Peri wakes the boys with urgency early the following day. There’s something that she has to do, and it can’t wait.
Wade: Gran, is everything okay? Where are we going?
Prosperity: Just outside. You’ll see!
She leads them to a spot by the duck pond near her newly set up easel and studio lights.
Prosperity: I need you all to stand here for a moment.
They are sleepy and groggy, so they are not in a posing mood, but she doesn’t need them to be. She wants to capture them just as they are before she runs out of time.
After completing a rough sketch, she walks over to give them a big hug. After hugging Mase –
Mason: I don’t want you to die, gran! Let me take good care of you, like the chicks, so you can live a long, long time.
Prosperity: Aww, you sweet, sweet boy. I’ve already lived a long time, and it’s been a pleasure to be around you three. I love you all so much!
Mason: I love you too!
She goes to Dray next, but he’s too tired to hug. He pushes her away.
Dub sees the hurt look on Peri’s face.
Wade: It’s okay, gran, he still loves you, and we’ll tell him all about you!
Dub’s words bring tears to Peri’s eyes. She walks over to her oldest grandson and pulls him into her arms.
Prosperity: Thank you, baby! I want you to always take care of and look after your brothers. Okay?
Wade: Okay, gran
Peri steps back to look into Dub’s eyes and make sure she’s heard.
Prosperity: Promise me!
Wade: I promise. Love you, gran!
Prosperity: I love you too! You can get ready for school now.
Dub takes a step but hesitates and turns back to his grandmother.
Wade: You’ll still be here when we get back, right?
Prosperity: I’m sticking around for as long as I can!
Dub has no choice but to take her word for it.
Wade: Okay, see you later!
Prosperity: Yep!
After the boys have gone inside, Peri turns all her attention to the painting.
A little over an hour later, Dub exits the school bus and stands outside Copperdale High School on a dark, overcast day for orientation. It’s the day to pick out lockers and get to know some of his teachers and classmates before school officially begins and school uniforms are required.
Dub picks a locker close to his first class and adds a few anime decorations to the front. Then he goes to the cafeteria, hoping to run into some familiar faces.
He doesn’t see anyone he knows, but a cute girl sitting alone at one of the tables grabs his attention. He never had trouble getting to know girls at his old school; maybe it could be the same here. He walks over and sits down but suddenly feels a little shy.
Bongani: *after a few minutes* Are you just going to sit there and stare?
Wade: Oh, no. Sorry – I didn’t want to interrupt.
Bongani: Well, you are, so this better be good!
Her words sound a little harsh, but Dub can tell by the pretty smile that reaches up to her eyes that she didn’t mean to sound that way.
Wade: I’m Wade, but my friends call me Dub.
Bongani: Nice to meet you, Wade. I’m Bongani. Everyone calls me Bongani. *amused chuckle*
Wade: I’m new here and don’t know where anything is.
That’s not 100 percent true. The school is small, so getting lost is almost impossible. But Dub hopes it’s enough to open the door to getting to know Bongani a little.
Bongani: Let me see your schedule.
Bongani checks Dub’s schedule.
Bongani: Well, we have the same Business and Foreign Language classes today. We can walk together.
Wade: Sounds good!
Just as Dub responds, the first-period bell rings, indicating it’s time for class. He and Bongani get up and leave the cafeteria.
Dub hopes to sit next to Bongani, but the only available seats are apart. The teacher, Miss Coombes, starts class right away, so there would be no time to talk anyway. So, Dub pulls out his notebook and begins to take notes.
After class, it’s time for lunch. Dub goes and gets something quick out of the vending machines in the cafeteria, then goes to find Bongani once again.
Wade: Didn’t you say that we have Foreign Language together too?
Bongani: I did.
Wade: Maybe if we get there early, we can sit together.
Bongani: *smiles* Sure, we can go now.
They make it to class early enough, but Dub can’t think of anything clever to say to her. Everyone ends up staring at their phones until the teacher shows up. Dub makes it through his second class and ends the day well!
(Generation 3 Chapter Summaries)
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