I finally got to leave for home. After sitting next to a suspected murder the entire day, some teachers even gave homework on the first day. As I leisurely walked along home with the lingering thought of homework on my mind, not noticing Stella was in front me, but it seemed she did notice me.

“You, are you following me again? If it’s because you fell in love with me at first sight, give up, I’m too good for you”. Was something wrong with this girl, is her ego flying around with the clouds, or is she just plain prideful.

“No, I’m going home, as everyone else is”. I said continuing my walk. Her face showed she wasn’t expecting a calm response, was she trying to provoke me on purpose? 

As I sauntered ahead, I could sense it wouldn’t be the last time I heard her voice.

“You know, If you like me that much I won’t mind giving you a chance”

“No thank you, Miss D’Angelo. I’ll just stay as your friendly neighbor Emmanuel” I said trudging along home.

“Neighbour?”

*

“Wait, you were serious about being my neighbour.”

I walked ahead to my front door and went inside, continuing to ignore Stella.

“I’m home, mom” I said walking up to my room, finally getting some rest from school. I threw my bag on the floor, changed my clothes and flew into my bed to watch videos on my Mephone.

It only took 20 minutes for my relaxation to dissipate, when my mother called me downstairs, in an uncanny way. 

I only came down to see Stella sitting on a chair at the kitchen table. Why does she keep making appearances, was she sent to haunt me. What did I even do, I still can't figure it out.

“I see you made a friend at school already, Emmanuel,” My mother said, sending a wink my way.

What was she trying to pull here, both of them? Mom clearly seems to have the wrong idea, but why is Stella here?

“Well, Emmanuel, I'm going to the store for a bit, Stella would you like to stay for dinner.”

“Ah, sure I can stay,” she hesitantly said.

“Great, by the way do you eat fish, just checking”.

She nodded her head and mom left for the store, with a clear ulterior motive. I turned my head back to Stella, wondering what she wanted, annoy me more, accuse me of something else, what could it be now.

“I’m sorry”

“Huh”

“I said I’m sorry. When I first saw you, I thought you were some creep following me. Almost tried to protect myself, But I'm sorry for how I acted. I guess we could be friends or something like that”. She apologized while muttering the last words under her breath.

Those words I didn’t expect, I guess even a lion has compassion.

“I guess I’m sorry for ignoring you and making you feel uncomfortable, but for the last time do you actually have a gun”. She had a blank expression on her face, as if to say don’t ask.

“By the way, what's your mom gonna cook?” She avoided my question again and I'm pretty sure it’s best I don't find out. So I shrugged my shoulders and walked over to my pla⚫stati⚫n and picked up a controller.

“You ever played before?”

“Stre⚫t Fi⚫hter X, I’m amazing at it”

“Sure, sure. The controllers over there.”

*

As we had dinner, with me trying to forget my 5-0 loss, I thought Stella was an alright person. You just had to show her you aren’t a stalker and hope she doesn’t feel threatened, but why did she have a change of heart all so sudden. 

Maybe my immense charming looks finally caught on, I wouldn’t be surprised, but me and Stella would never work out.