A Genius!?
“Then can you say my name?”
“Arthur”
Wow, she can understand and answer my questions! Is Stella a genius? What do they call those kids that can, like, graduate high school when they are like 10? A prodigy?
Thinking hard to myself, being both surprised and happy that Stella can speak and understand me, I find myself lost in thought, only to find her staring right at me with those green eyes.
“Did I do something bad?”
Stella asks me in a mostly flat voice, but I can hear a slight worry behind it.
Even if Stella is a genius, maybe Stella doesn’t understand the rules and uh…culture, that’s right. There is more I can do to help her.
I give a hug to Stella, as she seems to like it when I do this.
“You are so smart, Stella! You might be even smarter than me!”
I give her the biggest hug I can and she hugs me back again.
“Wake up Arthur, you need to go to school.”
My mom opens the door to see us mid hug. I quickly stop hugging Stella so I can pay attention to my mom.
“Go and take a shower and come downstairs to eat, you too Stella.”
“But what will Stella wear? She didn’t bring any clothes.”
“She can wear your shirt and pants. You are about as tall as each other.”
My mom closes the door behind her.
I grab my clothes and the extra clothes for Stella to wear.
“Stella, do you know how to take a shower?”
Stella give me her usual stare, but with a response this time.
“I do not know how to take a shower. Though I think I can guess based on what I read.”
Well, I don’t think the books and worksheets around the house can teach someone how to shower, but she is a genius, so maybe it won’t be too hard.
I went into the bathroom first and closed the door, where Stella opened the door right after.
“I need to take a shower; you need to wait outside!”
Ok, unless she lived all by herself ever since she was born, there is no way she doesn’t know that people don’t enter the bathroom together, right!?
“But why?”
“Ho-How am I supposed to answer that! It’s embarrassing, I guess! Just get out!”
I push Stella out and lock the door. Now that Stella is gone, I feel kind of bad. I should quickly take a shower and apologize to her.
************************
Once I finish showering and change into outside clothes, I unlock the bathroom, where I see Stella standing there. With tears in her eyes, "Oh no, I did hurt her feelings."
“I’m sorry. I’m sorry. I’m sorry.”
She keeps repeating to herself in a small voice. I need to fix this fast.
“Stella, I’m really sorry. I was just embarrassed, and I panicked and pushed you out. I’m sorry.”
My words did not get through to her. I must’ve really hurt her. Well, time to use the secret trick that always makes her feel better.
I went in and gave her a hug, and she stopped apologizing. I apologized to her again.
“Are you feeling better, Stella?”
She gave me a nod. Ok, that is one problem solved; now for the next one.
“Are you sure you know how to take a shower?”
“I think I understand, some of the books explain how to take a shower.”
I don’t really like that answer.
“MOM! CAN YOU TEACH STELLA HOW TO TAKE A SHOWER?”
I figured she would be the best to teach her.
My mom meets us upstairs.
“Do you need some help Stella?”
“No, Mom, I don’t think I need any.”
“I think you should, Stella, just to make me feel better.”
“Alright, only to make Arthur feel better.”
My mom enters with Stella in the bathroom. I am already so tired. Ok, I need to protect Stella. She doesn’t have any common sense. I taught her English, so why not? I can teach her common sense as well. I go downstairs to eat some cereal and fruit.
When I finish eating my breakfast, I see Stella and my mom coming downstairs. Her hair was bright red and brightly like the sun and her skin was shining when the sun hit it like it was scales. What soap did she use?
“Here is some breakfast, Stella! Today we are eating cereal and some fruit.”
I pour the glass of milk and got a plate with some fruit so that she can eat. Looks like she can use a spoon just fine, and she saw me use a fork yesterday, so no problem here.
“What school do you go to, Stella?”
Stella, mid-chewing, stopped to turn to face me.
“Ai dougt goo too sgoor”
She started speaking to me with food in her mouth. Well, at least Stella is a fast learner.
“Finish eating before speaking Stella.”
She quickly swallows and starts speaking again.
“I don’t go to school.”
Wait, isn’t that against the law? That’s why we go to school, right? What were her parents doing all this time? This is like abuse, or what was it… Neglect, right!?
I started to feel really angry for Stella. I need to protect her. I know my mom and dad are good people, so I know they can help.
“Mom. Dad. Is it against the law to not go to school at my age?”
“It is Arthur, but it depends on what Stella wants.”
What the… that’s not what they would normally say. They would’ve told me that I was correct and that she needs to go to school. That’s what they said to me when I didn’t want to go to school.
Sensing my worry, Stella looked at me, then back at my parents. Staring at them.
“Oh, Stella is going into your school. But, there will be some forms to fill out, so not today.”
Huh? Why did they change their answers so quickly? Stella stopped looking at my parents and looked back at me.
“Is that alright, Arthur?”
Stella looks at me with a stare. Uh, yeah. I guess everything is all fine. What just happened?
“Oh, you’re going to be late, Arthur. Go put on your shoes and backpack and wait by the car.”
Oh right, school! I almost forgot because of what just happened. I run upstairs and grab my backpack and run down to the car.
Stella stands by me barefoot outside the car.
“You need to stay home until you can go to school with me, Stella.”
Stella shakes her head.
“But, I want to be with you!”
How did she handle being by herself before she met me? I pat her head.
“I will be back around 4:00 PM. Can you wait for me until then?”
Smooth, just like in some of the tv shows I’ve seen.
Stella nods her head and gives me a hug. I return the hug as well.
My dad turns on the car and I enter the back seat. I wave at Stella and say goodbye and go to school.
