Chapter 1: New meetings

"Oh come on Stella! We'll be late for Bloom's party if you don't speed it up!" Musa exclaimed as we walked out of Macy's.

"I'm coming. Hold your horses!" I said. She really needed to chill. I mean, it's not like I liked Bloom anyway. She is a complete snob who has had a vendetta against me since second grade. She stole my orange crayon, so at lunch I poured milk down her shirt. No one messed with me or my crayons. Ever since then we've had a cold rivalry against one another. I refuse to let her ruin my summer break though.

Musa stopped and looked at me calmly. "Look, I know you hate her, but we have to go so come on."

"We don't have to do anything! Gosh, I could be chilling with my boyfriend right now instead of shopping for this stupid party!" Yeah, chilling with my lying, cheating, blond-headed boyfriend instead of going to the party of the year.

"You promised! You know I can't talk to Riven alone; I need your help!" she explained for the umpteenth time. All my best friend talks about is Riven this and Riven that. I get that he's hot, but no girl should be all over a guy like she is.

"Plus, I know for a fact there will be some hot guys for you to check out." She winked and bumped my shoulder.

" Musa! For the last time, I have Skye. He is all I need." I lied. Unfortunately my friend could always see right through me.

"Sure." She said unconvinced. Pulling her long black hair back into a ponytail, she simply states, "Let's go."

Walking into Bloom's home was like Superman walking into a room full a kryptonite. Well, I'm exaggerating, but you know what I mean. I didn't like the vibe coming from the house. I have a real bad feeling about tonight. The only reason I'm going is for Musa.

A flash or bright blond hair caught my eye. Of course he's here before me. He always is when it comes to-

"Skye!" I yell out. He turns around and flashes a cocky smile before marching through the crowd to me.

" Hey babe. I..I thought you were staying home?" He says nervously. I bet you did, jerk.

"Yeah well Musa wanted me to come so I did. What are you doing here?" I ask innocently, like I didn't already know.

" Oh you know… just chillin'. It is a party! You should try the punch." He kissed my cheek and ran off in some other direction. "I'll be back", he said before disappearing in the crowd.

Great now I lost Musa. I walked to the food table to grab a cookie, when a warm hand closed over mine, stopping my movement. I looked up at the imposer, about to give he or she a piece of my mind, when I froze. Now this is what you call fine, I thought as I gazed into this strangers beautiful brown eyes.

His brown hair matched his stunning eyes. I can't help but stare at his god-like facial features. He's wearing a simple black T-shirt and dark blue jeans, but honestly, he looked like an Adonis. It took me a bit to realize that I was staring a little too long. The only thing that broke the spell was when he gave me a bright smile.

"Hey." He said, like I was worthy of his time. What the hell is wrong with me?

Blinking twice, I smiled and finally squeaked out, "Hi."

" I'm sorry if I startled you. I just wanted to warn you that eating those cookies would be a bad idea." He said a little loudly to be heard over the booming music.

" Why?" I asked curiously. I just met him and he is already intriguing me.

"Just trust me. I'm pretty sure a beautiful girl like you wouldn't want to spend the rest of her Saturday night in the bathroom." He smirked.

Trying not to show the affect he had on me from calling me beautiful, I said, "Well, thanks for the heads up."

" No problem" He said staring into my eyes again. A small silence ensued between us. It wasn't awkward, it was actually intimate and comfortable. Stop it Stella . You have a man already and you don't even know his name. I'll solve one of those problems later, but one can be easily fixed now.

"So… What's your name? I definitely would remember seeing you around here if you lived here." Solaria is a pretty small town and when your father is the chief of police, you tend to know everyone.

"Yeah, I just moved here with my family. The name's Brandon. Yours?" He asked, his hand extended in an intended shake.

"Stella!" I exclaim, shaking his hand . Why is this boy making me feel so bubbly. I'm Stella for crying out loud! I'm not bubbly!

He chuckled. "That's a lovely name," he said as he kissed my hand, "Stella." Brandon smiled widely. I think that's my new favorite smile in the world.

I grinned back at him. I also noticed that he hadn't let go of my hand yet. Not that I'm complaining.

" EVERYONE, EVERYONE! PLEASE REPORT TO THE STAGE IN THE BACKYARD FOR A MAJOR ANNONCEMENT!" Bloom's booming voice sounded over the intercom. I mean, come on! Who has a freaking intercom in there house?

"Come on, let's get it over with." I told Brandon. He smirked and stated, "You don't like her either."

"How did you know?" I questioned as we followed the unorganized line outside.

"You didn't sound very excited. I'm not either. The only reason I'm here is for my sister. She idolizes her."

"Who's your sister?"

"Well, step-sister. Layla. Do you know her?"

"Oh, yeah. We're friends. She never mentioned you to me." I said. We finally made it outside, still hand-in-hand might I add.

He was about to answer back, when Bloom came out on stage.

" Hello everyone and welcome! Thanks for coming out!" She giggled into the microphone. Gosh, everything she does irritates me. Especially when she flings that string mess of red hair on her head around.

" I just wanted to say that I hope your having a great time, and I wanted to honor a long time friend of mine". Oh no, not again. Why can't she just leave me alone?

" I think I'm going to go." I whispered to Brandon. He looked down at me peculiarly. "Why? Is something wrong?"

I was planning on sneaking him out of sight to explain Bloom's idiotic feud, when she spotted me. Like always.

"Stella! Dear friend, come up on stage. I want everyone to see you." She smiled sickly. I just glared and refused to move. Her eyes zeroed in on my hand in Brandon's and her smile widened.

" Well suit yourself. You can watch from there." She turned her back on the crowed, microphone in hand, and shouted, " Everyone, meet the real Stella Solaria!"

A/N: Hello! This is my first story so let me know what you think! I like Bloom and everything, but I needed a mean girl and she fit the bill. Don't be angry! Review to let me know if I should continue.