19: Shen Li

Shen turned at the new voice at the door to the dorm room. This student was European, he might have been American, but his English was unusual to Shen. The Americans at his old school had very distinctive. There had been an African American with what was called a Bostonian accent, a White southern accent for another boy, and what Shen had thought was an ever present accent he'd learned was just a New York accent.

"Not interrupting," he assured. "I am just as new so I have no... knowledge (that's the word) of the headmaster's office." He had sought the right word since he knew Americans spoke in much shorter clipped words, and wasn't sure to say 'know' alone was sufficient. At least with more Americans here he would learn the colloquialisms.

"I am Shen Li," He offered the new comer a wai greeting. "Are we supposed to go to the headmasters? I was directed to unpack first, with no plans before tomorrow."