Matthew was never a paranoid person, but he swore someone was following him. From when he left his house to the school, he couldn't get rid of the eyes staring at him.
 
  Hell, he even used a new route! Nothing worked, so slowly, he accepted it.

  No longer caring, he sighed, grabbing his backpack. Bidding his brother and sister goodbye, he left. Nothing was out of the ordinary, the streets were quiet.

  Beginning his journey to school, he passed RiverBrook park. It was his favorite place to go, even now. His one escape.

  Especially today, hell, he left early so he could relax. He hadn't truly relaxed in months. Too paranoid.

  Tossing his backpack against the wall, he headed straight for the swing set. It was raised to his height, so there wasnt an issue.

  

  A few minutes past, the only noise the occasional rustle through the trees. He was calm, at peace. He felt safe.

  He paused his thinking, hearing the crunching of gravel behind him. Soon, a girl sat on the swing next to him.

  She had blue curly hair and biege colored fur. Her eyes were a mix of colors, each swirling together as she smiled.

  "Hi! My name's Aphrodite! What's yours?"

  She held out a hand, expecting him to take it. Hesitating, he shook her hand, soon continuing to swing. He'd unconsciously stopped and it bothered him.

   "Matthew. Name's Matthew."

  She giggled, beginning to swing too. She was dressed in a school uniform, or, he thought it was a school uniform. He wasn't entirely sure.

  "It's nice to meet you Matthew! I've seen you in the halls on occasion, but you've always seen busy, so I never approached you."

  Now that surprised him, she went to the same school? Now he felt like an ass, how'd he never noticed her before?

  He nodded, looking away.

  "I'm sorry I've never noticed you before... I usually get too caught up in my stories to notice others..."
 
  She gave him a happy smile, showing him her teeth.

  "It's okay! I get looked over a lot, so I'm used to it. However, I noticed you were reading Stargirl! I haven't read that ages, what do you think of it?"

  He paused, mulling over his thoughts. What'd he think of it? It was a wonderful book showing adolescence and growing up, as well as the pain that comes with that. He'd have to choose his words carefully...

  "Well... I think the story is a good take on todays society..."

  He stopped, rubbing the back of his neck.

  "Sorry, I'm really into political science and the state of the world. It leaks into my other interests..."

   Aphrodite hummed, nodding her head.

  "Yeah, you're right. The way Stargirl left still makes me sad, but I suppose it could be interpreted as someone growing up and losing interest in others."

  Matthew smiled slightly, sucking on his piercings. He wasn't used to girls talking to him, only his sister, but, she didn't count.

Aphrodite seemed genuinely interested in his thoughts, so that was definitely a bonus.

  "That's how I took it. The pain of growing up," he looked at the sky, "And the loss of innocence and youthfulness."

   The two continued discussing their takes on random books, and Matthew found he had much in common with her. The two has similar interests, as well as hobbies.

  Honestly, he couldn't help but begin falling for her, she was pretty, and she was rather bookish. Like something out of a fantasy...

 
Looking at his phone, he saw the time.

  "Shit. School starts in fifteen minutes, we've got to hurry."

  He took off, grabbing his backpack as he ran. Aphrodite following soon after, laughing as they ran.