The weekend arrived, and Kiddy eagerly prepared for the study session. By the time the doorbell rang, he had the living room set up with textbooks, notebooks, and plenty of snacks. The backyard, with its cool swing hanging from a large tree, was visible through the windows—a perfect spot to take breaks.
As Ammy, Mando, Sam, and Lily arrived one by one, they couldn't help but admire Kiddy's home. It was spacious and welcoming, with a cozy living room and an impressive backyard."
Wow, Kiddy, your place is awesome!" Mando said as he stepped inside, his eyes drawn to the backyard swing. "I didn't know you had all this!"
Ammy, always the observant one, glanced around and nodded in approval. "Nice setup, Kiddy. This definitely beats the library."
Sam and Lily were equally impressed, taking in the comfortable surroundings as Kiddy led them into the living room."
Thanks, guys," Kiddy said with a grin. "Make yourselves at home. I've got snacks on the table, and if you need anything, just let me know."
As everyone settled in with their books and notes, the room grew quiet with focus. Ammy had her nose buried in a science textbook, occasionally glancing up to explain a tricky concept to Sam, who nodded along, trying to absorb as much as he could. Mando was deep into his math problems, his brows furrowed in concentration, while Lily flipped through her history notes, making sure she had all the dates and events memorized.
Kiddy looked around the room, watching his friends work so diligently. It was a rare sight to see everyone so focused. Their determination was contagious. He smiled to himself, feeling motivated by the energy in the room, and then dove into his own studies, working through the pages of his textbooks with newfound focus.
For the next three hours, the room was filled with the quiet sounds of pencils scratching on paper, pages turning, and the occasional question being asked and answered. Whenever someone got stuck, another would jump in to help, their teamwork making the tough subjects a little easier to handle.
Finally, after what felt like an intense yet productive session, Ammy stretched her arms over her head and let out a sigh. "Alright, I think my brain's about to explode," she said, breaking the silence.
Kiddy looked up from his notes, blinking as he realized how much time had passed. "Yeah, I think we've earned a break. How about we play a board game?"
Mando, who looked equally relieved, nodded eagerly. "Sounds good to me! I could use a change of pace."
Sam and Lily exchanged glances, both smiling at the idea. "Which game should we play?" Lily asked as Kiddy got up to grab a board game from the shelf.
Kiddy returned with a popular strategy game that they had all played before. It was a good balance of fun and competition, perfect for unwinding after hours of studying.
They set up the game on the table, the mood instantly shifting from serious to lighthearted. As they played, the room filled with laughter and playful banter, each of them enjoying the break from the academic grind. The game became an exciting challenge, with everyone trying their best to outsmart the others, but the friendly competition only brought them closer together.
For a while, the stress of exams was forgotten, replaced by the joy of being in each other's company.
As the board game continued, Kiddy's mom quietly entered the room with a tray full of snacks and juice. The aroma of freshly baked cookies filled the air, catching everyone's attention. She smiled warmly at the group, setting the tray down on the table.
"Thought you all could use a little break," she said, offering the snacks around. "How's the studying going?"
The group thanked her as they eagerly grabbed the treats. Kiddy said first, his voice relaxed. "It's going well, Mom. We've been hitting the books pretty hard, but we're taking a little break now."
"That's good to hear," she replied, looking around the room with a kind smile. "It's important to pace yourselves."
She turned her attention to Mando, who was still adjusting to his new surroundings. "So, Mando, how are you finding the school? I hope the transition hasn't been too tough."
Mando smiled and shook his head. "It's been good, actually. Everyone's been really welcoming, especially Kiddy and the group. I'm starting to feel at home here."
"That's great to hear," Kiddy's mom said warmly. "I'm glad Kiddy and his friends have been there for you. You seem like a nice kid."
Next, she turned to Sam, who was munching on a cookie. "And Sam, how's everything with you? Keeping up with your studies?"
Sam chuckled, brushing crumbs off his shirt. "Yeah, I'm doing my best. These study sessions are helping a lot."
She nodded approvingly before turning to Lily. "Lily, I've heard you're quite the history buff. How's that going for you?"
Lily smiled shyly. "It's going well. I enjoy it, so that helps. And everyone here has been really supportive."
"That's wonderful," she said, clearly impressed by the group's dedication.
"And you, Ammy," she began, her tone a bit more curious. "You seem to have a good head on your shoulders. I've noticed how you handle yourself—you're pretty sharp, aren't you?"
Ammy blinked in surprise, then grinned. "I try, Mrs. Edward . I like to keep things interesting."
Kiddy's mom chuckled, clearly taken with Ammy's quick wit. "Well, you're doing a fine job. I hope you all come around more often."
Ammy nodded, clearly pleased with the compliment, though she kept her cool. "Thanks. I'll definitely be back, especially for these cookies."
Kiddy's mom smiled, clearly satisfied with the group of friends her son had found. "Well, you all enjoy. If you need anything, just let me know."
She leaves the room.
The group, now recharged by the snacks and his mom's kind words, dove back into their game, the room filled with laughter and camaraderie.
As the study session slowly wound down, the group began packing up their books and notes, satisfied with the progress they had made. The board game had lightened the mood, but the hours of studying had taken their toll, and everyone was starting to feel the exhaustion creeping in.
Sam was the first to leave, grabbing his bag and waving goodbye to the group. "Thanks, Kiddy. Today was great. See you all on Monday!"
"See you, Sam!" Kiddy called out as Sam made his way out the door. Lily followed soon after, thanking his mom for the snacks. Mando, always a bit clumsy, nearly forgot his notebook but caught himself just in time. "Thanks for everything, Kiddy. I'll catch you later," he said with a grin before heading out.
Soon, it was just Kiddy and Ammy left, the house growing quieter as the evening settled in. Kiddy's mom appeared in the doorway, smiling at the two of them. "Ammy, I'm glad you stayed a bit longer. I just realized your house isn't too far from here. Kiddy, why don't you walk her home? It's starting to get dark."
Kiddy nodded, already grabbing his jacket. "Sure, Mom. That sounds like a good idea."
Ammy smiled, grabbing her bag. "Thanks, Mrs. Edward. And thanks for the snacks. They were the highlight of the day."
His mom chuckled. "Anytime, Ammy. You two be safe."
With that, Kiddy and Ammy stepped out into the cool evening air, the sky painted in shades of orange and purple as the sun set. The walk to Ammy's house wasn't long, but it gave them a chance to talk away from the hustle of school and their study group.
As they strolled along the quiet streets, Ammy glanced over at Kiddy. "Thanks for today. The group study idea was smart. I actually feel like I might survive these exams now."
Kiddy grinned. "I'm glad it helped. It was nice having everyone over, especially when things got a little stressful. And I think my mom really liked you."
Ammy laughed softly. "Your mom's great. I can see where you get it from."
They walked in comfortable silence for a while, the sound of their footsteps echoing in the stillness of the neighborhood. When they finally reached Ammy's house, she turned to Kiddy with a smile.
"Well, this is me," she said, gesturing to the familiar front door. "Thanks for walking me home, Kiddy. And for everything today."
"No problem, Ammy," Kiddy replied. "Anytime."
As she stepped up to her door, she turned back one last time. "See you Monday?"
"Definitely," Kiddy said with a wave. "Good night, Ammy."
"Good night, Kiddy."
As Kiddy was about to turn and head back home after dropping Ammy off, the front door opened again, and a tall figure stepped out onto the porch. It was Ammy's father, a kind-looking man with sharp features and a warm smile.
"Evening, Kiddy," he said, his voice friendly. "I saw you walking Ammy home. Thanks for that."
Kiddy nodded, a little surprised but smiling back. "No problem, sir. We had a group study session, and it wasn't too far from my place, so I thought I'd walk with her."
Ammy's father glanced at his daughter, who smiled reassuringly, before turning back to Kiddy. "I appreciate that. You must be one of Ammy's good friends."
"Yeah, we've been friends for a while," Kiddy replied.
Ammy's father seemed to think for a moment before he spoke again. "Well, you're already here, and it's getting a bit late. Why don't you come in for a moment? You can have a drink before heading back."
Ammy looked at Kiddy with a slight smile, as if to say it was up to him.
Kiddy hesitated for a second, then nodded. "Sure, thank you, sir."
Ammy's father led the way inside, and Kiddy followed, stepping into a cozy living room. The walls were adorned with pictures of Ammy and her family, and the space had a welcoming feel to it.
"Make yourself comfortable, Kiddy," her father said, gesturing to the couch. "I'll grab something for you both to drink."
As Kiddy sat down, Ammy joined him, looking a bit amused. "You didn't have to say yes, you know."
Kiddy chuckled. "I know, but your dad seemed nice. And it's always good to be polite."
A few moments later, Ammy's father returned with a couple of glasses of juice, handing one to Kiddy and the other to Ammy. He took a seat in an armchair opposite them, watching the two of them with a thoughtful expression.
"So, Kiddy," he began, "how's school treating you? I hear you and Ammy are preparing for exams."
Kiddy nodded, taking a sip of his juice. "Yeah, it's been pretty intense. But we're managing, especially with group study sessions like today."
"That's good to hear," Ammy's father said, nodding approvingly. "It's always better when you have friends to help you through it."
The conversation continued for a few more minutes, with Ammy's father asking Kiddy about his interests and his plans for the future. Kiddy answered politely, feeling more at ease as the conversation flowed.
Eventually, Ammy's father stood up, signaling the end of the visit. "Well, Kiddy, it was nice to finally meet you properly. You're welcome here anytime."
Kiddy stood as well, smiling. "Thanks, sir. I appreciate that."
Ammy walked Kiddy to the door as her father headed back to the kitchen. "See? Not so bad," she teased.
Kiddy grinned. "Yeah, your dad's pretty cool. I guess I'll see you on Monday, then?"
"Yep, see you then," Ammy said, giving him a wave as he stepped out the door.
As Kiddy made his way home, he couldn't help but feel a bit more connected to Ammy—not just as a friend, but as someone who was welcomed into her world. It was a good feeling, and it made the evening even more memorable.