Author Note:
Hi, this is my first story here; I'm still new to this fandom and please feel free to give me critiques. Pardon my English if there is/are any grammar error/mistakes/typo/anything, English is not my first language.
Anyway, I'm writing the story in two different English, since mostly this story is (very much) biased to Fidio (He is an Italian, and Italy is in Europe) so I feel like it is better to write stories from his side in British. While I will adjust the dialogue when it comes to the Americans, yes they will speak American English the language of freedom. Boo-ya!
Before I start, I shall give you some explanations: since this is 100% fiction, any school names I use here do NOT refer to the real existing school in the US. Example: Standford, which can be mistaken as Stanford because of its name, but really, I'm not referring to that school just check the location; that is in where? Montana?, while this one is in New York. (I'm not an American, so I don't know much :/).
Some people fuss about school life in the US, which are considered bad (mostly), so I use that as a reference to describe some characters' paranoia of Fidio going to the US. Not for any other means.
That is all, here's the story, hope you enjoy reading it!
Chapter 1: That Nice Bloke
Ah… the sweet smell of morning in Rome, Italy; fresh and warm, just perfect to start the day. A beautiful day for a lucky student who was given the chance to take the pride of representing all schools in the country to go for students exchange with the most powerful country all over the world, the USA. Ordinary you said? Well, to hell with you. Competing with the whole country was not an easy thing to do; you were required to have a brilliant brain inside that rock-hard skull of yours. And that skull must be able to endure the pressure of studying, in which your brain would receive tons of materials of the subjects that were going to be tested; oh yeah, do you dare to re read all your textbooks from the elementary until the last step of education before you step into real life, high school? Bet the answer's no, well, better shut the hell up then!
Enough with the debate, let's go appreciate this lucky boy, his name's Fidio Aldena, sixteen years old and currently studying in grade 12 of high school. He's now standing in the waiting room in Leonardo da Vinci International Airport, waiting for the departure to New York. Wandering around searching for seat, after several minutes of hard work he got a seat next to a blonde bloke who seemed to be at his own age, but his facial feature did not show any sign of being an Italian. Conclusion: this bloke was not an Italian, might be a foreigner-obviously a foreigner-, or someone who happened to look like a foreigner but actually an Italian.
'Why should I care about him, better just sit and wait.' Fidio thought, he shrugged, pushing the thoughts away, then took out his iPad, he went for his email and found out that he had received several messages from his friends at school this morning. He browsed through the whole page and decided to open some that he considered as reply-worth and top priority.
Dear Fidio,
I'm so surprised to know that you have successfully passed the tests. I'm so proud of you, old friend. I knew you can do it!
Anyway, have you done a/some research/es about the school you're about to attend? Well, I might sound silly for suggesting you this because I know you would've thought about it before the idea crosses my mind. But I'm just trying to help you, hope you can appreciate that. :D
As you know, America is a free country, people from many different countries, races, and religions live there so at least it will help you to see the diversity of communities in the world. (I know you're always interested in World's heritage study, that country is a good example for you). But, (yeah there's a but, and this is a BIG but), freedom in America does not apply for races, nationalities, religions only, but also behaviours, manners, and attitudes. Have you seen some stupid American movies about teenage life where they just stop going to school, having parties all day, going out with friends, shagging and snogging instead? I tell you something, those are not just fiction, they actually happen in the US. Every day! Sounds bad isn't it? You must take a good care of yourself if you wanna survive and finish your school perfectly.
Enough with the bad news, I know you are able to take care of yourself better than I think you can, you're a smart bloke anyway. And I believe you can finish your study without getting harmed or anything.
Soooooo, that's all I wanna say. Have a save trip and please email me back when you've arrived in New York. I look forward to hearing some great news from you. Bye, old friend.
-Marco
Fidio smiled after reading the email, he had always been the school's star. Every boy (he went to a school for boys only) came to him whenever there's an assignment or school project….. Involving Science, although he's perfect at (almost) everything. When it was announced that the school's going to choose one of the students to represent and compete with the other students from other schools, everyone went directly for him. In the end, these all happened; the studying, the tests taking, the good grades receiving, and the exchanging, despite himself. He couldn't help but take the challenge and did it for the sake of the whole school.
"And here I am, going to stuck in the US for the next four years. Hallelujah!" he muttered, waving his hands in the air like a priest, ignoring weird looks he received from people around him.
"You okay, boy?" his neighbour asked. Fidio rolled his eyes, still affected by the post-traumatic event (which in this case, was the students exchange test) depression.
"(And finally the blonde bloke speaks to me. Yay! What the hell.)Speak for yourself; you're no bloody older than me though you're as tall as a skyscraper. None of your business." he folded his hands and shrugged. He turned away to face the window and look at the sky. While the blonde head just shrugged.
"Fine. But I'm only a year older than you, FYI. So, you're coming to the US too?" he moved closer to Fidio, so close that he could feel their legs touching.
Without even looking he replied: "Yes, and I have to be in the same flight with you? God help me- How do you know my age?" suddenly he turned to face the blonde whose hair was actually dirty blonde with some curly parts making him look like a mushroom. Green sharp eyes, long but not pointed nose, just a perfect one, and hard jaws. He looked handsome; it's surprising that no one ran to him asking for an autograph or even a photo.
"I saw you in the student's portfolio, and you're quite amazing for your age, I'd say." he took out a folder and looked for something and took a paper which seemed to be Fidio's portfolio. Fidio leaned closer at him to observe the paper. Just when he was about to ask, the bloke snapped.
"I'm the Standford High's representative anyway, the name's Mark Kruger. Nice meeting you, Fidio." he stretched his hands, Fidio took it, eyes blank and they shook hands.
"O-Owh. Pardon my attitude earlier, as you can see I'm under pressure because of my friends and yeah." he reasoned, which sounded silly. Yes, finally we know he sucked at reasoning. Sucks to be you when you're too honest.
"No, it's okay. And we're going to depart in a minute. Let's go!" he stood and pulled Fidio's hand. Both ran towards the plane entrance door.
Was it just a coincidence or was these all planned? Cause Fidio had Mark sitting next to him.
No, nothing to worry about this bloke. He's nice, smiled all the time, and seemed responsible. Everything should be okay. Fidio could ask him some questions during the flight, perhaps he could help. Yes... Perhaps.
But why Fidio could not stop thinking that this guy was secretly dangerous?
"Are you okay? You seem to be thinking about something. And your face's all sweaty." Mark took a handkerchief and wiped sweats off Fidio's face. Fidio stayed still, it's just that he did not feel fine when it came to flight. Once he stepped into the plane, his whole body would shake and his face turned green, always almost vomited. Perhaps air pressure was one good factor to blame.
Fidio groaned, he wanted to vomit so badly but it just wouldn't come out.
"No, I'm fine. Don't mind me." he replied with his hand covering his mouth, the other hand gestured at Mark to move away. Instead of moving away, a hand slithered around Fidio's shoulder and pulled him closer, forcing his head to rest on Mark's shoulder. Then the hand moved up to play with the brunette hair.
"Just sleep, that should help you relieve your sickness." he whispered, so soft that Fidio felt sleepy and he closed his eyes.
"Yeah, you're right. Thanks for your advice." he croaked.
Just when he's about to fly to his world of dreams, he felt the hand moved down to his waist.
That was short? Yes, I don't write much in the first chapter. So what do you think about this story? Feel free to tell me by clicking that sweet small button below and give me a review ;D