True Beauty, page 2

As soon as she stepped off the bus, Bridget, the girl with Down’s syndrome from next door was waiting for her. “Yoo-hoo, Erikah!” She called as she leaned over the fence and waved. “Welcome home!” Erikah waved quickly as she dashed to the door. “Hi, dear.” Her mother greeted her. Spike, their German Shepherd ran to her and began wagging his tail happily. “He’s been waiting all day for you to get home. Why don’t you take him for a walk?” Erikah clipped Spike’s worn leash to his collar and peeked out the window. She wanted to be sure Bridget was gone before she went back outside.

When she finished walking her dog, her dad was just hanging up the phone. “That was your Aunt Kay, Erikah. Your cousin Daina’s school is having an exchange student program, and they thought you’d be perfect.” “But I’ve never even met them.” Erikah said. “You have; you were just too young to remember.” He said. “They live in a different country, so they can’t visit often.” “This is a wonderful educational opportunity.” Her mother said. “And I think you’ll have a lot of fun spending time with your relatives.” Erikah sighed. It looked like she had no other choice. “I’ll go pack my suitcase.” She muttered.

Soon, Erikah was flying through the sky in an airplane, on her way to some little place no one had ever heard of with her aunt and cousin. “So, what’s your school like?” Daina asked her. “Well, it’s just a typical school, I guess. Unruly boys, bullies, geeks, popular girls…” Daina nodded. “It’s the same way at my school pretty much. By the way, I met your neighbor, Bridget when we came to pick you up. She seems like a very nice girl.” Erikah fidgeted uncomfortably in her seat. “You disagree?” Daina asked puzzledly. “She’s nice and all, it’s just that… well…” “Well what?” Daina persisted. Erikah sighed. “Oh, never mind.”