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hey there, boston👋🏼

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thank you for leaving me behind

at least you're going back home, witch

I LITERALLY TOLD YOU, LET'S GO TO BOSTON TOGETHER AND YOU PREFERRED SPAIN, BYE

wrong city btw, u r talking about salem, sis

jk, miss u

don't tell people i'm uncultured😩

have fun, but not to much without me

oh no she needs to let loose and have lots of fun, your friend is crazy stressed and getting on my nerves.

HAHA love you mrs. h!!

i wouldn't be crazy stressed if my mom had taken care of my living situation like she said she would

have fun, sweetheart. :p :D ;)

thanks, dad💖 what's with the faces?

i didn't choose the cool dad life, the cool dad life chose me.

...

~~~~~~

–I'm sorry, Ms. González but we never received the payment and all dorms are occupied for the semester. –I sighed at what the secretary was telling me.– We can offer you to stay with one of our host families, it's that something you would like?–she asked while typing God knows what in her computer, not even looking at me.

–Yeah, okay. –I answered and sent my mom another text, complaining about her not taking care of this when she specifically offered to help me with the housing situation.

After an hour and a half of taking a quizz and watching the secretary make some phone calls, I was set up with Lisa, a divorced woman who recently applied to host an exchange student, apparently being single and empty nester made her feel a bit lonely but she sounded like a lovely woman. All the tests I took suggested that the lady and I would be a great match. She seemed so nice, she even offered to pick me up from college and take me to her home.

I stood outside the main building with my two giant suitcases, my purse and the coffee I had just bought from a coffee cart. It was the middle of January so it was pretty cold, I hugged myself and hoped Lisa didn't take too long. My phone started ringing and I picked up.

–Hola, ma. What's up? –I answered slightly mad at her.

–I'm sorry baby, I really am.

–It's okay, mom.

–What happened in the end? Are you sure you don't want to stay in a hotel until we find an apartment to rent? You know daddy and I will gladly pay for all of it.

–I'm staying with a host family, which is actually a divorced-empty nester lady only so I guess I'll be fine. She seems nice. And I know mom but part of why I came here is to be more independent, remember? Thanks, though.

–Okay, baby. But if you don't feel comfortable please let me know.

–Yes, thanks mom. And I'm sorry for going all crazy on you.

–No, I'm sorry. But please relax, honey, you stress too much, go get drunk, let loose a little, flirt with some boys.

–Mom! I swear you're the only mother that tells her daughter that... –I rolled my eyes.– I think the lady just arrived. I'll call you later. –I said when I saw a call pull over in front of me.

–Okay, I'd like to talk to her whenever's possible. Take care, te amo.

–Te amo más. Bye mom. –I walked over to the car. The passenger window rolled down and a smiling woman waved at me. I smiled back.

–Bye, honey. –we hung up and I finished approaching the car.

–Hello! Are you Y/n?

–Hi! Yes! Lisa?

–Yes! Nice to meet you, sweetie. –her voice denoted excitement.– Let me help you with your suitcases. –she said about to unbuckle her seatbelt but I cut her off.

–No, don't worry, really! Should I put them in the trunk?

–Yes, thank you, sweetie. –I did as she said and then got in the passenger seat next to her. She started the engine and took off.– I have to go to the grocery store, would you mind coming with me?

–No, not at all! I love American grocery stores. –I chuckled.

–Perfect. Do you have any food allergies or dietary restrictions that I should know about? –I couldn't help but smile, she was so sweet.

–No, I eat pretty much everything. Thanks for asking!

–It's nothing. You're so pretty, I read that you're from Mexico?

–Thanks! And yes, I am.

–Oh, I love that country. My ex husband and I once took our kids when they were little to –I cut her off.

–Cancun? –I asked.

–Yes! How did you know? –she asked laughing.

–It's probably the most visited place in Mexico by tourists. Besides Los Cabos. I get the hype, though, I love Cancun a lot.

–It's breathtaking. We're here, sweetie. –she said parking her car in front of a supermarket. We hopped out of the car and entered the place. Lisa grabbed a cart and I just walked alongside her.– Are you hungry? My daughters, grandkids and one of my sons are stopping by for dinner, I hope you don't mind.

–Ay no, not at all, –I shook my head.– plus it's your house! –I laughed a little and she gave me a big smile.– I'm not starving but I could eat something. Do you want me to help you cook? I know how to make a few dishes, maybe if you'd like I could make you something from Mexico.

–I love how you said that "ay no". –I chuckled at her impression.– Don't worry, sweetie, my daughters will take care of dinner, plus you must be pretty tired from your trip.

–Are you sure?

–Yes, sweetie. But I'm sure we all would love for you to cook us Mexican food any other time. And please, if you want or need something just grab it!

I thanked her and decided to grab a couple things to make a flan, a traditional dessert which was pretty easy to cook. After a few minutes we payed, I insisted on cooperating with some money and after insisting too much, Lisa let me pay only the things I grabbed.

We put the grocery bags in the trunk and we headed towards her house. While she drove we got to know each other a little bit more and she explained all the ways and routes I could take to get to her house. I really liked her, she was really kind and loving.

–We're home. –I looked out the window. Her house was big. The door opened and a man with a worried look on his face walked towards the car.– Oh, there's my son Scott.

Lisa got out of the car and hugged him. I unbuckled my seatbelt and I heard Scott complain about Lisa not answering her phone. He told her they were worried. I got out the car and he looked at me with confusion yet he still gave me a smile. I approached and Lisa introduced us.

–Scott, this is Y/n, she's an exchange student at Boston University. She's from Mexico and will be staying here. Y/n, this is my son Scott.

–Hi! Nice to meet you. –we shook hands and then I quickly kissed his cheek.

–Ohhh, I love that! –he said pointing his finger at his cheek.– Is that how you greet in Mexico? Likewise, by the way! –I nodded and smiled.

Lisa grabbed a couple grocery bags and before she walked inside the house she asked Scott to help me with my luggage and with the grocery bags. He grabbed my suitcases, I picked some grocery bags and we got in the house.

Lisa pointed me to the kitchen and I left the plastic bags there. She gave me a quick tour of the house and then showed me the one that was going to be my room. Scott had already put my suitcases there and Lisa gave me some towels.

–This was my son's room. –she smiled.

–Scott's?

–No, my other son Chris. He lives in Los Angeles most of the time as well as Scott. They're both actors.

–Oh... That's why they looked so familiar, I've probably seen them on the T.V. or something.

–Yeah... I'll leave you to settle dear, my daughters won't take too long to arrive for dinner.

–Okay, I'm going to take a quick shower, I spent almost the whole day on a plane and at airports.

–Sure! Make yourself at home.

–Thanks, Mrs. Evans, for everything.

–It's nothing sweetie and call me Lisa, it's been a while since people call me Mrs. Evans. –she chuckled and left, closing the door behind her.

I picked up my phone, answered some messages from Jess, my best friend and then I grabbed the clothes that I was going to wear as well as my shower products. After I finished showering, I quickly got dressed, combed my hair, curled my lashes and went downstairs to the kitchen to start making the flan.

I could hear Lisa and Scott talking in the living room while I looked for the kitchen utensils that I needed. I guess I was being too loud since they both came to ask if I was okay.

–Oh, yes. Scott, Y/n will be cooking some flan for us. –she said while handing me a bowl.

–No way! Really? –I smiled and nodded.– You have to teach me! Once in Cabo my boyfriend and I tried some flan and we can't stop thinking about it ever since.

–Sure! It's pretty easy to cook actually. My mom taught me when I was little. –my phone started ringing and it was precisely my mom.– Oh, she's actually calling me, excuse me. –I said answering her facetime call.– Hola, ma.

–Hola, mi amor. You showered, are you already settled?

–Yes.

–Can I talk to the lady that took you in?

–Uhh, yeah. Lisa? My mom would like to talk to you...

–Sure, sure! Hand me the phone, sweetie. –I did as she said. Lisa gasped and Scott shouted the moment they saw my mom.

–Your mom is Salma Hayek? –he whispered-screamed with both his hands on each side of his face. I just chuckled and raised my shoulders and hands in response.

While they spoke to my mom I kept on making the dessert. My mom thanked Lisa for taking me in and asked her to please take care of me, as if I was still a child. Occasionally I told Scott the steps to follow and sometimes he asked me questions. A few minutes later they hung up and went to set the table. I looked at the clock, it marked quarter to seven. The door opened and a woman holding a saucepan came in. I awkwardly smiled at her and she did the same.

–Hi, I'm Y/n, you must be Shanna...? –I said closing my eyes a little hoping to not mistake both of Lisa's daughters.

–Hi... No, I'm Carly, my sister is Shanna.

–Grandma! –three kids bursted in running towards the dining room.

–My babies! –Lisa hugged the all.– Come on, let's go to the kitchen, there's someone I want you to meet. –she approached us.– Hi, baby. –she kissed Carly's cheek.– Carly, kids, this is Y/n, she's an exchange student at Boston University and will be staying with me.

–Nice to meet you. –I smiled at them, shook hands with Carly and kissed her cheek.

–Oh... –she said in the same way Scott did when I greeted him.

–I know right? –Scott said.– That's how they greet in Mexico.

–That's so cool! –Carly said an I chuckled.– Nice to meet you as well.

–Hey kids. –I crouched to reach their heights and held my hand up for them to high five. They smiled and did that.– What are your names?

–I'm Stella, are you a Disney princess?

–Aww, no I'm not but I was just going to ask you the same thing! –she chuckled and blushed.

–I'm not a princess but my favorite Disney princess is Belle because it's also my uncle Chris' favorite princess. He says Belle is smart and doesn't pay attention to Gaston.

–Really? Well you're just as pretty and smart as Belle.

–I'm Miles and he's my brother Ethan. –Ethan seemed a little shy but he smiled and waved at me.

–Would you like to play with us? –Ethan said. I stood up straight and looked at Lisa sort of asking for permission.

–You can play until the food is ready. –said Carly.

I told them that the flan would still take a little time to be done and then I went to the backyard to play hide and seek with the kids. I could tell they were all surprised about Lisa's enrollment in becoming a host to an exchange student, I managed to hear Carly ask Lisa why she hadn't told them about it but I didn't want eavesdrop anymore so I kept looking for the kids all over the backyard.

After a few minutes they called us and we had dinner all together. I met Shanna, her and Carly's husbands, Shanna was also very nice but a little shy, the first thing Scott told everyone about me is that my mom is Salma Hayek and I just laughed at his excitement every time.

When it was time to serve the dessert, everyone loved the flan and begged me for the recipe. I was relieved to have gotten along so well with everyone since I've always struggled with meeting new people and getting over my introvert behaviors. I picked up everyone's plates once they were all finished, took them to the kitchen and quickly washed them.

–Y/n! Leave the dishes, sweetie! –said Lisa coming into the kitchen.

–Oh, it's okay, I'm almost finished. –I smiled.

–You're delightful but why don't you go back to the dining room and talk to my kids and grandkids, they all love you. –I chuckled.

–Really?

–Yes!

–I'd love to but I'm just going to head to bed. Today was pretty tiring and hectic. –I said finishing the dishes and drying my hands turning around to face her.

–It's okay, honey. I can imagine. –she gave me a warm smile.

–Thank you so much for receiving me and being so kind, Lisa. –I smiled and gave her a quick hug. She squeezed me tight and then let me go.

–Nothing to thank me for...

–Goodnight.

–Goodnight, sweetie. Let me know if you need anything! –I nodded and thanked her one last time.

I walked into the dining room to say goodnight to everyone. The kids ran to hug me and didn't want me to leave. Once I promised to play with them again and take them for ice cream they let go of my legs. Everyone said their goodnights and I went upstairs to my room. I changed into my pj's and it didn't take long for me to fall asleep.