I was elated when I received the acceptance letter for the exchange student program. Even though it was an intranational program, I was still excited to venture away from my small, poor, East Coast town, to stay with a rich family on the West Coast. I had never been further West than Iwoa. Being from the poorest town in Indiana landed me the scholarship in the first place. That, and having a standing 4.5 GPA as a senior in college.
I was nervous as the plane touched down at LAX. I had only ever spoken to the misses of the household I would be staying with for the summer. However, I knew she had a husband and 18-year-old twin sons. She sounded nice enough on the phone.
I stepped off the plane onto the tarmac, my carry-on slapping my shoulders as I jogged out of the gate. I bit my lower lip as I wrestled my phone out of my pocket and checked Karlee's text again.
"Main entrance pickup, Ralph will have a sign with your name on it. I hope you have a pleasant flight".
There was a sea of people and I was short. Standing at 5'1" I had to tiptoe to read some of the signs.
I trudged forward to baggage claim and finally found my over-limit suitcase. My mother commented on how I packed too much, but I had never been away for 3 months so I assumed going overboard with packing was necessary.
After exiting baggage claim, I was at the pickup area. I bit my lip once more, fearful it would bleed, but also hoping it would bleed out all of my nervousness. As I scanned all the cars, taxis, and buses awaiting their passengers, I knew I was looking for a sign with my name on it. As I kept walking, I was sure I spotted a poster board with the name Cammile Summers written across it. It was being held by an older gentleman in a black tracksuit. He was standing in front of a Suburban XL and seemed to have a grimace on his face. My heartbeat quickened as I approached him.
"Hello, I'm Camile Summers," I squeaked.
He looked me from feet to forehead, "ID please," he stated gruffly.
I blinked at him, taking a second to process his request. I shook my head and quickly fished around In the front pocket of my carry-on. I handed him the thick plastic ID. His eyes darted right to left taking in my information. He handed it back promptly.
A toothy grin spread across his face, "Nice to meet you, Camile, I'm Ralph, the Overtons driver. We will stop by their home to pick them up and then be on our way to Washington."
"Washington?" I repeated.
"Yes, oh I thought Karlee would mention it. They decided since your arrival that they would begin their summer stay in their Forrest home in upstate Washington. It seems they have many excursions planned for you regarding...erm...ecology," he smiled.
My major is environmental science and conservation, but close enough. This was news to me, but I was excited nonetheless. I have always wanted to study the temperate rainforest and the dry, arid, conditions of Washington State.
This was a dream. Karlee and her family were doing this for me. I was overcome with excitement as I handed Ralph my bags and climbed into the backseat as he gestured for me to get inside.
Ralph had the air conditioning on full blast. The August heat wasn't as terrible as I thought it would be in Los Angeles, but maybe he assumed I wasn't accustomed to the 90+ degree weather. Chill bumps began to form on my pale, white legs. I had decided to wear athletic shorts and a cropped band tee for today since the plane ride was around 4 hours, the longest flight I had ever been on.
Ralph began driving- aggressively. Maybe this is how people drive in LA, but it was marking me anxious. I closed my eyes and practiced my box breathing skill. Inhale for 4 seconds, hold for 4 seconds, exhale for 4 seconds, repeat. I did this breathing technique for what felt like 10 minutes.
Ralph's gruff voice startled me, "Are you okay, Cammile?"
I smiled at him through the rearview mirror, "You can call me Cami, I am okay just taking it all in."
Ralph returned my smile, "It is a beautiful state."
We were now cruising through back roads where there were fewer cars. This calmed me down. After a two-hour drive and stopping to grab me lunch, Ralph made a right turn and began a trek down a stone path just big enough for a vehicle. Soon enough, we arrived in front of a Tudor-style mansion. It was the largest home I had ever seen in person. Beautiful flowerbeds lined the front of the home and the walkway led to the large porch.
I looked out the window in amazement.
"Come out so you can meet the Overtons before our journey, Cami," Ralph suggested.
I stumbled out of the large vehicle and onto the stone driveway just as the front door swung open and a tall man stepped out onto the porch.
My breath caught in my throat. He was every bit of 6'5", sandy blonde, wavy hair that swept his forehead. The stereotypical "surfer dude" hair. His face seemed as if he was a Greek statue come to life. Strong features- high cheekbones, a perfect nose, and a chin that chiseled to a point. His skin was bronzed and the muscles on his arms bulged as he carried two large bags on each shoulder. His polo shirt clung to his muscled frame. His khaki shorts fell just above his knees to help show off his defined calves.
I was utterly taken by surprise when Ralph greeted him, "Good morning, Erick, Cami and I had a pleasant drive."
Erick was Karlee's husband. He didn't look a day over 30, but I knew they both were at least 45 years old.
Erick turned to me with a smile, flashing a row of pearly white teeth, "Hi Cami, it's so nice to meet you," his voice was smooth as butter.
I felt my face grow hot, "It is a pleasure to meet you," I squeaked.
Just then, a petite brunette stepped out of the doorway. She was around my height and build. Short, small waist, thick hips, and a flawless oval face. She also had bronze skin and defined features. Her eyes were striking. A moss green. My favorite color. She was wearing a yellow sundress that complimented her beautiful skin tone. It almost looked too small as it barely contained her large, perky breasts.
She smiled at me, another set of pearly whites, "Oh Cami, we're so glad you're here!" she exclaimed as she bounded off the porch and over to me with her arms outstretched.
Her embrace was warm. She smelled of coconut and baby powder. She lingered for quite some time. I enjoyed this physical contact.
She pulled away, hands moving to my shoulders, "We are so excited for our vacation. You're going to just love Olympic National Forrest and Okanogan/ Wenatchee Forrest. We think this will be so wonderful for your studies" Her eyes sparkled as her hands fell to her sides. I noticed no wrinkles on her dewy face. I was in awe.
This excited me.
Erick was now by her side. I looked up into his electric blue eyes. I almost felt he was drinking me in the same as I was him. He never lost his smile.
A noise from the porch finally made me peel my eyes off the couple. Two other boys, who were carrying luggage, were now headed toward the vehicle. They were identical. Identical to themselves and almost identical to their father. Both were nearly as tall, at least 6 feet. Brunette hair is the same style as Ericks'. Bronze skin, muscular, chiseled features. However, they had their mothers' moss eyes.
I almost lost my breath again.
"Cami, this is John," she gestured to the boy on the left, "and this is Nick." She smiled at the boy on the right.
I could tell that Nick was eyeing me. His beautiful eyes scanned my body from my red braided pigtails, lingering on my chest, my stomach peeking out of my crop top, my wide hips, all the way down my legs to my feet. He then proceeded to stare into my large emerald eyes for longer than anyone else.
I felt my face flush and noticed that his smile became wider as he began walking to the trunk of the car and slinging his bags inside.
"Okay!" Karlee smiled and clapped her hands together, "Let's get going!"