How do i handle my child being followed home?

I need some advice. My 12-year-old walks home from school every day, but recently, a classmate has started following them on the way home. The odd part is, this classmate lives in the opposite direction.

The classmate always has excuses for why they’re going the same way, but we’ve noticed they usually head back home after my child gets inside. It’s clear they’re lying about their reasons (like saying they’re running errands at places that aren’t even open).

My child doesn’t want to walk with them—they find the whole thing strange and don’t feel comfortable. They’ve already told the classmate they prefer walking alone, but the other kid just ignores it and keeps tagging along.

What’s the best way to handle this? Should we involve the parents or the teacher? My child doesn’t want to cause a scene, but this is becoming an ongoing issue. Any advice is appreciated!