm and maybe a tornado scare, but that was it. **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">"Well I'm sorry if I'm bothering you, but do you know what's going on?" I yelled. **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">"Yes and it happens often." Jackie mentioned calmly. **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">My stomach flipped at the fact that this my not be my first time experiencing a flood this summer. **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">"Ew!!" I said, "This is really dirty water." **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">I noticed the animals in the back. There was horses, goats, pigs, cows, and a dog. **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">"I wanna' go get Maymi!" I whined. **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">"They're okay!" He nodded, "Wait until it stops raining." **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">"No!" I fumed, "I don't care if it's raining!" **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">"Why do you want to go!" He yelled. **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">The truth was that I'm allergic to dogs. Highly allergic. **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">"I'm allergic to-" **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">"Stay here!" Jackie interrupted, not listening. **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">I got really mad, "You are not the boss of me! Don't tell me what to do!" I shouted, opening the door. The house was only a couple yards away. I ran as fast as I could and in minutes, I was on the steps of the house, soaking wet. I knocked on the door. Nobody answered. I banged and knocked really hard. Still no answer. **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">"Come on and answer this dumb door!" I screamed and shouted. "Answer! Answer! Answer!!!" **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">I gave up and sat by the door. Sitting, the water up to my hip. My clothes were already dripping so I didn't see the need to try to dry off now. **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">The flooding stopped and the heavy rain fell into drizzles. The light rain looked like teardrops as they glided unevenly through the sky. I saw a tiny figure walking from far away and noticed it was Jackie. I stood up, knocked on the door ounce again, and when Maymi finally answered it, I rushed inside and locked it. **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">"What were you doing out there!" Maymi looked aghast. "You didn't get in the barn?" **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">"I did." I shook my head, "I'm allergic to dogs." **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">Mimi and Lulu appeared in the scene looking totally confused. At least they were dry. **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">"Allergic to dogs?" Mimi asked, "Poor thing's all soaking wet." **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">"Yeah, you should defiantly clean up." Maymi ordered. She didn't want me to sit on the sofa, so she gave me a woodened chair. The three of them surrounded me, picking the grains out of my hair. Suddenly, Jackie came in. He was holding up a little stick that resembled a key. **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">"You really locked it?" He shook his head, improbable. **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">"Yeah," I stood up and began to walk away, "I wanted to keep any uneccarsary items that the wind might've blown in!" **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">He rolled his eyes and walked in front of me to his room. **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">It took me an hour to wash that gunk out of my hair. I put on my new spring dress and high heels. Maymi went out to some kind of flea market and Mimi and Lulu were playing Chinese checkers in the kitchen. Jackie was watching them play and keeping score. **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">"Ew," I whispered to myself, "this family actually hangs out with each other?" **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">I walked down stairs and into the kitchen. **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">"Hi, Micky, do you wanna' play with us?" Lulu smiled. **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">Before I could answer, "No, why would I ever play a game with you." the doorbell rang. I figured that it was just Maymi, so I went and got it. **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">To my surprise, it wasn't Maymi, it was a tall, skinny girl with a pale complexion and brownish-blackish hair. She was really pretty and could pass to be a model. I could see her being my best friend, because looks mattered when it came to popularity, and that's why I'm the most popular girl at school. She was talking on the phone for a second. She held up her index finger, telling me to wait, and the she hung up. **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">"Hi." I waved. **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">"Who are you?" She asked. **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">"I'm the person answering the door, who are you?" I snapped. **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">"I'm Kinshe." **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">"King she?" I pronounced. **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">"No, Kinshe... //Kin-she,// Kinshe! Now your turn." She smiled. **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">"I'm Micky." I noticed her puzzled look, "You know... like the mouse, Mickey Mouse, my name is Micky... you know, Disney?" **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">She shook her head, "Is Jackie home? **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">"Sadly." **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">I brought her in the kitchen. She ran passed me and gave Jackie the biggest hug. **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">I stood beside Lulu. **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">"Explain." I whispered. **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">She leaned closer to me and whispered, "Kinshe: Jackie's ex-girlfriend. They broke up because she moved away, and I guess she's back for the summer." **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">"Is this a good thing?" **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">"I'm not the one to talk about people, but beware." She warned, giggling. **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">"What are we whispering about?" Mimi said out loud, grabbing the attention from both Kinshe and Jackie. Mimi blushed, "Ohhh... I get it now." **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">Lulu patted her sister, then turned her attention back on Kinshe and Jackie, "Hi, Kinshe. How are you?" She asked. **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">"Hmmmhhhmmm." Kinshe replied, giving Jackie a quick kiss. **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">Lulu cleared her throat, "What are you doing back?" **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">"I'm staying with my cousins this summer." Kinshe finally turned away from Jackie and gave a decent answer. She looked at me, "Now, Micky, what are you doing here? You're from America?" **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">I nodded, "I'm here for the summer too." **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">"Umm... I don't mean to be rude or anything, but why?" **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">Jackie whispered something in Kinshe's ear, which made me a little mad. **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">"Ohhhh... you're the one that was exiled?" She smiled, "It's okay, I can be a little snobbish too." **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">This girl was some what cool. I shrugged, "Yeah, I figured." **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">She just giggled, "Okay, well, Jackie, you have to come see my cousins! They're going to flip when they see you!" She grabbed his hand and they left out the door. **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">"Watch out." Mimi ordered, "That girl is sneaky." **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">"She'll be all nice to you at first. You'd share a bunch of secrets, she'll get you to do things for you, and then BAM! She embarrasses, betrays, and forgets you in a hot second!" Lulu added. **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">I rolled my eyes, "I'm hard to be forgotten, or any of those things." **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">"Still." Lulu begged, "Stay clear." **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">I shook my head. Yeah right. Like I was going to listen to them! I know exactly what I'm doing. **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">Jackie invited Kinshe over for dinner that night. I had a feeling that Kinshe was going to be around a lot in the next few days. She knew how to use chopsticks and she was a charmer to the family, but something about her was off. I didn't care if she was a circus clown, she still knew something that I didn't. **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">"Oh, Maymi," She smiled, eating some fried rice, "this is absolutely delicious!" **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">The food was scrumptious, although I was the only person eating with a fork and not two wooden spoons. **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">I nodded in agreement, "It's good." **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">Mimi and Lulu both glared at Kinshe. I just rolled my eyes. **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">"Hey Maymi," Jackie said, "Can I take Kinshe to a movie tonight?" **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">"Sure!" Maymi smiled, "But you have to take Mimi, Lulu, and Micky with you." **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">"Fine." **

<span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">**We finally arrived at the movie theaters and picked out a movie. I was so bewildered** **that I didn't even know where to sit. The whole entire movie was in Chinese, which made me kind of upset, so I walked out the movies and sat on a bench outside. Then, a tall, handsome teenage boy with long hair walked up to me.**
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">That night, we walked to the movie theaters. It wasn't that far, so we all took our time. I walked in the back, while Jackie and Kinshe laughed about something in front of me, and Mimi and Lulu made faces. **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">"So, Micky," Kinshe came back to walk next to me, "How do you like China?" **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">"It's fine." I shrugged. **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">"Oh, we should go shopping!" **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">"Yeah, we should." I replied. **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">"How do you like staying with Maymi?" **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">"She's fine." **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">"We should be friends." She giggled, "Because I think I am the only person who sees how hard it must be for you." **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">"Pretty hard." I said. **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">"And it shows. What's wrong? You don't like Jackie or something?" **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">"I don't know. I don't think so. Aren't you guys dating or something?" **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">"I don't know." She shrugged. **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">"Did you break up with him or vise versa?" I asked. **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">Suddenly, she had nothing to say, so I stepped in, "Do you like him?" **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">"Yeah, sure, he's cool." **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">"Okay, so are you guys dating?" **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">She laughed as if I was joking, "I don't know." Then she whispered, "I hope so." **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">"Hey," He smiled. **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">"Hi." I said coldly. **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">"What's wrong?" **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">"I can't understand the movie." I looked straight ahead. **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">"Oh yeah? Why'd you go then?" **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">"Because!" I yelled, "I don't know! Go away! Shoo!" I shooed him off. **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">Finally, Kinshe walked out the theater, "Hi, Micky, sorry that you couldn't understand the movie." **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">"It just started," I said, "Why'd you leave?" **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">"Because I didn't want to leave you out here by yourself!" **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">"Thanks." I sighed, "But Jackie wanted to take you to the movies." **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">As if on cue, Jackie came out and waved. **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">"Hi." I waved back. **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">"Do you want to get some ice cream?" He asked. **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">"Yes." I nodded, "Thanks." **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">At the ice cream parlor, there was a lot of weird flavors. Kinshe got some kind of green tea flavored ice cream, Jackie got this crunchy ice cream, and I decided to pass and just get some sour candy. Although we were all together, I kind of felt excluded. I wanted to know what Jackie was thinking. I also wanted Jackie to know what I was thinking. It was know secret that I was dying to know what was going on inside of Kinshe's head. THey were sitting next to each other, so close, they might as well have shared a chair. I felt tiny sitting on the opposite side of the table. At home, guys are usually itching to sit next to me, but now I was itching to get out of there. **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">"This ice cream is delicious!" Kinshe smiled, "How's your candy?" **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">I shrugged, "I don't eat candy." I said, ignoring my treats. **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">"Then why'd you get it?" Jackie asked. **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">"I didn't want to be rude." I glared at him. I actually wanted to say, "I wanted to spend your money, dumb one." But I decided that if being mean was the reason I was exiled... who knows where I'll end up next. **

__**<span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">Chapter 7 **__
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">7:00 a.m. **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">The next day, Jackie and I were out in the farm, trying to restore the damaged crops. The flood wasn't terrible, but it was enough to make me flee the country. **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">I sighed, "So how long have you known Kinshe?" **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">Jackie shrugged, "Very long." **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">"Okay..." I sighed, unappreciative of his short answer, "How'd you guys meet?" **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">"Her brother was my best friend." **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">"Was?" **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">"It's a long story." He laid back in the grass and thought about it, "Well, I guess we have time. So, her brother, David, was like my brother... until... ya' know what, never mind, I shouldn't say anything." **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">"What! Come on! Pleaseee!" I begged. **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">"No." **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">"Fine." I stood up, "But I'll find out." **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">"Mimi and Lulu, I'm going to ask you one more time," I said, sitting in the bedroom, "Who is this David and why isn't he and Jackie friends anymore?" **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">Mimi sealed her lips and pretended to lock it. Lulu, on the other hand, answered immediately. **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">"Okay, I'll tell you!" Lulu smiled, "So, David and Jackie were like walking one day and-" **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">"Lulu!" Mimi protested, interrupting her sister. **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">"The bottom line is that Mimi and David used to date. David and Jackie got into this big argument, because David hit his car, so Jackie was already ticked off with him! Okay, so David was a bad guy, pretty much, and he wanted to go to Spain with Mimi. Mimi said no, got another boyfriend, and David basically broke their relationship up, and Mimi was mad, which made Jackie mad." She said it all in two fast seconds, so she took a minute to breath, "Jackie's such a sweat heart! When we're mad, he's mad! When we cries, he tries to be all macho, so when we date a bad guy, he's gonna' be there. That's what I love about him, and that's why he will never, ever, never, ever, NEVER be my friend, or brother, or whatever 'cause he's obviously gonna' fall for me, okay?" **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">Mimi blushed, "Stop fantasizing!" She laughed, "Lulu, you know you have like a million guys, why Jackie?" **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">Lulu threw a piece of paper at Mimi. I watched as the girls joked with each other and realized what I was missing: a sister. I was also missing a boyfriend, a million bucks, and stilettos, but let's just take it one step at a time. **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">"Wait," I paused, "What does this have to do with Kinshe?" **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">"Well, the cat's out of the bag, so we might as well finish the story, huh, Lulu?" Mimi glared at Lulu, "Jackie dated Kinshe to get back at David, but he didn't expect to fall in love with her." **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">"If there in love, then why did they break up?" I asked, "I mean is Jackie still in love with her?" **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">"No, and Kinshe's not in love with Jackie." Lulu mumbled, "She has a cycle, it's like the relationship game. She becomes best friends with her target's family member, then gets close to the family. Then, she gets you to tell her all these secrets and then-" Lulu stopped, "Wait, you'll find out." **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">"What do you mean?" I asked. **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">"She means that she already has you under her trap!" Mimi warned. **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">I smiled, "No, I'm smart and devious... there's only room for one sneaky gal in this big country and it's mio!" **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">Mimi smiled, "Nope! She's been in this country longer." **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">I stood up and patted Mimi's head, "Oh, dear Mimi," I mouthed, "Well, Kinshe better move over, 'cause there's another scheming girl here, now. Two can play the relationship game." I winked and walked out of the door. **


 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">5:30 p.m. **

//**<span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">"BEEP! BEEP!" **//**<span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">Kinshe beeped her horn from the car. **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">Kinshe came over... for the fifteen millionth time. Well, no surprise there. She was hanging all over Jackie, in a short, sparkly, purple dress. I didn't think she could be any more obvious that she liked him. I don't think Jackie, Mr. Oblivious, noticed. I was sitting in the kitchen, eating a tomato, and watching Kinshe and Jackie talk, by the oven. I wondered if it was illegal to throw Kinshe into the oven... it worked for Hansel and Gretel. I sighed and decided that I should just pretend to be friends with Kinshe. I mean, she was likable. Well, so was I sometimes. I stood up, walked over to Kinshe and Jackie and smiled. **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">"Hi, Kinshe! What's up?" I beamed. **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">"Um, hey, Micky." She grinned, awkwardly. **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">"So, did you have any plans today?" **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">She exchanged looks with Jackie. He shrugged. **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">"I guess not." She replied, "What did you have in mind?" **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">"Oh, nothing, I just wanted to know if you wanted to go out to eat or something!" **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">"Oh yeah! Of course, I know this really fancy place called The Miele-" **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">"So let's go!" **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">"Hey, why don't you take Lulu and Mimi with you?" Jackie suggested, he turned to Kinshe, "I mean, you guys //are// like best friends, right?" **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">She plastered a fake smile. **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">"I'll go get them!" I ran upstairs and into Mimi and Lulu's room, where they were comfortably relaxing. Before I disturbed them, I threw on my floral tube dress. Finally, I ran into their room. **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">"Hey, guys! Wanna' go out to eat?" I offered, "Some place called The Miele?" **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">The both sat up, "Of course we want to go!" **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">"Okay good. Me, you guys, and Kinshe." I whispered Kinshe's name. **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">"No thanks!" They both said. **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">"Please! I'll do anything!" **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">Lulu smirked, "Fine, but I'm not paying." **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">I walked out of the room while they got dressed. I walked to the banister. Jackie and Kinshe were laughing and talking. **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">"Of course we're friends!" I heard Kinshe say, "I love those two!" **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">Jackie replied, "Good. I'm glad." **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">"Now my brother-" **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">"No, let's not talk about him." **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">"Okay..." Kinshe said, "But, I love the twins." **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">"We're ready!" Lulu called from her room. I ran in. Mimi had on a vintage white dress. Lulu had on a draped dress. They looked really nice. **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">"Thank you!" I grabbed both of their arms and dragged them downstairs. **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">"I'll get my car." Kinshe said, when we were all downstairs. **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">She walked out of the room. All of our heads turned to Jackie. **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">"You guys look amazing." He shrugged. "What's wrong?" **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">"Tell your little girlfriend that I don't like her." Lulu snapped. **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">"Why? What happened between you guys?" **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">"That mean little monster pretended like she was-" **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">Mimi nudged her in the arm to stop her, "She's just a little surprising sometimes." **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">Jackie was confused, "What are you talking about. **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">"She has ears like a deer!" Lulu mumbled. **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">The three of us walked out to the car. Kinshe was waiting. Lulu and Mimi scrabbled into the back, while I took the front seat. We began driving. After about twenty minutes, I started to get suspicious. **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">"Um... Kinshi, where are we going?" I asked. **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">She giggled, "Do you seriously think that we'd be going to a resteraunt in Zhujiang, do you? This place is nothing but farms!" **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">"You're taking us out of the state?" Mimi gasped. **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">"Kidnapping!" Lulu shouted, banging on the window, "She's kidnapping us!" **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">"Calm down, jia ren!" Kinshe yelled. **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">Mimi raised her eyebrows, "Micky, in case you didn't catch that, Kinshe just called my sister a dummy in Chinese." **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">I nodded, "Learning something new everyday." **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">"And I'm learning that Kinshe's taking us somewhere against our will!" Lulu gasped, as if she had no air. **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">"Please!" Kinshe pulled over, "Micky said she wanted to go to The Miele and she invited you two, so it's up to Micky! Micky, do you want me to take you to the best place in China?" **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">I looked at Kinshe, and then at Mimi and Lulu, "Yes." I said, slyly. **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">Lulu and Mimi groaned. **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">"Now who's the 'jia ren'?" Lulu growled. **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">"That wasn't cool, Micky." Mimi moaned. **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">Kinshe shook her head and started driving again. At around eight o'clock, when it was nice and dark, we arrived at The Miele. We walked inside and were seated in only minutes. **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">"The Miele is so cool." Kinshe explained, "It was originally an Italian restaurant, ergo, the name is French. But, over time, it changed to a Chinese place! They never changed the name, though." **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">"Why not?" I asked. **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">"I dunno." **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">I was sitting next to Kinshe and across from Lulu and Mimi. **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">A couple of guys walked over to us. **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">Lulu and Mimi smiled and went into their perky modes. **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">"Hi!" The both said. **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">"Are you guys twins?" One of the guys said. **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">"Yep." Mimi nodded, "Yeah, we are!" **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">"That's cool." He smiled. **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">I sighed, "Are you guys waiters?" **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">They all laughed. **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">"No," The one guy said, "I'm Grey. This is Todd. And that's Mike." **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">"So you're not waiters?" I asked. **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">"No." Grey shook his head. **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">"Well then where are the waiters?" I turned to Kinshe. **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">Finally, someone that seemed to actually work here showed up, "Hi, before I take your orders, would you like me to bring you more chairs for the gentlemen?" **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">Lulu, Mimi, Grey, Todd, and Mike all shouted, "Yes!" **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">"Okay," The waiter pulled over three more chairs and the guys sat down, "I'll be right back, after I take the next order." **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">"What!" I whined. **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">Wow... what a night so far. **

__**<span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">Chapter 8 **__ __**<span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">Chapter 9 **__ <span style="color: #000080; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 170%;">My goal was to finish at least one story on the wiki before school ended! Yay... I finished it! Well, I hope you liked it. Feel free to comment, and have an amazing summer! :D <3
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">So the three guys pulled up some chairs and the waiter left. Eventually, he came back with our drinks. Kinshe fell silent as she sipped on her green ice tea. Todd, Mike, and Grey, on the other hand, would not shut up. **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">"So, Micky, where're ya' from?" Grey asked me. **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">"America." I replied, "New York." **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">"That's pretty cool. What made you come here?" **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">"Um... I'm staying with Mimi's family." I pointed to Mimi and Lulu. **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">"Why?" **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">"You sure are eager, aren't you?" I snapped, irritated. **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">He put his hands up in surrender, "Okay, well do you know any Chinese?" **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">I shook my head. **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">He scoffed, "Ya know, it wouldn't be a bad idea to learn, considering everyone here speaks it. How long are you staying?" **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">"The summer." I said, bummed, "Sadly." **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">"That's not a bad thing." He suggested, "China's a great place." **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">"I bet." I sighed, "But its not like I chose to come here." **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">"Huh?" **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">"I was exiled." **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">Something about that made his face change. He thought about that for too long. Maybe I shouldn't have said that. Maybe he thinks of me as some prisoner who was disobediant to her parents. **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">I laughed, "Kidding!" **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">He looked relieved, "Oh! That was a good one! You had me shocked for a second." **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">Wow... his reaction made me somewhat deppressed. **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">"Yeah!" I cleared my throat and turned to Kinshe, Mimi, and Lulu, "I want to go." I said. Something bothered me and I couldn't quite put my finger on it, "I want to go //now.//" **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">With that, the three of us got up, leaving the guys, got in the car, and left. **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">"Party pooper." Lulu mumbled. **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">Mimi smiled, then she sighed, "What's wrong with you?" **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">I just rolled my eyes. **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">"Why are you so upset? You should be thankful. Out of your whole entire stay, you hardly even worked. So, the least you can do is smile." **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">I knew she was right. I blurted out, "Is there something wrong with me!? I mean really, am I some kind of disease?!" **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">Lulu chuckled, "What are you talking about?" **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">"Everytime I say I'm exiled, people look at me like I'm dirt." I growled. **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">"You are." I could've promised I heard this come out of Kinshe's mouth. **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">"Excuse me?" I asked. **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">"You... are..." She enunciated. **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">"Why are you saying that." I asked. **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">"Why are you here?" Kinshe smirked, "I mean seriously, you could've done something to prevent being shipped away." **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">"Your attitude is so out of the blue." I was obviously puzzled. **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">"Yeah well, I got tired of pretending like I liked you... so there you are. I don't like you." She pulled her car over, "In fact, I dislike you so much, that I can't have your presence in my car." Right there, on the side of the road, she pushed me out the car. Kinshe glared at Mimi and Lulu, "I should push you two out too, but Jackie likes you too much." **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">"You won't have to push us out, because we're leaving ourselves." Lulu tried to open the door, but Kinshe locked it, "No, because if I come back alone, what kind of friend would I be? I mean friends don't throw each other out there cars." **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">"Are you crazy?" Mimi asked. **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">"I really couldn't take it anymore." Kinshe put the car on drive and drove away, with Mimi and Lulu, stuck in the car as well. **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">I was on the side of the road. **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">I was literally thrown out the car. **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">I was really feeling like road-kill. **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">Oh someone's going down. **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">It's been five hours! It was almost morning and I was still stranded on the highway. Worst of all, it's been pouring rain since one o'clock! It was almost dawn and the sun failed to come out. I yawned. **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">"So..." I said to this cool rock I found last night, "Rock... my only friend." Sleeping on cement made me delusional, "I guess no one will get me. I mean Lulu and Mimi would drive down to get me, but they have to watch the crops and animals. Maymi would come get me, but she's kind of a reckless driver and there's no way that Jackie would let her drive around in the dark just to get some girl that was exiled. I didn't want Jackie to get me, because Kinshe would probably be with him. Bottom line, no one will come get me. But it's funny how I know this family inside out now. **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">An ugly car with bright headlights interrupted my thoughts. The driver was hard to see, but he stopped right in front of me. I stood up and looked in the window. It was Jackie. He waved. I screamed and ran in the car, drenched. **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">"Thank you!" I hugged him, "Thanks a lot." **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">"Yeah, Kinshe told me what happened." He smiled. **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">I frowned. **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">"And then Lulu and Mimi told me the actual truth. According to Kinshe, you screamed and yelled at her, then jumped out the car because you couldn't stand her. According to Lulu, she-" **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">"I was there, you don't have to explain." I scoffed, "Thanks. Soooo... what did you do about Kinshe?" **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">"Well, we broke up. Guess what? She ran away." **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">"Huh?" I asked. **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">"She ran away from home and came here to China. Her parents came and found her and guess what?" **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">"No! Just tell me!" **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">"Okay... she got exiled." **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">I gasped, "What?!" **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">"They took her home and then first thing tomorrow, she's leaving to India." **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">"Oh my gosh! Wh-what! Yes! Haha! In your face, Kinshe! Look who can't prevent being shipped out the country now! Look who's laughing! Ha-Ha! Me! Oh yeah! Me! I wish I could've seen the look on her face! Boo ya!" I shouted, as if I was talking to Kinshe herself. I turned to Jackie who looked very frightened, "Um... sorry, I just really wish I could've seen the look on that girl's face." **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">"I took a picture." He laughed, showing me the photo on his phone. **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">She was crying and she looked like her best friend died. **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">I laughed and hooted, "That's priceless." **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">He sighed and looked at me. Jackie nodded, "There's a little diner down the road if you're hungry. I heard dinner wasn't too much of a hit last night." **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">I became serious and smiled, "Yeah. I'd love that!" **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">"Ya know, we're only half way through the summer now." **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">I shrugged, took his hand, and agreed, "I don't quite think I learned my lesson yet. I should stay way longer." **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">"Yeah well... something good always comes out of being exiled." **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">"How would you know?" I smirked, "I don't think anyone here is too fond of being exiled." **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">"Nope, ostracism isn't too popular in our country." He smiled. **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">"Let's just say I'm on vacation. Kinshe's the one suffering now." **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">"So this isn't the //'worst summer ever'// anymore?" He quoted. **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">"I should get exiled every year!" I shouted. **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">The sun finally cleared up and the rain faded away. It was a perfect scene. We rode in front of a beautiful sunset, cherishing a beautiful beginning. **