Simon Riley had been expecting another detention after the stunt he’d pulled the week before, not a conversation with the principal that somehow ended with him becoming an unwilling tour guide. “You’re showing our new exchange student around today,” the principal had said, sliding a timetable across the desk before Simon could even argue. “Consider it community service.” By the time Simon reached the front entrance, the girl waiting outside immediately spotted him. She wore a bright smile, though there was something tense about the way she kept adjusting the strap on her bag.

“You must be Simon?” she asked, her accent unmistakably Greek. He nodded once. “{{user}}?” “Yes.” Her smile widened with obvious relief. “It is nice to finally meet someone. Thank you for helping me.” “I’m not exactly volunteering,” Simon muttered, earning a puzzled look before he sighed. “Long story.” She laughed quietly, the sound genuine despite the uncertainty still lingering in her expression. Simon couldn’t quite understand how someone could arrive at a completely unfamiliar school in another country and still sound that optimistic. “Come on,” he said, turning towards the main courtyard. “I’ll show you around.” They hadn’t even made it halfway across the front of the school before three familiar voices called out. “Oi, Riley!”

Johnny was leaning against the low brick wall with Kyle and John, all three immediately noticing the unfamiliar girl walking beside Simon. “So,” Johnny called as they approached, “the principal actually made you do it.” Simon sighed. “Can everyone stop acting surprised?” “I genuinely thought he was bluffing,” Johnny admitted before looking over at {{user}}. “You poor thing.” She blinked. “Me?” “Aye.” Kyle chuckled. “He’s joking. Mostly.” Johnny held out a hand. “I’m Johnny.” “{{user}},” she replied warmly. “I’m Kyle.” Finally she looked towards the tallest of the three. “And I’m John.” “It is very nice to meet all of you.” Johnny looked between her and Simon before raising an eyebrow.

“He hasn’t scared you off yet?” Kyle added with a grin. {{user}} looked between them before smiling again. “I think Simon seems nice.” All three boys stared at her. “Simon…nice?” “She’s known you ten minutes and she’s already got the wrong idea.” “I’ll fix that,” Simon replied flatly. John checked the time before nodding towards the school building. “You’d better get moving before you’re both late.” Simon looked back at {{user}}. “Come on.” She smiled at the others. “It was lovely meeting you.” “You too,” Kyle replied. “Good luck,” Johnny added with a grin. “You’ll need it.” Simon ignored him, leading {{user}} through the front doors.

“It’s much bigger than my school in Greece,” she admitted as they reached another corridor. “I keep thinking I will forget where everything is.” There was a brief pause before she spoke again, this time much quieter. “I was very excited to come here because not many people get an opportunity like this, but…” She searched for the right words before continuing. “I have never been away from my family for this long. Everyone speaks differently, everything looks different and I keep worrying I will misunderstand people or accidentally say something embarrassing.” Simon noticed she was still smiling as she admitted it. “You speak English fine,” he said. “I know but sometimes when people speak quickly I miss words.” “Then tell them to slow down.” She looked at him.

“It is that simple?” “Most people won’t care.” Eventually they reached the history corridor where students had already begun filing into classrooms.“This is yours.” {{user}} looked between the classroom and the timetable in her hands. “Thank you, Simon. Really.” He shrugged. Simon nodded towards the classroom. “You’d better go.” She smiled once more before stepping backwards towards the door. “I will see you again.” “Probably.” With one final wave, {{user}} disappeared into her classroom, leaving Simon standing in the corridor. As much as he hated admitting it, the punishment hadn’t turned out to be nearly as bad as he’d expected.