Not even two days in girlmode and I'm getting harassed by a man. (need advice)

I apologize for the very long post, but I'm anxious and would like some advice. I also suck at telling stories so I apologize if I give too many details.

I (20tf) have been on estrogen for almost 18 months now. I'd like to preface this by saying that I am autistic and sometimes have a difficult time understanding social cues and people's intentions. This probably has a great impact on this situation.

I've been out in girlmode a couple of times on select occasions with friends but I don't have that much of a social life, so I often just wear a large sweatshirt when I have to go out, which hides my figure, which seems to be my most passing quality.

I don't drive, so I walk to work and back every day. It's getting pretty hot out and I'm getting more comfortable with my body. So, on Tuesday, for the first time ever, I walked to work without a sweatshirt on in just my work clothes and backpack. It was about 11:15 a.m. It's less than a mile walk.

It went normally at first, until, about three blocks from my work, a man sitting on his porch said "good morning." and I replied "good morning." He's probably 6' - 6'3", black, late 20s to 30s years old, and has very yellow eyes, like you'd see with jaundice. I've probably passed this man hundreds of times and he's never really batted an eye, but besides that, it was just a casual thing, nothing to worry about. I went on with my day.

Then, yesterday, I was walking to work again at about 10 a.m. This time, the same man on his porch said "good morning" and I replied back "good morning." I went to walk away but then he said "how's your day been?" and I turned and said, "fine, you?" and he said his was the same. I thought the conversation was over so I went to walk again, but he got off of his porch and approached me. He saw my work outfit and said "so, you're going to work?" and I said "yeah," and he pointed in the direction of my workplace (which is only a few blocks away from where he lives) and said "oh, you work just over there?" and I replied "yes," and he said "I'll see you there." I just replied "okay" and started to walk away again. I was halfway down the block when he called me back and said "can we keep in contact?" I was a little confused and said "like, you want my number?" and he said "yeah... i got no one to talk to..."

Now, I'm alone with this guy in the middle of the sidewalk. He's bigger than me and I just want to get to work, so the only thing I'm focused on is not making him mad, because I don't know how he'd handle rejection. He also knows where I work, so I don't want to give him a fake number and have him confront me about it. So, I reluctantly give him my phone number.

Right after walking away, he texts me "nice meeting you, hope you have a blessed day" and I gave a simple "thank you, you too."

I told some of my friends and coworkers about it, and they told me that I should be cautious, which I knew. They also told me that his intentions didn't seem harmful, and that maybe he's just awkward, which I partially agreed with, but I still was creeped out and wanted to be as cautious as possible. I got a ride home that night, so I didn't see him.

After I got off of work, I called my mom to talk about the situation and she echoed the same statements as my coworkers. Right after I got off of the phone, he started texting me. Simple things like "how was work?"

I thought that maybe my coworkers and my mother were right, and that maybe I should just give him a chance, but still make sure I'm extremely cautious.

So, we texted for a little bit, and he seemed pretty nice. He told me that he's doing online school to become a paralegal, and I asked him what inspired him to become a paralegal. He told me "we'll discuss that in person." He asked if I live near where we met, and I told him I live in the city but wasn't comfortable giving him an exact location. He said he understands and that he's "a decent individual," and that I have "nothing to worry about. It's all love."

He did tell me that the reason he's always sitting on his porch is to "get his mind off of everything" which is understandable, but combined with some of the other things he's said, it kind of put me off.

Our conversation ended after that, and, because I had to wake up at 3:00 am for work the next day, I went to bed really early.

I woke up at 3 a.m. today to a missed text from him at 11pm: "wyd." I waited until 8 am to respond and left it vague. I didn't want him to know I was up and at work at 4 am. He said that he didn't realize how late he texted me, and asked what my plans for the day were. I was vague again because I didn't want to give him any information.

While at work, I did some reflecting and realized that I had nothing to gain from talking to him. I don't really want to be friends, especially since I'm so creeped out by him,

I got off of work and walked home around 1 p.m today. I know I should've taken a different route, I honestly don't know why I didn't, but I ended up passing his house and I just tried to walk by; he was also on the phone. He told his sister on the phone that he'll call her back and hung up, and started talking to me. I froze. I didn't know what to do. He asked if I smoke or drank, and he had a blunt in his hand, which is illegal here. I told him no, that I'm only 20. He asked if I wanted to "chill," and insinuated coming home with me. I told him no. He said "I understand, you just met me and you don't trust me yet." I very nervously said "yes, I just met you." He asked me if I wanted to go on a walk, and I panicked a bit and just said "yes," thinking I could lure him away from my house or think of something, and I figured that option would give me the most control. Anything but bringing this guy to my house. But he said "is it too hot for you?" and suggested that I come in to his place. Before I could say anything, two cars pulled up behind me, in front of his house. I was nervous but before I could do anything, he ran to the driver of the first vehicle and started talking to him. I didn't know what to do. I just froze. I wouldn't be able to outrun him probably, and he has two friends there now, who were both smoking weed while driving. He said to his friend, "hold on, let me grab some shoes" and ran inside, coming out just a few seconds later with shoes on.

I was hoping he would let me go and leave with his friends, but when he came out he said "you're riding with me" or something similar, but I couldn't really hear him as he was walking. Because I didn't know what he said and I was very nervous, I just started walking away while he was talking to his friend. I walked the rest of the way home, making sure no one was following me.

Once I got home, I saw he had texted me twice, saying "my bad" and "where did you go," and I had one missed call from him. I called him back once I was inside and safe. I realize now that that was an incredibly dumb decision, but I was so scared, I panicked a bit, and I didn't want to make him angry. He seemed a little upset and was asking me if I had a backyard or somewhere we could hang out, and he told me "I really wanted to have a talk with you." He said "I probably won't see you again today." and I could tell he was getting upset, so I tried to calm him down without agreeing to anything, and said that "maybe I'll go for a walk later or something, but right now I'm tired because I had to wake up so early today." and he told me that it's "too hot out" and he didn't want to walk, but would rather hang out. He told me he didn't want to hold me up and to get some rest, and then hung up.

Then, just a bit ago, he texted me at 11:30 p.m. saying "I thought you was taking a walk today." I told him that I didn't, and I used the storm that rolled through here a bit earlier as an excuse. He said "I'm still sitting on porch." and I told him that I don't like going out this late. This means he was probably waiting on his porch all day for me to walk by.

I don't know what to do. I feel so stupid and I feel like I made all of the wrong decisions. He knows where I work and the general area that I live in, so I'm terrified to make him angry, and I feel like I've been inviting this or leading him on out of fear. I'm so scared to make him angry, What if he finds out I'm trans or a lesbian? What if he waits outside of my work on a closing shift at 11pm, or on an opening shift at 4 am? Because of my work policy, I'm not allowed to carry pepper spray or any weapons on me, so I'm defenseless. I feel so stupid and afraid. This was literally my second day trying to be myself. If I had done things differently, I might not have been in this situation.

If I change my route and try to ignore him, or reject him, he might get angry and try to confront me at work or find out where I live. If I don't change my route and/or keep talking to him, that puts me in a vulnerable and uncomfortable position. I don't know what to do. It's not a very large city, so it'd be hard to avoid him forever, especially since I live nearby. He also has my number, which he can probably use to find my address if he's savvy enough. It's under my deadname, but I don't know if that's better or worse.

I know the police would be of no help, and my only good friend is on holiday with her family. I'm scared he's going to try to see me tomorrow. I don't work, thankfully, but I know he's going to try to contact me either way. It's almost 2 a.m. and I'm afraid. Am I overreacting? Underreacting? I've never had to deal with anything like this. The world ignored me when I dressed like a boy.