THE THREE M'S

NEW FRIENDSHIP

EPISODE FIVE

' I'm so sorry about that ' Mia sent her condolences ' It's fine. Besides it's been more than a year now ' Valentino replied. He is a strong boy, fighting to stay strong for his mother. Mia was eager to know what his mother does and also to change the topic a bit, so she asked " What does your mom do? " " She is a mini-super market owner " Valentino replied to her text ' Wow ! that's nice ' Mia complimented them. The both newly made friends had a little fun while texting but at some point Mia recalled after giving a gaze at the wall clock in her room " Val, aren't you going to study tonight ? " but he answered " No, I won't study tonight " His reply made Mia wonder ' why? ' Is she disturbing him or has she taken up all his study time? Mia doesn't want to appear selfish and unfair so, it made her curious and decided to ask " Why did you say so? " " I know a lot has gone in your mind in just a few seconds but don't panic. I already planned to not study tonight. But that was dependent on you, if you should reply to my text. Don't worry yourself, I'm behind everything " Valentino cleared her thoughts. She accepted what he had said. But looking at the wall clock in her room again , it was past nine in the night. She needs to go to bed and Valentino has to dismiss her. ' Sleep well. see you in school tomorrow ' they said to each other and retired to sleep.

* * * * * *

( In school )

It's a Thursday morning, two more nights to the birthday party. Marbel was ready to gossip with the girls especially Mia, about Valentino and her " Okay , so tell me , no us , did anything happen last night ? " Mercy was also interested in the gossip but she got distracted by one of their classmates " uh... sorry gals, I need to meet with my sport team members. Save my gist , I'll hear it later " Mercy asked for a permission to leave the gossip. They other girls were understanding enough to let her go " Sure you can " they responded. " Now, over me. tell me about it. I'm sure Valentino is not so proud to not initiate a conversation. And that's what I like about him..." as Marbel was still talking to her friend, Mia was busy waving and smiling at Valentino who just got into the classroom and settled down on his seat. Marbel was so convinced that at that point, something really happened last night " spill it baby girl " Mia found out that Marbel had seen her actions and decided to give in to the gossip " Alright alright, I'll tell you. We texted each other last night. He texted me first though " Marbel is finally getting her gossip , and with wide smile on her face she proceeded to ask " Okay! what and what did you guys talk about ?" Mia gave her reply " Nothing much. We talked about ourselves mostly. Like giving an introduction " " What was his introduction ?" Marbel asked again " Well, he's also the only child of his parent, no dad anymore " Mia answered. Marbel was so shocked and with a sharp thought of hers, figured out why he's like a low life person " Ouch! it's a pity. What does his mom do ?" Marbel asked " She's a mini-super market owner " Mia replied. But out of curiosity, Marbel was still bothered about how a low class family could afford their school's fees and bombarded Mia with more questions " Yeah! I wondered that too but he got a scholarship into this school. He studies a lot as well and I've asked him to allow me join his study schedule and he agreed " " Gal are you for real ?" Marbel surprisingly asked " Yes girl " Mia replied but Marbel wasn't thinking alike with her at that point " No, I mean you both will really study together and leave Mercy and I out of the progress " " Yes? I heard my name " Mercy arrived just in time. Marbel took over " Mercy can you imagine? Valentino and Mia are going to start a study group for only both of them leaving you and I behind " Mia was mute all this while because she knows her friends and knows what they prefer, so she let them complain and argue. Mercy was a bit sensitive to ask " What time will the study group start ? How will the study group go ?" now Mia is glad to be given a room to express herself " well, he studies before and after bedtime. Eight in the night till ten in the night and four in the morning till six in morning before he prepares for school. And I know you both can't under go such stress. Am I wrong ?" Marbel and Mercy murmured before responding " you're right " Mercy went further to say " I really can't afford to trade my sleep for anything " the all burst out in laughter. Their teacher got into the classroom and lessons began for the day.

RING RING RING ( school's break time bell )

Valentino walked up to the girls and greeted them " Hi " and they responded with a ' Hi ' too. He needed Mia's presence and asked her " please can I get your attention for a while ?" " sure, you can " Marbel cut in and Mia called out her name " Marbel !! " but Marbel just gave a ' what is it ?' gesture while Mercy cleared the table " Val, pardon my friends. Mia, we will see you later. Go ahead " Then Mia walked away with Valentino to the class varanda. Just as they got there, two of their classmates passed by them and walked back to ask Mia " so, it's really true that you're mingling with this guy. How low can you be ?" Camille asked and the second girl, Tracy, answered " it's obvious he is asking for help to be among " the two girls burst into laughter. Mia got annoyed and bounced back at them with her words " Do not ever in your life speak such words to either Valentino or I, unless you want to face the wrath of your actions. Both with your parents' knowing and your peers as well. Dare me and see it yourself " " we're concerned about you..." Tracy still spoke up but Mia shunned her " keep your lips paused and tight " the two girls got embarrassed and walked away. Valentino wasn't happy either but he buckled it and appeared normal. He only wants to apologize to Mia " I'm sorry for what I made you pass through " " No, I'm okay. I should be asking you about that, whether you okay from what happened " Mia defended herself while caring for him. " So, you asked for my attention " Mia recalled and he remembered " oh that's true! sorry for the delay. I wanted to only how you want to join my study schedule "