"Friends?"

Chapter 8 : ' Let's Work'

AT HOME  ( at 12:00pm )

"Hey mom." I said while entering the house. "Hi honey. How was school?" She asked. "  It was rather, interesting." "I like to hear the sound of that!" 

"Hmm." I replied. "What you making?" I asked. "Oh, your favourite dish. Shredded chicken and sweet dumpling; like the one they make in  Chafu restaurant  down the street." 

"Hmm, indeed it is. Well I will be heading up to my room now." 

"This early?" She asked. "Yep. I have a big project that's due for this Friday so I am just going to take a quick shower before starting to work on it. By the way, if you hear anyone knocking the door while I'm gone, please answer it." 

"What for?" " There is friend, well, classmate who is coming over to help me with this project. She's my partner. So if she does come, tell her to meet me upstairs and wait for me until I come out of the shower, okay?" 

"Sure darling." 

LATER THAT DAY  ( at 3:00pm ) 

*knocks* "Come in." 

"Hi! You must be Marie."  "Yes I am. I have come to see your daughter Xin-lang." Marie said to my mother. 

" Right. She told me you'd be here. She's upstairs bathing. Knock the bathroom door and let her know that you're in her room." 

"Okay, thank you." She replied. "Also, what should I call you?" Marie asked my mother. "Oh, I'm sorry, I'm Tonae, Mrs. Tonae, just call me that." 

"Oh okay. Also, I don't mean to pry but, does Xin-lang has a father by any chance?" Marie asked. "Um, yes she does." 

"Where is he?" "He is in Canada on a business trip." " Oh, cool." 

"I'm glad you think so. By the way, have you eaten as yet?" My mother asked Marie. "Um, no I haven't." 

"Here you go, bring this upstairs with you. One for Xin-lang and one for you. I hope you like shredded chicken and sweet dumplings." 

"Of course I do. After all food is food." 

"That's a good way to look at it." 

UPSTAIRS 

*knocks* "Xin-lang?"  "Who is it?" 

"Are you in your room or the bathroom because I am hearing your voice from your room but she said that you were in the bathroom." 

" I'm in my room. I was in the bathroom earlier." I replied while opening my room door. " Here you go." Marie told me while handing me out my food. "Thanks." 

"Your welcome." 

"Should we eat first or?" Marie asked. "We can eat first then we will start. 

After Marie and I was through with eating, we finally made some progress with our work. When we were done with the paper, Marie went home. Then I spent the rest of the afternoon sleeping because I felt really drained.