Studying Overseas

By the time she hit her teens, Ava had long since shed her baby fat. She inherited her parents' good genes, and as she grew older, her beauty increased.

She had already gained popularity as a child actor, and her visage was well-known throughout the Philippines by the time she entered middle school.

As a result, she found it difficult to continue going to her regular school.

All this led Jeff and Ann to send Ava to an international high school where nobody would know who she was. That's what they believed, at least.

But the question remained, where overseas?

At that point, Ann decided to contact her cousin Alexa Grant, the daughter of former US President Grant and a former beauty queen who was married to King Alexander and is currently the Queen of Stonasia.

Alexa was touched that Ann and Jeff had considered her and trusted her with their priceless child when she learned what they wanted.

She enthusiastically accepted Ann's request, notified King Alexander right once, and urged him to set up Ava's easy admittance to a prominent high school in the Kingdom of Stonasia.

Ava called Akira to let her know that her parents intended for her to graduate from high school in the Kingdom of Stonasia. This information sparked Akira's desire to attend the same high school as her best buddy.

"Are you certain? Please, come! For the next four years, we can share a room together. Hahaha!" Ava was ecstatic when she learned that Akira intended to attend the same high school as her.

"Do you think your parents will consent to your leaving? I'll ask my parents to let your folks know if that's what you want. Inform me."

Ann heard Ava talking too loudly since she was so enthusiastic and walking by her room.

After hearing what Ava said, she hastened to her room to call Ashley.

***

Akira immediately said goodbye to Ava so she could speak with her parents.

She was unaware that Ann had already begun talking to her mother.

However, Tanaga had the final say, and Ashley had already committed to speaking with him first.

When Akira got to the tea parlor where her mother was sitting, Ashley was already on the phone, grinning broadly.

"She just arrived. Talk about the devil. I must let you go to deliver the wonderful news to this little girl.

I know why she's here, and judging by the expression on her face, she's excited. We'll talk later!" After that, Ashley hung up the phone to give Akira her whole attention.

Akira stood directly in front of Ashley, waiting for her to conclude her talk with the person on the other line.

As soon as she noticed her mother had hung up, she hurried to sit next to Ashley on the sofa. She linked her arms with Ashley's and rested her head on her mother's shoulder like a cuddly kitten.

She inquired, her puppy-dog eyes fixed on her mother. "Mom, I just spoke to Ava and..." Unfortunately, though, Ashley's finger went to her lips before she could continue.

"Shh! I don't need you to tell me. I just had a conversation with her mother." Ashley stated with a straight expression.

"And?" asked Akira without even flinching.

"I'll talk to your father about it tonight, and I'll respond to you at breakfast tomorrow. How are things there?" Ashley answered as she carefully withdrew her daughter's hands to retrieve the teacup from the coffee table.

Akira sprang to her feet, leaping excitedly at what her mother had just spoken. She was confident she would win because she knew her father loved her and would grant her requests.

She and Ava will both be attending the same high school. She was excited about the years ahead.

With a quick stoop, she kissed her mother on the cheek before running out of the room to contact her best friend and share the happy news.

Ava was overjoyed to hear that Akira would be joining her, and she told her big brother, who had been assisting her in playing the video games, about her news that evening as she was playing one.

Indeed! I'm relieved that I won't be alone anymore. I'll be traveling with my closest friend." As they were playing, she spoke to Big Brother.

"I'm delighted for you! Just make sure that when you get there, you remember me. You'll probably forget all about me if your best friend is around you. Haha!"

On the other line, he banters with Big Brother. Ava feels very at ease speaking with him, and they always converse while playing. She's not sure why.

***

The days passed swiftly, and finally, the day came when the girls were scheduled to take off for the Kingdom of Stonasia.

Ann and Ashley were to go with the two girls and help them get settled into their dorms. The two moms also wished to see and speak with the Queen of Stonasia.

Tanaga's new toy, a bullet jet, a special plane made only for him, would be their means of flight.

Jeff wasn't coming, so Ashley was determined that he shouldn't go with the girls, even though he wanted to.

He could only pout like a naughty child and say farewell to his toy, wife, and daughter.

The fact that young Jeffrey would spend the next four years apart from his twin sister did not sit well with him.

It was much more enticing, though, to imagine having everyone's whole focus on yourself and no competition. So, with a big smile on his face, he gave his twin sister a firm hug and said goodbye.

When nine-year-old Arria discovered that her elder sister was studying overseas, she was unhappy and wanted to accompany her.

After hearing Ann's explanation of why Ava had to go, Ava reluctantly agreed but was not happy about it.

Her parents grudgingly consented to stop her from crying, but she maintained that she would attend the same school when it was time for her to start high school.

Sophia, Albert Tan, Grandpa Go, Grandma Tan, Ethan, and Eva accompany Jeff, Arria, and Jeffrey to the airport to see Ashley and Ava go.

As Ava prepared to embark on her next adventure with her best friend, Akira Jones, the older family members watched her departure with mixed emotions.

Despite the sadness they felt at seeing her go, they knew it was time for her to spread her wings and explore the world.

As Ava greeted each of them with a warm hug, her own face lit up with a broad smile, reflecting her excitement for the journey ahead.

The bittersweet moment was filled with tender farewells and hopeful anticipation for the experiences that awaited her...~~~