The last leaf on the tree

Answers part.2

Stella's POV

Still at the Garcia's,

"Stella I'll be off to the restaurant now'' my dad shouted from downstairs, while I was in my room, I quickly ran downstairs "Dad but you promised, we would have our game night today'' I whined, "Yes, nenita I almost forgot, I'll make sure to be back before 9 PM okay?"

"Yeah Papi," I said disappointed.

"Don't fall asleep before I come back" I hummed in response. When my dad was gone I remembered that Kehna hadn't called yet. So I started looking for something to eat, even if I knew what I was looking for wasn't available.

Kehna's POV

At the Arellalo's,

I did, as I said I was going to. The phone had been ringing for the past five minutes I was going to end the call but she picked up. "Hello?"

"Hi, it's Kehna, we met today on the bus"

"Yeah, I already thought you weren't going to call anymore".

"No, I just... I've been a little busy"

"It's okay, I wasn't going to bed anytime soon, so let's chat" there was stillness because neither wanted to start a conversation.

"Okay, Kehna I'll start, so my name is Stella Garcia, I was born here in Tacoma, but because of hard times, we moved to Mexico city we came back a few years ago but, without my mother, because they got divorced. She left us, but when I and my dad returned to Tacoma we started our small business. And here we are, we own one of the most visited restaurants here in Tacoma and I'm an introvert. We've made some history here in Tacoma".

There was this unbearable silence again, but with the urge to get rid of it Kehna quickly said: "I'm sorry about your mum, but I guess it's my turn to introduce myself. I'm Kehna Arellalo, I'm new here in Tacoma. I haven't gotten used to it yet, I live with my parents, I don't have any siblings and I got into Amsterdam high school because I got a scholarship, that's one of the reasons why we came here''.

"Oh, I see... good to know. I guess you're the intelligent one here''. I tried to hold back my laughter but failed in the process.

"So why do you go to Amsterdam high school?''

"Umm... my dad he's been there for me, my whole life, and has never left my side even in hard times. I want to repay him even if I don't exactly know-how, but I just want to have a good education, so I don't have to worry about getting a job. What about you?''.

"Well, me too. I might have gotten a scholarship but I don't know what I want to be, but I want to work in some kind of company''.

"At least, that's already a plan, so how's school, I mean I'll understand if you say it's horrible''.

"It's okay, I guess" I replied moving on to the next topic. "What are you doing right now?"

"Well, I'm on my bed waiting for my dad, we have a game night, or whatever you'd like to call it"

"You have something like that?"

"Yeah, have you never done that before?" She asked almost terrified that I have never had something like a 'game night' with my parents.

"No, not even with my mom"

"Oh, you should try it out, you get to spend time with your parent, you can do different things like shopping, watching a movie that's what I and my dad were going to do today"

"Cool, I hope you have fun"

"Yeah, I'm just hoping he doesn't come home late again"

"Do you always have to stay home alone?".

"Yes I mean, I don't know anyone and except for that, this city is way too dangerous to be walking around alone in, so I stay home"

"Okay, I have to go, now. I hope we see each other in school on Monday. We can maybe talk again"

"We will, we go to the same school remember?"

"You're right, see you then".

"Bye". After saying bye to Stella, I got up and went to do my evening routine. "Kehna!"

"Yes, mom?"

"So how did it go?"

"What do mean, by how did it go?"

"Well, your phone call"

"It was okay"

"Look, we came here mostly because of you. You know too many friends aren't really helpful. You have to focus on your studies and nothing else okay?"

"Yes mom, I will". And with that, I left my mom. I wanted to sleep early but, I was watching a movie. And she told me to go to bed early.

'Kehna don't stay up late, I am going to bed, you should too'. Those were the exact words she used before going to bed. I finally got some sleep.

I woke up too early the next morning, so I decided to help mom do some house chores before she woke up.

When I was done with that, I took a shower and went back to doing my hobby, watching TV, of course.

"Morning, you're up already, it's early"

"Morning yes I couldn't sleep so I decided to get up"

"Ahh, okay did you help arranging?" She asked from the kitchen.

"Yes, I did" I answered shortly after.

"Oh, you didn't have to"

'I could have also accepted a thank you', I thought to myself.

Ms. Arellalo's POV

I opened the fridge and realized that we were running out of groceries, so I thought I and Kehna could just stroll out and pick some things. "Kehna can you follow me to the supermarket today?" she shouted from the living room.

"Well, it depends, can I or must I?" I chuckled hearing what she was asking "I guess you must"

"It would be my pleasure then".

"We'll have to wait till your father wakes up" I added.

Kehna's POV

"Okay," We waited for a couple of hours since I woke up early. It was around 11 am when I heard the door open so I thought I'd check since my mom was in the bathroom.

"Morning dad"

"Morning"

"We're going to the supermarket soon, so we've been waiting for you to wake up, now we can go but, mom is busy taking her bath." After she finished taking her bath...

"Kehna are you ready, have you eaten?"

"Yes, can we go now?"

"Aren't we going to make a list first?"

"Mom, it's better we don't make a list because we're going to forget something anyway. If we make a list or don't"

"You seem very eager to go".

"Yes, let's go now. Bye, dad!" I waved at my dad already, going to the door but my mom was still talking to my dad, so I had to wait for her outside.

"Okay, let's go"

"I've been waiting for you. What were you doing?"

"Oh, I was asking your dad if he needed something" after that, we decided to finally leave.

Two hours or more later, we were done shopping. We were going home, at least that's what I thought, but my mom and I went to a restaurant.

"This is the restaurant, I'm going to ask if there's space or any kind of job for me".

"Now?"

"No, I don't think it is a good time"

"Well mom, the earlier the better because, what if next week someone already asked for the job, use the chance you have if not you'll lose it"

"Look at you baby of yesterday being all smart with me" she chuckled a bit.

"Okay, let's go inside" we went in, it smelled like food. What a surprise, but I had the urge to try the food. I helped my mom with the bags and stood in a corner because there were no chairs left.

Ms. Arellalo's POV

"Hello, please is your boss around?"

"No, he isn't" the cashier answered arrogantly.

"Do you maybe know when he'll be here?"

"I don't, just check if you're lucky you meet him and if you're not you don't... simple".

"Okay, thank you very much, miss".

Kehna's POV

I could see the disappointed look on her face "How did it go?"

"Umm...She was rude, I tried asking her when her boss would be around and she said I should come more often maybe by any chance, I might be able to see him"

"Okay, then let's come back on Monday" we went home and later that day when I checked my phone I saw several calls from Stella, so I called and she picked right away.

"Hey, you called, what's up?"

"Can't I call a friend?"

"Yes, of course, it's just you called so often"

"So there's this festival every year, there are a lot of activities to try out and there's food and a lot of cultural stuff. I thought since you're a newbie here it would help if you got to know some of our traditions". While she was talking the only thing I was thinking about was if my mother would even allow me because she thinks this city is crazy and dangerous.

"Look Stella I'd like to come but I'll have to ask my mom first and I don't know, where this festival is supposed to be occasioned".

"No problem. Of course, you have to ask your mom first it starts... Uhh, I don't know how to explain this to you but if you've asked your mom and you can come then we'll pick you up okay?"

"We?"

"Yes, I and my dad are going"

"Oh, cool I don't think she'll say no, once I tell her your dad is going to be there too"

"See you then" she was about to hang up

"Wait, when is this festival?"

"It's on Monday why?"

"On Monday!"

"Yes, are you already planned?"

"Yes, kind of"

"Oh well, it's the whole week just it starts on Monday and we aren't so sure if we're free the rest of the week".

"Anyways I'll still ask"

"Adiós"

"Bye," I hesitated to go to my mom but did anyways.

"Mom?" She hummed in response "You remember the girl I told you asked for my number the other day?"

"I don't remember again. Who is she?"

"Her name is Stella"

"Okay, yes I think you said something about her"

"Yes, so she said there's this festival, that it starts next week Monday. And ask-"

"And you told her you were going?" It almost felt like she sounded mad.

"No, I told her that I was already planned and I'd have to ask for permission first"

"I know about this festival, I saw a few flyers"

"So? Are we going?"

"I don't think so, we still have to check that restaurant"

"Yes, but we can go to the festival for like two hours and then we can pass by, the restaurant and except for that she said, if I can go she and her dad would come to pick me up"

"If that's so then, I guess you can go but you know you won't go alone because I can't trust you with someone I don't know".

"Sure".

The next morning,

"I'm going" I shouted while Holding the doorknob "Have you eaten?"

"No, but I'm not hungry"

"At least eat something," she said dragging me to the kitchen, I was already late so I quickly ate a toast... like always, and rushed out.

I went to the bus stop but noticed that my bus had just left. It had finally happened, I would be coming late to school I was struggling on, what to do when a black tinted car approached me and I immediately stepped back.

"Get in!" The Man said, I stepped back again ready to start running and shouting, but the window in the back seat rolled down revealing Ruby. "Are you just going to stand there or are you going to enter". I hesitated because I was used to not following strangers or entering other people's cars, even if I knew Ruby it still felt odd.

I quickly entered "Hi" she looked like she was annoyed or forced to give me a ride, so I didn't say anything since she wasn't in a good mood.

We arrived at school, I waited till the car completely stopped before opening the door, but Ruby wasn't planning to get out. She was waiting for the driver to open the door, while she was waiting, I opened the door and said: "I'm sure you're still angry at me and you have all right to be, but all I wanted to say, is thank you for the ride, see you in class" and with that, I left.

Ruby's POV

"Is that your new friend, Ms.?"

"Yes, why?"

"I just wanted to remind you to be careful, not to spill too much, and don't get too attached, I speak on behalf of your father"

"I know Miguel, thank you" I smiled and went straight to my first class and could see Kehna entering class, we had Mr. Alejandro I then remembered Kehna saying Ms. Kelly was harsh but, I don't think there are words to describe how strict, harsh, mean... Mr. Alejandro was, I chuckled softly while walking in the direction of our class. I slowly opened the door, he turned to me waiting for an explanation.

"She was with me, we brought her it wasn't her fault"

"Look, Ms. Williams, I know you and your family are wealthy and can take my job away from me but before you do that I won't hesitate to tell you the truth since no one else wants to, I don't like it when you badge into my class as if nothing happened. Even if she's one of your associates, it still distracts me and the others".

I could only stare out of amusement "And as for you Ms. Arellalo, I'll take this as nothing since you're the newbie here, now take your seats... both of you!"

I was stuck in my thoughts and I just kept getting fascinated by this teacher even Ms. Kelly wouldn't dare to talk to me like that. Cause she knows, I could make her life miserable in a second. But Mr. Alejandro talked like he didn't care at all.

Mr. Alejandro was right, he could lose his job. He knows how my father is. What a pity.

Kehna's POV

As we got to our seats, I had to come back to myself after being scolded like that, but what I couldn't leave unnoticed was how Ruby was staring at the teacher, she looked deep in thoughts, and she was grinning like an i***t, I looked at her with a disgusted look.