Stella smiled down at the girl as she wolfed down the food she had brought. Seemed like the kid really was hungry.
"Will you tell me your name now?" Stella raised an eyebrow.
"Carmen." The girl swallowed and replied before stuffing her mouth again.
Stella frowned, "Carmen, huh? I'm gonna stick with kid."
Carmen: "..."
Eddie: "Why did you ask for her name then?"
Stella: "Don't know. Felt like I could report her if I wanted to."
Carmen: "..."
Stella smiled sweetly at her. A smile that seemed to scream danger. "What's wrong kid? Cat got your tongue?" Stella chuckled.
"You promised." Carmen snapped.
Stella put a finger under her chin, "I really don't remember doing that. I think what I did was threaten you."
Carmen: "....."
Lily whistled, "She's good."
Stella laughed, feeling that she had teased the little girl enough. "Okay kid. Won't you tell me where you came from?" She said as she ruffled Carmen's hair.
"Don't push your luck." Carmen said as she slapped Stella's hand away.
Stella chuckled as Lily suddenly let out a shriek.
"What?" Eddie and Stella asked together. Even Carmen looked up from her food to stare at Lily.
Lily slapped her forehead, "I need that book you borrowed. Glad that I remembered."
Stella frowned, "Book?"
Lily pursued her lips, "Yeah. My book. The one where the main lead in extremely unlucky. And his girlfriend is the only thing lucky in his life."
"Oh that!!!! Yeah. I left it at home. Come on. I'll give you the book and then drop you home." Stella said, still wondering in her mind what Lily was talking about.
Lily made a confused expression.
"What now?" Stella sighed.
"I have a group study today." She said in a small voice.
"I'll do it. I'll go pick up your book." Eddie jumped in between the two girls.
Stella raised an eyebrow as Lily's eyes brightened and she hugged Eddie, saying, "Thank you. You are the best big brother ever!!!!"
Stella clapped her hands, "It's settled then."
She then went to get her bike.
Once she came back, riding on her bike, Carmen's mouth fell open.
"That's yours?" She asked.
Stella chuckled and winked. "Get on." She said to Eddie.
"Hey! Can I get a ride?" Carmen said in a small voice.
Stella chuckled, "Don't push your luck."
She then started the bike as soon as Eddie got on behind her and the two were off.
Eddie had planned to enjoy the bike ride and hug and tease Stella during the ride. But what happened was him clinging onto Stella for dear life as she raced through the streets and then the forest paths with lightening speed, enjoying the thrill.
As a result, Eddie was so scared by the time they got to Den's cottage that he wondered how had his legs not turned into jelly.
Just as he was steadying himself, wondering if his legs could handle a step, Stella's voice came, "You coming or not?"
He looked up to see Stella already at the door of the cottage, helmet in hand and shaking the hair out of her eyes.
Eddie gulped and took a step forward, then another, then another. Finally, he entered the cottage with Stella.
Once inside, Stella stopped dead. She sniffed once and then her body seemed to turn into stone.