Limitless

Exchange student

Chapter 5: Exchange student

Friendship stays even miles apart. Together means having the assurance of staying side by side even when apart.

"Marcus!" The girl shouted from the gate. Marcus smiled the moment he sees his friend waiting for him outside.

He immediately went down from his room to their gate to get his friend.

"You were so early." He said as he opens the gate to let her enter their house.

This is kind of unusual for him because Katie often wakes up late so this is something new, She goes to their house early in the morning. The little girl put her arms on her chin as if she is thinking of something.

"Well, I have to be. I need to enjoy every moment for now." The little girl told him, as she walks around their house.

"Why?" Marcus asks the girl getting confused now, he has a bad feeling about her words but he doesn't want to believe his thoughts.

They are walking now toward the kitchen, Marcus did not eat his breakfast yet.

"I don't know. But my mom told me I'll be transferring." The little girl said as she gets toasted bread and milk to eat.

"Why?" Marcus asks again. He was getting puzzled now.

He gets his oats and juice to eat for breakfast, while the little girl is busy making another toasted bread for the both of them.

"What school?" He asked as he eats his food.

"Mom didn't tell me. She just told me it is also nearby." She said shrugging his shoulders. That made Marcus a little bit unhappy, he will probably miss his only friend.

"Walking distance?" He asked again, to cover his unhappiness.

"Yes. I guess." She answered that made him form a small smile. At least she's still nearby.

But the thought of him being left alone at their school, walking in the hallway all alone creeps him out, it will be a huge transition, he will make lots of adjustments for himself.

"You will leave me at school now," Marcus said getting sad already.

The girl laughed at him, before answering him.

"Don't be so dramatic, Marcus. I will still visit you here at your house. We are just neighbors." She said as she laughed at him, but Marcus can't take that as a joke.

They had their breakfast, as usual, Katie is making a lot of talks, she is talking about the new movie she is watching, the new toy that her dad had given her, the gifts she got from her grandma as a gift for a school startup. Their business getting lots of sales. Marcus is always happy as long as her friend was around there would be no dull moments when they are together.

They pack their food before living the house. While they were walking they are still talking about some things, anything they see around they will make an impromptu dialogue about those things.

They even made a deal that since Katie is going to another school, he promised that he will look after her all around the school, whatever she does Marcus should know those things. He promises that she will always be by her side. From this day until they'll be separate ways.

So, when they enter their school he promised to take care of her and to watch over her. He never leaves her side from that day. The girl entered Balerina and Marcus accompanied her just to keep and know that his friend is safe. Katie made a bunch of friends there who has a crush on him that makes Marcus get pissed at her friends' naughtiness but he still enjoys it. Because his friend is loving whatever she is doing. He promises himself from that day that he should be happy with whatever she does.

Katie is packing her things after their practice and Marcus is helping her.

"Ow, how sweet these two little love birds." The old ballerina dancers tease them, Marcus rolled his eyes and Katie laughed so hard.

"No sissy, we were best of friends that's why." She explained and finally zips her bag, Marcus initiated to carry it so she gave it to him, while they were walking they are discussing on where should they eat for snacks and Katie initiated.

"Marcus, I heard there's a new street food vendor downtown. At the park." The little girl said excitedly and he just nodded he wanted to try some street foods again even though his mom told him not to eat such.

They walk downtown to try the said street food.

"Isn't it tasty?" The little girl asks him.

He never tried that kind of street food before so he was so amused with the taste it feels like heavens. So yummy.

"Yes, it is." He answered and ordered more since it was his friend who will pay for the food.

When they were full of eating they started to walk around the playground and play with younger kids than them.

The other days were fun as it is together, they were having fun joining new clubs at school and the after-class snacks, they are making every moment they have extra special. During weekends they will play at the plaza or in their subdivision's basketball court.

they would play tennis or some other exciting and fun play games.

"Marcus you should run faster, we need to jog," Katie told him, they are jogging around the subdivision.

"We need this to get fit like our parents," She added.

"Were still a kid," Marcus said sighing

"Marcus mom told me well be going to the beach for the long weekend, will you come with us?" Katie asks him the other day.

He thinks of it thoroughly because he will be joining the science quiz bee as the classes resume, but he also wants to get along with his friend. So he asks his mother's permission when he already decided to go.

He is so sure for himself that he can still review at the beach. His mom didn't say no either so they went to the beach.

Katie is talking all about the kinds of stuff she wanted to try when they arrived at the beach and Marcus was just there sitting and listening carefully, even sometimes he wonders if he can review with this long weekend vacation knowing that his friend is extra talkative.

They tried the banana boat, and he can't deny that he enjoys it, they build a sandcastle and even made a cute stone stack with all the shells they collected on the seashore.

They made barbeque, they cooked tocino, they cooked hotdog and everything, they tried a lot of things there. It was a nice quick vacation for them since Katie's parents were around always keeping their eyes on them, it seems like they are siblings during those times and they enjoyed it. They had a lot of fun.

They brought different souvenirs especially Katie because she has a lot of friends Marcus just get some sand from the beach put it on his small jar and come back to their home.

"Thanks, Katie," he said and Katie just nodded.

Because of tiredness, Marcus didn't review for the science quiz bee, he didn't tell his mom about the contest so that they wouldn't come another reason is that he is afraid he might be lost in the said event. But to his surprise, his parents were present at the event. he got super nervous but still managed to keep his mind thinking critically, he still managed to make himself the grand winner.

He was so happy about his achievements, not, especially his parents. During the awarding session, his parents went down from their sits to the stage to pin him the medal.

"I'm so proud of you son," His father whispered in his ears.

"Proud of you honey," her mom told him too.

They had a photoshoot and then treats him for a lunch date outside, they were together with Katie's family.

"I'm so proud of you Marcus!" Katie shouted and handed the cake to him.

"Blow this!" she said excitedly.

"Oh, no I'm sorry Marcus I didn't know you have a science quiz bee for this week I shouldn't let Katie invite you for the long weekend vacation. I'm sorry." Katie's mom apologizes.

"No it's okay, I enjoyed the quick vacation."

The other day was a normal school day for both of them they study, go to the library borrowed books, return books, go for practice, Katie introduced Marcus her new friends, and of course their all-time favorite afternoon snacks

"Marcus, it's getting dark. Let's go." The little girl told him. And he just nodded and followed her.

While they were walking they were so silent that it feels so awkward for both of them. He was not used to his friend being so extra quiet, she was always loud and has too many things to tell him and this was something new to him. He concluded that there must be something wrong so he asked her.

"What's wrong?" He asks her as they stopped at the streetlights. The little girl faced him and hugged him tightly he was stunned the moment she did that but he still hugged her back. He concluded that there is something wrong with their house or something, he was just careful in asking her friend for she was super emotional.

"Marcus. I'll be transferring school tomorrow." She said that made Marcus shocked.

"For real?" Marcus asks her and she just nodded so he hugged her tighter, he was not used to being away from her friend. he only got her as his safest place.

"Mom told me that I should be near her office so she can see me." She said that made Marcus realize that her mom is extra when it comes to her only daughter which happens to be his only friend.

"I will miss you, Marcus," she said as she let go of him.

"I will miss you too." He answered.

"But why do you have to leave this early can't you transfer next year?"

"Mom told me I can't"

He just nodded and hug her again. They finally bid their goodbye when they enter their houses.

Marcus was sad as he enters their house, his mom is not also home yet so he suffered all alone. The next day he went to school all alone. He never talk to anyone, just focused on his studies. He was also introverted so it is nothing new to him, he only misses his only friend. Every time he went home he take a look at his old friends' house only to realize that they were now leaving at her parents' condo unit.

Days and weeks passes by and he got used to being alone every afternoon. There is no naughty friend that pisses him but also made his day. He focused on studying and keeping his grades all the way high to be the most brilliant student in their school. He joined the science fair and best do it your rocket ship contest in their town, he won in every event he was joining to.

"Marcus!" His mom greeted him the moment they went home.

"Marcus I am so proud of you!" His dad greeted him too and kissed him on his forehead.

"Thanks, mom, thanks, Dad," he said and was about to enter his room but too surprised to see someone.

"Congratulations Marcus!" the girl shouted holding a cake. He smiled when he saw his friend. It's been months since he last saw her so he is so happy to see her again.

"I'm so proud of you my friend!" the girl shouted and gave the cake to her mom to run towards Marcus to hug him.

"Thanks," he said.

"You were extra friends kids." their mom told them making them laugh. They were used to seeing them being like that and it is nothing new to their parents.

"Let us have dinner here." His mom told his parent's friend and they gladly said yes.

"You know what Marcus. I saw you at the science fair. I was there too but sadly you didn't see me."

"Really?"

"Yes, we presented our science project there and got paid for it, right mom?"

"Yes, Marcus I am so proud of you. You were so extra now."

"We are claiming positive energy for your high school. I am sure you will be the next top achiever in your schools."

"By the way Marcus what school are you planning to enter on your high school?"

"He was subject for the exchange student program."

"Wow?"

"International?"

"No. Near Isaac's"

"Hmm, I was planning to enroll my daughter there too."

"Really?" Marcus asks her.

"Yes, so excited my son."

"Mom, I just feel secure when I know someone around the school."

"Yeah, that's why I am planning to send my daughter same school as you too. But I guess fate is doing its work."

***