It was another old gathering, all twelve of them. Stella, Bloom, Flora, Musa, Tecna, Layla with their respective boyfriends, Brandon, Sky, Helia, Riven, Timmy and Nabu.

Everyone had been busy with their studies and work so it was a rare chance for everyone to meet up.

Across the table, Flora and Helia were feeding each other garlic bread and Layla, Tecna and Musa were chatting about the latest news.

The boys were talking to each other too. It was a happy occasion, really.

"Here, Stel!" Bloom offered her best friend a slice of pizza, noticing her plate was untouched. "Have some pizza!"

Stella glanced at her and shook her head. "No thanks, Bloom. I really appreciate the offer but.." she trailed off.

"Oh Stella, you haven't eaten breakfast or lunch, you really should-"

"What?!" Brandon suddenly stood up, knocking over his glass of ice lemon tea.

"You've haven't been having your meals, Stella?" he asked her, still shocked by what Bloom had said.

All conversations had stopped. Everyone's eyes darted from Stella to Brandon, and back again.

"Well.." Stella took a deep breath, her face turning red as she felt eleven pairs of eyes on her. "I..uh.."

"Why, Stella?" Brandon growled. "Why not?"

Stella glared at him. Was he really going to lecture her here, with everyone else staring?

"I don't see anything wrong," she replied defensively.

Brandon jaw's dropped. "You don't see anything wrong?" He stopped for a while, still staring disbelievingly at her.

"Yes, do you?" Stella snapped at him. She really couldn't believe that her boyfriend, of all people, was shouting at her at a gathering.

Brandon opened his mouth to retort but Sky stood up and blocked him. "Uh Brandon, would you like to go to the bathroom, I'll accompany you."

"No, I'll go away!" Stella said at once angry tears springing to her eyes. She pushed her chair back and stormed off.

"Stella!" Flora called but she didn't even turn back.

All eyes landed on Brandon, who sighed.

"I'll go," he stated and left but not before grabbing a slice of pizza.

"Geez, who knew that our friend Brandon here-" Brandon could hear Riven smirking but he was soon shushed by his girlfriend.

"Riven! Stop adding fuel to the fire!" Musa scolded him and after that Brandon could not hear any other sound coming from the room.

With blood pounding in his ears, Brandon called out, "Stellaaa! Where are you? Are you.." he stopped immediately when he heard sniffles nearby.

Brandon spotted Stella sitting near the water fountain.

"Stel!" He rushed over to her.

Stella looked at him with tears in her eyes and she tried to brush them off but Brandon saw.

"Stel," Brandon started again. "I... I didn't mean to shout at you, believe me," he said sincerely.

"Really? You were doing a good job, then!" Stella answered saracastically.

Brandon wanted to fire back but he stopped himself when he saw the hurt reflected in her eyes.

"You hurt my self-respect, Brandon," Stella whispered.

Brandon sighed and sat down next to her. "I'm sorry," he apologised. "But I was too shocked by the news." He looked down with a frown before looking at Stella. "But why didn't you eat, Stella?"

"I..I..," Stella looked away shamefully. "I was afraid that if I.. I got too fat, you wouldn't love me anymore," she admitted softly.

"What?" Brandon was startled by this sentence and with her insecurity. "I never loved you for your figure, Stel. I mean sure, you have a slim figure but I fell in love with your personality," he told her.

Stella timidly looked at him. Brandon gave her a confident smile and continued. "You're bubbly, you're kind, you're caring, sometimes crazy..." Stella stopped herself from laughing at that. ".. you think about others, but most importantly, you are you. And that's why I love you.Brandon finished while smiling at her sincerely.

Stella felt tears roll down her cheeks. "Do you mean that?"

"Of course," Brandon assured her.

Stella wiped her tears and moved in for a hug. After a few moments, she pulled away. "I'm hungry," she told him sheepishly.

Brandon laughed and handed her the pizza. "Never do this again, understand?" he said with a warning in his tone.

Stella nodded and giggled. "Thank you."

Brandon then slid his hands to her back and locked lips with hers. Stella reprocicated eagerly. She must be the luckiest girl alive to have met such an understanding man like Brandon, who loved her for her and not for her body.

The pizza dropped to the ground as Stella wrapped her arms around Brandon and the kiss deepened, and everything else faded into oblivion.

Author's note:

hey I have no idea why I wrote this and please forgive because this is the first time I am writing :)

please review and please tell me on how I should improve as I'm quite new here thanks:)