Foreign

Chapter 4: First Day

                                                                                     Darjeeling's POV

I groaned and wiped the sleep out of my eyes. Sitting up and stretching, I reached over and grabbed my phone.

2 missed calls: Nilgiri.

Orange: Darjeeling, I hope you're awake!

Rukuriri: I hope we get classes together!

I smiled at my phone. I was so lucky to have my friends with me to support me when everything here was so new.

"Darjeeling!! Darjeeling you'd better be out here in five minutes or else we are LEAVING you!" yelled Rosehip from the kitchen.

"Coming MOOOOMM" I yelled back.

Walking out into the kitchen, I saw Assam pacing nervously in the living room area. Her blonde hair was pulled back with her usual black ribbon. She was biting her nails and staring hard at the floor.

"Assam, are you alright?" I asked and picked up my warm tea from the counter where Rose had left it for me.

She just shook her head and walked into her room.

"What's with her?" I asked Rosehip.

"Dunno. Poor thing's been a nervous wreck all morning. I don't think she slept a wink last night." She replied. "Now please go get your bag before we set a bad example for all the exchange students by showing up late!"

"Rose you're awfully nippy this morning. We still have nearly an hour before we're late to class. Should I be worried about you as well?"

She clicked her tongue at me and snatched up her bag from where it laid on the table. "Look, I gotta go. I told Orange I'd go get breakfast with her at this little cafe down the street." She started towards the door.

"Okay, have fun." I said.

She stopped in front of the door and turned around.

"Oh and... Darjeeling?"

"Yes?"

"Make sure Assam is okay. I'm sure she'll be fine...but.."

I smiled softly at Rose. "Don't worry your pretty little head about it love. I'll tend to Assam, you go meet Orange before we do have a reason to rush."

She smiled at me and nodded her thanks before leaving and shutting the door behind her.

I stepped up to Assam's door and knocked softly.

Silence. Muffled sniffles.

"Assam, may  I please enter?"

Silence again. But then;

"Y- Yeah. Yeah of course, um..."

Her footsteps sounded from behind the door and the lock clicked.

The second the door opened I wrapped around her and squeezed her to my chest.

"Assam, it's going to be okay. I'm scared too. My heart is in my throat. Being in a new country at a new school.... it's not easy. We have to focus on each other, though, and bettering ourselves. Bettering ourselves, and doing it together. We're your safety net. Don't worry sweetie."

Assam inhaled slowly and shakily, and when she exhaled, the tears flowed harder than before.

"D- Darjeeling.. I- I can't.. I ca.. What if...?" She trailed off and sobbed into my sweater.