My hands shook with anticipation. I gazed out the window at the amazing beauty of Ireland, the sunset casting a beautiful glow. Mullingar, to be exact. I had begged my Mom for months about studying abroad and she finally let me go. Being 18 and having never left Toronto, I felt suffocated. I need air. The 6 hour time difference isn't bad, I slept on the flight and now I was wide awake with the nervous feeling of meeting my host family. I had expected to meet them at the airport, but no one was there but a driver. A gracious and kind man, he is. Now, in the back of the black SUV, I was nervous to meet this family even more.

"Don't worry, Miss. The Horan's are nothing but kind folk," the driver reassured. I nodded and smiled to the man's reflection in the rearview mirror.

We eventually pulled into a suburban area of the small town. The house we stopped in front of was beautiful. Light brown brick house, architecture that screamed early 1900's, with balconies attached to rooms on the side of the house. I gulped and opened the door to the car. I stepped out and took in the view of my new home for the next few months. Immediately I felt like I did not belong. My boyish attire, dark blue jeans, white t-shirt and black Vans did not fit in with this area. The driver opened the trunk and pulled out my two bags. As I bent down to retrieve my things, I heard the house door open.

"Oh! Jonathon, Niall! She's here!" A woman yelled.

I gulped and turned to see a slender, blonde-haired woman hastily walking towards me. I smiled awkwardly, feeling insecure already. Nothing to be insecure about really, I'm not fat, but yet not skinny. I suppose I'm not bad to look at, and I am blonde, so at least I match my Host-Mother in some way, but she was beautiful.

"Hi," I croaked.

"Oh, darling, you must my new host-daughter!"

"New? So you do this often?" She smiled simply, "sorry, stupid joke.." I muttered.

"Nonsense, darling! My, you are more beautiful than in your picture!"

"Thank you, " I smiled, "Im Lezile, " I finished.

"Lovely to meet you, Lezile. Im Sheri. "

As Sheri introduced herself, two boys came out from the house. The first, a young boy, looked about twelve. The other, looked my age, and absolutely breathtaking. Sheri turned to face the boys and clapped and smiled excitedly.

"Darlings, this is Lezile! She will be staying with us while she studies here. "

"Yes Mum, you have only told us a million times... " the little one said.

"Jonathon, shut up, " his brother replied.

"Niall! Language. "

"Sorry Mum. "

Sheri pointed to the boys and then to the bags, "help her out, boys, please! Thats what you are here for, " she joked.

I choked up, "no, no, really, its okay, I can carry my own things. Its alright. "

"Nonsense, Im glad to help, " Niall replied.

"Me too! " Stated Jonathon.

"Please, you cannot lift five pounds, " retorted Niall.

I smirked and Niall smiled back. The boys grabbed my bags as Sheri paid the driver and he drove off. She linked her arm around mine and proceeded to guide me towards the house, behind her boys.

"You will meet my husband, Thomas, later. Hes at work right now. "

"Okay. " I replied shyly.

She gave me a tour around the house, every part as beautiful as the outside. She led me upstairs and into the guest room, where I would be staying. The room was painted a delicate shade of red, with a Queen bed with black sheets and a comforter and pillows, all the same. It had a dark wooden desk and a walk-in closet. If only I had enough clothes to fill that.

"I hope this is okay, " Sheri said, eyes nervous.

"Its perfect, " I stated with a smile.

"Beautiful. Well, I will let you get settled in. Ill be going out soon, but if you need anything, the boys are just down the hall. "

"Okay, thank you. "

She smiled and walked out of the room. I turned to my bed and opened my first bag.

"Oh, and before I forget, " Sheri started again, leaning into the room. I turned to face her.

"Welcome to Ireland. Im very happy youre here. "

I smiled, "Thank you, Sheri. "

"Please, call me Mum. "

I smiled shyly, "Mum. "

She nodded and left the room again.

In little over an hour, I had unpacked my things, gotten settled in, fired up my laptop and checked my my email, all to find my information about school tomorrow. I was nervous. High school was rough in Canada, I only hope it would be better in Ireland. I stared at the screen on my laptop, eying the classes I would have to bear with all new people.

English Literature
Music – Guitar
Drama
Chemistry

Not a bad semester I would be having. All classes I enjoyed, but my comfort level is shot because it would be with a bunch of strangers.

"Knock Knock, " I heard at my bedroom door. I turned and saw Niall leaning against the frame.

"Who's there?" I joked back.

He smiled, "A charming, blonde, musically talented, handsome boy."

I let out a nervous laugh, "so uh, what's up?"

"Just wanted to make sure you were settled in. Mum and Dad left for a bit. Date night or something at the pub."

I smiled, "that's cute. A date night."

"Yeah," he started, sitting down on the bed, "gives us a chance to be alone, do whatever we want. My brother plays his horrid music really loud, and I have to sit and deal with it," he smiled.

I chuckled, "if I had a brother, I would control the music selection."

"You don't have a brother?"

"Uh, no, only child. My Mom and Dad couldn't really handle more than me."

"Must be lonely."

"A little. Sometimes it's nice."

He smiled, "well, now you've got two brothers to worry about. I'm not going to take it easy on you at school, you know," he teased.

I smiled, "I wouldn't expect anything less from my brother."

He motioned for my laptop and I handed it over. He looked at my schedule and smiled.

"We have Literature and Music together, this is going to be fun."

"Oh yes, tons of."

He smirked, "Look, I know you're probably really nervous, and I don't blame you, but just know that I'm here for you, if you ever need me for anything."

"Thanks, um, I appreciate it."

We sat there, staring at each other for what seemed like an eternity, until Niall broke the gaze and stood up.

"Well, I best let you get to bed."

"Okay, goodnight Niall."

He stopped at the doorframe and turned to me, "goodnight Lezile."

And with that, he closed my door and I let out the deep breath I had been holding in. How can I be expected to go to school and live in a house with a gorgeous host-brother like that? This semester I'm going to have to up my restraint a million times. I set my alarm and crawled into bed. As soon as I closed my eyes, I fell deep into my unconscious state of dreams.