The other girl, Edith, also came from a military family in X City. She didn't want to spend long hours on the road to visit her parents either. In the end, she decided to join Garth and Jake, in traveling around S City.
"Maggie, are you going to join us?" Jake asked excitedly.
With helplessness on her face, Maggie answered, "No, I'm afraid that I can't. My mother said that if I don't return home to spend a couple of days with her, she will disown me."
When he heard that, Jake's smile faded and he expressed his sympathy for Maggie. The other two seemed disappointed to hear that too. After all, the four of them had spent the past five months together and had built a deep friendship with one another. All of them wanted to be together even when going out to play.
"Well, why don't you all stay in my apartment?"
Maggie suggested. "I bought a small apartment near my college so I wouldn't have to travel from my parent's home all the time. If you don't mind, you guys can stay there. When I finish meeting my mother, I will go there and join you."
"That sounds great!" Edith said. Her eyes shone as soon as she heard Maggie's suggestion. "I heard that there are a lot of delicious delis near the gate of your college." As a foodie, her eyes lit up like Christmas lights as the mere thought of food.
Maggie nodded in confirmation. Then they began discussing the plan for the three-day vacation. In the end, they decided that on the first day the other three would do what they wanted to do in the city, and that on the second day Maggie would join them and guide them on a tour around S City. It would be more interesting if her two bosom friends also came home. In that case, they would also come along so they could play and have fun together. Maggie felt excited at the mere thought of the fun they would have. Needless to say, she was looking forward to the vacation.
"Maggie Du!"
"Here!" Maggie answered and stood up as soon as she heard her name. The bright smile at the corners of her mouth disappeared in an instant, leaving behind only a solemn look on her face.
At the same time, the three others also stood to attention. They all looked at the door, where Daniel was standing.
After briefly glancing at the three, Daniel finally fixed his eyes on Maggie. "Maggie Du, please step forward and follow me," he ordered.
"Yes, Sir!" Maggie answered and then marched out of the room behind Daniel. Immediately, the others began gossiping. Curiously, they wondered whether something had happened.
Comments
The readers' comments on the novel: Love Began with the First Meeting