"I moved to America with my dad to pursue my passion for music. I am going back to Australia in two months for two weeks so I can stay with my mum and attend a music festival, I will then come back and stay with my dad and finish off my year here. I will do a split study in year 12 so i can move back to Australia and study for the first semester and then finish off my study here and apply for a scholarship either in America or Australia."

"Ok, what Uni's or collages are you looking at at the moment?" asks Mr. C

"In Australia I'm looking at the Canberra School Of Music, Western Sydney Uni and The School Of Musica, In America I'm looking at the New jersey Uni, music collage and music essential online collage".

"What school were you currently attending in Australia and what school are you doing your split study at?"

"I was attending North Sydney Christian School and it is decided and confirmed that i am able to do my split study there, all i need now is your approval".

"Ok, thankyou, i will have to take your request to the school board but it should be ok, you can now go out and receive your timetable from Amy".

"Thankyou so much for having me here".

"Thats my pleasure, you should get along well here, I have arranged a tour for you with a girl named Bella, she will be in the office to pick you up in 5 minutes, oh and you don't have to do classes today, so come and meet me back at the office when the tour is done."

"Ok thanks again".

I exit the office and walk over to Amy, I stand directly behind her considering what i should do. I'm about to grab the back of her chair when her phone rings.

"Hello?", "Yes, Yes, Well... alright, Um, why can't you?, well if I have to" "here is your timetable" she says with her back turned to me". I sidestep her chair and reach to grab the sheet of paper that is in her hands.

"Thanks" I say a little sarcastically as i take it from her hand

"whatever" she says going back to the conversation on the phone. I go and stand near the door hoping my guide will come soon "Hehe, Yes I know i said he liked me but i'm not sure if he will ask me out to the end of autumn dance". I groan, not love talk, if Bella doesn't come soon i am going to bash Amy over the head with that phone... "Hey, are you Alenna?" I turn around startled

"yeah"

"Hey, I'm Bella, Welcome to New Jersey".

"Thanks". I find myself staring at a tall fair skinned American wearing a checkered mini skirt and a white shirt that is tucked into the skirt and finished off with a wide black belt. She is wearing red converse shoes that match her converse earrings, she has light brown hair that is out and comes down to just below her shoulder.

"I like your shoes" i comment

"haha thanks" she replies

Stupid, stupid, stupid i really couldn't have said anything more stupid. who comments on someones shoes when they are in year 11?

"Are you ready to see your school?" she says with a hint of sarcasm

"As ready as i'll ever be i guess" i say picking up my bag, i am now ready for a lot of people staring at me and asking who i am.

"How was school Lennie?" asks dad when I finally get home. Lennie is dad's nickname for me.

"Good" I lie just so I can avoid a long conversation.

"That's good, do you have any homework?"

"no, I didn't have to attend any classes today but i did get to meet all of my teachers".

"That's good, what did the principal have to say about split study?"

"He says he has to clear it with the board, but it should be ok".

"That's great!" "I was thinking we could go out for dinner tonight and celebrate me getting to see my girl again"

"Sounds great dad, i just have to call Jenny now"

"Ok just be ready by 7:00".

"Yep" I call back as i head upstairs. Jenny is my best friend, we have been best friends since we can remember. We have never fought and never plan to, the only problem is that she lives back in Australia and i barely get to see her. I dial her number and wait... she picks up on the third ring

"Oh my gosh, i haven't talked to you in so long!" "How have you been?"

"I'm alright, I guess" I'm already welling up with tears

"Oh No, what's up?" Hearing Jenny's voice makes me homesick, but i just love how she can tell when something is wrong, even when we are half a world away.

"I just really miss you and mum" I now start to sob

"Hey, it's ok, I have some exciting news". I love the way Jenny knows what she should and shouldn't bring up in a conversation, i can't believe she knew not to ask about my school but that is why i love her.

"Ok hit me" i say, sniffing trying to put myself together.

"well... You remember Josho right?"

"Oh my gosh, how could i not!"

"Well he told me he is really missing you, and he has asked for your phone number!"

"OH MY GOSH, no way!"

"Yes way, and he wants to know if it would be ok if he texted you"

"Please tell me you said that was absolutely ok"

"Well i kept calm and said it should be fine but i just had to double check with you"

"YES, YES, YES give it to him..."

"Well i am just about to meet up with him so i will pass it on"

"Lennie you almost ready to go?" Oh my gosh i totally forgot

"everything alright Alenna?"

"yeah, that was just my dad, we are going out for dinner, so i have to go get ready".

"Ok, thats cool, call me as soon as you get home, no matter what time it is"

"Kay will do"

"Do you pinkie swear?"

"Yes i pinkie swear"

"Alenna?"

"yes dad i'm coming"

"talk to you later, got to run, bye". With that i hung up. OH, i totally forgot to get changed. I walk over to my clothes box and pick out a red white and black striped tank top and a pair of my favourite jeans, i slip into my red converse, grab and jacket, my wallet, phone and purse and i'm out the door.

"Pizza time!" dad yells when we walk through the door of dads restaurant

"Aye it's jack" some guy yells from the other side of the counter.

"I want you to meet my daughter Alenna, Alenna this is Anthony, he and i worked together to build this place and now we run it. I take Anthonys hand and shake it, it's firm but sweaty from all the work he has done cooking tonight. Dad and Anthony start talking about business and stuff so i go over and sit in one of the booths that are stationed all around the walls of the small red restaurant. I pick up a menu when my phone buzzes in my pocket. I take it out and look at the number, i don't know this number and it isn't a local number either. I click on the message and it opens. Hey Alenna, really missing you, Jenny gave me your number. Can't wait to see you again, when are you due back? Josho Oh My Gosh, this can't be happening... The guy who i have admired for 2 years has finally talked to me ALONE! well i guess this isn't really talking but it is a private message.

"Everything alright Alenna?" I look up and see dad staring at me from across the table.

"Yeah, just checking facebook" i say quickly shoving my phone back into my pocket.

"So what do you think of this place?" dad asks

"It warm and has a happy feel to it, you did a great job dad" i reply

"thanks, but do you know what inspired me the whole time?"

"what?"
"the thought of seeing you and taking you here" "I did this for you, i earnt the money and found a stable home so i could have you, you know i love you."

"really, you did this for me?"

"yes"

"Wow"

"I know how hard it is, leaving your life in Australia and your mum to come spend time with me, if you ever need me make sure you let me know"

"OK" i whisper "I never knew how much i missed you"

"Me neither, that is why i just had to have you back." I look down at the table and bite my lip to stop me from crying.

"You need to know that i still love you" dad softly whispers into my ear. I nod slowly still looking at the table.

"How about we skip dinner and go get ice-cream instead" says dad pulling on my arm. I nod and stand up

"See you tomorrow Anthony" dad yells across the restaurant.

"Ok take care" Anthony yells back. dad leads me across to the car,

"I hope you brought your camera" he says "because i know the best ice - cream parlor and it is really vintage. I smile at him

"Lets go".

We get back at around 9:00pm

"Thanks for a great night" I say as i walk through the door laughing about dads latest epic fail.

"That's fine" dad replies with a yawn "I'm off to bed".

I head up to my room, i really need to start unpacking. I can't find anything at the moment because it is all in boxes. I search through two boxes before i find my laptop and P.J's. I dress into my P.J's and slump down onto the bed. I log into my laptop and call Jenny on the home phone but it is engaged.

"you have three new emails". The automated voice says to me as i open up my email account. Ok, i have an email from wanting me to buy an $100 gift voucher for a friend, asking me if i am happy with my new guitar and an email from . i open the email from jenny and read the words LOOK AT YOUR PHONE!!!!! and don't try calling me cause i'm out.

oh my gosh, i totally forgot that Josho had sent me a message. I run over to my bed, pick up my phone and read Josho's message again: Hey Alenna, really missing you, Jenny gave me your number. Can't wait to see you again, when are you due back? Josho

I hit the reply and type: Hey Josh, I really miss you and the guys. Thanks so much for texting me and yes it is fine to text me. I am coming back in two months time. talk to you soon. Alenna.

I click send and read over the text. Why do i have to say weird things like: and yes it's fine to..... and sign the end of a text with my name? two seconds later i get a reply.

Hey, so i do have the right number, i was getting worried that i had the wrong number. Hope you like America, will definitely miss you. Hope you have a goodnight.

My stomach fills with butterflies, I just got wished goodnight by a guy.