Ep 20 Graduation Day

Stella opened her eyes and saw that she was still in Samael's room. He was always nice to her and if she fell asleep, he always just let her sleep. She was comfortable and warm under the blanket.

Her head was resting on a hard, yet comfortable surface and she could hear a nice rhythmic beat. The beat was calming, and she closed her eyes again just listening to the calming sound. She was about to fall back asleep when she heard someone speaking.

"Stella. It is almost time to wake up." Samael said softly so as not to startle her.

"Five more minutes." Stella said as she pulled the covers back over her shoulder.

"Ok I will wake you up in a couple of minutes." Samael said as Stella drifted back off to sleep.

"You are really good to her." Angel said as she opened her eyes and looked up at Samael.

"You speak as though I have never done anything for you." Samael thought as Angel rolled onto her back, keeping her head on Samael's arm.

"I did not say that. You may not always like to acknowledge me, but you have never been outright mean to me. That being said, you have also not ever treated me like you do Stella." Angel said as she looked up at the ceiling.

"Let's be honest. You don't want me to treat you like I treat Stella. I know that you like the relationship we have." Samael thought, prompting Angel to roll over and look at him.

"And what relationship do you and I have?" Angel said as she moved her finger around on his arm.

"Well to use your words I am like your older brother." Samael thought as he looked at Angel.

"So, you were eavesdropping when I was talking to Stella?" Angel said as her face turned a little red.

"Hard to call it eavesdropping when you intentionally said it so I could hear it." Samael thought as his eyes met Angel's.

"So, you know that I only see you as my older brother." Angel said as she looked away from Samael.

"You have an interesting way of showing your affection to someone you see as your brother." Samael thought as he smiled.

"Well, I only do that for you, and you never pay attention to me." Angel said as she got up from the bed.

"Seems like you have not changed Angel." Samael thought as he looked back up at the ceiling.

"Shut up. It is also time for Stella to wake up." Angel said as she left the room.

"Stella. Wake up." Samael said into Stella's ear.

"What time is it?" Stella said as she started to wake up.

"It is seven in the morning. You don't have class today but at one in the afternoon you have the graduation ceremony from your school." Samael said as the day's itinerary opened up on his hud.

"Is it already time for graduation?" Stella said as she sat up on the bed.

"Yes, you also have plans with some of your classmates after the graduation." Samael said as he also sat up.

"When did I fall asleep?" Stella said as she stood up and started to stretch her arms.

"Around eleven." Samael responded as he stood up and started to make the bed.

"Ok. Wait. Did I fall asleep in your room again?" Stella said as she realized that she was not in her room.

"Yes. you seemed to be relaxed and fell asleep fast. I thought it best to just let you rest." Samael said as he finished making the bed.

"Well thank you. But judging from how I was laying down, what did I use as a pillow?" Stella asked as her face started to turn red.

"When you laid down you used my arm as a pillow." Samael said as he moved over to the wardrobe and started to take out an outfit.

"I thought that was what happened. And you should wear the red one. It will match my dress for tonight." Stella said as she walked into her room trying her hardest to not show how embarrassed she was.

"Then that will be the one I wear." Samael said as Stella closed the door behind her. By the time the door closed Stella could feel and hear every beat from her heart as if it was right next to her ears.

It took her almost all morning to calm down, only leaving her room when it was time to go to the graduation. Samael had already moved his vehicle out in front of the building and was waiting outside. Samael had on the black and red suit just as Stella had asked him to.

Stella had on a bright red dress that slowly changed to black the closer it got to the ground. To match her outfit, she had on a black shoes and matching accessories. When she walked out of the house Samael opened the passenger side door so Stella could get into the vehicle.

"Thank you." Stella said as she got into the vehicle. After she was inside Samael closed the door and made his way around the vehicle getting in the driver's seat.

"Are you ready to go Stella?" Samael asked as he started the vehicle.

"Yes I am, and Samael are you ok with going with us when we go out?" Stella asked as the vehicle started to move forward.

"That is not a problem." Samael said as he drove past the gate.

It was a great graduation. All the top students had to give a speech including Stella. She passed all her classes the first time and the lowest score she ever got was an 89. The speech Stella gave was about the new horizons all the students will have when they leave, as well as a best wishes to all at the school.

Samael attended the graduation but kept his distance. Staying near the top of the auditorium and leaving after Stella's speech was done. He left early to get the vehicle and pull it around to the front to pick her up. It had been a long time since Samael had seen Stella's friends. He did not say anything when the three girls got into the vehicle. Stella had taken the front passenger seat letting her two friends sit in the back.

The first of her friends to get into the vehicle was Ava. She had on an elegant black and white dress that helped draw attention to her vibrant blond hair and deep blue eyes. She was well tanned because she grew up on an island and was used to being outside all day.

Her other friend was in a lavish dark green dress that contrasted well with her natural red hair. Her name was Lucy and in contrast to her uncommon hair color her hazel eyes always looked sad. Lucy always moved very gracefully as if she was afraid to touch or bump into others.

Both Lucy and Ava lived in the same dorm and even got an apartment after they got out of college. Stella had met the two of them in her second year when she had to do a project with Lucy. All three of them went to one of the restaurants Lucy's mother owned to work on it.

At first both Lucy and Ava were hesitant to work with someone from a known rich family. But that changed quickly when they saw how open and kind Stella was. She did not look down on them or think any differently about them for not having money. If anything Stella was just happy to have some friends to talk to, and the three did not take long to build friendship.

"Stella, thanks for joining us." Ava said as she closed the door and buckled her seat belt.

"Not a problem. I am sorry for not being able to hangout more over the break and this semester of school." Stella said, smiling back at Lucy and Ava.

"It is ok, we have all been very busy with finals." Lucy said as Samael started to pull away.

"That is true. I did not know if I was going to pass that last test." Ava said as she laughed

"I was lucky all my tests were not so bad." Stella said as she thought about her finals.

"Only you would be thinking that Stella. For you are too smart" Lucy said as she looked at Stella.

"That is true Stella, you are really smart." Ava said as she leaned forward in her seat.

"I don't think I am that smart. I mean you two are also really smart." Stella said as Samael got onto the freeway.

"And how have you been Samael?" Ava asked as she looked over at Samael.

"It is just another day, Miss Ava." Samael said in response.

"I see you have not changed since the first time we met." Lucy said as she looked out the window.

"You are right about that Lucy." Ava said as she leaned back into her chair.

"Do you not like Samael?" Stella asked as she looked back at Lucy.

"I don't like soldiers." Lucy said, still looking out the window.

"That is understandable. Given your history." Samael said as he took an exit off the freeway.

"Wait. What do you mean by that?" Stella asked as both her and Ava looked at him.

"He looked into my past. Just another reason I am not fond of your bodyguard." Lucy said as she looked over at Ava and Stella.

"Did you also look into my past?" Ava said feeling a little shy.

"Yes I did. It is nothing against you two personally, it is just how I operate." Samael said as he pulled into a parking lot of a bar.

"And you had to ask if I like him." Lucy said as she got out of the vehicle.

"I mean I can understand why she would be a little mad about it but don't worry Samael she will warm up to you." Ava said before getting out of the vehicle to catch up to Lucy.

"So why did you look into my friend's past?" Stella asked as she watched Lucy and Ava go into the bar.

"Protocol dictates that I look into all threats or possible threats." Samael said as he turned the vehicle off.

"They are my friends. Why would they be a threat?" Stella asked as she crossed her arms.

"Threats come in all shapes and sizes. After you were kidnapped, it reminded me that I have not been doing my job properly. I needed to be better at protecting you." Samael said as he looked over at Stella.

"But that does not mean that you should look into the things my friends have done in their past. That is a big breach of their privacy, and it is understandable why Lucy would be upset about it." Stella said as she unbuckled her seatbelt and got out of the vehicle. Samael sat in the vehicle and watched as she walked into the bar.

"You ok?" Angel asked.

"I am fine. All my wounds have already healed." Samael responded.

"That is not what I mean and you know it." Angel said as she stopped him from getting out of the vehicle.

"Then what do you mean Angel?" Samael said as he stopped trying to leave the vehicle.

"I know it bothers you that they are all a little mad at you. You were only trying to do what is best for Stella. But now she is upset with you and agrees with her friend instead of understanding what you were trying to do. And that has you a little upset. Am I right?" Angel said as she sat on Samael's lap to keep him in the vehicle.

"Being upset is a waste of energy and is not needed for completing the mission." Samael said.

"That is the problem. You need to learn how to deal with what you are feeling. You are not a shock trooper anymore. I hate to be the one that has to tell you this. But I am not going to sit back as you beat yourself up and continue to suppress all your emotions." Angel Said as she pushed Samael against the back of his seat.

"If it will make you happy I will try harder to not suppress everything." Samael responded.

"Good. Now, now go watch over Stella. She may be with friends, but you are still her bodyguard." Angel said as she disappeared so Samael could get up.

"If only they had trained me to deal with emotions" Samael thought to himself as he got out of the vehicle.