Chapter 2 THE VALUE OF TRUE FRIENDSHIP...

JULIA'S P. O. V...

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Ric and I were done with the house chores. We made the house look sparkling clean. We

scrubbed,swept and even removed all the cobwebs. Since it was a weekend and mum didn't go

to work,she was having her beauty sleep. She normally slept longer during weekends so it gave

me enough time to rest and still do some house work. So before I go to the movies with Ric, I'll

make sure to prepare her meal and put it in her cooler so it doesn't get cold. But first we had to

go to the grocery store. I came out of the room after taking a shower and getting dressed to

meet up with Ricardo so he could drive me to the grocery store.

" Ricardo, I'm ready"

" Okay, let's go." He said as he grabbed his car key from the table and we were ready to go. But

I couldn't help but notice that Ricardo did a very good job in keeping the house spick and span.

" Wow Ric! Who knew you knew how to clean up like this?"

" Very funny Julie."

" Each time I've got a pile of chores on weekends, you'd definitely be there with me"

" ... Of course, most definitely I will. Now if you'll stop messing around, let's get to the grocery

store before it closes"

" Yeah right. Let's go" I said as we went downstairs and straight into his car. We drove some

kilometers while chit chatting in the car and laughing. We eventually got to the grocery store and

stepped out of the car. I walked through the store alongside Ric. I saw a few groceries that I

liked to get for the house and picked them and put them in the trolley. After I was done with

everything, I decided to go to the counter to pay for it.

" Is that all you want?" " Yes. This should last us for a while. Let's head to the counter"I said as he helped me carry the

stuff to the counter. The woman by the counter started calculating everything which we

brought_______

" That'll be $15."

" Right. Let me get my card." I then opened my little purse and to my surprise,I didn't see my

card.

" Ummm! Ric, did I give you my card?"

" No,you didn't" that's when it set on me. I had forgotten my card at home. Oh my God!!

" What's the problem?"

" Ric, I have forgotten my card at home. How am I supposed to pay for everything?"

" Ok this is bad"

" Umm, ma'am please you're holding up the line" the lady by the counter said as I turned around

and saw a long line behind me.

" Oh Ric. Let's just return everything back"

" ... No wait. Let me sort this out. Ma'am please how much did you say it cost again?"

"$15" immediately,Ricardo put his hand into his pocket and brought out his own card. I was

shocked.

" No Ric. You don't have to. You've already done so much "

" It's alright Julie"

"Ric but____"

" Just let me handle it " he insisted as I just reluctantly agreed and he paid everything off. While

we carried the stuff to the car truck, I just wondered how nice he was. We both entered the car

and I decided to ask him about the stunt he pulled at the grocery store___

" Hey,Ric. Why'd you help me back there?"

" What do you mean?"

" You know you didn't have to pay for it. "

" Huh! Look Julia, I am not just your friend, I see you as my sister. Look, what's the need of

having a friend who can't help you when you need it? Just know that no matter what, I'll always

be here for you. You don't need to worry when I am here. Alright?"I looked at him and was so

happy and also felt so lucky to have him as a friend.

" Thank you so much Ric. "

" You're welcome. Now I think we should get something to eat. Maybe lunch at our favorite

spot?"

" I'm up for that." He then started the car and we whizzed off. You know it's really a vibe when

you have that male friend who's not your boyfriend but he's willing to take a million bullets for

you. That's the kind of friend Ricardo has been ever since we were kids and I am really glad to

have known him...

3RD PERSON'S P. O. V...

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The evening came so fast and the two people were already ready for the outing. As earlier

planned, Julia had made her mother's meal and put it in the cooler so it wouldn't get cold. She

wore a black t-shirt,blue jean shorts with her slides. She didn't have much clothes to her name

so she just made do with the ones she had. She went to Ricardo who was waiting for her in their

living room just going through his phone in the meantime.

" Julia,are you done already?"

" I'm coming, Ric. Just give me 2 minutes"

". Hurry up or we'll be late for the movie" he said as she tried to fasten her speed. When she

was done with getting dressed,she made her way to the living room to meet up with

Ricardo_______

" Okay Ric. I'm done" Ric saw her and didn't look so pleased with the way she appeared but he

didn't say anything.

" Okay. Let's get going. We don't wanna be late" as the both of them left the house but Julia

made sure to lock the door with the key since her mum was still sleeping like a rock. They both

walked down to the car and she sat at the front seat while Ricardo sat at the driver's seat.

" Julia, can I ask you something please?"

" What is it, Ric? Is there a problem?"

" No. But please don't take whatever I'm about asking you too personal"

" Huh! Alright. Spill the beans"

" I don't see you putting on so much clothes. You wear a particular set of clothes. Why's that?"

" I get what you're saying Ric. These are the only clothes I have."

" So don't you think you should change your wardrobe?"

" I wish I could but I can't. I don't have that kind of money. Yes, I work two jobs but I'm still trying

to save up for college. That's just it"

" Alright. I'm sorry if you were mad at my question. Please, I just thought of it. We're friends

so______"

" You don't need to explain anything, Ric. I understand you perfectly well. You just care earnestly

about me and I get it. Thank you so much "

" It's alright. Let's just head there now"

" Yeah" as he quickly dashed into the road like an arrow shot in the air by an archer.He drove

through till they arrived at the Movies. He acted like a gentleman would and opened the door for

Julia to step out of the car. He also held her hand till they entered the movies. It was a sight.

They were also able to grab some popcorn and some drinks. Good thing they came at the right

time cause the place was already full and they were also able to get a good seat as well.

" I'm so glad to have seen this movie. Thank you so much Ric"

" I'm not just happy to have seen it. I'm happy that I'm seeing it with my favorite person in the

whole world" I could feel Julia blushing profusely and was almost turning as red as a tomato.

" Awww! Thank you so much. You don't know how happy it makes me."

" Okay drama queen. Let's start the movie. It's almost time" so they started the movie as the

light dimmed and the big screen started displaying the movie. Somehow, to a large extent,

Nollywood has started gaining their feet in the movie industry. It's so nice how they've started

producing nostalgic movies. Beyond Suspicion from what I'm seeing here was actually produced

by an upcoming movie production called STORYVERSE PRODUCTION. I think the movie's cool

actually. Well, let's all just sit back and enjoy this movie. I can see the two , Julia and Ricardo,

eating their popcorn and being seriously engrossed in the movie. Wow, this is a work of art. At

least,they were sure that the hour and thirty minutes spent watching the movie wasn't a waste.

They both enjoyed the movie while Ricardo couldn't help but imagine himself and Julia were in

that situation. He tried imagining if for a moment, Julia was assumed to be dead just like for a

moment Dave thought that Stella was dead.

"Ummm! Ric,what are you thinking about?" Julia snapped him out of it.

" Oh nothing! Just letting my imagination run wild. "

" Okay. I just wanted to say that in case you didn't notice, the movie is over." He then looked at

the screen and noticed that it was over indeed.

" Wow! That was a real case of absent-mindedness. I was so lost in thoughts that I didn't even

know the movie was over."

"... Yeah, so let's head home."

" Home? It's too early for that?"

" Well,so where do we go from here? The movie is already finished."

" Let's get dinner. Isn't that just better than going home? Then maybe we can do some sight

seeing "

" Sight seeing? Where exactly?"

" I know the best spot" he said as all Julia could just do was wonder. So she just decided to

follow Ricardo like a puppet. After the movie ended,they both made their way to the restaurant

which happened to be on the ground floor. He made her order any food of her choice and it was

really a nice one. She ate a lot of fries, she wasn't really conscious of getting fat but all she

knew is that she needed to eat to her heart's content.

" Seems like you were really hungry back there Julia Austin" Ricardo said as he winked slyly at

her and she looked at him while corking her eyebrows.

" Really Mr. Ricardo Thompson? I know. At least you were able to get it for me. And yes, I was

hungry. Aren't you?"

" Huh! Aren't I? Of course I am." They both laughed and gave themselves a high five and

continued eating their meal. These two are really just very sweet friends. Their friendship has a

lot to it beyond what meets the eyes...