"We would like you six to be the representatives of Shanghai High School and University. We contacted your parents, and they thought that the exchange is a good idea." Principle Feichan said to us one day in his office.
We got called in during the third period, and he pitched us the idea of going to Seoul, South Korea for an exchange student program. By the looks on their faces, most of them were up for it. Jongdae and Minseok looked excited to go back to their home country. We were sitting around Mr.Feichan's desk while he explained things. Blah blah blah, we'll provide housing, blah blah blah, the six Korean students that were supposed to come decided to stay in Korea, blah blah blah, prepare yourself because you courses will be taught in Korean, blah blah blah, you are responsible for yourselfs and the school holds no liability if one of you gets injured, blah blah blah.
"Wait, sir. What about the other group? They decided to stay? Just like that?" Luhan asked. "Sir, that's not fair." He slumped against his chair, pout forming on his face.
"Well, someone has to make the exchange and weather or not you like it, you boys are going. No ifs, ands, or buts." Mr.Feichan replied arms crossed over his chest. "Now off to lunch with you."
Minseok and Luhan exited, hand in hand, Jongdae and Yixing following behind.
"I need to talk to him ok babe? I'll see you in the cafeteria" I say to Tao, who is pulling on my arm. He kisses me on the cheek and leaves.
"Yes, Wufan?" The principle sighed, "What is it now?"
"It's Kris. Sir, I just wanted to know why we have to do the transfer, but the other group can back out? It's not very fair..."
"We've decided to let them back out for two reasons. The first is that none of them speak Chinese, and only a few speak English. They wouldn't be able to live here and take classes comfortably. The second is their parents payed a large sum of money to send you boys over. The student's parents are extremely wealthy and it would do us some good if we listened to what they wanted."
"Why should we comply to what they want?"
"If we didn't, it would cause a rift in the China-Korea relationship. You know how important this exchange is."
"But we're just a few students. Why does it matter?" I ask irrediculously. "Now Kris, you know the influence you and your friends' parents have on the Chinese government. Of course it's a big deal. It's the exact same with the other boys. Maybe you will meet them and you twelve boys will all be friends." He says hopefully.
"I doubt it. Thank you sir, and sorry for taking up your time. I'll talk to you tomorrow." I say, opening the door and walking out of the room.
As I make my way towards the cafeteria, I stop at my locker. There is a small pile of gifts at the bottom. I push them aside and put in my locker combination. Tao left his lunch in my locker. Again. I swear that boy only uses his locker as a second closet. Jeez. I grab his lunch and walk to the cafeteria.
When I get there, I can instantly see my friends at our table. Luhan is sitting on Minseok's lap as usual, taking pictures of them both. Jongdae and Tao were squabbling over Yixing's food, while said owner of the food was writing a new song on his guitar, not paying any attention to the hands picking at his food.
I walk up to the table and sit down, letting out an exasperated sigh and running my hands through my hair. Tao came to get his food and sat next to me.
"Kris, thanks for getting my food...Krissy.....Yifan.....What's wrong?" When I didn't answer him, he sat in my lap, rocking us back and forth. "Baby... tell me..Is it about the exchange? What did you and the principle talk about?" Tao says, pulling on my arm. "Why are you upset?"
"Don't worry about it, peach." I say rubbing circles on his back. "I'm just a little stressed about the transfer thing."
