Disclaimer: I don't own Winx Club.
Brandon tried everything he could think of, other than breaking down Stella's door, to get a hold of her. He hassled other people, knocked on her door, and waited outside for her countless times. Progress was nonexistent.
He would never forget the look on her face when she told him to leave her alone. She looked completely distraught and self-conscious.
What happened? he had thought.
Stella had grown to become Brandon's really close friend, if not his best friend. She made him laugh, and she cheered him up if he was upset about something.
Brandon smiled. He remembered when she cheered him up after he had a bad football practice.
Flashback
Stella knocked on his door. There was no reply. She sighed.
Maybe he's not in. I hadn't called to tell him I was coming she thought.
She was about to leave when the door opened. There stood Brandon with wet hair and shorts on. He had a towel in his hand, and he was rubbing it on his hair.
"Hey Stell. I just got back from practice." he said glumly.
"Oh cool! How was it?" asked Stella, sitting on his bed. She could not help notice his muscles because he was shirtless.
"I don't want to talk about it." groaned Brandon. He walked over to Stella and collapsed on the bed, narrowly missing her by a few inches.
His weight made the bed bounce, startling Stella. She looked at him.
He looks really down. she thought. Kind of figures though. The National's game is tomorrow. That must be a lot of pressure.
"C'mon. I know you'll feel better once you talk about it." she said.
Brandon sighed and slowly sat up. He then recounted the awful practice he had and how much pressure he had to deal with because the big game was tomorrow. He fumbled and threw cruddy throws. He left out the part of him messing up because all he could think about was Stella.
He stared at her. Over the past few weeks he was on Earth, Brandon had a couple of fun times with other girls. However, none of them turned into serious relationships. They were strictly for fun. Brandon didn't think much of it because he already knew he was some sort of ladies' man. Plus, he hadn't really gotten to know Stella before. He was caught up in his more immediate group of friends. He thought back, no girl he hooked up with was interested in his life other than the part where he was hooking up with them. Stella actually cared about him.
"Hey don't worry. We're all meant to make mistakes. That's how we learn and get better." assured Stella, putting a hand on his shoulder.
She knew she shouldn't get too close to Brandon, but she couldn't help it. A part of her craved to have a connection with Brandon, and she couldn't tame her cravings.
Brandon relaxed a little bit when he felt Stella's hand on his shoulder. Oh how he wanted to hold her.
"Yeah. Thanks." said Brandon.
"The way I see it is like this; you messed up today to show you what not to do during tomorrow's game." said Stella. "Forget about your nerves. Focus on what's at hand, that is, the game."
Brandon thought about it. That makes sense.
"Thanks Stell. You always know what to say." said Brandon smiling.
Stella loved to see him smile. She also loved to make him laugh because first of all, it allowed her natural charismatic personality to shine through, and secondly, she loved seeing Brandon happy.
"So when you kick ass out there on the field tomorrow, don't get distracted by the crazy girl screaming in the bleachers. Also, don't throw the ball at her to shut her up." said Stella, gesturing to herself.
It worked. Brandon burst out laughing at the picture of Stella going crazy in the bleachers and getting shut up by a football in her mouth.
Stella smiled. Mission accomplished she thought.
"You're the best Stell." said Brandon, giving her a hug.
Stella gladly returned the hug. Feeling his strong arms around her gave her a sense of security and comfort.
The same goes for Brandon. When he had Stella in his arms, he felt whole. He felt happy and complete.
Stella pulled away too soon for Brandon's liking. He fidgeted. He had a question to ask her, but he didn't know how to start.
"So you know the National's game is tomorrow right?" asked Brandon.
Stella nodded, waiting for him to continue.
"…and the tradition is for the players to give their sports jacket to a girl right?" continued Brandon.
"Yeah. Oooh who are you going to give it to?" asked Stella. She felt sad and jealous that Brandon was talking to her about some other girl, but she tried to not let it show. She wanted to be supportive.
"Well I was going to ask you." said Brandon. He glanced at her nervously, awaiting her reaction and response.
Stella gasped. Me? Out of every girl in the school, he chooses me?
"Me? But why? I hope you know that I'm not the most liked or the most popular person in this school." said Stella.
Brandon frowned.
"What do you mean why you? You're amazing. Why shouldn't I ask you to have my jacket?" said Brandon.
"Well, I figured you'd have some other girl in mind." said Stella.
But you're the only one who I have feelings for thought Brandon. Brandon then realized that in two short weeks, he would be leaving back to Magix. He would be leaving Stella. He then decided to not make things too personal.
"Nope. You're my friend, and I really hope you'll say yes and wear it." said Brandon.
"Oh alright." said Stella grinning. "But only because you asked so nicely."
Inside, Stella's heart almost leapt out of her chest. She was elated, but she tried not to show it. However, she was a little disappointed when he only referred to her as a friend.
Oh well. You can't have everything. thought Stella. As long as she got to be in Brandon's life some way or the other, she'll take it.
Brandon got up and went to his closet. He shortly returned with his varsity football jacket.
"Thank you." said Stella, accepting the jacket with a smile on her face.
He smiled at her, feeling very happy that she'll be the girl wearing his jacket.
End of Flashback
Brandon smiled. What Stella had said was true. The day after he talked with Stella in his room, they had their National's game. Brandon focused on what he should do and he didn't stress on whether he'd be good or not. He didn't let nerves get in the way. It all paid off in the end because they won! He remembered Stella beaming at him from where she stood in the bleachers, still wearing his jacket. He had waved to her and smiled, much to the dismay of the rest of the female's present at the moment.
Brandon walked to Stella's dorm again and tried to reach out to her.
"Stell, I know you're in there. Please open up." he said while knocking on the door.
He thought he heard some movement, and he breathed a sigh of relief.
Finally! he thought.
He heard the footsteps get louder when he saw a slip of paper being slid under the door.
He picked it up and read it. It said: Stella's not here
Brandon sighed.
"Come on Stell. Talk to me." he begged. "I know you're in there."
He then leaned against the door and slid down.
"Fine then. You're making me do this. I'm not leaving until you tell me what's wrong." yelled Brandon to make sure Stella would hear him. He got curious glances from people in the hallways heading to class, but he didn't care.
Stella was on the other side of the door in the same position. If the door had not been separating them, they would be sitting back to back.
She had Brandon's football jacket in her lap. She wasn't cold or anything, but she just wanted to have it with her. She couldn't get the words Brandon had said out of her head. He said he didn't care about her. He said she was nothing to him.
I thought he at least thought of me as a friend thought Stella sadly.
They sat like that for a few minutes, sitting back to back, separated by a thin, wooden door.
She glanced behind her at the door.
No way he's going to stay there all day she thought. Why's he here anyway? I thought he could care less about me.
The bell rang, breaking her out of her trance.
Damn! How am I going to get past him? she thought.
She then decided to open the door and ignore him. She knew she wouldn't be able to outrun him, so she would just ignore him.
She got up, gathered her books, and with one deep breath, she opened the door.
Brandon fell backwards when the door opened. Caught off guard, he looked up to see Stella walking away.
He immediately got up and followed her.
"Stell! Wait up!" he called. He caught up to her and tried to get her attention but failed.
They had reached the quad, which was surprisingly empty.
I must be late. I'd better hurry up. thought Stella, glancing at the empty quad. She was about to quicken her pace when she felt something catch her wrist and jerk her back. She looked at her wrist to find that Brandon had grabbed a hold of her.
"What are you doing?" she yelled.
"Look I want to know what's the matter! You're obviously upset about something, and I hate seeing you like this. Talk to me." begged Brandon.
"I have nothing to say to you. Now if you'll excuse me, I have to get to class." said Stella.
She tried to pull out of his grip, but his grasp was too strong.
"Please! I'm just trying to help. I care about you, and I want to make you feel better." said Brandon.
That did it. She whipped around and looked Brandon right in the eyes.
Brandon let go of her, startled.
"You care about me?" yelled Stella. "Last time I checked, I meant nothing to you. I'm obviously not even good enough to be your friend, so just leave me alone!"
Understanding washed over Brandon.
Crap! She heard that? No wonder she's upset. Man, I'm such an asshole! he thought. I'm going to kill the guys for making me say that when I get back to Red Fountain.
"No you've misunderstood." said Brandon.
"No I didn't misunderstand." she mocked. "I heard you loud and clear. Leave me alone, and go hang out with those other girls you would rather be with." cried Stella.
"No, I just said that to get my friend's off my back. Listen, it'll all make sense when I explain everything to you. Let me explain, but it may shock you." said Brandon.
Stella was confused. She waited for him to go on.
It's not or never thought Brandon as he prepared to tell her the truth. The whole truth. Where he came from, who he was, what he was...
"Okay, so I'm not really from this rea—" Brandon was cut off by the windows shattering around them, covering them in broken glass.
He immediately held Stella tight, shielding her from the glass fragments.
"What's happening?" yelled Stella, her face buried in Brandon's chest.
"I don't know!" replied Brandon, yelling over the sounds of breaking glass.
Then, Stella was soon pulled away from him into a vortex that appeared out of nowhere.
"Stella!" screamed Brandon. He held on tight to her arms, hoping to save her.
"Don't let go!" yelled Stella.
Brandon could see the fear in her eyes.
"I won't!" he promised. He tightened his grip on her arms.
However, that wasn't enough. The vortex was too strong. It lifted Brandon off of his feet, sending him into the vortex along with Stella.
The last thing Brandon saw and felt was Stella's face and the feel of her hand in his. Then everything went black.
Brandon woke up with a groan. He was lying on his back, which ached. He opened his eyes and saw that he was in some sort of forest. He sat up, wincing slightly, and he realized he was in his specialist uniform.
What the hell? How did this happen? What's Stella going to think when she sees thi—STELLA! thought Brandon.
He frantically looked around him, searching for Stella. He found her a few feet away from him, still unconscious.
"Stella!" he gasped. He quickly made his way over to her.
"C'mon, c'mon, come on Stell! Don't quit on me!" he begged.
This is all my fault. That vortex was definitely magical, and now I've dragged her into this mess! What have I done? thought Brandon.
He continued to try and wake Stella up.
What's going on? thought Stella.
He tried to open her eyes, but her lids were too heavy. She tried to move her arms or her legs, but every limb felt like it weighed a thousand pounds.
She heard a familiar voice calling to her. It sounded muffled at first, the it got clearer and louder.
"Stell, please wake up."
Brandon! thought Stella.
She then tried with all her might to wake up.
Brandon was still trying to wake her up. He had checked her earlier, and he was relieved when he heard and felt a heartbeat.
Now I just have to wait for her to wake up. he thought.
He evaluated his surroundings, trying to get some clues as to where they were and how to get out of here.
So far, nothing seemed familiar. He was debating on whether to go and gather firewood or stay with Stella until she woke up when Stella's quiet groans caught his attention.
Stella slowly opened her eyes. She saw many trees around her.
Where am I? Where did that vortex…the vortex! Great now I have dragged Brandon into this magical mess. What is he going to think of me if he finds out I'm a fairy from a different realm? How am I going to explain all of this to him?
"Stell?" said Brandon, snapping Stella out of her thoughts.
Stella stood up and was about to reply when she suddenly felt very weak. She slumped down onto the ground.
"Stella!" cried Brandon. He rushed over to her when she held up a hand to signal for him to stop.
Stella knew that feeling all too well. That one week where she was punished with the rest of the girls for sneaking off to Cloud Tower, they all had their powers taken away from them.
No! My powers! thought Stella. Please no!
Her head was still down. She looked at her hands trying to create a small ball of energy. Nothing happened.
Wait if I have no powers, then that means my illusion charm is gone she thought. Just my luck.
She slowly lifted her head.
Brandon gasped. He couldn't help it. Stella looked absolutely radiant. Her hair had smoothed out and grew down to her waist. A golden sheen was given off by her hair when it was in the sunlight. Her skin was flawless and her eyes brilliant. She was glowing with beauty.
Brandon had thought she was beautiful before, but this just took the cake. Not only was Brandon surprised by her change of appearance, but he finally realized where he recognized her. Sky had shown him an Alfea class picture because it contained the girls Sky and the other guys were going to ask out. This was before Brandon went on the exchange program. When Brandon saw the picture, a blonde fairy stood out to him.
It's her he thought. She's a fairy.
At the same time, Stella was also shocked by Brandon. She was all too familiar with the blue and white Red Fountain uniform complete with a cape, and she was stunned to see Brandon wearing one.
They looked at each other uneasily.
"So I take it your from Red Fountain?" said Stella. It was more of a statement than a question.
All Brandon could do was nod and smile sheepishly.
"And you're a fairy from Alfea." said Brandon.
Stella nodded.
Brandon whistled. "We definitely have our fair share of secrets."
