Florence Meurisse is an 18 year old exchange student from Belgium, staying with the Tucker family in Macon, MO. It had been her dream to come to the U.S. ever since she was a little kid, and when the opportunity came she grabbed it. She had no idea where she would end up in, but she hoped, as most foreigners do, to stay in a big city like New York. However, having been in Macon since August, she is happy she came here, because of how warm and welcoming the people of Macon are. She shares a bunk bed with Rebecca, 15, who acts as her guide to the American high school experience, and despite their age difference, they are best friends. Everything at the Macon high school has a Tiger theme – it’s the school mascot, there are tiger paws painted everywhere in town and even the extra tutoring sessions students attend after school is called Tiger Time.