i looked at the tall man, he looked almost raggity "chic". he had strawberry blonde hair and a small shadowing beard. he wore a loose dull green sweatshirt over his plain cream colored tee. his acid wash jeans looked like they were as old as he was, maybe around the 20's. his voice was raspy and deep.

i waved at him wondering who he was and why he was here.

"hi, umm im alix" i spoke quietly

"good tah see yah" he replied "the names charlie, you can call me chee"

before i could even say another syllable, he was scooping up my suitcases and bags. i followed him for awhile, awaiting an explanation. i stopped him, grabbed him by the arm.

"wheres my aunt" i asked sternly

"oh becca?" he said "she was hung over, im uhh her boyfriend whatever"

"where are you taking me?" i requested

"woah woah calm down sweet cheeks, your makin it sound like im some kinda bad guy" chee whispered "we're goin to your aunts house, about an hour away"

we got into his banged up, green honda and drove off. it was silent for the rest of the ride except for the beat of bob marley and led zepplin.

"how old are you anyway?" chee asked curiously

"sixteen, i'll turn seventeen in january" i declared

"wow, not much younger than me!" he shouted wildly

"huh, what do you mean?" i asked bug eyed

"im twenty" he spoke proudly "thought i was older didn't yah"

"yeah i guess so" i was kind of homesick already. i don't know if i like chee yet, he seems okay...i guess.

america was so different, it had an odd feeling. paris was a beautiful and romantic city, sweet music playing, lovers kissing. america was such a variety of different cultures and ideas. it was amazing and weird.

we drove up to a small, grey house. it didn't look very inviting and it sure didn't look teenager friendly. i was about to have a new life. a totally new start, a new taste.

why was i so afraid?