Essel’s Pov
At the conclusion of the day on Monday, I exited the school building and headed towards home. This morning, Michael informed me that his car was in the garage, so my stepmother provided me with a ride to school.
I was not inclined to take the bus. Instead, I preferred to walk and relish the pleasant breeze of the day. The walk would only take about twenty minutes. I chose not to wait for Michael, as he would likely secure a ride with Stephen. Furthermore, I doubt anyone noticed my departure from school alone.
I was only a short distance from the school when I became aware of someone approaching from behind. Turning around, I recognized it was Michael. "You are not obligated to accompany me, you know."
He positioned himself next to me. "Yes, I am. It would appear strange if
