Dear Diary (The Exchange #1) Read online

  Anyway, thanks to my daytime nap, I couldn’t sleep that night. I sat in bed, mooching on the internet, but nothing was holding my interest. Boredom consumed me and I didn’t know how to cope with it. Trying to get to sleep, I lay in the dark not used to the complete silence. That was when I heard Tyler.

  He’d been out all day with his friends, doing God knows what, but it had obviously left him with . . . urges. At first, I wasn’t sure what I was hearing, but the louder he got, the more obvious it became. I’m sure I was blushing, but it wasn’t due to embarrassment, no. I had urges of my own, and making sure I was quiet, I satisfied them along with Tyler.

  Yeah, I’m not proud, but I’m certainly much more relaxed than I have been.

  Hx

  ~DD~

  May 2012

  Dear Diary,

  I am so sorry I've neglected you for so long. The past three weeks have been a bit crazy around here. I'm lucky it's practically the middle of the night and no-one can disturb me. This is gonna be a long entry.

  After those first visits from each of the King brothers, they began popping in to talk to me at various times of the day. Tyler was always brash and full of sheer exuberance. Whenever we talked, it was about parties that he went to and what was happening at the uni. There was always a lot of laughter and joking around. Then one day, he invited me to one of the parties. More about that later.

  My time with Aiden was very different. I felt that, after a while, I was finally getting to know him as a person. It all started when we were paired up for the European History assignment. The first thing I found out about him was his utter passion for history. Anything that happened more than twenty-five years ago, he loves it. It’s the only thing he wants to do when he finishes school. I really admire him for that; I'm still clueless about what I want to do when I 'grow up".

  Anyway . . . the party. It was on campus, in a frat house (yeah, I went to a frat house. Yes, they are as messy as in the movies . . . urgh!). Bethany, the girl I met on my first day, had become somewhat of a friend and was going to come with us since her boyfriend Chad is a frat member. Tyler even managed to talk Aiden into coming, too. The pair of them completely blew me away after they got ready. Tyler still wore his trademark dark jeans and trainers along with his sports jacket, you know, the ones with letters on them, but wore a 'proper' shirt instead of a t-shirt. He looked amazing. From his artfully mussed hair down to his extremely buff body. Then Aiden appeared . . . Wow! He'd swapped his glasses for contacts, which really showed off his eyes. I think I actually forgot how to breathe.

  I blushed like a crazy woman as they both complimented me, but I thought they were just saying such things because I was 'living' with them and they had to be nice to me. Then, when we arrived at the frat house (I still can't believe I was in a frat house!), guys tried to hook up with me and Bethany. They were drunk and shit, so I know they weren’t that interested in me for me, but it still boosted my ego.

  Beth stayed with us for a while, but I knew she was desperate to go and be with Chad, so I told her to bugger off. Aiden and Tyler both stayed with me, taking it in turns to go and get drinks. I felt like I was being babysat and I couldn't help but notice I was being shot dirty looks from the girls who were checking them both out. In the end I escaped by telling them I was going to the bathroom, just so I could get some peace.

  I ended up being dragged onto a makeshift dance floor by Bethany, who had been abandoned by Chad in favour of drinking games. I was really starting to enjoy myself until someone grabbed me. It was Tyler and he looked really angry. With me.

  Can you believe that he had the utter cheek to drag me away and then start telling me off like he was my bloody dad? He tried to make out that I was making myself look like a slag. I must've just lost it, cause the next thing I remember was sitting in the car with a quiet Aiden, while I nursed a really sore hand.

  Someone's at my door.

  Hx

  ~DD~

  May 2012

  Dear Diary,

  Yeah, that was Tyler. Ever since the party, he's been . . . er . . . coming to 'visit'. More than he was before, and later in the day.

  After I punched him in the face for being a total arse, Tyler came to see me once he thought I'd calmed down. I really wasn't interested in what he had to say, until he informed me that he was jealous. That threw me for a loop. Why the hell would he be jealous? He launched into this whole spiel about how every bloke at the party kept looking at me while I was dancing like I was “a steak on a barbecue” (yeah, nice analogy, huh!). Before I could finish telling him that he was imagining things, he kissed me.

  Full on, causing me to stand on my tiptoes and lift one foot like a Disney Princess kiss. When he pulled away, I was completely breathless. Then I was pissed off when he simply turned on his heel and walked out, closing the door behind him for the first time. I pretty much collapsed onto my bed, my face starting to ache from the grin that I couldn’t stop from forming.

  Every night since, Tyler has come to my room late at night and we lay on my bed and just kiss. I think I prefer him calling it “making out”. It all has to be done on the sly of course, as neither of us thinks that it would go down well with Marie and Joseph. So we try to keep the noise down as much as possible, but Tyler has a tendency to get a bit excited and start moaning. This makes me feel good, but I also get a bit paranoid in case anyone walks in or hears us. I mean, I'm not a virgin or anything, but I don't fancy being caught heavy petting by his parents or his brother.

  I feel bad that I can't be open about what's going on between Tyler and me. It's not as if I'll be here much longer so I should be able to make the most of it . . . shouldn't I? I’m seventeen for heaven’s sake, I’m in another country. I’m sure no one expects me to be a nun. Yeah, the legal limit’s eighteen here and all that, but he’s legal here, and I’m a tourist. That’ll be my excuse anyway.

  Tyler actually told me last night that he wants to take me out for the day. Just simple sightseeing stuff that would give us time to be alone. I told him I'd think about it. It makes me nervous, not because that was the night we went as far as we could without all out shagging, but because I don't want his parents to find out and be disappointed in me.

  Night.

  Hx

  Chapter Five

  May 2012

  Dear Diary,

  I agreed in the end to spend the day with Tyler. To make things less suspicious he invited Aiden to join us, knowing that he'd say no. So we set off in his car, which still scares the hell out of me. After an hour of us walking around and him pointing out random stuff, I asked what else there was to do around here. His face lit up as he began to pull me back to the car, all the while telling me that I was about to experience a teenage must for all High School students.

  Yep. I had sex under the bleachers at the High School. I swear, this exchange is one big movie cliché for me. Not that I am complaining, Tyler certainly knew what he was doing. He managed to give me two orgasms, one with his mouth and the second with his finger and thumb while he pounded into me from behind while I was on my hands and knees.

  I have to admit, I felt cheap, but there's not a lot I can do about it now, is there? Besides, I DID enjoy it, and it wasn’t my first time. After we'd cleaned ourselves up, we went to grab a bite to eat. It was a simple diner type place, but Tyler paid me enough attention, helping to calm me down enough so I didn't freak out on him. He gently stroked my thigh under the table while we waited for our food to arrive. It felt nice, intimate and friendly, which was strange considering what we had done less than an hour earlier.

  By the time we got back home, he had managed to put my mind at ease and I wasn't feeling too much like an easy lay anymore. We lounged around in the den (I thought it was the front room, but apparently not) watching DVDs for a bit. I was soon yawning my head off, so I headed up for an early night.

  Tyler never showed up for his nightly visit.

  Hx

  ~DD~

  May 2012<
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  Dear Diary,

  Tyler has seriously been avoiding me. Every time I walk into a room, he suddenly has an 'elsewhere' to be. Aiden is the only one who has noticed, but I can't bring myself to tell him what happened between Tyler and me. I don't want the rest of my stay to be any more uncomfortable as it has become.

  Actually, Aiden and I have been spending a lot of time together, which I am really enjoying. He doesn't look it, but Aiden is funny as hell. Once you get past the whole "study study study" thing, there's a lot more to him. It's very different from the time I spent with Tyler. That was all about the flirting, and as I now know—him trying to get laid; me and Aiden are beginning to build an actual friendship.

  It started when we sat up late putting the finishing touches to our assignment the day before it was due to be handed in. He ended up telling me about Jessie. His deep voice was so soft while he spoke, but it was tinged with anger and regret. It was obvious that he'd really cared for her, maybe even loved her, but she'd hurt him. Used him. I told him about the idiots I had dated back home. Maybe it was the underage sex we look back on, not quite regretting, but being mistaken about being ‘ready’ that caused our bond, or maybe it was real friendship.

  Whenever we were at school, especially when we sat together at lunch, I watched Jessie a lot. The stereotypical cheerleader as portrayed by Hollywood. He never looked at her, though; he was always looking down at something else. This made me sad and angry, but I was glad he never saw the way she and her friends looked and laughed at him.

  Bitch.

  Hx

  Chapter Six

  May 2012

  Dear Diary,

  Bethany and I are going to the cinema tonight. She wants to see some new film that I've never heard of, but it'll be nice to go out with her. She's really become a good friend over the last three weeks. I'm probably going to miss her the most when I have to go back home, but we're definitely going to keep in touch.

  When I get home, I’m going to have a word with my parents about the possibility of her coming over to the UK to stay with us for a while. I’d love to show her my way of life and introduce her to my mates.

  I'm debating telling her about the whole Tyler situation, but am scared of looking like a complete tool for falling for his smooth talk and flirting.

  Gotta go, she's here.

  Hx

  ~DD~

  May 2012

  Dear Diary,

  Tyler was at the cinema with his cronies from the university he attends. They were quite an imposing bunch to look at, and were pretty rowdy as they moved around the small lobby area. He smiled at me when we passed, and that was it. I was just relieved they weren't going into the same film. As soon as he had disappeared, Bethany pounced, making me promise to tell her all about it after the film.

  I enjoyed the movie more than I expected to. It was a bit too cheesy for me, but the male lead was kinda pretty. We decided on pizza for eats and as soon as we'd had our order taken, Bethany grilled me about Tyler. So I told her . . .

  Can you believe it? I fucking cried, like a sappy teen flick heroine. Bethany sat patiently while I sobbed out my story. When I told her about having sex with Tyler and then him completely blanking me she didn't look surprised.

  It had happened before. A few times . . . various girls had fallen prey to his charms and good looks only to be fucked and dumped. A string of heartache and tears were scattered around the high school and university, according to Chad. I was both furious and ashamed. How could I have fallen for it all? I feel so stupid.

  Bethany was sympathetic; one of her friends was one of Tyler's bedpost notches and had begged and begged him to give them a chance together. He'd been really shitty to her, talking down to her in front of his friends while at school, laughing at her when she cried and pleaded.

  I was disgusted. Because I have to share a house with him, I’ve promised myself I won’t confront him. It is going to kill me not saying anything to him. I don't know how much Marie and Joseph know about how he is treating girls, but I’m not going to be the one to fill them in.

  After our pizza, Bethany drove me home. I invited her in for a bit, but she said no as we watched Tyler pull up and saunter inside. I couldn't blame her as I hovered on the porch watching her drive off, desperately wishing I could do the same.

  Tyler had the cheek to come see me in my room last night. He was all smiles and charm as he made himself comfy. I just stared at him for a bit. Just as I was about to start yelling at him, Aiden stuck his head round my door. I quickly invited him in. I really didn't want to be alone with Tyler, knowing what I knew about him. As soon as Aiden came in, Tyler mumbled something unintelligible and walked out. Aiden looked at me weirdly, his eyes full of questions. I have my suspicions that he knows . . . how can he not? It's his brother, even if they're not close. We made idle small talk before he left me so I could get ready for bed.

  I laid there for hours, unable to get to sleep over the anger and fury at being taken for a fool. I am starting to get angry more at myself than at Tyler. I pride myself on being a good judge of character, but I had been completely sucked in, simply by his good looks and charm. Well, I am done. He is nobody to me. I just want to enjoy the rest of my time here without drama. If I can.

  Hx

  Chapter Seven

  May 2012

  Dear Diary,

  The last week has been crazy. Aiden and I got great marks on our assignment so Marie and Joseph took us all out for a meal. It was so nice, apart from the fact that Tyler came, and sat next to me. I wanted to move away from him, but that would have given it away that I now hate him with my entire being, after being friendly with him at the beginning of my visit. Aiden kept shooting us looks from across the table, but I did my best to ignore his gaze. The one time I did look at him, he was looking at his brother with sheer and utter hatred. There is something else going on there. As much as I want to know more, there is no way in hell I am going to ask those questions.

  Marie and Joseph were their usual chatty and pleasant selves. Telling stories about the guys when they were younger and asking about what I was like when I was growing up. I was glad my mum wasn't there to completely embarrass me. She would have provided visual evidence and everything. That would not have been good.

  When we got back to the house, it hit me that I only have just over two weeks left before I have to go back home, back to the humdrum of real life. I am looking forward to seeing all my friends again, Facebook and email just doesn't cut it, but I am really going to miss everyone here, well, almost everyone.

  Bethany asked me if I was going to confront him about how he treated me, so I told her about the promise I‘d made myself. I want to, but what would it achieve?

  Hx

  ~DD~

  May 2012

  Dear Diary,

  It’s weird. When I first arrived, I thought me and Tyler were going to be pretty tight after he was the most welcoming of the family (apart from their mum who was just happy there was another woman in the house). We got on really well before everything, and it made my coming to America (HA! Love that film) easier to deal with, but then the way things went to shit, I thank my lucky stars that I have Bethany. I could never have coped with hating myself the way I did if I hadn’t had someone to talk to.

  Then me and Aiden began spending more and more time together. Ever since we were paired for our assignment, we’ve quickly become quite close friends. Yes, he’s gorgeous and often turns me on without trying, but the feeling isn’t mutual. As much as she hurt him, I think he’s still hung up on Jessica. Gutted as I am, this is a good thing because I’m going home soon, and I don’t want to be all mopey and shit. I’ll be missing him and Bethany enough as it is, adding the complications of pining over a guy would make it completely unbearable.

  He doesn’t look it, but Aiden is seriously funny, which is brilliant. His mum walked into the den the other day and I was crying. She rushed over to me, checking I was okay. Before I could speak
, I let out this loud snort which set Aiden off laughing again, which of course, had me going again. She mumbled something that sounded like ‘strange kids’ and buggered off back out of the room, a huge grin on her face.

  In fact, later that day, she cornered me in the kitchen to thank me for putting a smile on “My boy’s beautiful face again.” She did say she wished that me and Tyler would sort our differences out, and even asked what had happened. Of course, I couldn’t tell her that he’s a manwhore, so I just said maybe before I leave.

  Don’t bloody count on it.

  Hx

  Chapter Eight

  May 2012

  Dear Diary,

  I can't believe I go home in four days. I kinda don't want to. I really like it here. I feel settled (finally) and have made good friends in Aiden, Bethany, and Chad. Don't get me wrong, I miss home, but I feel 'right' here. Does that make me sound weird?

  Marie and Joseph went to their cabin in the country last weekend, leaving us three kids at home alone. I was dreading it, thinking it was going to be really awkward, but Tyler went to some party, leaving me and Aiden alone to fend for ourselves.

  We decided on DVDs and popcorn. Taking a run down to the rental place and picking up five films, and about a kilo of popcorn, was a bit of a throwback to going to the local video rental place with Dad when I was kid and a lot of fun. I got a serious fit of the giggles when Aiden picked up a copy of Strictly Ballroom. I never pegged him to want to watch a film like that! I love it, but I'm a girl. He threatened to lock me in the garage if I didn't stop teasing him, but I couldn’t. It was too easy to keep going on about it, each time collapsing in fits of giggles and actual snorts. I was having too much fun to be embarrassed about it.