Chapter 55 Shopping Part II

• We passed all of them and it was after a few minutes that I realized Stern was walking two steps behind me. I stopped and he stopped where he was, turning to stare back at him.
• “Please, don’t walk behind me, if you don’t mind walking next to me,” I said awkwardly, not knowing how to navigate the sudden relationship. He bowed his head and stepped forward to walk next to me. I smiled then turned with us walking in utter silence. It was just too awkward, opening my mouth to close it, deciding to settle on the silence.
• We walked with him directing me to a different route than Brum and I had taken and I realized the road was paved and clear from the forest. I understood, Stern was seeing my shoes which I had forgotten to switch. I nearly cried when I realized because they were already killing me.