DISCLAIMER: I DON'T OWN WINX CLUB.

First of all, thank you so much for the reviews :)

Second of all,

Happy belated birthday to crazyfangirl42! Sorry I couldn't update this for your birthday but I did publish a new chapter of Love is Beautiful, so hope you enjoyed it :) **Gives you a HUGE hug**

~ 11:30 PM ~

Two days later...

"I really enjoyed this road trip," Stella smiled as she cuddled up to Brandon's frame.

"Mhm...I wonder why," he playfully smirked as he kissed her temple.

She rolled her eyes not missing his egoistical tone. "I know you're looking for an ego boost, but you're not gonna get one."

He chuckled. "If it makes you feel any better, I'll miss you."

Stella frowned. She turned to him who had a similar frown on his lips except his was a little more subtle. "Do you have to go?" she mumbled against his shirt.

"For the record, it's you who's actually leaving."

She sighed. "You sure I wouldn't intrude on the new guy?"

"Don't worry about it. I'll take care of everything," he smiled as he clutched her close. He sighed a little when he realized that their abrupt road trip has nearly come to its end. They'll reach New Jersey by tomorrow afternoon. He drove as leisurely as he could just to spend more time with her...but, clock's ticking. Stella's college starts on Monday and today's Thursday. And she needs the weekend to rest from the whole trip as well as get ready for first day jitters.

"How will you head back?" Stella asked.

"I'll drop you off and get on the next plane to New York."

She raised an eyebrow. "Ugh. You sure sound a lot happy for someone who claims to miss me." She pushed him away and scooted to the far end of the mattress. "I'm going to sleep," she muttered making him smirk at her in amusement.

She lay down and covered herself with the thick duvet before shutting her eyes, feeling a little upset.

"Sweet dreams, sunshine," he called back as he fell back on the mattress as well. He could tell that she was a little pissed. As angry as Stella was, she looked incredibly beautiful to him. He quickly rolled over to her and grabbed her from behind.

Stella squealed when she felt an arm snake around her waist. She felt her back crash against a solid chest.

"W-what are you doing?" she asked a little afraid. To be honest, they never slept together even after they kissed. This closeness scared Stella but also excited her at the same time.

She squirmed in his grip, but he only tightened his hold. "Shhh, relax," he whispered in her ear. He could feel her tremble underneath and for some reason, he liked that. He liked having this power over her. It was...endearing but, at the same time, also served as a boost of confidence for him.

He clutched her even closer, sending chilly shivers down her spine. "Brandon?" she called his name in a meek voice. He barely heard her. He still can't believe that this is happening. He didn't know if he should label her as his girlfriend or his... wife. He breathed her in, ignoring her scared shivers momentarily.

He spoke after a few moments. "I'll never hurt you, Stell. I hope you know that," he said. He tenderly kissed her cheek. He let his lips linger there for a few moments before suddenly withdrawing and pulling away from her. Stella's chest heaved slightly when he left her side. He rolled off to the other end of the mattress and lay down on his back.

She smiled at his last line. His words were so sincere and so honest that it made her heart melt. How can such a simple action spring such emotions within her? It had been barely two days since they got together but it feels as if they've been with each other for years. She turned around.

She rolled to the middle of the bed. Brushing off all of her insecurities, she lay next to him. Brandon turned to her who was currently molding herself against him.

"Please don't go," he heard her silently plead.

He turned towards her and pulled her closer, allowing her to rest her head on his upper shoulder. "Just study well, okay? Don't worry about anything else."

"I don't want to go," Stella said stubbornly while enjoying the feel of his arms around her.

"But I want you to. You have a bright future, Stel. Don't take it away from yourself," he said as he kissed her forehead.

"..."

"I'll come and get you for Christmas," he encouraged. He liked that she was disappointed. He liked it a lot.

"Okay," she smiled against his chest.

She closed her eyes and drifted off to sleep. The last thing on her mind was that...

She couldn't wait for Christmas.

...

~ The Next Day - 3:30 PM ~

"Ready for college? It really is a good experience," Brandon smiled.

"You're talking as if this is my first time going to college. I'm going for Masters', you know," Stella said.

"Yeah, a barely 21-year-old who apparently happens to be utterly childish and ridiculous and definitely attracts trouble to herself."

"I do not attract trouble! And you're young too!" Stella defended herself.

"Yeah, but I'm older than you. By two years," he smirked. She rolled her eyes. Truth be told, the age difference between them wasn't that much. It would've been pretty big if she was in her teens, but not anymore.

"You're doing your doctorate right now?"

He nodded.

Stella gasped. "So...you'll be a doctor by the time I graduate!"

He smirked. "Hopefully."

"That's so cool! But why did you come to LA?"

"That's where my professor stays. I have to travel every now and then and seek his help. I prefer a face-to-face conversation," he explained.

She nodded in understanding. "So...you'll be in Los Angeles this whole year?!"

He smirked, "And let you suffer through the agony of not seeing me for a year? Never!"

"You know...you could really use some modesty," Stella sighed, facepalming herself.

"Alright. We're here," Brandon said as he cut right into a residential neighborhood.

Stella's eyes widened. "Okay. Jitters. We're here already?"

He rolled his eyes as he parked the car inside the garage of the new home. Stella felt like a complete intruder. Brandon didn't seem to notice her dry mouth nor her shaking hands.

He hopped out of the car and ran to the front door. Stella opened the car door and stepped out. She followed him with slow steps not knowing how this whole new roomate situation is going to turn out. He rang the doorbell and it didn't take long before a tall, tanned, handsome brunette answered the door.

Brandon smiled at his friend and waved a little. "Hey, Jay."

"Sup, Brandyyyyy?!" Jay answered as he patted Brandon's back.

"Brandy?" Stella looked at her new love interest with amusement.

Brandon glared, " Dude, you'll get your teeth broken if you call me that again. Again, I don't swing that way, remember?"

Jay ignored Brandon's obvious distaste and turned to Stella. "Oh my. Is this your lovely wife She's quite exquisite."

Stella blushed. Not because Jay called her beautiful but because he referred to her as Brandon's wife. Brandon noticed her reddened cheeks and simply smirked. He's gonna talk to her soon about that. "Um...hi?" Stella flushed as she greeted.

"Well, come on in! There's plenty of room for everyone," Jay smiled as he opened the door fully to let them in.

A few minutes, they were sitting on the couches in the living room.

"Okay. So, Stella, this is Jay. And Jay, this is Stella," Brandon introduced them to each other.

"Hello, gorgeous!" Jay waved as he winked. Brandon sighed exasperated.

Stella blushed. "Hi." She took a good look at him. Well damn. Is every friend of Brandon handsome as hell?!

"I really don't want you to scare this girl away, do you hear me?" Brandon demanded strongly.

"Of course. Stella and I will get along perfectly well," Jay smiled. He stood up. "Stella, hon, we'll go and get your luggage. You can go freshen up. Your room is ready. I took the liberty of decorating it for you."

"What?!" Stella's eyes widened.

"Just the way girls like. So you can go and freshen up. Second door on the left by this hallway," Jay smiled. Brandon stood up too and they both left to get the suitcases.

"This'll be good," Brandon smirked under his breath as he followed his friend outside.

Stella stood up and left for the hallway. She stopped just outside of her new supposed room. She let out a sudden horrifying screech at the horrendous view before her.

A few seconds later, she heard two thunderous footsteps making their way towards her. Jay was the first one to reach her. "What's wrong?!"

"Hehe, nothing. I almost tripped, that's all." Stella stuttered. Stella shot a small glare at Brandon when she saw him trying to stifle a laugh.

"Phew. Well, that's good. Enjoy, roomie! I gotta head back to work. I'll be back tonight but you guys make yourselves at home," Jay patted her back as he left the hallway. When he left, Brandon burst out laughing leaving Stella to glare harder. "What's so funny?!"

Brandon spoke between a few fits of laughter. "I don't know. I'm still debating which is funnier. Your face or this fluffy room."

She sighed as she marched inside. The entire room was decorated with a bright fuchsia pink. There were fluffy red hearted pillows and bright pink teddy bears. Even the curtains were a brilliant pink. She wondered how feminine Jay must be to go to this length.

Brandon frowned. "Hmm. I think I need sunglasses to step foot inside this room."

"Pink?! Seriously?! Why can't he decorate it in yellow?!" Stella threw her hands up in the air frustrated. She sighed and flopped on the bed pouting. Brandon chuckled and closed the door behind him.

"Movie?" he offered as he made his way towards her.

~ Jay's Home - Living Room - 9:30 PM ~

"Jay isn't back yet..." Stella wondered as she glanced at the clock.

"...he probably won't be," Brandon smirked.

She raised an eyebrow. "...Okay? Um why?"

"He's probably hooking up with an unfortunate idiot," he shrugged making Stella's eyes widen.

"He's fine," he grabbed her hand and flopped onto the couch in front of the TV. He tossed her the remote.

"What? You're really gonna let me choose a movie?" Stella asked in disbelief.

He lazily smirked as he draped an arm over the couch. "A one-time thing, if you will."

Stella rolled her eyes as she scrolled through the lists of movies on Netflix. Her eyes lit up when her eyes caught one of her all-time favorite classics. "Haha!" she exclaimed in satisfaction as she hit 'play'.

She heard a growl from beside her and turned to him in amusement.

"Sunshine, why the hell are we watching this?!"

"Because," she laughed as his face transformed to one of disgust. His face scrunched up the titles of The Notebook started to roll on the screen.

"Didn't you once say it was too sappy?!" Brandon growled.

She scoffed. "Yes. And sappy is just what I need right now. You're a very rude and bossy male." A second, she sighed dreamily much to his annoyance. "And Ryan Gosling is like...the perfect guy ever!"

"For real? Woman, I'm sitting right here," he groaned. Exasperated at this pointless conversation and her dreamy smiles, he suddenly reached for the remote and snatched it from her. "Give me that!"he growled.

"Hey!" Stella tried to get the stolen remote back but he simply laughed and held it out of her reach.

"Stella, I'm not watching some chick-flick. I've never watched this dumb movie and I don't plan to."

"For real? You've never watched it?!" Stella gasped. "Or...are you feeling too manly to admit it?" she smirked.

He gave her a death glare.

She gasped again. "You really didn't watch it?! Then you just have to!" She started to toss herself around in his arms trying to get the remote back but he held it effectively out of her reach.

"Nuh uh. No way. I'm not watching that," Brandon smirked.

"Uh uh. Yes way. You are watching that," Stella protested as she tried harder for the little device. "Ryan is sooooo handsome in this film!" she swooned.

"That's it. I've had it with you flirting with an imaginary dude right in front of me," he growled.

"What are you-?" Stella asked when he let go of her and stood up. He stormed ahead and turned off the lights earning a screech from the blonde.

"Brandon! Be a little sportive, will you?! You know, with the time that we spend fighting, we would've been at the interval."

He rolled his eyes and sat beside her again. "Trust me, sunshine. I'd rather this than watch some idiots kiss on screen."

"IDIOTS?!" Stella's jaw dropped as her eyes narrowed at him in the dark.

"Here we go again," he muttered as he scrolled through the different genres of movies.

"Don't you want something to remember me by when you leave?!" Stella protested once more.

"This conversation is getting stupid. I clearly made a huge mistake by offering you to pick," he chided her. He smirked when he stopped at his favorite genre. He hit play after flipping through a few flicks. The Conjuring 2.

Stella shrieked. "No! Why are you punishing me with horror movies?!"

"You should've chosen a better movie then," he defended his choice of movie. "Besides you watch them all the way too!"

Stella flushed. The plots of the horror movies were usually pretty good except she nearly always ended up dying of heart attacks at the sudden sound effects and blood curling screams. "At least turn on the lights!" She stood up to go but screamed in fright when one of the characters let out a heart wrenching screech of terror. She jumped into his arms and cuddled herself into his jacket afraid. He, a little surprised at the extent of her reaction, started to laugh.

"Turn it off!" she pleaded while burying herself in his lap.

He chuckled. He traced her cheek with his lips before moving near her ear. "Now do you understand why guys love horror flicks?"

"Huh?" Stella look up confused. She could clearly see his smirk. The living room was dark except for the bright light emitting from the TV, illuminating their faces in the process. A second later, her eyes widened as she looked at their position. Realizing what his implications meant, she blushed beautifully, a reaction that he's been able to get from her quite often.

Slapping his shoulder, she turned her attention back to the TV and gestured him to do the same. Stella stayed quiet for the first ten minutes before she screamed again. "What is that girl doing?! Woman, it's the other way!" she started to yell at the TV wildly waving her arms.

Brandon looked at the girl in his lap with annoyance. "Jesus, remind me to never take you to a theater."

Stella unconsciously hugged Brandon tightly whenever she felt scared, much to his amusement. He wrapped his arm around her and laughed whenever he could. Another terrifying screech made Stella jerk in his arms again. She buried her head in his shoulder again. "Turn it off, turn it off!" she begged while nearly crying out of fright. He chuckled.

He paused the movie momentarily. He lifted her by the chin with his finger and gazed into her beautiful eyes. Despite the room being dimly lit, Stella glowed with a distinguishing natural beauty. "You know...you're really cute when you're scared," he smiled.

"It's dark here and I'm not worried about my face. I must look pretty funny to you right now," she pouted.

He raised an eyebrow. "Hmm. I didn't know you were afraid of the dark."

"...I'm not..."

He smirked at the hesitation in her voice. How cute.

"Yes, you are," he grinned devilishly.

"No, I'm not," she stubbornly defended herself.

"Sure, you aren't," he rolled his eyes. "What are you, five?"

Glaring at him, she grabbed a little cushion from beside them and hit his head with it. Not expecting that, he glared. The blow wasn't hard, but still unexpected.

"Wife, you sure have a lot of growing up to do," he remarked annoyed.

She blushed a beet red. Again. Another lovely usage of the word 'wife'. "Husband, that's just rude."

He laughed and hugged her close to his chest. No one seemed to be watching the movie anymore. They were just talking quietly and playfully teasing each other.

"You know...I was nearly expecting for you to dump me here and leave to NYC the second you got a chance," Stella smiled and tapped his nose.

"I will...once I make sure Jay gets the idea that you're not available," he smirked as he pulled her into his hold.

She raised an eyebrow contemptiously. "Well, someone is jealous. Besides, you said he's gay." She sighed dreamily, "Too bad he swings the other way though. He'd sure break a lot of hearts."

"For real?!" he muttered darkly tightening his hold on her. "Maybe leaving you here isn't the greatest idea afterall," he snapped as he looked displeased.

She laughed at his grumpiness. "I'll stay loyal to you. Promise," she said sweetly making him turn back to her. His grimace melted away instantly at the mesmerizing smile on her fair face. "Well...saying things like that will only get you kissed," he huskily whispered as he moved in to kiss her softly. She blushed as they pulled away.

"You won't forget about me when you leave, right?" Stella asked while fidgeting with her fingers.

"Stop being so insecure and stupid," he chided her gently.

She buried her face into his neck, sending warm shivers through his body. "I'm serious," she murmured as her voice cracked.

Brandon's eyes widened as he heard a small choked sob escape from her lips. "Stel?"

Tears leaked from her eyes as Stella's body shook in his arms. She tried to control the lump in her throat, but the more reality kicked in, the more vulnerable she became. Her voice broke as she cried freely.

"Stel, c'mon," he shook her slightly. But she only cried harder.

"I'm only two hours away," he reassured her. He gently pulled her back just a few inches. His heart ached when he saw the tear streaks on her face. He wiped them away with his thumb as she sniffled. "Just study well and you'll be surprised at how fast the time will fly by," he smiled. She nodded, silently dreading tomorrow.

...

A few days later...

~ 7:30 AM ~

"Stella, get your ass down here!" an angry voice boomed throughout the halls.

"Coming!" Stella panicked as she ran through the hallway and to the living room all the while looking like an utter mess.

"Girl, you're late on your first day!" Jay screamed at the blonde while giving her a plate of breakfast.

"Sorry! I...I w-woke up late!" Stella panted as she tossed her hair into a high ponytail and grabbed her bag. She grabbed a chocolate donut from Jay's plate before waving him bye.

"Stella, that's my favorite donut! Get back here!"

Stella chuckled as she heard him utter a screech of curses at her. She hopped to her car and tossed her bag inside before starting the ignition.

Classes start in twenty minutes and she had still yet to know where her first class is. It's a huge campus and people could get lost really easily.

~ 7:53 AM ~

"Um may I come in?" Stella asked nervously, cursing herself for sleeping in. The teacher turned to her and looked at her in distaste for interrupting.

"Late on the first day, young lady?" the woman asked sternly. The class snickered. The blonde blushed a little out of embarrassment. "Sorry, ma'am, I got lost," she mumbled.

"Very well. Since it's the first day, you'll be excused. Take a seat," the teacher pointed to some of the empty seats somewhere in the back. Stella sighed out of relief when the female teacher redirected her attention somewhere else. She went to the back and flopped down into an empty seats, acting oblivious to some of her new classmates' wolf-whistles.

She sat down and looked ahead trying to pay attention to the teacher, Ms. Grizelda. She felt uncomfortable sitting all the way in the back surrounded by guys. She ignored some of them winking at her and listened to the class whilst taking notes occasionally.

~ 12:30 PM ~

Stella blew her bangs out of her face as she stopped at an empty round table with a tray of food. She sighed as she sat feeling annoyed and a little miserable. Her phone suddenly vibrated but she ignored it.

She ignored the sting and hurt she felt. It's been two days and there hasn't been even been a single message from Brandon.

Nothing.

She texted him a few times and called him multiple times yesterday. After that, she stopped trying. She didn't want to seem clingy or bitchy. A sad sigh escaped her lips as she ate her food slowly. This was what she had feared all along. She grew so attached to him in a matter of a very few days that she found herself unable to let go.

And now, he had been calling her since this morning and she's been dismissing all of them with a swipe of a finger.

Her cheeks flushed when she thought back to the day he left. He had kissed her in a way that no one's ever done before. Of course, she never was that intimate with any other man before. Not even Jason. Jason had been her first 'boyfriend', but all they ever shared was one kiss and a few cheek kisses.

But...with Brandon...it was completely different. Physically, he's irresistable. His face always mesmerized her. Aside from that, he's witty, sarcastic, and a total jerk.

But...she found herself aching for that same jerk.

"Excuse me?" A voice interrupted Stella from her thoughts.

"Huh?" Stella looked up. She saw two girls, a redhead and another with bright fuchsia hair, holding trays of food.

"Can we sit here?" the redhead asked.

Stella smiled. "Yes, of course."

"Thanks."

The two girls sat down. "We saw you earlier in Grizelda's class and seems as if you're new to the campus too."

"Yup," Stella nodded as she munched on a sandwich.

"I'm Tecna and this is Bloom," the girl with pink hair introduced herself as well as the redhead.

Stella smiled back. "I'm Stella," she introduced herself to the duo. "It's nice to meet you..." she trailed off when her eyes found themselves staring into a very familiar pair of murky green orbs across the crowded cafeteria. It was just for a split second before she lost sight of them. She might be dreaming, but she swore that she just saw...

...Jason...

"Hey, are you okay?" Bloom asked. "You look a little spooked."

Stella looked confused as she looked around the cafeteria trying to catch a glimpse of Jason. If it was even Jason to begin with, that is. She grimaced slightly before turning back to Bloom who looked concerned.

"Oh yeah. Sorry, I thought I saw someone I knew. I was probably mistaken," she assured the two.

Throughout the rest of the lunch, the three talked quietly and hung out together. They even sat together from the classes here on out.

Although Stella's day did get better, something still nagged her at the back of her mind. Was it really Jason or was her mind playing tricks on her?

~ Jay's Home - 4:30 PM ~

Stella knocked on the front door, revealing a very pissed off Jay. "Where the hell have you been?!" he crossed his arms.

She pushed past him rudely. She had become oddly comfortable with Jay's presence and the feeling was mutual. They hit off pretty quickly. He rolled his eyes as he closed the door and watched her plop on one of the couches. She sighed heavily as she threw her head back and closed her eyes.

"Where have you been?"

"I needed a small walk," Stella simply replied.

"Stella, you need to tell someone before you decide to buzz off somewhere," Jay rolled his eyes. "And please answer your phone. As much as I love your boyfriend calling me, I don't appreciate a lovers spat."

Stella stood up angrily. "He's not my boyfriend. And you tell him to go to hell." With that, she stormed off to the bedroom. Jay shook his head as he took out his phone. A few seconds later, he followed his new beautiful blonde friend.

"What's wrong?" he asked as he entered her room and sat on her bed.

Stella rolled her eyes as she placed her bag down. "I'm done with him. I want nothing to do with him. Tell him that!" she fumed.

"Well, you can tell him that yourself because he's kinda listening," Jay smirked as he placed his phone near Stella's ear as quick as lightning.

Stella glared. "I'm not talking to this jerk." She grabbed the phone and moved to hand it back to Jay only when...

"Hey, sunshine."

She froze when she heard a rich deep voice. Jay smirked and left the room to give her some privacy. Stella, however, remained silent.

"Someone sounds like she's mad at me," his playful voice sent shivers down her spine. That voice...Oh dear God...

Earth to Stella! You're supposed to fighting with him! Stella breathed.

"What do you want?" she tried to say with fervor but it came out hurtful.

"What? I can't talk to my favorite blonde?" he smirked from the other end.

Stella resisted the urge to smile at that.

"You can smile, you know. You don't have to hide it," he rolled his eyes with amusement earning a gasp from her. How did he...?

"I'm not smiling, thank you very much! Why did you call?" Stella snapped angrily.

"I'm sorry, okay? I didn't forget about you, alright? Jeez, give a guy a break!"

Stella gasped. "For real?! Give you a break?! I wasn't the one ignoring you!"

"Enough. I'm sorry. Can we move on from that now?"

She rolled her eyes. "I'll move on when you sound sorry enough. I hate you. Go to hell." She still held the phone to her ear, unable to find it in herself to cut the call.

"I'm sorry, sunshine," he said gently into the phone. Stella wished so much to be in his arms right now. Each day apart only made her miss him even more. Ten days ago, they were in a place where they were both upset over each other's presence. But now...she felt strong feelings for him. Feelings that continued to spiral out of control every day.

"It's okay," she said. "I suppose you wouldn't give me an explanation if I asked?"

He paused for a few moments. "I promise you I'll tell you later. Please don't be upset, okay? Do you trust me?"

Stella nodded but then remembered that he couldn't see. "I do."

"Then trust that I had a good explanation for it," he answered.

"Fine..." she shrugged not feeling satisfied.

"So how was your day? Were your classes good?" he changed the topic effectively. Stella's eyes lit up as she started to blurt out about each and every lecture. He listened with a smile, obviously knowing and understanding all of the content. It was her enthusiam that made him feel a bit happier. Just a few more months. That's it. Then she'll be with him again.

Unless...

He found a way to be with her a little sooner than that.

~ 11:45 PM ~

"Good night, Jay," Stella yawned as she closed the door to her room. He simply winked much to her amusement. Jay was funny and light-hearted. It was great that they got along pretty quickly. Or else, her stay here each day would only be more and more awkward.

Stella's phone suddenly pinged. She opened it with a yawn. Her eyes lit up when she saw that it was from Brandon.

'Night, blondie ;) I'll call you tomorrow, sunshine.

Sunshine... Yup, that was definitely her favorite nickname. Stella blushed and twirled happily a few times. She fell back on the bed and grinned like a lovesick puppy. Letting out a dreamy sigh, she slipped inside the disgustingly bright pink silky covers and texted him back a good night. She turned off the lights and tossed the phone aside and onto her nightstand.

She thought about today's day. It wasn't so bad. She got burned for being ten seconds late to a class, but that was all.

She made two new friends. Bloom and Tecna were pretty nice to hang out with.

Her smile went out the window as her brain swam to today's afternoon. Did she really see...Jason? His name alone made her sick to her stomach. She felt uneasy and disturbed. She didn't forget the way he tried to manhandle her. She didn't forget that he tried to hit her. Hadn't it been for Brandon, she didn't know what else Jason would've done that day.

She sighed. Should she tell Brandon?

No. I was probably just being paranoid...Stella brushed it off and dismissed it as nothing. She stubbornly closed her eyes and tried her best to fall asleep.

"Stella...trying to forget about me already?" a furious whisper neared her ear. Stella shivered when she felt cold lips glide through her skin along her collarbone.

"You. Are. Mine. Now and forever, do you understand?!" Jason growled as he pushed her against the wall. She tried to voice something, but nothing came out. It's almost as if her lips had been glued shut. Tears streamed down her face when he roamed his hands underneath her shirt and completely invaded her sense of privacy.

Stella's eyes immediately snapped open as she jerked awake.

She immediately sat up with a small gasp. She covered her mouth as a small gasp escaped her quivering lips. She turned and look at the time. It hasn't been that long since she fell asleep. She groaned. She's had this stupid problem since she was in diapers. Any recurring thougths of a trauma or bad memories only triggered horrible nightmares for her. Sighing in distress, she fell back on the bed lying wide awake.

Involuntarily, a tear leaked escaped her eyes. Thinking about Jason is too painful and heartbreaking. She's not upset about their breakup. No, not at all. She hadn't cried because of that. He destroyed not only her trust and faith in him, but also sent years of her hope for an everlasting friendship down the drain. He had been her confidant for a long time. AFTER Musa and Layla, of course. And Brandon...

Why...Why did you have to do that, Jason? Stella thought sadly as she tried not to relive through that again. Memories of Jason reminded her what she lost. Compared to what she lost, the pain she received from Jason was literally nothing. She'd gladly experience all of that a million times if it meant spending one more minute with her parents.

"Mom...dad..." Stella whispered tearfully as she turned to the side. She missed Brandon even more now. And she's separated from him and won't see him for at least four more months.

"Why is life so cruel?!" she cried as she wept into her pillow, her sobs audible to no one but her.

Once again,

A very, very happy belated birthday to crazyfangirl42!

Those of you who wanted Jason back (heh, me including and here's a spoiler), he'll be back in the NEXT chapter.

See you then. Thank you!