Author's Note: Hey guys, sorry for the long wait and shorter chapter….I'm finding that life keeps getting busier and I have less and less time to write….but I promise that this story WILL go on and will be finished, just not as fast…..anyways, thanks for hanging in there! Thank you for all the reviews and favorites! I'm REALLY loving all the Rayella stories popping up, there are some awesome stories out there and the fan base is growing! Cheers! P.S. Thanks to all of the anonymous reviewers that reviewed earlier chapters that I couldn't respond to, thanks so much!
Disclaimer: I do not own Lemonade Mouth or Dead Horse Ranch State Park any more than I own a duck. Oh, and thanks to Sara Bareilles, for the term "king of anything."
Chapter 12
Who cares if you disagree?
Who made you king of anything?
You sound so innocent, all full of good intent
But you expect me to jump onboard with you
Who died and made you king of anything?-Sara Bareilles "King of Anything"
Stella stared, horrified, as she looked into the wide brown eyes of Mohini Banjeree. Ray looked at Stella and Scott, who stood behind her on the front steps, and smirked. Now these two were in trouble… he thought with a small jab of glee. When Mo had shown up at the doorstep of the Yamada household, Ray had been take a back for just a moment, but then he had smiled inward evilly. Mo had stared at him in shock, fully expecting to meet one of the members of the Yamada household, instead meeting her ex-boyfriend's former best friend.
Mo's eyes had widened in shock, then had narrowed in distrust. "Ray, what the heck are you doing here?" Mo had demanded, the question not even a question.
Ray stood in the doorway, forever smirking. He stared at the Indian girl, who was still as pretty as he remembered. He hadn't seen her in two years, but she still looked the same, but maybe a bit more confident and poised. He uncrossed his arms over his chest, and lifted his arms open towards Mo. He cocked his head, "What is this, Mohini? No hug for an old friend?"
Mo curled her lip in slight disgust. "Whatever, Beech. I don't know what the heck you are doing here, but I'm going to find out." She swept past Ray's open arms and entered the Yamada house swiftly. Ray smirked as she searched the house and called, "Stella, are you home? STELLA!"
As Mo ran up to Stella's room to check if she were there, Ray smirked again. What a surprise she had waiting for her…he thought evilly. Ray stood at the end of the stairs, watching her with a smirk. Mo came down the stairs, perplexed. "Ray, you better tell me what's going on, or …" her voice trailed off as she reached the last step.
"Oh Mo, you wound me….I haven't seen you in SO long. No greetings, no how are ya, Ray. How's life since I stole your best friend?" He smiled at her.
Mo's eyes narrowed in anger. "Whatever, Ray, you weren't a best friend to Scott. You treated him just like everyone else, someone to order around to make you feel important."
Now it was Ray's turn to be angry. "We were best friends since five. We shared everything until Little Miss Perfect came prancing in front of him."
Mo turned red, now shaking a little. "Ray Beech, I swear if you don't tell me where Stella is, I'll….."
Ray took a step closer to Mo, now in her face. "What, Mo, you'll steal my best friend and break up my band? Well too bad, Miss Goody Two Shoes, ya already did that."
Ray and Mo stared at each other, each equally angry and disgusted. Ray and Mo didn't really have much of a relationship, even in the days of Mudslide Crush. Ray had shrugged when Scott had told him he was interested in her and that they were slyly dating. Sure, she was pretty and smart, but personally, Ray had never noticed her before. Even when Mo and Scott were dating and she would come to band practice, Ray was too involved in himself and his admirers to take much notice of her. She was someone whom he had thought adored guys like Scott and him from afar, a girl who shied away from her own shadow. Ray liked the more forward type, girls who weren't afraid to tell him how much they adored him (or didn't, haha). Truthfully, Ray had always thought she was a little ….boring. Until, that is, Stella Yamada had come to school and started Lemonade Mouth. Even timid Mohini Banjeree had stood up to him and broken up with her love Scott Pickett for a time. Stella had started it all, with the help of the four other dententionees. (haha, don't think this is a word)
Ray was not about to let his temper get the best of him, though, even though Mo irked him a lot. He needed to use this situation to his best advantage. It couldn't have worked out better if he had wanted it to. He was beyond irritated that Stella had ditched him for Scott, that traitor and loser, and he needed to shake that up. Little Miss Rebellion was going to get what was coming to her, thinking she could best me….Ray thought…and Scott Pickett, too. Even though Mo didn't know it, she was going to help him. Patty had told him last night about how Scott Pickett and Mohini Banjeree, the golden couple of Lemonade Mouth, had broken up. Really, Scott, a postcard? he had thought with admiring disgust, even I have more class than that. Both of them needed to pay, and Mo was going to help him. It didn't dawn on Ray why he was doing this, what the true motivation was behind his selfish actions. Sometimes he wanted to find out what this strange war with Stella Yamada was doing to him, but other times he just relished in sparring with her, in getting the best of her. It made him feel something beyond the life he was going through, the ever circle of exerting his power and ego over those around him. She challenged him, she made him look for other ways to prove ….his worth. She brought out the worst, and even though he didn't know it yet, the best in him.
Ray, shaking thoughts from his head, smiled again at Mo. "Girl, let's call a truce. That was high school, we are older, more mature now." He gestured to Mo to sit on the couch. She eyed him in distrust, and sat down in a huff.
"Whatever, Ray, where is Stella, and PLEASE tell me what you are doing here." She demanded.
Ray shook his head, pasting a fake smile on his face. "Fine, fine. Well, my dad and Stella's mom are dating now, she didn't tell you?"
Mo stared at him in shock. "What?"
Ray smiled again, triumphant this time. How great it was that Stella's best friends didn't know her big secret. He shared something with Stella that even her closest friends didn't know. "Yep, that's right. We are going to be one big happy family."
"Wh-when did this happen? She told me about you making out with her roommate on her bed and how she saved your pathetic butt at the beach, but-"
"What did you say?" Ray cut her off, furious that Mo was hitting a sore nerve. He knew that he owed Stella his life, but he would never confront that issue. His pride and ego were still more important to him than thanking Stella.
Mo quieted, mulling over these thoughts. She couldn't believe that Stella wouldn't tell her this horrible news. Ray BEECH, her brother? Mo did not mention anything about the accident, she knew that that would be going too far. Ray had also lost his mom in that horrible accident. Ray and his father had moved immediately after the funeral, which Mo had attended with Scott. Mo had been hesitant, but Scott had insisted on going, still desperately wanting to make up with his former best friend, and sorely hurting for him. Ray and Scott had had an argument that day at the funeral, and they had never seen each other again. Mo had felt sorry for Ray, but there were so many things he had done to them, to Stella, and to Scott, that she still had a hard time forgiving him.
Ray watched Mo's face as he saw different emotions passing over her face as she quietly sat there. Shock, a little hurt, and lots of questions. Just wait until you see who she's with….he thought. "Well, Mohini, Stella should be home soon, and then she can answer all of your questions. She went out with someone earlier…." He let that thought linger in her mind. Mo stood up numbly, and Ray followed her to the door. "Mo, don't go yet, we have so much catching up to do." Ray insisted, grabbing her arm.
Mo's head snapped up again, fire in her eyes. She jerked her arm out of his, "Don't touch me, Ray. I'll come back when Stella's-" a sound at the door interrupted her speech, and Ray smiled triumphantly. Perfect timing…he thought gleefully.
Mo stood behind Ray, trying to slip on her flats, when the door opened, revealing Stella and Scott at the door. Mo looked up at them, shock and hurt all over her face. Stella stared at Ray and Mo in horror, and Scott stared past Ray at Mo, utter shock on his face, and Ray just stood there, his arms crossed over his chest, smiling, almost enjoying the situation. "Well, well, well, look who's home. Sister, you've got a guest…" Ray sneered at the two.
Stella was the first to recover. "MO! You're here!" She was so glad to see her best friend after three months, even if it were in the worst possible situation. She hadn't meant to keep Mo in the dark about Ray, but everything had happened so fast, and she hadn't talked to anyone in Lemonade Mouth the fast few days. Stella paled when she thought about the situation with Scott, but she kept her calm. She stepped past Ray, ignoring him, and tried to hug Mo, whom she had missed immensely. Mo hugged Stella back woodenly, eyes glued on Scott, who stared at the floor.
Mo came back to life at Stella's hug, and whispered in her ear, "What is going on Stella, why is he here?" She whispered fiercely. Ray listened to Mo's broken whisper, even though she hadn't meant it for male ears, and he felt a pang of something stab his conscience. He didn't really want to hurt Mo, he had nothing, besides the fact she stole Scott, against her, he just wanted to break up whatever was happening between Scott and Stella, and he was willing to hurt Mo if it meant he could accomplish what he wanted to.
Stella hugged Mo tightly, feeling guilty and horrible, but her joy at seeing her friend overcame these. "I'm sorry, Mo, I didn't tell you. Can we talk in another room?"
Mo nodded, still staring at Scott. Stella released Mo from the hug, and turned to Scott. "Hey Scott, can we talk….later?" She said, pleading with her eyes.
Scott nodded, not even answering. He had been more than ready to leave the moment he saw Mo, not even daring to look or speak to her. He just wanted to get out of there. When Ray saw Scott getting ready to leave, he reacted. He rushed to the door, grabbing Scott's arm, "Hey man, what are you doing? You just got here, come say hello to your old honey….." Ray sneered.
Scott's eyes sparked anger, and he jerked his arm out of Ray's. "Whatever, man, I gotta get out of here."
"But you need to tell little Mohini here about what a riveting night you had with a certain someone last night at Patty's party…." Ray let his voice trail off, implying nothing and …everything. Mo looked up now, her eyes furious and her hands clenching at her sides.
"WHAT the heck is he talking about, Stella?" Mo demanded, her mouth speaking to Stella, but her eyes never leaving Scott. Scott took this moment to look Mo briefly in the eyes, and he downcast them again, losing courage. Ray smirked again, "OH, him and St-" Ray started, but Stella jumped at him, her hands going for his mouth, covering it. She couldn't, she wouldn't, let Ray be the one to tell Mo about her and Scott. Her and Scott? There WAS no her and Scott…Stella shook her head furiously. Ray actually stopped protesting, his arms falling to his sides, enjoying the scene before him. Scott stared in anger at Ray, Stella hung on Ray, her hands still covering his mouth, and Mo stood behind Ray and Stella, staring in anger at Scott.
Scott lost his nerve, and said quickly, "Mo, Stella, I'm sorry, I will see you later…" he practically ran out the door, jumping into his car. Stella just looked after him sadly, not knowing what to say. Mo then turned to Stella, tears threatening to spill in her eyes, "Stella Yamada, I don't know WHAT is going on here, but I expect an answer soon. I have got to go, but I want to talk to you tomorrow," Mo then turned angry eyes towards Ray, "without HIM."
Stella nodded solemnly and sadly to Mo, "I'm sorry, Mo, I will explain everything. Call me later, ok?" Mo nodded, softening a little, and went through the door.
Ray smiled under Stella's hand and pulled her hands off his mouth. "Hey Mo, did you want to know what lover boy and traitor best friend were just doing?" He called after Mo, but she had already gotten into her car.
Stella shook her arms off Ray, and stomped up to the door, slamming it shut. She then turned around swiftly, eyes blazing. Ray had never seen her so furious, sparks radiating from her eyes. Stella stalked up to him, staring him down, but he remained unfazed. He crossed his arms over his chest, self-satisfied. Stella couldn't believe Ray, he had to be the worst excuse for a human being she had crossed paths with. "Ray, I can't believe what you just did. How could you, toying with Mo like that?" Her eyes shot accusation at him.
Ray smirked at her. "Uh-uh, Stella, don't turn this back on me. I wasn't the one that betrayed a best friend. Scott betrayed me, you betrayed Mo. What a great pair you make…" he sneered, even though he mentally cursed himself for pairing them together.
Stella couldn't believe the audacity of this jerk. "Ray Beech, who made you the king of anything?" She raised her hand, and Ray stared at her.
"What are you gonna do, Yamada, hit me? Spit at me, oh wait, you already did that."
Stella stared at him, her arm raised. She wanted to hurt Ray Beech, not just physically, but emotionally. How DARE he rub it in what had accidentally happened between Scott and her? How DARE he hurt her best friend? Stella already felt guilty and horrible about what had happened, and he had rubbed it in her face.
Stella lifted her arm again, bringing it back, and Ray winced, waiting for the blow. But Stella slumped, and dropped her arm. Ray stared at Stella in shock, her whole demeanor had changed. Stella looked up at Ray, and tears threatened to spill over in her eyes. "Ray Beech," Stella hissed, utter disdain in every echo of her whisper, "I NEVER want to see you again in my life. I hate you." She then ran up the stairs into her room. As the door to Stella Yamada's room slammed, Ray Beech, for one of the few times in his life, stood silent and felt his heart pierced with something indefinable. A crack in the stone encasing his heart cracked that day, and Ray Beech felt….regret.
That night…..
The humid air shimmered in the night, the heat making it hard for Stella to sleep. What made it harder, though, were the guilty thoughts piercing Stella's mind. She couldn't shake Mo's hurt face from her thoughts. She didn't want to see Scott for a long time. She couldn't believe that she had kissed him, and she felt even more guilty that she had enjoyed the kiss. She tossed and turned, and the tent floor made sounds. She groaned, and hit the floor with her arm. She could NOT sleep, and she was afraid that she would wake up her gently snoring mother next to her.
Stella had stayed in her room the rest of the day, and Ray had, thankfully, not bothered her. When the boys, Roy, and her mother had come, Mrs. Yamada had knocked softly on Stella's door, announcing dinner, but Stella faked an excuse. She told her she wasn't feeling well, and when Mrs. Yamada had lain a cool hand on her daughter's forehead, she was convinced when she felt heat and saw Stella's pale face. Stella had slept an hour through dinner, and when had come up to her room, she saw that Stella had felt better. She had surprised Stella by telling her that Roy had spontaneously convinced her to take some personal days so that they could go camping together, Stella had groaned inwardly. Timmy and Andrew had really enjoyed their time with Roy fishing, and he had convinced the family to go to Dead Horse Ranch State Park, where he had taken Ray as a boy. Mrs. Yamada had looked at Stella in concern, but Stella did not want to disappoint her, so she had faked a grin and said she would go.
They had gathered their things surprisingly fast, and left at eight that night. Stella had refused to even LOOK at Ray, even though every fiber of her being was aware of his presence in the Yamada family van. He had laughed and grinned in the front seats with Timmy and Andrew, but he ignored her as much as she ignored him. They hadn't even built a campfire that night, instead going to bed after pitching the tents.
Night owl that she was, Stella was having a particularly hard time getting to sleep, let alone the disturbing thoughts plaguing her mind. She sat up and unzipped the tent, wanting to escape the stuffiness of the tent. She shook her flashlight, snapping it on, and stalked out into the night. She had to get out of here, to think, to see something. She didn't want to wander too far, but Stella trekked to the river. Stella had always been attracted to water, to rivers, to lakes, to anything that had to do with water. She saw a river, and she climbed to the bank, plopping down, enjoying the sounds of the flowing water. It was so calm, so relaxing. Stella put her hands behind her, leaning back into them, and closed her eyes. She then lifted her head to the stars, marveling in the night sky. Being out in the wild, as Stella liked to call it, was exhilarating, and viewing the stars was one of her favorite things about camping. The wild expanse of the sky with its bright pinpoints of glistening stars never failed to take her breath away. Her father had told her when she was young and scared of the dark that God had rolled out a blanket on the world to sleep, and the stars were the holes where the sun was trying to shine through the blanket. Stella smiled at the thought of her father, tears suddenly coming to her eyes. She rubbed the back of her arm across her eyes, wiping the tears away.
A scuffle suddenly interrupted thoughts. She heard movement in the dirt to the west. Stella immediately jumped up, her arms ready for a fight, her flashlight piercing the darkness in that direction. "Who's there?" She called out.
She stiffened when she heard the movement get closer, and she moved her flashlight higher into an intruder's face. She saw two young guys, probably around sixteen or seventeen. One swayed, and the other lifted his hand to his face, glaring at the flashlight shining in his eyes. "Hey, lady, watcha doing?" The tall, blonde one lifted swatted at the light like it was an annoying mosquito.
The other teen, a dark-haired, shorter guy, cursed. "Hey, turn off the light!"
Stella smirked, "Well, if you wouldn't be sneaking around scaring people.." she lowered the flashlight slightly, keeping it trained on the taller teen.
"C'mon, turn it off." The blonde whined.
"Fine," Stella said, and lowered it to the ground. The dark one smiled slyly and looked at her closely for the first time. He stepped closer, and Stella's defenses immediately went up. "Don't come any closer." She warned.
The shorter teen tossed a grin to the tall one, smiling. "C'mon, let's get to know one another. Stan here's never been on a date." Stan, the blonde, tossed her a grin. Stella rolled her eyes, what a bunch of young morons.
"Please, get out of here, you interrupted my night." Stella huffed.
The dark-haired one stepped closer, "C'mon, babe, let's have some fun. We're having a party down at our campsite. We just need a female to share it with."
"Yeah, and you're cute. Right, Sven?" Stan grinned at the other teen.
Stella rolled her eyes again. She cocked her head to the side, smirking at them. "REALLY? Sven, Stan? That's your REAL names?" She laughed.
Sven's eyes narrowed, his face turning ugly. "Oh yeah, you laugh at our names? What's yours?"
"Like I'd ever tell you, you dumbo." Stella had had enough, and turned to leave. But she had failed to notice that while she was trading insults with Sven, that Stan had inched his way around in a wide circle, and was behind her. He grabbed Stella from behind like in a bear hug, and she gasped. She could smell the alcohol on his breath, and a quick shiver of fear ran through her. But Stella Yamada was not one to give up without a fight, and she gulped down the fear as Sven inched closer. He stalked close to her, mischief in his eyes. "Not so bold now, missy, huh? We don't want to hurt you, we just want to have a little fun…" He was now up to her face, his eyes searching hers. She smelled the alcohol on his breath, and she blanched.
"How about a kiss?" Sven smirked, leaning closer. Stella's mind raced, ready to spit, to scream, to bite, to do something to prevent this drunk jerk….when she heard a throat clear.
"Excuse me, you idiots, what do you think you are doing?" Stella had never thought she would feel her heart race at the sound of Ray Beech's voice, but it did. Sven turned his attention from her and turned around, clearing Stella's view so that she could see Ray. He had on jeans and his gray hoodie, a hat covering his blonde hair. He stood with his hands jammed in the pockets of the hoodie, his head cocked, a smug look on his face.
Sven looked at Ray, his eyes narrowing. "What do you want? We're just having a little fun."
Ray scoffed at Sven, "Oh yeah, a little fun? She doesn't look like she's having fun." He shook his head at Stella, his eyes not meeting hers.
Sven sneered, "Of course she is, she's a feisty ball of fun, right, Stan?"
Stella heard Stan's muffled reply behind her. "Yeah, Sven, loads."
Ray smirked at them, finally meeting Stella's eyes. "She's feisty all right, but I hate to tell you boys, she's mine." Stella stiffened at the word mine and stared daggers at Ray.
She lifted her chin in pride. She had had enough. She was no one's, and she had had it with these knuckleheads and that arrogant Ray Beech. She relaxed her body, and Stan relaxed his grip on her arms. Stella was not prone to violence, but she lifted her foot and stamped down hard with her foot. Stan yelped in pain, and grabbed his foot, hopping around like a two-bit villain in a bad film.
Stella stared at Sven, her next target, as Ray watched in amusement. Sven, the confident look wiped from his face, stared at Stella, then Ray, then back again. His face faltered, and then he sighed in disgust. "C'mon, Stan, let's get out of here. These people are no fun." Stan looked at Sven and followed Sven's retreating back into the night.
Stella scoffed, "That's right, you idiots. Run back to your camp." No one manhandled her. Ray stood there, arms once again folded over his chest, smirking at Stella in amusement.
"So, Stella, you never cease to amaze me. ALWAYS riling up trouble."
Stella glared at Ray, turning her wrath to him.
"What are you doing here, Ray?" She demanded, mentally groaning that it was HIM that had to "rescue" her. No one rescued Stella Yamada without her permission.
Ray grinned at her, "Couldn't sleep, what can I say? I was trying to spot the Dead Horse Thief Ghost, when I had to rescue what was mine." His eyes pierced her dark ones, and Stella felt herself unconsciously pause at how blue they were in the dark, but then bristled at his last words.
Stella scoffed at him in disgust. "Mine, what do you mean mine? I belong to NO ONE, especially you. Good night." She stepped closer to him, getting in his face.
Ray stood there, staring at her, undaunted. "I'm just stating the facts, Stella. They messed with what was mine, I mess with them." He stated nonchalantly.
"What do you mean yours?" Stella found herself suddenly even more furious at Ray. What did he mean by 'mine?' Stella then stiffened when she thought of one possibility of the meaning. Was it possible….she thought, then shook herself. Ridiculous…
Ray smirked at her, unperturbed. "You're MY sister, and no one messes with her but me."
Stella stared at him, incredulous. She found herself disturbed by these thoughts, shaken and upset. "Whatever Ray," She spat, "I don't belong to you in any sense of the word." She had to get out of here….remembering her earlier declaration of "I hate you" to Ray, Stella stood up to leave, but Ray grabbed her arm. "Hey, Stella…."
Stella turned, angry. "What, Ray, what do you want?"
Ray dropped her sleeve, speechless for a moment. All of sudden, he didn't know WHAT to say to Stella. He wanted, he wanted, HER back. He didn't like the earlier silent treatment that Stella had treated him to. He would rather have Stella Yamada hating him, even verbally so, than the earlier silence. Ray Beech did NOT like being ignored. He wanted Stella to acknowledge that he meant something to her, even if it was her worst enemy. "I uh, I am scared of the dark…." he said lamely, at a loss for words.
Stella snorted in disbelief. "Whatever, Ray, you are such a nerd." Then Stella grinned evilly. "You know, Ray, the Dead Horse Thief Ghost is REAL…"
Ray smirked at her this time, regaining his composure. "Whatever, Yamada, I camped here as a child. I think I know this area PRETTY well…."
"Oh yeah?" Stella asked, her eyes lighting up in mirth in challenge. Suddenly, all the events of the day faded in the distance, and it was just Stella Yamada and Ray Beech in the dark, giving each other a hard time. Ray found himself studying Stella for a moment. She was wearing flannel pants and a hoodie, her hair messy and dark. Her cheeks were flushed, and locks of dark hair were blowing across her face. Her eyes were lit up, and Ray found himself speechless, admiring her. Stella then stopped, staring back at him. What the heck was he doing? she thought. Why was he STARING at her? Ray stepped closer, and Stella found herself breathless. He searched her eyes, looking for something unconsciously. Ray licked his lips, and leaned closer, and Stella stood, mesmerized, unable to move. It was as if Ray had put a spell on her, her every sense was on alert, but she was frozen, unable to react, to move, to think, except stare into those dark blue eyes…..
Author's note: hhehehehehehehee….sorry this moved so fast and was maybe a little boring and rushed in some parts, but I had to update here. We are not yet done with the romance of Stella Yamada and Ray Beech, I just found myself impatient and wanted to stop here. Thanks for reading!
