Then again, whatever it was, Alexander couldn't be bothered for long.

It's not like something was going to happen with their discussion anyways.

One Monica seemed too meddlesome while the other Monica was just hearing her out.

One seemed patronizingly helping out while the other seems humoring for the benefit of the doubt.

Either way, he didn't want to get stuck in the middle of that...

Alexander was busy, busy, busy with his businesses... for the next couple of days. The whole month actually.

And despite all his earlier considerations about animation, it's not all about that.

Something else had to be tackled and handled this September, after all.

------

As for what it is... well...

Milla had something to say about it. "Alex, did you really have to fire my mom?"

"Fire is a bit much. Mutual parting is more appropriate." Alexander hummingly appeased. "Besides... haven't we talked about this already?"

"We have..." They really did but she was still reluctant. "Do you really have to?"

Milla tugged as that had so many implications for her. "Don't you want her to drive you around anymore? Don't you want her to prepare for breakfast and dinner and all that? Didn't we just have a fun vacation? Are you getting rid of me already?"

Ermm... that last question was a bit out there.

Come to think of it, her entire line of questioning was really, really way out there. Did she want her mother to remain doing those menial tasks forever?

Technically, it's what moms do...

But babysitting, nanny-ship, and motherhood are completely separate things.

Hence, Alexander could only shake his head at that.

The turn of events during the Chaos inquisition had made him reconsider this stuff, after all.

Excluding spy trouble and doubts, this was a topic that had been long overdue and he had discussed this in full length with Miss Galina already.

With Milla having quite some fame, the two of them found it best to settle the status quo and turn it into something different.

It was an understandable transition yet it seems the little girl is still reluctant about some things.

Of course, that's also understandable... given what she's really worried about.

Realizing her thoughts, Alexander just shook his head due the sensibilities of the issue.

Milla could care less about those though...

Determined, she decided to do something...

Gazing at Alex's cold but handsome face...

She leaned in...

And as their lips were inches away from each other...

"Cut!" Drew just had to butt in, director style.

"Something's wrong with the scene, people! We need to redo it! We need to replace the actress! Replace it with me, of course!"

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"Shut up, Drew!" Milla was really annoyed. It was so close but the shrew just had to shrew away.

For some reason, Alexander felt displeased at the un-timely interference...

Still, that was really bold of Milla, wasn't it?

He looked at the angry girl and yeah... why not?

So he smiled...

Gazed at Milla's reluctant and pretty face...

Leaned in...

And actually pecked her... cheek.

To the onlooker's dismay...

That wasn't enough for Milla, so fumingly, she clasped him in place and kissed his lips straight away.

She's already pink by then but her eyes darted towards Drew with gloating laced in her stares.

Drew just rolled her eyes at that and turned to her prince charming. "With her mom gone, does that mean that my mom got the job?"

Alexander, who had already broken away from the kiss, blinked a bit, and shook his head firmly.

"What are you two even thinking about anyways?" With how famous the Drew and Jaid story is, she's never even in contention. "Besides, I'm bumping up the babysitter status to something else and the recruitment process is already underway."

Wait a minute...

Thinking back on it...

He was looking for a specialized assistant and given the Two Monicas' wordings from a couple of days ago... how did he miss that?

Well... if it all works out, that sure is something else, isn't it?

"Anyways..." Alexander, disregarding what had just happened, looked at the time and beckoned. "We better get going if we don't want to be late."

Still blushing and lip-reminiscing Milla recomposed herself but complained right away. "Do we really have to go with her though?"

"And why can't I go with you?" Drew haughtily asked back. "It's not like you're the only girl that boldly wants to kiss prince charming."

"Hehe! We'll do it more times than you did." As she said so, she latched unto his arm and snuggled comfortably.

"Humph!" Milica just harrumphed at that and snuggled her way to the other.

Alexander was speechlessly stuck in the middle again and despite the circumstance, he thought it seemed fitting.

They were heading out for middle school, after all.

Or sixth grade for that matter.

-------

Setting aside their messed up dynamic, they're students all the same.

And for many students like them... sixth grade marks the transition into middle school.

If one is not introduced to the concept in fifth grade, one is sure to finally and definitely experience different teachers for different subjects at this time.

Which involves moving from classroom to classroom throughout the day as well as an increased workload.

Academic expectations take a leap forward, too.

Subjects are more complex, homework worksheets become longer, and students are faced with new challenges and ideas.

Some students excel at these new difficulties, while others can benefit through homeschool worksheets and study at home with their parents.

For many sixth graders, this is the first year that they are exposed to required reading.

Many teacher worksheets will cover half a dozen books that students will be required to read on their own time throughout the year.

The language arts class is often split between literature and language chapters, with a focus on grammar, vocabulary, and comprehension.

Printable worksheets may be sent home detailing the written responses that are expected from students.

Sixth graders also start participating in projects that incorporate several subjects, such as listening, speaking, reading, and writing.

They learn how to brainstorm and how to create different styles of writing, such as a play and poems.

Sixth-grade math goes beyond the basics of addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division that were taught in elementary school.

Students learn about absolute values, prime factorization, and expanded algebraic problems. Geometry includes a greater focus on measurements and reason, as well as a look at both the U.S. and metric systems of measurement.

This year, sixth graders will apply the scientific process and how it leads to discoveries. This includes ethics, safety techniques, experiments, and more.

They also focus more on the different properties of matter and how liquids differ from gasses and solids and vice versa. Students take a more in-depth look at the solar system, plants, and electricity.

They may grow plants and discuss the different functions of specific parts.

In energy studies, they will look at how force and motion interact on objects, as well as the use of fossil fuels and electricity. They may also learn about magnets and electromagnetism.

With the start of middle school, many sixth graders are looking for more independence and self-reliance.

They are starting to realize that their parents and teachers are not always perfect, and they may question authorities.

Friendships become stronger, and secret clubs and rituals become popular.

Both sexes are showing better coordination and reaction time, and they may enjoy participating in competitive sports.

There are still varying levels of maturity between boys and girls, with some sixth graders just starting to take notice of the opposite sex and some already further ahead.

Sixth-grade students are more focused on activities that they enjoy, and may even start having plans for their future schooling and careers. Some of their future pursuits may be prompted by a seed planted throughout this school year.

In short, required reading and in-depth language studies, developing upper-level math skills, understanding the scientific process, and becoming increasingly independent.

Somewhere along those lines was Alexander... and his warped-up perspective of it.