The next evening Sousuke approached Julia cautiously, worried that she would be completely mad at him for doing what he did. She seemed okay though, eating the ice cream she had while sitting on the couch, reading a book. "Good evening, Julia-san." He said, waiting anxiously for her response.
She looked up, and frowned slightly, "Good evening, Sousuke."
"What are you reading?"
"A story reimagining what happened during world war 2." She replied.
"Oh... Japan took part in that." He commented.
"I know." Was all she said.
He couldn't take it anymore- he hated when she was mad at him, he put himself between her legs, looking up at her like a lost puppy. She dropped the plate on the table, looking down at him in shock. He rubbed his back against her chest, which was currently covered by an oversized T-shirt. "Are you mad at me?" He gave her his puppy dog eyes, and she sighed.
"No. I'm not mad. Just a bit frustrated." She replied honestly. "I thought I had gotten across to you what was appropriate or not."
"I understand. Julia-san has boundaries." He said as he kissed her jaw, his neck reaching far back to get to her properly. He snuggled up closer, enjoying her warmth against his body.
"It's really cold today." He commented.
"Let me go turn up the thermostat--" She began, but was stopped by him kissing her neck this time. He gave her little smooches all the way down her neck, but when he reached the top of her breasts, she turned his chin around to face the TV.
"Ok young man, that's enough cuddling, thank you" covering her exposed skin, "Now let's just watch a movie together, okay?" She turned on the TV, putting on a random movie to distract him and crossing her legs over so he was no longer in between her, feeling the heat of her crotch on his back. He was a little hurt, but didn't insist on anything more. He felt like he understood Julia more now, knowing when she was at her limit with his affection and when he was able to push her more.
"Are you excited for your presentation tomorrow?" She asked, looking at him when the movie was over.
He shook his head, biting his lip, "No. I'm not very good at talking to big crowds."
"It'll be fine. I heard it went really well the past years." She was talking about the presentation given by the exchange student during the school assembly every year. It happened typically a few months after the exchange began, in order for the student to learn a bit more of English if they weren't fluent and to learn about the difference in cultures. Sousuke had been wary of the presentation for a week now, but didn't want to talk about it with anyone. He just wanted to get it over with.
"I don't think it'll go well with me." He said, looking down at his hands. She patted him on the head, stroking his hair and tucking it behind his ears.
"I believe in you. Tell me how it went as soon as you come home tomorrow, okay?" She kissed him on the cheek, then dropped the blanket that was on her on the couch before heading off to bed.
That night he could barely sleep. He imagined the whole crowd staring at him, judging him with their American attitudes. These kids were selfish, they only thought about themselves and not other people around them and how they could be feeling. He saw them regularly bully each other at school, even joking around in a mean way to their best friends. He didn't understand it at all, but didn't try to understand it. His goal this year was to get close to Julia-san, and the weird American attitude of these teenagers meant nothing to him. Well, until he realized he would have to talk to the whole school at once, all their prying eyes staring at him, judging him. He repeated the presentation in his head over and over, making sure he knew and understood every word he would be speaking the next day. By the time he was finally able to fall asleep, it was already early dawn, and it felt like his alarm had woken him up only after a few minutes.
Feeling exhausted, he was barely even able to muster a 'good morning' to Julia. She noticed immediately, and was concerned. She considered talking to him about it, but he had rushed to school without saying a word. She hoped it would be okay, and wanted to go to the school to be there for his presentation, but she knew it would be embarrassing for him to have her there. Just like Sousuke, she spent the day worrying, checking her phone for messages from him. She had messaged Nicholas to tell her how it was going during the presentation, but he ignored her messages, probably busy with his coding club and upcoming exams for the first school semester. Or, he was just ignoring her texts because he always ignored her when she asked about Sousuke. She shook her head, changing into her usual instructor swimming suit before heading off to work.
The day had passed by too rapidly for Sousuke's taste. He almost fell asleep a few times during his classes, which was very unlike him. He didn't eat his lunch either, and threw it out into the bin, worried that Julia would be upset if he didn't like her food. When he heard the announcement that the assembly would be beginning soon, he almost jumped in his seat. He wanted to run away and pretend he didn't go to the school. His calculus teacher, who had been in the middle of lecturing, smiled at the class. "I guess we'll be going soon. Sousuke has a big presentation today, doesn't he?" The whole class turned around to look at him at once. 30 pairs of eyes were enough for him. He couldn't imagine almost a thousand pairs. He almost peed his pants. He walked in the back of the class as they walked single file into the big gymnasium, all the kids now sitting on the chairs the janitors had put out the day before.
When the vice principal spotted him, she called out his name, and led him to the back of the stage, where he sat and waited while the principal announced important news in the area and updates on new staff they had hired. The band then played some of the songs they had been practicing, and finally, it was Sousuke's turn.
"And now, we will be having our usual tradition of the exchange student for our year teach us about their culture, traditions, and why it is different from ours. He will be emphasizing what makes his new home different from his home at home, and we can all learn about the importance of culture and why it is essential to travel on a regular basis and learn from all kinds of people. Put your hands together for Sousuke Nakamura!" The principal announced, and a round of applause came from the staff as well as the students.
The vice principal pushed him up on the stage, and Sousuke adjusted the mic, bringing it down significantly to match his height. He scanned the ground, seemingly looking back at every single eye that was now glued to his face. He gulped, and realized that it had been a while and he still hadn't said a word. "Hello." He said. His voice came out croaked, and he tried again, "Hello. I am Sousuke, from Japan." Their eyes bore into his body, making holes throughout, burning into him.
He didn't say anything more, still staring back at them, his eyes wide and pupils dilated. He could feel his fight or flight response starting. "Say something!" Ashley called out, and he turned to look at her as the crowd burst out laughing.
"I..." He couldn't finish his sentence, he turned his back on the mic and ran backstage, past the vice principal and out the back gymnasium doors. He had left his bag back in the classroom, but didn't care.
