Do not neglect to meet together

Chapter 2: Walk to the Library

The boys walked in silence as they made their way to the library. Every now and then Philip cast a glance at Milo; the somber look on his cousin's face filling his heart with concern.

"Milo, are you ok?" Philip finally asked, breaking the silence. Milo jumped at the question and looked up at Philip.

"What?"

"You haven't said a word since we left. Are you ok?" Philip repeated his question. After a moment of stunned silence, Milo put on a smile.

"Oh yeah, I'm fine. I just...i was really hoping that my parents would come to the study. I...i think they would have a great time." Milo explained with a bit of a nervous tone. Though Philip raised an eyebrow at his cousin's nervous tone, he decided not to press the matter too much.

"I think they would too, but we can't force anyone to join. If they don't want to come, they don't have to come. But hey, maybe they'll decide to join in the future." Philip smiled hopefully. Milo managed a hopeful smile as well.

"So, who's going to be at the studying today, Philip? Anyone new joining?" Milo asked curiously. "Um...as far as i know, it's just you, me, Maverick and Piper. I don't think anyone else is joining today."

"Oh...Phillip, how come more people don't join our bible study?"

Phillip simply gave a shrug. "I can't really say, Milo. Maybe people think they don't need to join bible study?" "Oh. Do you think bible study is necessary? To learn and grow as a believer?"

"Personally, I do believe it is necessary. Bible studies are a great opportunity for believers to have fellowship with each other; to connect and to grow stronger as a family under The Most High. and it's a great opportunity to grow wisdom in scripture. So yeah, I think having some form of bible study is necessary." Phillip nodded.

"hmm. Well, I'm glad we're doing bible study. And I hope more people join us." Milo smiled hopefully. "I'm sure that if The Most High wants more people to join the study, HE'LL have more people join." "Well, even if others don't join, I'm still glad we do bible study. It's been a lot of fun." Milo grinned gleefully. "Indeed it has been." Phillip smiled.

"Phillip! Milo!"

The cousins looked up to see their friends, Piper and Maverick, waving to them from across the street. "Hey guys! It's good to see you." Philip greeted the siblings as he and Milo walked across the street; the four of them sharing in a group hug.

"Are you guys ready for the study?" "You bet!" Piper smiled and gave a thumbs up.

"Yep...i invited someone to the study... he said he'll think about joining in the future." Maverick gave a small smile.

"Oh really? That's awesome! See Milo? YAH is allowing our group to grow." Philip grinned at Milo. "Heh, you were right Philip." Milo looked up at Maverick. "Who did you invite?" "Oh... he's a guy from our class, Randy."

At this, Philip raised an eyebrow.

"Wait, you invited Randy?"

"Yeah, i hope that's ok..." Maverick rubbed his arm in uncertainty. "Oh! It's perfectly fine. I guess I'm just a little...surprised that you invited him. And I'm surprised he's actually considering joining. I know that the both of you don't really get along; you always said he was really rude."

"Yeah, i did say that...but..."

Maverick casted a glance at Piper and playfully shoved her a little. "...a wise little sister of mine reminded me that sometimes all it takes for a rude person to be nice is for someone to be nice to them..." Piper giggled and playfully shoved her older brother back.

"Ahmein to that." Phillip smiled.

"Like i said though, he's THINKING about joining; I'm not sure if he will." Maverick pointed out. "Well, even if Randy doesn't join us, at least you tried to be nice, right Maverick?" Milo smiled hopefully. Maverick managed a smile and a chuckle as he ruffled Milo's hair.

"Heh, right Milo."

"Well crew, shall we head to the library?" Piper asked with a smile. "Yep, let's go!" Milo grinned. The group chatted happily amongst themselves as they made their way to the library. Once they got there they got settled in the meeting room they always met in.