I step off the plane into the warm mid-morning Michigan air and yawn. That was the longest plane ride of my life. But it will all be worth it. I unlock my phone to reveal two new messages.

Hey Sami, text me when you get off the plane. Good luck! :) – Ben

I walk down the runway following the other passengers in a line, the families clutching each other's hand, couples doing the same, business men grasping briefcases and wearing suits. The other text was from my service provider.

Welcome to THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. We hope you enjoy your stay. Unfortunately our service does not work here. – O2

Great. I need a new phone. I decide to call Ben when I get to my boarding house and shove my phone into the pockets of my blue high-waisted shorts as I reach the entrance into the airport. The air hostess takes my passport and green card, inspecting them closely before scanning them and handing them over to me with a big grin.

"Enjoy it here mam!" I nod at her as a thank-you and pull my blue polka dot suitcase off the conveyor belt, pulling it along behind me out into the warm autumn air. I have a quick glance behind me at the Ann Arbor Municipal Airport, the red and orange bricked building and the silver writing beaming out at me. I smile in anticipation of what is to come as I hail a taxi. These are different to any I've ever seen; the cars bright yellow, making the white writing on the side reading 'TAXI CAB' stand out more. I climb in the back onto the plush black seats and pull the door closed. The driver turns and looks at me expectantly.

"Oh, er, 82 East Shore Drive please." He nods and faces the road again. He seems… nice. I hope not everyone here's like that. I take out my iPod and press shuffle, putting in my headphones and leaning back against the cold headrest. Little Things by One Direction comes on and I close my eyes, sinking into the rhythm and lyrics.

I feel someone shaking my shoulder, and my eyes open. I'm still in the taxi, and it's brighter outside. "Ma'am? We have arrived." He gives me a small smile. I smile back and climb out of the taxi, pulling my suitcase behind me as I give the taxi driver thirty dollars and a ten dollar tip. He gives me another smile as I shut the door and he speeds away, down the road. Turning round to face my new house, I gasp, and my suitcase drops from my hands, clattering onto the pavement. Holy Musical Batman. In front of me stands a white stone house, with three floors; curtains drawn in most of the windows. It's bigger than my whole boarding house back home- well, school.

The huge midnight black door swings open easily as I gently twist the brass handle.

I step inside, my pale pink Converse pad across the light wooden flooring as I pass the beige painted walls of the entrance hall, and amble down to the living room, looking into the other rooms as I pass. I see a pool through a pair of glass doors leading into the garden and grin in delight. I love swimming. I always have, ever since I was a little girl. I throw my suitcase onto the black leather sofa and jog up the stairs to check out the rooms. I wonder which one's mine.My hand hovers over the doorknob, but I stop myself before I can open it. I wouldn't want people to look into my room, so I'm not going to look in anyone else's. I notice on every door, there's a small whiteboard with names on them. Joe, Nick, Jamie; no, Jaime. Except one door, where there's only one name. Lauren. Maybe that's my room. I turn back and run down the stairs and grab my iPod, notebook and a few of the books off my freshman reading list and walk out of the door, wanting to explore.

I wander the streets until a taxi drives towards me a little while later. I stick out my arm and it stops. The driver looks around my age, maybe a couple of years older and has curly dark brown hair, and sparkly green eyes.

"The north campus of the university please." I smile at the young driver.

"Sure!" he grins, revealing his deep dimples to me. I like this one. He's my favourite. He turns the radio up and sings along, his melodic voice ringing out in the car, and I join in.

"Beautiful like diamonds in the sky! Shine bright like a diamond!" The song finishes and we burst out laughing.

"You're really good!" he smiles. I snort in disbelief. "Seriously!"

"Well, thanks. You were too!" I reply. The car stops, as we arrive at the campus. I step out of the car and hand him the fare, but he hand it right back.

"It's on me." I shake my head rapidly.

"No I can't…"

"Yes you can." He cuts me off. "Just…do me a favour?" I nod in reply. "Text me?" he says as he hands me a piece of paper. I blush madly, my cheeks pillar box red.

"Sure." I say, and he grins at my accent then waves goodbye and I do the same, shutting the door lightly before he drives off.

I spin on my heels, taking in the iron gates; the sign above that reads: University of Michigan, the deserted campus grounds. Not a person in sight. You can almost see the dust bale rolling across the yard. Quite depressing really. Then I remember it's a Saturday. Everyone will be in their boarding houses. I wander across the yard and into the first door I see, into a building.

I pass classroom after classroom, looking in every one, but it's not what I'm looking for. I come out of the building and walk across a cut, into another one. I turn into the first room and gasp. Jackpot. The velvet black seats in rows, each one waiting to be occupied. The navy blue painted walls just like the ones in the cinemas back home and the stage. The shiny black varnsh, velvety red curtains, the scenery and props in the wings. This is so much better than the one at my old school! I run down the stairs into the auditorium and hop onto the stage, hugging my books to my chest. I sit in the middle and put my books down, except one: Jane Eyre. I should really have got these sent over earlier. I'm behind, and school hasn't even started yet! Well, that's a new record. I push my earphones into my ears and press play, diving (head first) into the world of Jane and her mysterious boss Mr Rochester.

After a while, my eyes start to get heavy and tired. No Sami, you have to stay awake. Do not sleep. I repeat, do not slee…