It was Monday, the worst day of the week. Meghan walked into the computer lab.

She found an empty seat, and plopped down into it. Clicking on Internet Explorer, she typed in a web address.

Up came the page. It was a college site, on which she had a personal account. Opening the account, she was surprised to see that two colleges had read her profile and were interested in having her attend.

She was about to click on one of them when something flashing on the side of the screen caught her eye. It was an advertisement.

"Ready for a change?" the thing flashed.

Meghan looked on.

"Want to see the world?"

A flicker of interest flared up inside her.

"Want to expand your horizons? Wondering how the world lives? Then Study Abroad is for you."

She found herself clicking the flashing box. Another web page appeared. On the screen were pictures of smiling teenagers. One was wearing a traditional African dance outfit. Another was Asian, and looked to be holding a stack of books. Still another was a boy in a parka, standing in front of a colorful castle in Moscow.

"Welcome to American Foreign Exchange" was the headline. On the left side of the page she saw a list of countries to click on. On the right side, more flashing boxes, all having to do with the program. She examined them briefly, and was about to start clicking countries when, all of a sudden, a new box appeared.

"Win a semester-long study abroad scholarship!" it read. Intrigued, she clicked the box.

Yet another webpage came up.

"Enter our essay scholarship contest, and you could win an all-expense-paid semester in England! Includes program fees, airfare, schooling, and necessities. Housing and living expenses are paid for by the host family. Contest rules are as follows:

-Essay topic: Many people in the UK and other countries view

american teenagers as being ignorant, spoiled, and careless.

What is your view on this matter, and how would you respond?

-Essay must be at least 1000 words long, and no longer than 1500

words long.

-Must be typed. Can be sent by standard mail or e-mail.

-You must be a legal US resident, and at least 16 years old.

-We must receive your essay by July 10th, 2003.

-Must include form below with general information."

Meghan scrolled down. There was the form, asking for her name, age, address, and other things. At the very bottom was the fine print. She mouthed the words to herself.

"Odds of winning: 1/5000."

Ha. Like that'll ever happen. Still...

Meghan was definitely compelled. To win something like this would be a dream come true. And an essay contest! Her grades were so-so, but...she knew how to write.

Without thinking, she filled out the form. Then, she began to type.

Meghan's POV

New York is a big place. But of course, you must know that by now. When many people think of America, the image of New York comes to mind. Here is the most populated city in the nation, and still more people come here to visit or to live every day - somehow, they're all able to squeeze in. This is the very definition of the sought after "Big Time", but I've lived here all my life. At least, all that I can remember.

Not that I haven't ever been anywhere else. I've been to the countryside, and also New Jersey (I don't know why people hate it so much). I went to Connecticut once, when I was five, to visit some great aunt of my mom's. She insists I've been to Canada, but I can't remember any part of it (darn). Basically, though, I've been pretty much in the same area for 17 years.

Every time I'd ask where I was born, my mom would say, "In a hospital.". I've long since stopped asking. See, my mom's like that. If she doesn't want to talk about something, she WON'T. Like this one time, I asked her why she didn't like cheese. She proceeded to tell me that she'd throw up if I asked again. That's my answer. Another time, I asked why she has a poster of the band Limp Bizcit on her wall...you finish the rest.

Though frustrating to me, I find that a very interesting trait of my mom's. She's taught me that not all information needs to be disclosed. I'm thankful for that. Some people I know tend to go into way too much detail about their personal lives, and that's often not appreciated by those around them.

But what am I telling you all this for? I must be boring you. You have better things to do than to hear me talk all the day long. My point, though, is that people don't wonder enough. I know that makes no sense, but...as huge and sparkling a city New York is, there are much bigger things. And sometimes, when I see people here walk by, their faces...they're so glazed over. There's more to life than the bustle of this city. Am I the only one who wants to see it?

"Hello!" Meghan called. "Anyone home?"

She closed the wooden door behind her.

"Just me, honey." came a voice. Her brown-haired mother emerged from the kitchen, wiping her hands on a dishtowel.

"Hey mom...are...you making something?"

"I'm just washing dishes right now."

Meghan grimaced.

"Ugh...is that dishwasher busted again?"

" 'Fraid so. But hey, I've only got a few dishes left. You care to start some laundry for me, maybe earn a couple bucks?"

"Um, alright. Just no underwear."

"No, don't worry. I've already washed all the underwear." A smile crept across her face.

Meghan then found herself standing in front of the washing machine, loading in clothes and pouring detergent.

"Mom! We're out of water softener again!"

"I know. Just wash the clothes without it."

When the load was started, Meghan wandered into the kitchen.

"So...where is everybody?"

"Your aunt picked your cousin up early from school. Doctor's appointment."

"Really? She didn't say anything about an appointment."

"That's because her mom never told her she had one. It's for a blood test, and you know how Daphne hates those things."

"So do I."

"Yeah, but you're better at getting them. For her, though, anticipation is the worst."

"I guess."

Meghan went to the pantry to get some graham crackers. She then sat down at the table.

"Whaf's fer didder?" She asked with her mouth full of graham cracker.

"Actually, I was thinking maybe we could have pizza tonight. I know you just had some at the party Saturday, but..."

"Mom, you actually think I'd turn down pizza, like, ever? And don't worry, I remember you didn't get any because we ate it all, so you can have half the pizza, OK?"

"Sorry, can't accept the offer. I thought of pizza because I have to go to a meeting tonight, and I can't help with dinner."

"Oh, Mom, not again."

"Again, I'm sorry. But be sure to save some pizza for me."

"Sure, whatever."

Catherine looked at her daughter.

"Hey, don't be sad. At least you don't have to go get a blood test."

"Lucky me."

There was a pause.

"Meghan, we'll eat together tomorrow night, I promise."

"See ya then."

With that, Meghan took the graham crackers and trudged to her room.

Well, that's it for now. As I said, I hope you like it.

And before I forget, I do not own What a Girl Wants or any of the characters in it, nor do I force them to do slave labor. Also, I do not own American Foriegn Exchange, if there is a such program; I'm too dumb to find out. I also do not own New York, England, or pizza, though it would be interesting if I did. HOWEVER, I do own Meghan and Catherine Reynolds as they are fictional characters of my own creation.

I plan on posting about two chapters at a time, but I will only post more of this story if I get at least one good review. So if you want to read more, write what you think. :D

Peace out

-rf-