Chapter one - Stella's POV
Monday Morning
I might be one of the biggest pop-stars on the planet right now who is bombarded by raving fans everytime I step outside (that is when I'm in my disguise of course), forced to take rigourous dance lessons and exposed to the sinister side of the music industry, but there is one thing none of this could ever prepare me for and that is high school.
Seriously.
Now don't get me wrong. I am extremely excited to attend high school, I've been home-schooled all my life and today my parents are finally letting me attend Magix High School!
My parents, Luna and Radius, have always been immensely protective of me because they want to keep my secret, well, a secret. During the day, I'm just Stella Solaria. But at night I'm Starr, the biggest name in music right now! Crazy, right?
Today I am entering an entirely new world, by myself..
Well not totally by myself, my older brother Skylar but Sky for short, is in the same grade as me so I won't be totally alone! Speaking of which I can hear him stomping around the house right now.
"Where is mom?" Sky asked, as he noticed how quiet it was throughout the house. I rolled over on my bed, leaning into my pillow shutting my eyes to get a few more good minutes in bed. "I think downstairs, I heard her on the phone earlier," I mumbled as my face was smashed into my pillow. Next thing I knew, Sky disappeared into the hallway.
Waking up early for school was quite different than waking up for a performance. My alarm clock chimed at six-thirty, but it took me about a half an hour to even remotely get out of bed.
"Here we go," I groaned, rolling off my bed and accidently onto the floor.
Moodily, I rose to my feet and somehow made it down to the kitchen. Dad had breakfast out on the table, per usual. A bowl of cereal for me and toast for Sky. I looked into my bowl, and I guess I took too long to get out of bed because now it was soggy. Dang now I'm disappointed.
"Kill me." I shoved a piece of toast into my mouth and went back upstairs to get ready. The hallway was dark, except for my room. I slowly turned into the room at the beginning of the hall, I maneuvered one hand along the wall to find the lightswitch to my wardrobe closet and the other I used to finish my toast, well Sky's toast.
"Okay Stella, this isn't the grammy's.."
"..it's just high school" I glided my hands across the racks and racks of clothing.
Of course it's not the grammy's, but if you were in the position I'm in you would want to impress and I think I found the perfect outfit. My favorite pair of loose ripped jeans, white converse and my white over the shoulder top!
I slowly turned in front of my mirror, with some uncertainty. This has to be perfect! It's what everyone is going to see on my first day. Taking a second look I'm realizing that I actually look great.
"Now to finish off the look.." descending from my wardrobe closet, I shut the light off and rushed to my makeup room. Being a popstar has its perks.
The next ten minutes I sat in silence just preparing myself to what may happen today. Quickly, I brushed my long blonde hair out. I leaned into the mirror, narrowing my eyes to apply some strawberry lip-gloss to my already pink lips.
"Stella!" I heard Sky yell from the bottom of the stairs, I ran out of the room. I glanced at my phone as I descended down the stairs.
7:50 am
"Great I'm going to be late, and on my first day!" I screeched. I heard footsteps come from the kitchen, I turned around quickly. "Have you seen my toast?" Sky asked glancing around, I tried to avoid his eyes but his met mine.
"How would I know?" I turned around. What he doesn't know, won't hurt him.
"Alright, well do you want a ride to school? The guys are picking me up and we have an open seat?" Sky asked. "It's fine, I'll walk" I answered, I grabbed the strap on my backpack and threw it onto my shoulder.
This was it, it's really time.
"Ready?" inquired Sky as he shut the door behind us, we walked out to the sidewalk where there was a vehicle waiting for him. "I think?" I stopped immediately in my tracks, reality was hitting in, I'm going to school! Sky looked back before getting in the car.
"You're going to do great!" shouted Sky as he threw himself into the car, literally all I could produce was an non-authentic smile. Literally anyone could tell that I was nervous. Occurences of what could happen today kept playing over and over in my head.
"Let's do this Stella!" I walked towards town which was no more than a block away from my house. My headphones were tangled in my pocket, great. I struggled to untangle them but after some yanking and severe frustration, they were untangled! Walking through town, I could smell the coffee and waffles from the breakfast spot on the corner of the street. As I passed I saw a little girl, no more than 5 years old, drench her waffles in syrup. Lucky..
I couldn't fall into temptations so I rushed through town. Just as I was escaping the busy sidewalks, I used my hand as a visor to shield my eyes from the rising sun. I crossed at the intersection and kept straight down the narrow two-way street, welcomed by a multitude of teens making their way towards the same building as I was. This building was located in the suburbs of Los Angeles, like any other school in this city it was big, but isolated. It's surrounded by trees and cars parked along the curbs on both sides. There is something about all of this that is, I guess, peaceful.
I snapped out of my thoughts when I heard Sky's voice among the crowd. He was coming up the opposite end of the street with his group of friends. My eyes were immediately directed to the tall, brown-eyed handsome standing next to him.
Snap out of it Stella, you need to focus on school not boys.
"Stella!" said Sky, as he broke through the crowds of students to get to me. "Good you made it, Mom would've killed me if I lost you on your first day!" commented Sky as he rubbed the back of his neck. I literally just shook my head in awe of what real school is like, because apparently I can't form a coherent sentence.
"Well you've got some classes with the guys so they can show you around somewhat while your in passing periods" Sky basically ordered his friends to show me around. "Thanks" I replied, one of the boys stepped forward and Sky introduced him.
"This is Helia." I gave a little wave.
"Nice to meet you Helia, my name is Stella," I couldn't help but lock eyes with that beautiful boy standing next to him. He had big brown eyes, flowy brown hair and-
Wait. Come on Stella you haven't even started your first day! I was basically locked in a trans until I could hear Sky's voice.
"Stel?" said Sky, I looked to see practically all his friends staring at me. Great. "You ready?" asked Sky, I let out a nervous laugh. This is weird. I'm used to standing in front of thousands of people and on national television belting my lungs out. Why am I so nervous?
"Yes, let's do this!" I flashed Sky a thumbs-up, then I followed closely behind the guys as they made their way into school. The first thing I could see when I maneuvered my way through the open doorway and into the school was a wide banner that hung over the staircase that said Welcome Back Students. Of course the first week of school was last week, but I had a concert out of state so I couldn't attend. So here we are official first week of school, for me at least.
Sky managed to stop as the rest of the guys had the chance to visit their lockers. And seriously, the halls were so crowded and busy I don't know how they managed to do that. Everyone was doing something, so it made the halls very lively.
"Alright Stella, I'm not going to see you until free period so if you need anything just text me," stated Sky as he put his hands on my shoulders. "Brandon has second period with you so stay with him and we'll get together for free period"
"Okay?" asked Sky.
"Sounds good but, um, which one is Brandon?" I asked, Sky pointed to one of his friends. I turned around to see the hunky, brown eyed boy I've been eyeing ever since I arrived. He shut his locker and started walking towards us, oh gosh. I can literally feel the sweat dripping down my face.
"Alright Brandon remember after second you need to get Stella and we'll meet up" commented Sky, that's when I felt my phone buzz in my pocket. I took my phone out, all I saw was that my manager was calling.
"Shit," I mumbled under my breath, Sky looked at me with a concerned look.
"What's up?" he asked " I have to take this, I'll find my own way to class," I responded quite annoyed that I can't have a minute to myself without having to deal with Starr business. I made my way into the restroom to answer the phone call making sure nobody was in there. I pushed the green call button that was on my phone, I took a deep breath in and then put the phone to my ear.
"Hello?" I answered the phone, not really sure where this conversation was going to go. Could be good, but it also could be bad..
"Hey Darling, how's my favorite popstar doing on her first day of school?" This is my manager, Lilly Gawler, she's been with me ever since Starr started. She stuck with me from small town gigs to stadiums filled with fans!
"So far, so good," I explained, little does she know I haven't made it to first period and I'm already late..
"That's great, really great. I just wanted to call you and tell you the great news in person, your concert this weekend has been sold out!"
"What!" I honestly couldn't keep my excitement contained, I was practically jumping up and down, "that's amazing, I can't wait to tell my family!" I've never sold out an entire stadium in the many years I've been doing this.
"You and me both kid," I heard the door to the bathroom open, so I ran into one of the stalls. I turned around and closed the door, I peeked through the cracks to see some girls fixing their makeup and talking about none other than boys.
Figures.
"Well I've got to go Lilly, I'm already late to class," I whispered into the phone, I pressed end call. As for the girls who were in the bathroom, I heard some familiar names come from their mouths, they were talking about Sky and his friends. But why? As soon as they start to talk again the warning bell rings for first period. I reluctantly exit the stall, the girls glared me down as I headed to the door. I flung the door open and headed out into the empty hallway. I slipped my hand into the front pocket of my jeans to retrieve all my school information. My locker number, class schedule and all of that. I unfolded the paper to reveal all the information I needed.
Solaria, Stella
Locker #323
Combo 31-08-22
Class Schedule
1° - Art
2° - English
3° - Free Period
4° - Music
Lunch
5° - Math
6° - PE
"I guess Art is up first" I shrugged my shoulders and headed down the hallway. It was oddly silent in the hallways, compared to about ten minutes ago when I couldn't even hear myself think. All I can think about right now though is to act normal.
Normal. It's funny just thinking about it, how am I supposed to be normal when I'm not normal.
I snapped out of my thoughts when I realized I needed to find the art class, and quick. As I'm looking around I see that I'm surrounded by lockers, plain grey lockers. I look to the end of the hallway and I see something that's finally looking up for me.
"Art 101" is what the little sign next to the door read.
"Finally!" I was elated to have found the class after wondering these halls aimlessly, I slowly opened the door to reveal cans on paint on the tables and teenagers working on different art projects while holding conversations with each other. I scanned the room searching for Helia's face, considering he is the only one I will know in here.
"Stella," I heard someone's voice from behind me, I turned around to see Helia he had some sketch paper in his hand. "Oh Helia thank goodness you're here!" I commented as I followed him to his chair, luckily for me there was an empty seat next to his and I gladly took it
"So did you have trouble finding your way around?" he asked, I watched as he began to sketch stuff onto the paper he retrieved.
"Oh no, not at all" I responded, of course I had a hard time but I don't want to make it seem like I can't handle this on my own.
Helia began, "that's great-" but was interrupted by the sound of paint cans dropping onto the floor. I was startled by the noise, and turned around quickly to see what had happened. All I could see from around the crowd of kids who too wanted to see what was going on, was a girl with long brunette hair, who was now covered in different colored paints.
"Good job clutz" one of the kids said creating a pit of laughter, I looked at Helia and we both weren't amused what so ever. I immediately got out of my seat and rushed over to help her, so did Helia.
"Here let me help you," I said as I picked up the now empty paint cans from the floor, "thank you" the girl said so sweetly, it looked as if she was going to cry. I don't understand why any of them were laughing at her, she's so sweet.
"Let's go to the bathroom and clean you up," I insisted, I held the door open so she wouldn't spread paint everywhere. "My name is Flora by the way, thank you so much for helping me" Flora introduced herself as we walked down the empty hallway, again.
"No problem Flora, my name is Stella," I responded, we finally got to the same bathroom I was in earlier but it was now empty. "Stella? Are you new here, I've never seen you before?" Flora asked politely as she began to wipe paint from her face.
Never seen me before? That's a first for me!
"Actually yes I am" I admitted reluctantly, I twisted the nozzle on the faucet to allow the water to turn on. I looked around for some paper towels, I finally found some and I lightly dampened them to get the paint off of Flora. As we cleaned off her clothes and skin, we really got to talking.
"I haven't quite made friends yet, so I'm just hanging with my brother and his friends," I commented as Flora wiped the last chunk of paint from her hair. "You have a brother?" asked Flora, she tossed the paint covered towel into the trash can.
"Uh yea, his name is Sky?" I responded, Flora's facial expression immediately changed, I'm guessing she knows who he is. "He's the one who hangs out with Helia?" commented Flora, as soon as she said Helia's name she started to blush.
I may not be good at math but anyone can add up this equation..
"Flora, do you like Helia?" I asked giving her a cheeky smile, she couldn't help but blush even more, "I don't know, maybe?" she confessed. There are many things that I never thought I would do, especially talking to a real friend about boys!
"You two would be so adorable together!" I exclaimed, we exited the restroom and headed back to class. I felt my phone buzz in my back pocket, but I'm too enthralled with this conversation I don't even want to check!
"Yea well I doubt he feels the same way.." commented Flora as we walked down the hallway, Flora's cheeks instantly turned back to their caramel colored tone.
I genuinely feel mournful for Flora, she's so sweet she deserves to know the truth about Helia. Now that I'm thinking about it, I can talk to Helia for her! I grabbed Flora's arm and stopped her.
"Flora, why don't I talk to Helia? Get the low-down of what he thinks of you?" I offered, Flora looked hesitant to let me do this but I think she'll agree.
Flora stood there pondering her decision, "I don't know Stella.."
"It's fine, you think about it and tell me later!" Flora instantly smiled. We reached the end of the hallway where the Art room was located, I followed behind Flora as we re-entered the now clean room. I saw Helia's head shoot up from his seat, and planted his eyes directly onto Flora, almost in a daze. Flora headed to her seat, I waved goodbye as I headed towards mine.
"The way you were staring at Flora you'd think you have a crush on her.." I commented as I fell back into my seat,. "Huh what? A crush on Flora? Me? No.." said Helia as his cheeks too were blushing.
"Oh come on Helia! You were practically drooling at the sight of her" I said as Helia's face was twisted with embarrassment and contentment. "Alright maybe I do have somewhat of a crush on her.." Helia revealed, I tried my hardest not to jump out of my seat even though I was actually ecstatic for Flora, and Helia of course.
"That's great Helia, but as much as I love hanging with you I'm going to go sit with Flora," I started, "I need to be around a girl for a change." Helia and I shared a laugh, but I grabbed my backpack and headed over to Flora who was working on her project.
"Hey Flora, is anyone sitting here?" I asked, Flora looked up and had the biggest smile. "Of course not" she replied, so I took a seat and got to work.
Finally it was the end of first period, after a shaky start with the whole paint incident, Flora and I talked the entire time. Of course except when the teacher told us to focus on work, but how am I supposed to focus knowing about Helia's feelings? Exactly.
Flora and I left the art room, we said our goodbyes and I headed to my locker. That is if I could find it.
As I was walking through the crowded hallway, I decided to check my phone that had buzzed earlier when I was talking with Flora. I retrieved my phone from my back pocket, I unlocked it to see a text from Lilly.
(Lilly) - Hey Darling, new plans for today. Instead of lessons, you're going to have an interview for your show this weekend!
(Me) - Sounds great Lilly, I'll be there! xoxo
Just as I was pressing send, I ran into what felt like a brick wall knocking me straight onto my ass. I looked up to see the same girls that were in the restrooms earlier, but who are they?
"Uh excuse me!" the girl who I ran into, she had long dark hair and pointy glasses, screeched at the top of her lungs. My backpack flung open and all my books were scattered along the floor, one by one I began to pick them up and place them into my backpack.
"Oh my gosh Mitzi are you alright?" asked a member of her posse, Mitzi was pissed.
"You clumsy bitch, has anyone taught you how to look where you are walking?" the girl, Mitzi I'm assuming, began to yell in turn causing a scene. I filed the last book into my backpack, and I got back up.
"I'm so sorry" I apologized, but Mitzi was not having it. I wanted to cower at the sound of mitzi's screeching and at the sight of people starting to stare.
"Sorry isn't going to cut it," argued Mitzi as she raised her fist and before I could do anything it was heading towards my face.
My heart sank into my stomach, I would never have expected my first day to be like this. The kids wandering through the halls went silent in astonishment.
Ow!
I stood there in disbelief, before I knew it the crowd erupted in laughter. I didn't know what to do, I just stood there. Like how do you even respond to that? I tried to keep my composure, while I practically sprinted to the nearest bathroom. I slammed the stall door closed behind me, I couldn't hold it in anymore so I just cried.
I wasn't crying because it hurt, well somewhat, I was crying because I was embarrassed. I never expected this to happen, let alone on my first day of school!
I felt the warm tears trickle down my face just avoiding my mouth, I pulled some tissues from my backpack to wipe them off. I also grabbed my compact to see the damage that was done, I opened it up to see my eye turning blue.
"Shit" I mumbled under my breath, "Lilly is going to kill me"
After a few minutes of crying, I composed myself enough to leave the stall. Luckily for me the bathroom was empty. I placed my backpack onto the sink and I pulled out my strawberry lip-gloss and concealer to make myself look like less of a mess. I examined myself in the mirror, and decided it was good enough. I left the bathroom still somewhat red from crying. I wandered the halls looking for my English class when I found the English wing.
"Now I just need to figure out which class.."
I looked at my class schedule and compared the room numbers to the one I needed. After a few rooms I finally found the one I was looking for, I opened the door very quietly. Of course some heads were turned at the fact someone was entering, including Brandon who was also in this class. I handed the teacher my schedule, he examined over it.
"Alright take a seat anywhere Ms. Solaria"
I scanned the room, and there was only one seat open which happened to be by Brandon! So I slide my way down the rows of desks to the open seat, I placed my backpack under the seat and I sat down. Even after what I just went through I couldn't help but smile at the fact that I'm sitting next to Brandon.
"You know class started ten minutes ago," Brandon stated as he placed his pencil down onto his paper. "Girl issues?" I shrugged my shoulders as he let out a laugh, just looking at him puts me in a better mood.
After all that crying I'm extremely exhausted, I don't think we are doing anything too important today. I placed my head down onto my desk just for a few minutes, and before I knew it I was asleep.
DING DING DING
The bell rang the indicated the end of second period, so I slowly rose my head off of my desk. I turned to see Brandon getting out of his desk and throwing his backpack over his shoulder.
"Good nap, Princess?" asked Brandon as he grabbed my backpack off of the floor and handed it to me. Wait did he just call me princess? "Great actually," I responded as I got out of my seat and placed my backpack onto my shoulder. I followed Brandon out of the classroom, still trying to hide my face from the student body.
"Wait Brandon," I stopped Brandon by tapping on his shoulder, "I think I'm gonna go sit by myself for free period" I explained to Brandon who looked confused.
"Is everything okay?" he asked. I guess getting punched in the face will put a damper on things?
"No, but I'll sort it out" I said as I walked to the opposite end of the hallway.
This is the perfect time to explore the campus!
After leaving Brandon behind, I wandered around the halls avoiding contact with anyone. I just slipped my headphones into my ears and got lost in the music. I managed to find my way outside and made myself comfortable under one of the trees around campus. I can feel the creative energy flowing through me, so I reach into my bag and dig around to find my song book. Can't go anywhere without it, you never know when you'll get inspiration.
I just hate that my inspiration is getting punched in the face.
Anyways, the words just start to flow out and I jot them down into my song book;
I used to bite my tongue and hold my breath
Scared to rock the boat and make a mess
So I sat quietly, agreed politely
I guess that I forgot I had a choice
I let you push me past the breaking point
I stood for nothing, so I fell for everything
You held me down, but I got up (hey!)
Already brushing off the dust
You hear my voice, your hear that sound
Like thunder, gonna shake the ground
You held me down, but I got up
Get ready 'cause I had enough
I see it all, I see it now
I got the eye of the tiger, a fighter
Dancing through the fire
'Cause I am a champion, and you're gonna hear me roar
Louder, louder than a lion
'Cause I am a champion, and you're gonna hear me roar!
Oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh
Oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh
Oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh
You're gonna hear me roar!
Now I'm floating like a butterfly
Stinging like a bee I earned my stripes
I went from zero, to my own hero
You held me down, but I got up (hey!)
Already brushing off the dust
You hear my voice, you hear that sound
Like thunder gonna shake the ground
You held me down, but I got up (hey!)
Get ready 'cause I've had enough
I see it all, I see it now
I got the eye of the tiger, a fighter, dancing through the fire
'Cause I am a champion and you're gonna hear me roar
Louder, louder than a lion
'Cause I am a champion and you're gonna hear me roar
Oh oh oh oh oh oh oh
Oh oh oh oh oh oh oh
Oh oh oh oh oh oh oh
(You're gonna hear me roar)
Oh oh oh oh oh oh oh
Oh oh oh oh oh oh oh
(You'll hear me roar)
Oh oh oh oh oh oh oh
You're gonna hear me roar…
"This is amazing!" I screeched to myself
"What's amazing?" I heard someone's voice in front of me, I blocked the sun with my hand to see who is was and it was Flora!
"Hey Flora!" I greeted her as she was followed by four other girls, who all seemed very nice.
"Stella I thought you were hanging with your brother?" asked Flora as she and the other four girls took a seat under the tree with me.
"I'm suppose to be but I needed some alone time" I confessed
"Well I wanted to introduce you to my best friends," said Flora as she turned towards her friends, "this is Bloom, Musa, Layla and Tecna!" stated Flora as pointed to each girl as she listed their names. "Girls this is Stella, the one I was telling you about!" continued Flora.
"It's nice to meet you Stella!" said Bloom as she shared a smile with me.
"Yea, anyone who goes out of their way to help our girl Flora here is definitely cool," affirmed Layla as she and the others let out a laugh.
"Well thanks girls!" I stated absolutely excited that I actually have friends that are girls!
Flora started to examine my song book, which she extremely interested in, "So what's that Stella?" she asked as she finished examining it. "Well uh, it's my song book" I confessed to the girls who became immediately interested in what the books' contents were.
"You write music?" asked Musa as she was the most interested one of all.
"Yea, it's kind of a hobby of mine," I revealed. Little do they know it's so much more than just a 'hobby'.
"Can we hear something?" asked Musa, she was really keen on what I wrote about. "Yea you said it yourself it's 'amazing'," stated Tecna as all the other laughed.
"Alright," I finally caved into their requests, "i'm still in the middle of this one but I think it's coming out good." I was just about to start singing when the bell for fourth period rang.
"Darn it," said Musa, she was disappointed that she didn't get to hear the song and right now that might have been a good thing. Who knows how that song would have turned out? I got up off the ground, and shoved all of my stuffed back into my backpack, including my song book.
"What class do you have next, Stella?" asked Flora as she put her school bag around her shoulder. I took my schedule out of my pocket again and read my fourth period class, "Music."
"Oh cool we have class together," said Musa as she grabbed her backpack, "I can show you the way!" This makes things so much easier with someone showing me how to get there.
"Alright let's go then!" I exclaimed, we made our way out of the courtyard and toward our next class!
I couldn't help but smile because I knew that things were turning out better than how they started!
Songs -
Roar by Katy Perry
(If there is a song you'd like to see in further chapter please leave a review with the song title and artist!)
