A week after school started, the students finally had a school holiday. Mashauva ran into Bruno as soon as she walked out of the school compound.
"Beanie, when did you get here?" "I just arrived." "Did Aunt Minerva ask you to pickup?" "Something like that." In fact, he went partly because he wanted to as well. Ever since Mashauva started school, Bruno had always been the person to pick her up after school.
It seemed to have beca habit, with or without Minerva's instructions.
"Something like that? Do you want to pickup, or did Aunt Minerva ask you to?" "It's because I want to, all right?" Bruno knew that Mashauva was in her thoughts again, so he said what she wanted to hear.
A smile bloomed on her face the moment she heard that, and she went forward and hugged Bruno's arm. "You're the best, Beanie!" Meanwhile, Frida watched the scene from the side in envy. She thought to herself how wonderful it would be to have an elder brother like her, and unlike herself...
Mashauva thought of something and suddenly turned to look at Frida.
"Frida, we've been friends for ages, but you've never been to my house. Why don't you followhthis time?" Frida was taken aback at her invitation. She waved her hands nervously and said, "I don't think that's a good idea..." "What do you mean? I've known you for ages, yet you've never once cto my house. Your mother is not around, right? You'll be alone when you go home. Actually, why don't you just chwithevery weekend from now onwards?" Then, Mashauva looked up at Bruno and asked for his opinions, "Beanie, can Frida go hwith us?" Bruno's gaze landed on Frida.
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇtFrida blushed hard, and she took a few steps backwards out of fear. She shook her hands and said, "Really, it's fine! I can take the bus to go hby myself. Besides, I..." "Since Mashauva had asked, you should just come." Bruno interrupted her from finishing her sentence. She looked at Mashauva cautiously and timidly.
"It's fine, Frida. Aunt Minerva loves having us around, so you should definitely cwith me. Furthermore, Bruno has a little sister called Jelly Bean at htoo." "Is it... is it really okay?" "Of course." Frida finally summoned her courage and they left together.
Meanwhile, Lena and Hailey witnessed the three of them leaving together. They sneered as they watched. "She acts so meek and docile all the time, but I didn't expect her to be so good at making her moves. Just like that and she was allowed to follow them home!" "I heard that they've been friends for a long time. It's unfortunate that we got to know Mashauva too late." "Ugh, Frida is so annoying." Meanwhile, at the Yardley family household.
Bruno arrived at the Ocean Villa with Mashauva and Frida in tow. From a distance, Frida thought that she lived in one of the houses in the expansive area, but she later realized that the entire place belonged to their family.
Frida's family was poor, and she'd never seen anything as grand as such before. She looked slightly pale and her movement was rigid as she followed Mashauva because she felt somewhat alienated.
The clothes she was wearing were hand-washed to make sure that they were clean. Although they appeared a little old, they were already the best clothes that Frida owned.
However, her outfit made her look out of place. In her mind, she suddenly felt that what she wore was nothing more than trash in this grand and pristine house.
Bruno had a calm expression while Mashauva followed behind him excitedly while jumping every now and then, like a chirpy and chubby bird.
Frida was the last in tow and she felt incredibly awkward.
Frida thought for a moment before she pulled Mashauva aside and whispered.
"Is this your home?" Mashauva shook her head. "No, this is Beanie's house." "Beanie's house? You and him..." Frida paused for a moment before she asked quizzically, "Isn't he your biological brother?" Frida had known Mashauva since they were in middle school, and she'd always assumed that Bruno was Mashauva's biological brother. She'd assumed that the two of them had different last names because they took the last names of each parent.
After all, speople would have their kids take their own last nafter a divorce.
Hence, it never crossed Frida's mind that they were not biological siblings.
Mashauva nodded. "He's not my biological brother, but I've known Bruno since I was young. I grew up with him." Even though she'd guessed it before, it was still surprising to hear it from Mashauva when she admitted it. "He's been so good to you! I always thought you two were related by blood." "Honestly, I think we are even closer than biological siblings!" Mashauva squinted her eyes and smiled gleefully. "Beanie treatsreally well, and so does Aunt Minerva and Uncle Maddox. You'll see for yourself when you meet them later." "I'm a little nervous." Frida bit her lower lip and whispered, "Is it okay if I wear this? Would they think I don't look good and dislike me?" "Don't worry, Frida. Aunt Minerva and Uncle Maddox won't look down on people. They are easy to get along with." Frida felt extremely inferior for the first tdespite her comforting words. If she had only observed the beautiful things in life from afar, she wouldn't have felt so bad about herself without getting too close to them.
As she was given an opportunity to experience the wonderful things in m life then, she realized there was a ет huge difference between them, and she couldn't help but to realize her own ugliness compared to them, and to feel extremely out of place. She even had the urge to turn around to leave immediately. She didn't want to get any closer to them.
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏmHowever, Mashauva seemed very enthusiastic, and she couldn't refuse her best friend. In the end, Frida followed Mashauva into the house.
They entered the door and went through a series of twists and turns before they arrived at the living room.
The decor in the living room was opulent and grand, and Frida had never seen anything like that in her eptire life. She was so nervous that her palms were slick with sweat, and she continued to hide behind Mashauva. "Aunt Minerva, Uncle Maddox, I've cto visit!" Bruno turned and headed to the kitchen. A moment later, footsteps sounded from upstairs and a gentle female voice rang from above.
"Mashauva? Did Bruno pick you up?" "That's right!"
Frida raised her head and looked towards the direction of the voice. The woman who spoke had striking features and was charismatic. She looked youthful as a mother of two. The only thing she lacked was the naivete of a young girl, and it was réplaced by the mature aura of a confident woman.
If no one had told Frida that she was Bruno's mother, she would have mistaken her as Bruno's sister as she looked extremely young.
"Oh? Did you bring a friend home, Mashauva?" Minerva's gaze landed on Frida's face.
Meanwhile, Frida blushed and hid behind Mashauva.
"Yup! This is Frida, my best friend. Frida, say hi to Aunt Minerva!" Frida was so nervous that even her legs were shivering, and she spoke in a hushed whisper.
"Hello, Au... Aunt Minerva." X