I've wanted to try a Pen pal story for a while... so here we go!
-emmy
You're converse covered feet slammed against the ground as you ran up the stairs, late for your German class. I'm dead…I'm dead! You thought as you continued up the stairs, taking two at a time. You're German teacher wasn't particularly nice when he had a late student, which is why you were thinking what you were thinking.
When your German class came into view, you sighed happily, figuring out the bell hadn't rung just yet. You ran your way across the hall way, but failed to notice someone had spilled something. You, in seconds were sent flying across the hall, books cluttering around you. Anger over took you as you rushed to pick up your discarded books and papers, many of which you highly doubted you even needed.
Right as you stood up from picking up everything the bell rang. Quickly realizing what that meant, a loud groan emitted from your mouth as you walked, slowly now, to the German classroom door. Swinging said door opened quietly, you stalked towards you desk nearly silent the whole time in hopes your teacher wouldn't notice.
"Late again are we?" His voice boomed and hit your ears.
You looked forward, "I-I'm sorry…" You said quietly.
He sighed, checking your name off on the attendance sheet. "That's the third on this week." He looked over his glasses, "You do know what that means, right Ross?" He used your last name in a vain attempt to sound intimidating.
"Yes, I do Mr. Miller." Came your small reply. Shifting awkwardly from one foot to another, you watched your teacher write something on a little note, and then waving it around in the air for you to come and collect it. You did just that. Walking meekly towards the front of the class, he handed you the pink little paper. All it told you was that you had detention that day, in his class after school was let out. You would have groaned in displeasure, but only turned on your heel and walked back to your desk.
He watched you sit down before explain what the class was going to do in class today. "I do hope all of you are ready for your first pen pal project." He looked upwards, "This will be the first one out of several if you stay in my German class for the rest of your high school career."
You watched him pull out a hat before he sat it down on his desk. "Inside of this hat are students from different high schools in Germany. I expect every one of you to pick a student and write to them. Learn about true German culture, ask them advice, and ask them how to say certain words in German. Talk to them, communicate with them. Do you understand what I want from everyone?"
All students in the class mumbled a small, "Yes sir."
"Great! Now get in a line so you can come pick your student."
Nearly all students sighed as they stood and walked towards the front of the class. Having been 7th in line, you began thinking about the whole Pen Pal thing. What if I get someone who's a total jerk? You wondered, or what if they don't like Americans? The guy behind you pushed you forward, taking you from your vague thoughts. Your teacher gestured towards the hat, silently telling you to pick a name. You sighed, praying to yourself that you get someone who's worth talking too. The first piece of paper was the one you choose from the hat.
Hastily, you slipped the piece of paper open and began reading what was on it.
Student: Ludwig Beilshmidt.
Age: 15
School: Schiller Gymnasium, Berlin Germany.
You stared in awe at the paper. You got a boy? He was only 15, the same age as yourself? You smiled to yourself as you tugged the piece of paper into the pocket of your jeans. Maybe, you thought and began walking back to your desk; just maybe this whole Pen Pal thing isn't so bad.