A/N: Sorry this chapter is kind of short but full of TEA! And is here secret possibly exposed? Read to find out..
Chapter 10 - Stella's POV
"How could they say something so- so low and despicable, to their own daughter!" I spoke to myself as I trudged through the eerie darkness blanketing over Los Angeles. Staring at the floor with my arms crossed over my chest, I lightly kicked a pebble a few feet from me. I did that continually until I reached the end of the street, I looked up and saw the same little cafe that I passed on my first day of school. Without thinking I looked both ways and crossed the street, I needed to sit down and think everything out. I pushed the door open causing a little bell to go off, I took a seat in an empty booth all the way in the corner, away from everyone and everything. I placed my head in my hands, trying to comprehend that my life is literally taking a turn for the worse and at this rate eventually is going to go to complete shit. As I sat there, I heard a faint voice but I figured it was in my head, but I realized it wasn't. In fact, I looked up and saw the waitress standing there with a notepad in hand.
"What can I get you?" she asked again
"Oh," I quickly grabbed the menu and scanned my eyes acrossed it, only a few things caught my eye so that's what I was going to get, "I'll take a hot chocolate and a chocolate chip muffin."
She jotted down my order and before leaving gave me a comforting smile, as she left I went back to breaking down the thoughts in my mind.
Out of frustration I let a tear escape my eye, but as the waitress came back I wiped it away, she placed a mug and plate in front of me.
"Thank you," I thanked her and she walked back behind the counter, I wrapped my finger around the mug to warm my hands as I watched the television hung above the room.
I sipped on the hot chocolate as a breaking news story came on the Teen News channel.
"Tonight the famous pop sensation Starr had her first sold out performance in Los Angeles! Everything was excellent from the outfits to the dance moves, but what really caught the attention of everyone was one of her latest songs 'Best of Both Worlds'. Skeptics believe that there is more to the song then meets the eye due to its lyrics. 'Living two lives is a little weird, but school's cool cause nobody knows,' because of these lyrics many people believe that Starr is living amongst us and being one of us! So you decide, is Starr living amongst us or is it just some lyrics with no meaning?"
Wide eyed and my jaw practically on the floor at this point, I sat there with my eyes glued on the television. I actually can't believe what I just heard. In the past five years, no one and I mean no one, ever assumed that I was hiding my identity. I frantically looked around and placed my hoodie over my head, at this point I was afraid someone was going to recognise me. Taking little sips of my hot chocolate I nervously scanned the room, I was the only one in there except for a few people at the counter and the workers. I was in no rush to go home, to see my parents or my friends, I guess I'm embarrassed. Embarrassed to see my friends because they had never seen me act like that, but beyond pissed to see my parents. And Sky? He's just in the middle of all of this, he never asked for me to be Starr and now he's suffering some of the consequences. Finishing off my food, I pulled out some cash and placed it on the table, I didn't want to stay in the same place for too long because I didn't want to risk getting recognised, if that is going to happen. Adjusting my hoodie, I got out of my seat and left the cafe.
"Now, how am I going to fix this situation," I thought aloud as I walked the same dark, eerie streets as before. My hands were in my pockets and my teeth were chattering against each other due to the cold, but I ignored them because if I didn't then I'd have no choice but to go home, and I refused. I turned the corner towards where the Frutti Music Bar was and for some reason I headed in that direction. I stopped right before the concrete turned into beach, I slipped my shoes off and allowed my feet to dig themselves into the cold sand. As I walked along the beach, thoughts raced across my mind, mostly questions on what's going to happen when I go home?
What are Sky and my parents going to say?
Am I going to able continue being Starr or is this the end of an era?
"I'm never going to be able to show my face again!" I groaned as the waves crashed up against my feet, I was beyond cold at this point but honestly after spending hours on end in uncomfortable heels this feels great, for my feet at least, "maybe I should just move away and change my name, I'm great with hiding my identity already! But my friends, I'd miss them too much to do that." I thought aloud, I continued to walk and then I became curious, so I pulled my phone from my pocket. I've never seen so many alerts in my life, over hundreds of messages and about fifty phone calls! Most of them were from the girls, then some from the guys which were probably the girls when I didn't answer their calls and the rest were from my family which was no surprise. I scrolled through the group chat with the girls, they were still blowing up my phone, which honestly made me feel good because they genuinely do care for me. Or they heard the entire part about Starr and are asking a million questions.
Bloom - Stella where are you? And what happened with your parents!
Flora - We heard part of the argument, we're really worried about you..
Layla - And what's this about an arranged marriage, are we in the 1800s? But seriously text us back, we're worried.
Musa - Seriously going to send a search party after you..
Sitting down in the sand I thought about what I was going to tell the girls, I mean they heard everything so they do deserve an explanation. I typed what I could tell them.
Me - I'm fine. Look all I can tell you girls is that my parents are putting their company before their kids and I'm done with it. ALL of it.
After pressing send I checked my other messages, which most of came from either Sky or Brandon. I clicked Sky's contact in my phone and called him, the phone felt warm on my ear and after the first ring, he answered.
"Stella," his voice was deep and sad, unfortunately I knew that it was because of me.
"Sky, I'm so sorry you've been stuck in the middle of all of this," I began to cry
"Stella where are you? I'm coming to get you," he stated completely ignoring what I had just said, I sighed. I headed off the beach and took a seat on the same bench where Sky and I had our conversation on my first day of school.
"I'm at the Frutti Music Bar, but Sky tell me," I began, "what did you hear?"
"Enough to know that mom and dad are splitting, but Stella there is something you need to know," Sky responded, what did I need to know I mean everything that involves my family I just found out? "They're planning on sending one of us to New York with them, and it sounds like it's going to be me."
What? They can't do this, Sky doesn't deserve this! He's built a whole life here in Los Angeles, I'm not going to let my parents ruin that for him. The same way they did it to me. I began to crush my phone, but before I was going to break I stopped squeezing.
"Who hell do they think they are trying to ruin your life!" I announced into the phone, Sky just let out a sigh on the other end of the phone, he sounded like he's completely given up. Something I've never heard from him, and I'm not about to let it start now.
"Remember when you told me not to worry about the arranged marriage because you weren't going to let it happen?" I recalled as I got off the bench and began to pace, Sky let out a loud breath.
"Yea," he answered very monotone.
"Well I'm not going to let them ruin your life that you've built here in Los Angeles, don't worry about coming to get me. I'm coming home now." I abruptly hung up the phone and just stood there, my body was getting hot as I felt the frustration build up and I just let it out, not in the best way. All my pressure went onto my foot and I just let loose on the wall, I didn't feel anything at first because of all the adrenaline. But damn once I calmed down that shit hurt!
"Oh my- why did I do that!" I screamed out in pain, I looked at my knuckles and they were just covered in blood. Honestly I wouldn't be surprised if I broke a couple bones as well. I light grazed my finger across it and I felt a burning sensation, which wasn't too great. I tried to ignore the pain as I headed back towards my house but it was actually unbearable.
"Fuck, fuck, fuck," was all I managed to say as I walked home, it was more of a speed walk but that doesn't matter. I pulled my jacket sleeve of my hand hoping that the burning would stop and it did momentarially, but that didn't do anything accept control the bleeding. I was walking along the sidewalk, there were no cars around and the only sounds were occasional insect noises along with faint horns from the inner city which was a few miles away. There was nothing until I saw headlights come from behind me, I kept facing forward trying to ignore them but it got closer, and closer until the car pulled up next to me. The window rolled down to reveal,
"Brandon?" I asked standing there, I grabbing my arms to make it seem like I was just cold but in reality I was hiding the embarrassing cuts from him. He killed the car's engine and got out on the other side, he quickly made his way over to where I was and placed his hands on my arms.
"Are you okay?" Brandon asked as he made sure there wasn't visibly wrong with me, luckily he didn't see the cut.
"I'm fine," I hesitantly spoke, he immediately pulled me into a hug but because of how lucky I am my hand starting hurting again. I let out a low 'ow' but he heard me.
"What's wrong?" He asked, I just shook my head.
"Nothing important I just got pissed and unfortunately for me, walls and fists don't mix." He immediately grabbed my hand and slowly pushed the sleeve off to reveal my knuckles which were already bruising and slightly covered in dry blood.
"Stella-" His voice got worried, he looked at me and I could tell he was frustrated because his eyes got glossy, almost like he wanted to cry, "this isn't nothing, come on I'm taking you home."
He put his hand on the small of my back and guided me to the passenger seat of his car, even though I didn't want to go home I didn't want to say 'no' to Brandon because I could tell he was very protective. After making sure I was inside he got back into the driver's seat and started the car up. The entire drive back to my house we were quiet, I'm assuming he was waiting for me to say something but I didn't know what to say?
Finally he pulled up in front of my house and he killed the engine once more, I kept my vision forward as he turned and looked to me.
"Do you want to talk about it?" He asked quietly, I sighed.
"I just don't understand how my parents can think any of this is acceptable?" I responded, "like I understand the whole keeping me out of school for all those years, I do, but all this other stuff that is affecting Sky just pisses me off! And now they want to split us up by sending one of us to live with our father in New York!" I threw my head back onto the head rest and sighed.
"Why would they do that? I mean, why can't both of you stay here?" asked Brandon.
Oh well here's the thing, I'm really a teen popstar sensation but no one knows it's me because I wear a wig. And the reason my parents want to split us up is because they will do anything to grow their company which also means marrying me off to you!
"I honestly just don't know what they're thinking anymore" I sighed, "but Sky told me that he's the one that is most likely getting sent to New York which just isn't fair to him! And unfortunately I know that this is partially my fault, so I'm going to do whatever it takes to keep him here because he's got too much to just leave, even if that means I'm the one who goes" I responded opening the door determined to give my parents a piece of my mind, once again. I about to storm to the door when I felt Brandon gently grab my arm so I turned around.
"Sky's really lucky to have a sister like you, to stand up for him, even though that means leaving me- I mean leaving all your new friends," Brandon said as his cheeks turned rosy red, I actually had to fight myself from blushing too.
"Thanks Brandon, let's just hope my parents understand where I'm coming from because I don't want to leave anyone, not Sky or the girls- or you" I smiled as I heard the front door of my house I open, I glanced back and saw Sky standing there with his arms across his chest waiting for me, "but I better get going you know how Sky is if he is kept waiting, I'll see you at school." I smiled and shut the door, I walked up to where Sky was waiting and I turned around to give him one last smile, then he drove away.
I turned back to Sky, "Where are they?" I asked.
"They're in the kitchen, but Stella they're kind of pissed," he revealed.
"Of course they're mad, I mean when have we ever been the type of kids to stand up for ourselves? Never, so they're not used to it, but I'm through with standing by watching your life go to shit because I wanted the best of both worlds." I barged through the door and headed straight to the kitchen, I wasn't too sure what I was going to say but I knew my goal was to keep Sky in Los Angeles. Once I walked in I saw my parents sitting at the table, my mother had her hands wrapped around a mug which was producing some steam while my father's hands rested on my mother's wrists. I stopped in the doorway and the two of them looked towards me, I slowly walked towards them. My mother's eyes were puffy while my father furrowed his eyebrows, it was obvious only my father was even remotely mad as for my mother she was probably shocked by my outburst.
"Mom, Dad why are you doing this to Sky? He doesn't want to move to New York, neither of us do, our lives are here in Los Angeles!" I spoke as I quickly took a seat between them, my mother sniffled as I begged for Sky to stay here.
"Stella it's not that easy, if both of you stay here then your father will miss a big part of both of your lives, but if Sky goes with your father he won't miss out on as much," my mother explained to me, but I still didn't understand.
"I understand that dad is going to miss stuff with this move but don't you think Sky will miss out on stuff too? He has one more year of school after this so why do you want him to restart his entire life across the country when here has a great group of friends and possibly a girlfriend?" I protested, I had to throw in the girlfriend part because just might convince them even if Sky and Bloom aren't dating, it's bound to happen.
"Look Stella our decision is final, I'm going to have my child with my in New York" my father argued as he slammed his hands on the table and got up, he had his back to us when I let out a sigh.
"Fine Dad if you want your child with you to New York, take me instead. I don't have much of a life here, I haven't made really any friends and it wouldn't be hard for me to settle in a new state," I begged as I stood up, the room was silent. My father turned around and looked to my mother, she shrugged her shoulders.
"It would make everyone happy Radius," my mother said as she rose from her seat and walked up next to my father, she placed a gentle grip on his shoulder. I just watched as his firm, tall stature slowly become smaller as he let out a breath.
"Please dad?" I asked again, he turned to me and sighed.
"Alright Stella, you'll come live with me in New York and Sky will stay here with your mother," he finalized his decision, and as much as I'm happy Sky gets to stay here and pursue the life he's been working so hard to build, I'm going to miss him and all the friends I did make since I started school.
"Thank you dad," I replied giving him a hug, when I pulled away I left my parents to discuss the rest of the arrangements. I sluggishly headed up the stairs to tell Sky the good, and bad news.
"So?" Sky perked up as I entered his room, I took a seat at the edge of his bed and he threw his homework aside, "what did they say?"
"Well you get to stay in Los Angeles," I replied with a blank expression on my face, he immediately pulled me into a hug, but he immediately pulled away when I didn't hug him back, "what's wrong Stella I get to stay now, isn't that good!"
"It's great Sky, but it isn't that simple," I began to explain, "Dad was set on taking 'his child' to New York with him so I told him to take me instead of you.."
"Stella you didn't," he asked, shocked but I just shook my head.
"It makes sense Sky!" I got up and paced to the other side of the room, I grabbed a picture frame that Sky keep on his desk. It was of us when I was nine and he was ten, it was at an amusement park and I remember that day so vividly. I was so scared to ride the bigger roller coaster but Sky told me he'd be there for me, and he was, that ended up being the one of the best days of my life! Thanks to Sky, "I mean you have an entire life here in Los Angeles! I don't," I argued.
"Come on Stel, you do have a life here, I mean what about all the girls?" Sky countered, I sighed because I really was going to miss seeing the girls everyday.
"Sky I have nothing compared to what you have, let's just be glad they agreed to let you stay, okay? Besides I'll be back on multiple occasions for my concerts," I smiled, Sky rolled his eyes and pulled me into another hug, all I heard him mumble was 'thank you'. I pulled away a clapped my hands, "now I need to worry about what clothes I'm going to be taking because I doubt dad is going to let me take my entire closet!," we both laughed as I headed for the door, I looked back to see Sky picking up his homework with the biggest smile on his face, then I headed to my room proud of myself for keeping Sky here.
Now all I need to do is tell the girl's that I'm moving, if I can even manage the courage to do so..
Thank you for reading this chapter please favorite, follow and leave a review if you want to see more! And there is anything you'd like to see infurther chapters leave a review.. :)