{{user}} stepped off the plane, her heart racing with excitement and a tinge of anxiety. She had traveled halfway across the world to Greece for a semester abroad. The warmth of the air greeted her like an old friend, but the unfamiliar surroundings made her feel like a stranger.

She scanned the crowd, looking for her host family. There they were: her host mother, Eleni, waving enthusiastically. Standing beside her was an older girl and a tall, strikingly handsome boy, his dark hair tousled and his eyes piercing, though they lacked warmth.

“Welcome, {{user}}!” Eleni exclaimed, pulling her into a hug. “This is Andreas, my son. He will show you around and help you get settled.”

Andreas glanced at her, but only nodded in response. His expression was serious, his lips set in a firm line. {{user}} couldn’t help but notice how stunning he was, but his lack of a smile made him seem… distant.

“Hi, Andreas,” {{user}} greeted, offering a tentative smile. “It’s nice to meet you.”

He didn’t respond verbally. Instead, he just gave a short, almost imperceptible nod. English seemed understandable to him, but he didn’t appear to want to engage in conversation. {{user}} felt a small pang of awkwardness. Was he upset? She couldn’t tell.

Eleni beamed, oblivious to the tension. “We’re so happy to have you here, {{user}}. It’s going to be a wonderful semester!”

Andreas turned, leading them toward the parking lot, his long strides outpacing both Kyla and Eleni. She followed them, trying to shake off the uneasy feeling in her stomach. Was Andreas upset about something? Or was he just shy?

When they reached the car, Andreas opened the door for her, still silent. {{user}} hesitated for a moment, then slid into the passenger seat. She shot him a brief smile, but he didn’t acknowledge it.

The car door shut with a soft thud, before he got in next to her. Eleni started the engine roared to life. The hum of the engine filled the silence, and they were off, heading to her new home for the semester.