Amy

This time around, walking to her house seemed to take only a few minutes as they were both caught up in conversation. Despite him being odd, Gabriela didn't mind Philip being around her. Noticing her ease up, Philip began to move closer to her as they walked, still being cautious not to touch, yet. On their way to Gabriela's home, they talked about different things.

Conversation on their way to Gabriela's home

Philip: Not wanting a replay of this morning's conversation, he was careful in not mentioning her parents.

Philip: "Did you get a lot of homework?"

Gabriela: "No, did you?"

Philip: "No."

Gabriela: "Are you the school Chairmans's son or some famous rich kid?"

Philip: Laughing, "Why are you asking that?"

Gabriela: "All the bad gossip and bullying had stopped completely only after a day after you spoke in my defense."

Philip: A bit sad, recalling the bad things said about Gabriela and the girls bullying her in the cafeteria, who knows if she was bullied more before lunchtime and the worst part was she thought he would partake in it.

Philip: Shaking off the memories of what happened

Philip: "It's not because I am rich or am the son of the school Chairman's son. It's just well, the students are not bad and usually don't bully each other. I was a bit surprised myself by what I heard. But, I think they just got a bit too excited to have an outsider, I mean a new student, since it doesn't happen much."

Philip: Cautiously adding, "You are not only a new student but a strong and mysterious beauty. Causing an uproar of misunderstandings, which happened to be clarified yesterday. "

Gabriela: ... ... ... ...

Philip: Worrying the longer she stays quiet, with an unreadable expression.

Gabriela: "It is not like I do not want to try and make friends, but on the first day of school, not one person tried to help me find my classes or to navigate around school. Once they knew I was from the City, they just asked me about the City, asking what I did after school, if I wouldn't mind hanging out with them after school. When I stopped answering their questions and declined the invitations to go out, everyone left me alone." You could hear the hint of sadness mixed in with anger.

Gabriela: Sarcastically saying, "It surprised me a bit at how fast rumors spread in this school."

Glancing at Philip before continuing to speak in a calmed voice now.

Gabriela: "You, though, are different. Besides giving me a nickname, like everyone else, you were the only person to ask me if I needed help in finding my classes." stopping to look at Philip. "Thank you."

Gabriela: "Also, you continued to talk to me, even after what I did to you in the Cafeteria on the first day of school." (Lowering her head, speaking low like a whisper) "You even stood up for me in front of everyone. Thank you."

Right after saying thank you, Gabriela straightened up and began walking again. Philip was dumbfounded, shocked, and happy. He quickly caught up with Gabriela, matching her pace, walking closely beside her with a big smile on his face. Inwardly reminding himself, 'do NOT touch her, do NOT touch her.' happy how she was opening up to him.

After a moment of silence, he asked her how old she was. She told him how she turned 11 in April. He thought it a bit odd since most seventh graders are 11 about to turn 12 or already 12 and 13 yrs old. So he asked her if she had skipped a grade. She explained how she was able to take some assessment tests, allowing her to skip the sixth grade. Before anything else could be said, they had arrived at her house.

****************

Amy was waiting for them outside the house since she knew Gabriela would be bringing her friend Philip over. She was pleased to see them talking as they walked together, although he was walking a bit too close to her Grandbaby she thought.

Gabriela waved to her Grandmother when she saw her. Philip turned and waved to the lady as well assuming that was her Grandmother and wanting to make a good first impression. Amy greeted Gabriela and Gabriela introduced Philip to Amy as her friend, which made Philip's heart leap for joy. He considered her a friend from the beginning and thought that she began to think of him as one as well, but she never called him or introduced him as her friend before so he was super excited that he is one step closer to his 'little kitten'. Despite all the animals she changes into, he prefers her as his 'little kitten'. Philip greeted Amy and they all went inside.

Amy: "I am glad you could come over today, Philip. Thank you."

Philip: "It is my pleasure, Ma'am." trying to not act as nervous as he was.

Gabriela: "Grandmother, Philip said you could call his mother in the morning as she has a late shift."

Philip: "Ah, yes. Do you have a pen and paper, I could write it down for you Ma'am."

Amy: "Gabriela, sweety, could you look for a pen and paper for me. Oh, and I also need an item from my bedroom."

Gabriela: Smiling sweetly "Ok, Grandmother. I'll go."

Philip: Couldn't believe his eyes, watching his 'little kitten' act so sweetly, smiling so beautifully as she spoke to Ms. Amy.

As soon as Gabriela left the room, Amy's sweet face turned serious as she spoke with Philip more seriously.

Amy: "What are your intentions towards my Grandbaby? She calls you a friend. Why would a friend invite a friend to a Dojo?"

Philip: Even though he was a bit taken back by the serious tone of voice Ms. Amy now talked to him with, he understood why.

Philip: "I mean no harm to Gabriela, Ma'am. I would like to get to know her better. After talking with her these past few days (not knowing she already knew, he dared not mention how Gabriela treated him the first day) I think it would be nice to show her the Dojo and maybe spar a bit."

Philip: "AH! I am a blue belt in Karate so I know how to keep myself from causing any harm to Gabriela."

Amy: "Hmmm." Glaring at him "What..."

Gabriela: "Here you go Grandmother."

Amy: "Did you know he said you two might fight at the Dojo, Gabriela? Tell me the truth, is he actually bullying you? Remember you are not alone anymore, sweety."

Philip started to think about what Gabriela must have been through for her Grandmother to get so worked up. Why must both Gabriela and Amy think so negatively of him? ....ALONE...???? That one word became number one in his mind, becoming even more confused at the hostility now shown to him.

Gabriela: "Grandmother, do not worry. Think of it as training for me. Philip won't hurt me. Also, Brother already knows who Philip is. So, if anything bad were to happen to me, Alex would know who to look for and you have his Mothers telephone number as well."

Gabriela was truly starting to believe that Philip didn't mean her any harm.

AMY: She calmed down after hearing Gabriela speak, gasping only to realize what she said when she noticed Philips's confused look.

AMY: "I agree to let you go with him Gabriela, but you need to be home no later than 5 pm on Saturday. You are to eat dinner at home. Ok."

Gabriela said ok and escorted Philip to the door. She thanked him for coming over and apologized for any inconvenience he had while at her home. Philip immediately said that he wasn't inconvenienced at all (just more curious about what she had been through before and what happened to her parents). They said their "see you tomorrows" waving bye.