Nowaki enters the building kind of nervous, and who wouldn't be? A man leaving his lover while studying in America, very nerve wrecking. Nowaki wasn't going to let it get him down too much, though. In fact, he was going to try to study his butt of, so he could get back to his Hiro-san. At least, that's what he thought. Who knew that making short-term friends, could take such a long time to let go?

________ ________

"Aw man, I'm going to be so late!" I said, rushing down the hall like the devil was on my ass. Skidding to a stop in front of my first class I notice a new kid standing in front of the door. Hey, why not start out the day with some stupid comments.

" Oh, hello! Are you new here?"

The guy just looked at me. Was he a foreign-exchange student? I hope he new English! He looked friendly enough to hang-out with. I mean it would be so cool to have a foreign friend!

" Oh, um, hello. My name is Nowaki Kusama." he said in a very heavy Japanese accent. What a charmer.

" Great! My name is Kara Hertz. Nice to meet you." I gave a friendly smile and, looking at my extremely pissed teacher, sat down in the third row back. I guess my friendliness on Nowaki paid off, he sat right next to me. I wonder if anyone said "hi" or anything to the poor guy.

" Hey, Kara, what are your plans for tonight? Awesome party at Tim's dorm." Trina wiggled her eyebrows at me.

" Uh, sorry, I think I'm going to do something tonight." I said. Which surprised even me. A chance to miss dancing, usually isn't like me. I guess this Nowaki kid really intrigued me.

When I looked back over to Nowaki I noticed he was really into the topic and the teaching for today. I guess he really wants to do something with medicine. Or, maybe he just wants to get back home as fast as he can. I could help him with that. Maybe he could teach me some Japanese in exchange, I need another language to learn, I mean I might face something that would require it in the future.

After class I caught up with Nowaki wondering what his plans were. When he told me that he was going to go home and study, I had to convince him other wise.

" Really," I said, " why don't you let me make you something. Have you ever had any American dishes? Other than McDonalds or something."

" Um, I don't know. I really think I should study," Nowaki said. " I want to get back home to someone, and the way to do that is by studying very hard so that I can maybe reduce my stay."

Oh my gosh, what a sweetheart! After hearing that of course I had to help him!

" Well then, in that case I'm going to have to help you with that. Whether you like it or not, consider me your new tutor."