RAY'S POV

I stomped out of Dante's furious, with Jules threat fresh in my mind. Break her heart, or I'll break it for you. Three months left with Stella before she knew everything. I couldn't let Jules be the one to tell her. I needed to tell her. My heart sank picturing her so angry and furious with me.

I couldn't tell her. Not yet. I didn't even realize I was at the park until I noticed the trees blocking the warm sun. I breathed in the fresh air as the peaceful surroundings calmed me down. I remembered when Stella and I first came here. So much has changed in just a month. Who would've thought that Stella Yamada and Ray Beech would ever become anything more then rivals? I certainly didn't.

Nor did I ever think I'd end up kissing her. My heart accelerated every time I thought about it. I mean I've kissed plenty of girls before but…kissing Stella was exhilarating! It was like bringing two whirlwinds together, creating that amazing but dangerous connection.

Stella and I becoming anything more than friends, would defiantly effect the balance we've tried so hard to keep. Think of how many fans (At least those who know about our destructive and hard-headed relationship) would be furious. Not to mention what those here in Rhode Island would say. They've seen our daily fights first hand.

Should I even care about any of this? What if Stella didn't even feel the same way? Why would she kiss you back? Maybe it was the thrill of the moment. No, that kiss must've meant something. If anything it meant the world to me. And I am willing to do anything to make it happen again.

"Stella!" I heard a distressed scream off in the distance. I knew that voice. It was Mo and Olivia. Something was wrong. I ran towards the direction of their voice. I ran through the trees at full speed, ignoring the path through this forest-like park and cutting into the thick undergrowth. I broke free from the tree line to a horrific sight.

Stella was hanging from a branch in a tree while Olivia and Mo stood helpless below her. By the looks of it, her hands were slipping. Fast. I darted forward only a few meters away now. My heart dropped as I saw her loose grip. "STELLA!" My voice rang out through the park. My natural soccer instincts kicked in and I dove forward.

I tackled her in mid air, taking in all her momentum and turned so that I would hit the ground first. My shoulder slammed into the floor as I gripped Stella tightly. We bounced upward from the speed and rolled over a few times until finally friction brought us to a stop. Stella landed below me as I recovered from the adrenaline rush.

"Ow…" Stella grunted and opened her eyes. She flinched away from the light as her eyes adjusted.

My shoulder throbbed as I held myself over her. "Are you okay?" I asked her worried. Her mouth gawked open in complete surprise. "Where did you…? How did you…?" she stuttered, still stunned.

"Stella!" I heard footsteps running towards us and I looked over to see Mo and Olivia just as shocked. I slowly got up as I stretched my shoulder. I held out my good arm and Stella took it willingly as I lifted her onto her feet.

Mo and Olivia looked between the two of us speechless. I noticed Stella wincing as she stood up. Olivia and Mo recovered and ran forward. "Stella, are you hurt?" They asked concerned. Stella rubbed her back. "Yeah, my back is just a little sore." she was lying. That hurt her badly. Why did she have to be so stubborn?

I stepped forward and wrapped my arm around her waist. "Hey! What are you-" I cut her off. "Your pride will be your downfall." I stated as I kneeled over and pick her up. I lifted her up bridal style as Mo and Olivia stood watching amused.

Stella wrapped her arms around my neck almost defensively. "I swear to God, Beech. If you drop me…" I snorted. "I'm not gonna drop you. I guess being a vegetarian has it's benefits." I announced as I effortlessly started walking out of the park. Mo and Olivia trailed behind us and whispered urgently. I couldn't hear what they were saying, but I had a good idea on who it was about.

"You didn't have to do that." Stella said gently. I looked at her skeptically. "What if you had gotten hurt again?" I asked. She looked at my injured shoulder. The cloth from my jacket and shirt had been ripped away showing bare skin. It was scraped and bruised badly. "Don't worry Stella, it was worth it." I assured.

She raised her eyebrows. "Worth what?" I smiled. "Saving your life…again." I replied. She groaned. "You are so gonna hold that against me." I laughed. "You know it." After a few minutes of walking in silence, with Mo and Olivia still trailing behind us, Stella shifted her weight. Pain raced through my shoulder. I ignored it at first, but Stella noticed me flinch.

"Nobody has ever taken a fall for me." she admitted. "Literally." I looked down at her. "That's because you never give anyone the chance to." I responded. She sighed and looked off down the street as she spotted her house. "It's hard to find people you can trust to catch you at the bottom." I was starting to wonder if we were still speaking theoretically. "You can trust me." I reminded her.

She opened her mouth to reply when Mo came up from behind us. "Stella we need the key." she stated as we walked into her driveway. She looked at me almost angrily. Stella didn't notice and one of her arms let go of me, as she dug around in her pocket. She pulled out the key and handed it to Mo who opened the door. The four of us walked inside. I climbed up the stairs still holding Stella securely. I went into her room and set her down on the bed. I winced as my shoulder continued to throb.

Mo and Olivia walked into the room after us. "Stella, what the hell were you thinking!" Mo yelled. I was taken aback. Since when did she curse? Stella opened her mouth to respond when Olivia spoke up. "Are you crazy, climbing a tree in this condition? You could've died!" She exclaimed.

Stella looked down. "I'm sorry but I-" Mo crossed her arms over her chest as she interrupted her. "First we catch you with him," She looked at me as if she didn't approve. "and then you almost die for the second time in two hours!" In which I saved her both times. Don't they appreciate that at all?

Stella met her gaze unblinkingly. "Listen, I'm sorry for lying to you guys about Ray, and I'm sorry that I put you guys through that." she said referring to the tree incident. "But you guys can't stop everything that happens to me."

She paused a moment. "You guys will always be my best friends. And I hate to see you guys so angry with me." I looked down. This conversation seemed similar to the one that will happen in three months. "Can you guys please forget everything that's happened today and forgive me?" she pleaded.

Mo and Olivia exchanged a glance. And they both sighed. "Of course we'll forgive you. We just don't want anything else to happen to you after this." Olivia responded looking at Stella's legs. Stella smiled with relief as the three of them hugged. I shifted awkwardly in the room.

"Um…maybe I should go." I said walking towards the door. "No!" Stella exclaimed. I smiled and turned around. Mo and Olivia had their hands on their hips, watching me thoughtfully. "I…um, I mean you can't leave without looking at that." Stella said quickly pointing at my shoulder.

I nodded and sat down on the end of the bed. Nice cover Stella. Mo and Olivia glared at me. "Stella we're gonna go downstairs and call the guys." Mo announced walking out of the room. Olivia followed her. I sighed. "They don't like me very munch." I stated. Stella sighed. "They'll get used to it." She assured me.

Stella pointed over to the bathroom door. "There's a small, metal box on the counter in there. Can you get it for me?" She asked. I nodded and walked into the bathroom. I scanned the counter and reached for the box. I flinched backward as a jolt of pain raced through my arm. I grabbed the box with my left hand and gave to Stella as I sat back down on the bed.

"Thanks." She said opening the box. I heard rustling as she rummaged through the box. "Now take your jacket and shirt off." She instructed. Wait, what did she tell me to do? "Huh?" I questioned lamely. I was taken aback wondering why Stella would want me to take my shirt off other than in the pool. Unless…

Stella rolled her eyes as she read my expression. "Not for that. Just do it." She commanded. I complied with her and took off my jacket and shirt. She inched closer to me and crossed her legs. She winced a few times, but I didn't say anything.

"Turn this way." She directed moving my body so my back was to her at an angle. I heard her grab the box and drag it closer to her. She searched through it for a moment. And pulled out a little bottle, and gauze-looking cloth.

"Stella, I don't think-" She cut me off. "Shh…relax, and don't move." She told me seriously. I turned my head forward as she wet the cloth with the liquid. I couldn't see the label on the bottle, but I assumed it was a type of peroxide. "This might sting a little." Stella warned me as she prepared to touch my shoulder.

I nodded slightly as she awaited my approval. I felt the cloth on my shoulder, bringing a cool and tingly feeling. She dabbed at my it for a few minutes. Every now and then a sharp pain from the chemicals would make me flinch and wince. Each time Stella would pause and look up at me for a moment before continuing. I waited in silence as she work slowly and gently.

"So how do you know how to do this?" I asked curiously. She shrugged. "Both my parents are scientists and legal doctors so, I guess I remembered a thing or two." She replied concentrating on my shoulder. I sat there for a moment quietly. "Stella I'm sorry about the pool. I had no right to do what I did. And it's my fault Mo and Olivia are furious with you." I apologized.

Stella stopped for a moment and looked at me. I looked at her. "I never said I didn't want you to do what you did." she stated as a-matter-of-factly. Her gaze didn't leave mine. I couldn't look away. Watching her with that same rebellious spark in her coco brown eyes, made my heart beat faster. I felt myself leaning closer to her, our faces inches apart…

"Stella! The guys want to say-" Stella and I looked away quickly as Olivia walked in the room, her phone in hand. Her voice trailed off when she looked at us. Mo squeezed in the doorway behind her. "Um…are we interrupting something?" Mo asked cautiously. Stella shrugged innocently as she focused on my injury once again. "No, Stella's just fixing my shoulder." I explained.

What Mo and Olivia didn't notice, was the wink I sent Stella as she glanced at me with a sly smile. Maybe this could work. Besides 3 months, was a long way away…