The Bond Of Friendship

Recap

She slowly pushed the window opened and glided into the balcony.

"Can we talk?" he queried.

***************

Lucretia stared bluntly at him quiet surprised, "Yeah sure." she nodded.

He smiled brightly and walked over to the stairs hanging around the balcony. He had no problem climbing it at all since it has been like a childhood routine for him.

"Hmm...so..what's up?" she queried, as she sheepishly glanced at her feet.

"Well..." (ruffles his hair) I know I've not been quiet of a good friend to you lately and..(sheepish grin) I'm very sorry for that. "Um..can you forgive me for being such a jerk and go back to as we were?"

Lucretia stared keenly at him as his words ended and swiftly glanced thoughtfully in the air whiles Philip waited nervously for her reply.

"Okay..." she suddenly spat with a nod, stretching out her hand to him for a hand shake.

He stared down expressionless at her stretched hand quiet confused.

"Ugh.." mumbled Lucretia with a smile, slightly shaking her hand, suggesting that he shakes it to mean her forgiveness.

He swiftly glanced at her face and saw a bright smile on it which brought a sudden smile to his as he took her hand.

"But on one condition." she uttered hastily, replacing the smile with a serious look.

"And what's that?"

"Promise that you will not act like a jerk again." she said, lifting her pinky finger to suggest they make a pinky promise.

"Alright.., I promise." he replied, rounding her pinky finger around hers and they both snorted.

"So... we're back to being friends again, right?" he queried as he let go of her finger.

"Well..." she mumbled quizzically as she strolled forth to the rails of the balcony with him starring at her from behind and leaned on it. "Something like that." (smiles)

"Are we...?" he queried with a smile and trod over to her, leaning on the rails beside her. "Are we...?" he queried again but she stared at his face and smile.

"Ugh? Ugh?" he mumbled as he nudged her on the ribs but she just smiled.

"You're asking for it. Don't say I didn't warn you."

Lucretia stared at him puzzled at his words but before she could say jack, he started tickling her.

She laughed as she ran around.

"Catch me if you can.."

"Oh, is that how you want to play?" he queried with a grin and went after her. They ran around in the balcony, laughing and giggling as Philip tried to catch her.

"There you are..." he loud whispered as she caught her from the back sweeping her from her feet.

"Okay...,Okay.." (amidst laughter) "I surrender" she replied as they laughed heartedly with Philip gently putting her down.

He gently turned her around to face him and they stared at each other for a while smiling.

"I'm sorry for everything Luc..." he said as he curbed her cheeks and they hugged.

"I missed you so much Phil..." she muttered over his shoulder.

"So do I" He replied.

A smile flushed through Lucretia's face and he hugged him tighter.

All along, Mrs. Angelica was in her room glancing at them through the window with a smile on her face. She was awaken by their little noise since she was not a deep sleeper.

"Honey...what are you doing over there?" a voice queried from behind her.

She slowly turned with a smile and saw her husband awake.

"Come and have a look dear..." (smiles)

"Okay" he said as he glided down the bed and strolled over to his wife.

"Mmm..." he backed hugged her, peeking her cheeks.

"Look over there." she tilted her head towards Philip and Lucretia's direction.

Mr. Gilbert slowly turned his head and saw his daughter and her best friend chatting and giggling gleefully once again. He smiled and lowered his face to his wife's.

"Just as I thought." he mumbled and peeked his cheeks.

**************

The rest of the passing weeks was quiet fun and exciting for Lucretia and her friends, Crystal, Philip and the others. Mimie was the only one out of the picture. She was back but was quiet busy with her family so couldn't join them. The weeks processed quickly and soon, the summer break was over.

Mrs. Raina went over to her son's room to wake him but met him already dressed.

"Oh..., guess I'm the one who's late."

"Yes mum.." He picks his bag from the bed. "Breakfast..?"

"Yes dear..., it's set."

"Great, let's go. I don't want to be late for school." he rounded a hand over his mother's shoulders and they glided out of the room to the dinning table. He met his dad already at the table.

"Good morning dad..." He greeted as he pulled the chair and sat down.

"Good morning son... any special happenings? You look quiet excited." He scanned his face for a clue but got none.

"I guess I'm excited to return back to school after these boring holidays." He picked a slice of bread from the plate in the center of the table.

His parents tilted their heads as the glanced a quizzically look at him.

"I'm I looking horrible or something? You guys are already scaring me with those looks." He bit into his bread, starring quizzically at them.

"No....it's just...." muttered his Dad, picking up his cup of beverage.

"Just what Dad...."

"It's nothing dear, just hurry and get going before you start getting late." said Mrs. Raina.

"Okay." he answered and they continued the rest of the meals in silence.

"I'm leaving now.." He pushed the chair back and stood up. He peeked his mother on the cheeks as he picked his bag.

"Goodbye Dad...." He muttered without waiting for a reply and rushed out.

Lucretia was in her room, packing her stuffs into her bag when someone threw a rolled paper pebble to hit her window. She sauntered over and saw Philip standing outside the house.

"Hurry up, sleepyhead..." he shouted.

She smiled and rushed back into her room. She snatched her bag from the bed and dashed out. She descended the stairs to meet her Mum and Dad at the table.

"Aren't you joining us..?" queried her mother.

"No, I'm taking them along." she took the small bottle of milk reserved for her from the table and pack some cookies too.

"See you guys later." she shouted and rushed out.

Mr. and Mrs. Woods looked on with a smile as she slowly closed the door behind her.

"I can see some changes..." giggled her mother as she went back to her meals.

OUTSIDE THE HOUSE

"Let's go." she gestured to Philip as she stepped out of the house, taking the lead.

He ran over and stopped when he got beside her.

"What happened to Daisy? Why are you walking with me to school today?" she glanced at him.

"Well.., I want to walk with my friend to school. Can't I..?" He poked his head in front of her.

"So..cheesy." She pushed his head away and he smiled as they walked in silence for some few seconds.

"I told her not to pick me up again." he suddenly spat out of the blue.

Lucretia glanced at him and nodded in response with a slight smile on her face.

"Let's see who gets to the bus stop first." she declared and ran off.

"Hey....that's not fair..." he replied with Lucretia already ahead of him.

"What makes it not? Beat me to the bus stop if you can." she shouted over her shoulders."

"I sure will...." he exclaimed and went after her.