No one's (: POV
Everything so far was going pretty good. Stella's friend Matt had a nice house and even better backyard. It was pretty huge and you can tell his mom is a yard decorator. There was a pathway that led to what looked like a cave that actually was a pool with a tiny waterfall. On the left side of the yard was the cookout eating area. One huge table facing the right side which held what looked like a dance floor and d.j. set up. Matt told us to have a seat while he started the music and got us snacks. From left to right we sat: Damen (on the round part of the table; he had a good view of Stella which made me uncomfortable.) Scott, Mo, Ray, Me, Stella, Wen, Olivia (the other round end) and Maddy, Jo, Emzy, and Matt in across from us. Jo and Matt were the first ones up on DDR. The rest of group sat there talking about the bands, music, schools, and eventually landing to Stella. Charlie noticed every now and then that Damen character would glance at Stella. Charlie was watching him like a hawk. Damen just smirked at him and acted as if he was listening to the conversation. The RI crew was very intrigued by Stella's revolution while the rest of them wanted to know more about this 'Quiet, shy Stella.' But all this talk about Stella made herself feel uncomfortable she even said "As much as I would love to chat about myself I am no Ray Beech." She smirked at him and he just laughed as did everyone. She excused herself from the topic and headed for the food table which was closet to the side of the house. Damen then got up; heading her direction. Charlie didn't want to make anything obvious so he just kept his attention on Stella and Damen..
Stella's POV
I honestly hate talking about myself. So when each of my friends started asking about me I had to excuse myself. I headed to the food table. So much to choose from! I wonder if any of it is vegetarian. As I was deciding between fruit and salsa I glanced at the dance floor. I laughed to myself because Scott was getting severely beaten by Wen. I then heard someone walk up. I had hopes that it was Charlie but when I saw the letterman sweater reach over me to grab little pigs in a blanket I instantly got scared.
"You do know you have nothing on your plate right?" Damen said grabbing some chips and gently placing them on his plate. I looked down at the food not wanting to look at him and spoke.
"I-I-I" I stuttered. Crap. Your not afraid of anything Stella; SPEAK.
"That's cute that you still stutter." He said facing me. I started to get uncomfortable again.
"What do you want from me Damen?" I said keeping my gaze on the now dancing Olivia and Mo.
"Oooo. Someone woke up on the wrong side of the bed this morning." He said still looking at me. He started to walk on the other side of me when he put his hand near my face. His index finger began to touch my cheek. On impulse I looked at his finger trailing my jaw line. "But I know a way to make you feel better" He said putting some of my loose hair behind my ear. I quickly looked away from him. He bent down closer to my ear. "You know it can start with a single kiss that you owe." I glanced up at him. He smiled, satisfied that he was able to get me to look at him.
"I don't owe you anything." I said through my teeth. I then scooted to the side a bit to reach the hot sauce and chips. "Please leave me alone." I said with a less harsh tone than before. All I want is to sit down. Far. Far. From You.
"Ahhh. But see that's where you're wrong. I am going to get what you wouldn't give to me before." He leaned down to my ear again. "Only this time I will make you if you refuse." He then chuckled into my ear. I suddenly felt a chill down my spine. I haven't felt this way since last year the first time Damen laid a hand on me.
~Flashback~
April 2010
Damen and I had been dating for 2 months now and we were the talk of the school. There were rumors though. One was that I was next victim of being abused. But I laughed because Damen was never liked that to me. Until one afternoon… "Thanks for coming." I said hugging one of the last football players leaving my house from this awesome after party I had thrown. Damen came over looking a little aggravated. I smiled at him realizing that he and I were finally alone. "What was that?" He shouted at me. "What are you talking about?" I asked still smiling. "I don't want you ever near that boy again." He said angrily. He hadn't been this angry ever to me. Ever. I thought he was just having a bad day. "Ok. Damen I won't ever go 'near' him again." I said jokingly. I began to walk over to pick up left over plates and stuff that didn't make the trashcan when Damen grabbed my arm. "Damen. That hurts." He tightened his grip. "Ow." I said softly starting to get scared. "Don't. Ever." He lifted his hand and slapped me across the face. "Talk like that to me again." I had no idea what to do. So I started crying. He then pushed me up against the side of the house. I instantly felt pain on my shoulder. He saw my tears falling down but I didn't look at him. "Stella. I'm sorry." My first mistake. I believed him. "I'm just having a rough day. But I'll see you tomorrow." I looked at him with a half smile. He then lifted my hand and kissed it, turned around and left my house. I looked down at my arm, the one he was holding, and there were visible bruises starting to form. I slightly touched my cheek that was stinging profusely. Then I pulled down my shirt a little to see my shoulder that hit wall of the house. It was starting to bruise as well. I cried a little more thinking about he said. That it was just a tough day for him. That I shouldn't worry about it. And so I didn't….til it happened again…..
~end of flashback~
I was about to cry when I felt my left hand in his right one; followed by a gentle tug. He took my plate and set it on the table and walked me to the dance floor. Beautiful Soul by Jesse McCartney was playing on the radio. When did that get turned on? Charlie then stuck out his free hand.
"May I have this dance?" He asked but he already took hold of my waist with that hand and began moving me to the beat. I just giggled. "I'm so glad you said yes." He smiled. Normally I would object to dancing in pairs like this but I knew he was trying to make me feel better and I have to say it's actually working.
"I like you. You know that?" I said grinning from ear to ear. I wrapped my hands around his neck as he slid his arms around my waist.
"Whew. I was worried for a sec." He said fake wiping sweat from his forehead. I giggled some more.
"No. For real. I mean it. I don't know what I'd do without you." I said. He smirked at me.
"Hopefully I never have to be without you." He replied. I smiled at that thought. Before I could say anything he twirled me out causing me to bump into the dj table. We both stood still as we watched the random glass of water near the sound system start to wobble. My hands over my mouth hoping it doesn't fall. And when it didn't I quickly turned to Charlie as both laughed. He grabbed my left hand again as we laughed our way back to the table. Damen was no where to be found.
"Thank you." I told Charlie as we sat down. He squeezed my hand and lifted his other gently brushed my chin with his thumb. I blushed. He leaned forward and kissed me on the cheek. Still leaning in he said
"I will always be here for you Stella. Remember that." We both smiled before he pecked me on the lips. I watched him as he sat back in his chair. Smiling because even though I have been in this relationship for a couple hours I already know for a fact I have the perfect boyfriend. "Besides that's what friends are for!" Pushing me a little bit. I hit him back as we laughed.
"Yeah. Have I mentioned how cute you two are together?" Emzy said reaching for her water bottle. I glared at her as she drank and closed the cap. "It's a compliment so just take it."
"Yeah Stell." Charlie said in a high pitched voice. I started to laugh. I then noticed more laughter. Everyone but Mo and Maddy were in there seats. Even Damen had returned. Great.
Mo was admiring the garden near the d.j. table when Maddy started messing with the turn tables. The music was upbeat. I saw Mo quickly turn around. All eyes were on Maddy now. Maddy then grabbed the mic and began to sing.[Maddy] For those who don't know me I can get a bit crazy Mo silently made her way to the dance floor with Maddy. Have to get my way, yep 24 hours a day 'cause I'm hot like that Maddy smiled as she handed the mic over to Mo. [Mo] Every guy, everywhere Just gives me mad attention I looked at Scott , he was about to have a mini heart attack with that lyric. Like I'm under inspection Emzy was already dancing her way to them. I always gets a ten 'cause I'm built like that I noticed Matt had placed 3 mic stands in front of them. Emzy took her place by the third one and began singing. [Emzy] I go through guys like money flyin' out the hands They try to change me but they realize they can't And every tomorrow is a day I never plan If you gonna be my man understand I can't believe this happening. All 3 of them began the chorus. Maddy and Emzy making up little dance moves to go with it. Mo caught on quickly. [Maddy, Mo, and Emzy] I can't be tamed I can't be tamed I can't be blamed I can't, can't, I can't, can't be tamed I can't be changed I can't be tamed I can't be, can't, I can't be tamed Then all of a sudden I hear Jo singing. I didn't even see her get up. [Jo] If there is a question about my intentions I'll tell ya, I'm not here to sell ya I had this feeling to get up and join them. I started dancing. Or tell you to go to hell (I'm not a brat like that) I was then handed the mic. It was like we rehearsed this but it wasn't that at all. Can this happen again? [Stella] I'm like a puzzle But all of my pieces are jagged If you can understand this I made my way around the guys til I reached Olivia. She was the only one who hadn't gotten up. We can make some magic, I'm wrong like that I grabbed her hand placing the mic in her hand. And we made our way to the dance floor. [Olivia] I wanna fly, I wanna drive, I wanna go I wanna be a part of something I don't know I glanced at Mo. We have never seen Olivia like this. Dancing to this song. Olivia then put the mic back on the stand. 2 to each. Maddy and Mo, Olivia and Emzy, and Jo and I. And if you try to hold me back, I might explode Baby, by now you should know That same little dance they did in the beginning came natural to Jo, Olivia and I.[All] I can't be tamed I can't be tamed I can't be blamed I can't, can't, I can't, can't be tamed I can't be changed I can't be tamed Something told me it was my turn to sing again. So I grabbed the mic and moved to the center. Jo started dancing. I can't be, can't, I can't be tamed [Stella] Well I'm not a trick you play I'm wired a different way It felt so good to dance like this again. I glanced at Damen who disappeared again. Oh well. I'm not a mistake, I'm not a fake It's set in my DNA I brought the mic back for Jo and I. As Maddy began to belt out with Mo.[Maddy (Mo oooooooh)] Don't change me Don't change me Don't change me Don't change me (I can't be tamed) Maddy and Mo began doing a little more choreography as Olivia and Emzy's turn to belt out.[Olivia (Emzy ooooooh)] I wanna fly, I wanna drive, I wanna go I wanna be a part of something I don't know And if you try to hold me back I might explode Baby, by now you should know We all began dancing for this the last chorus. And you know me. Gotta end with a big finish.[All] I can't be tamed I can't be tamed I can't be blamed I can't, can't, I can't, can't be tamed I can't be changed I can't be tamed I can't be, can't, I can't be tamed. We ended in a formation. I was down at the bottom in the splits. Who knew I could still do that? Mo and Maddy on there knees, opposite arms pointing outward. Olivia, Jo, and Emzy in the back standing, posing. As soon as the music stopped we heard clapping.
"Well that was weird." Maddy said. We made our way back to the table. I glanced at Mo, Olivia, Wen, and Charlie. We all had the same expression.
"Yeah I thought that could only happen once." Wen said.
"Yeah. Me too." I replied a little freaked out but excited at the same time.
"What do you think it means?" Jo asked. "Cause I love performing by myself but that was completely awesome."
"Fluke or destiny." Olivia said with a smile. I noticed Mo, Wen, and Charlie were also smiling.
"I choose destiny! So hurry up and fail as Lemonade Mouth and let's get this girl group started!" Emzy said dancing at the end. Aw. I missed her goofiness.
"Em, They could never fail at Lemonade Mouth. They would need like a legitimate reason to disband." Maddy said. Aw. I missed her too.
"Yeah like if the guys go into the military or something." Matt said. Yeah like that would ever happen.
"Phooey." Emzy pouted. "Fine. But we" She pointed to Mo, Olivia, Jo and I "will keep in touch, ya hear?" handing out her hand.
"Deal!" Mo said accepting the offer from Emzy. I wonder how Mo's father would react if she told him that she is joining a girl group. Ha. Definitely need to film that if it ever happened.
"Hey what about me?" Maddy asked a little hurt.
"Whatever man. You too." Emzy said. The group laughed.
We all (the girls anyway) started talking about if we ever did make a girl group what would our name be. Charlie had excused himself to go to the restroom. Too much girl talk apparently.
"Stel. Excuse me for saying this but Charlie is a babe. You are so lucky." Emzy told me as the six of us made our way back to play DDR. I blushed. Olivia and Mo nudged me. I smiled at Emzy, glared at Mo and Olivia.
"Thanks. Um, I'm going to go get some more chips." I said fiddling with my earring, not wanting blush anymore. And I quickly turned for the food table.
I started forming my plate with tortilla chips and salsa again when Damen walked up to me again. He just keeps popping up out of no where. "Stella I have to show you something."
"Well I don't want to see it." I replied coldly. I glanced back Charlie still hadn't returned.
"Please? I'm not going to do anything. I see that you are really into that Chazzie fellow." I looked up at him. I wanted to believe but I couldn't. I looked back down at my plate.
"Charlie. His name is Charlie. And the answer is no. I don't want to see or want anything to do with you Damen. Nothing." I looked back up at him. His expression changed. He flipped my plate out of my hands and grabbed my arm pulling me to around the side of the house. "Let go!" I shouted as we made it to the front. "Ow! Ugh. Let. Me. Go." He pulled my arm behind me. Why didn't anyone see what was happening to me?
"I told you that if you weren't going to give me what I wanted I was going to make you." He whispered into my ear before throwing me in the back seat of his truck. He took off back inside of Matt's house. When inside of the truck I was greeted by someone else. Did he plan this? That other person grabbed my hands and pulled them behind me quickly tying them up. They pulled me backwards. "Time for a little joy ride, Stella." She said pushing me forward; hitting the door with my head. I glanced back at her wishing I could rub my throbbing head. It was none other than Bethany Granger. The girl Damen cheated on me with.
"Aww. Beth-any you haven't changed a bit." I said to her. She took out a cigarette lit it and smiled. She pulled my body closer to her and jabbed the cigarette on my forearm. I yelped in pain but I wasn't going to give up this easy. I noticed the window still open so I shouted "CHARLIE! CHARLIE HELP!" She jabbed the cigarette onto my arm again. I screamed in pain this time. Damen quickly jumped into the truck glaring at both Bethany and I. He rolled up the window as he began driving. I am completely terrified. But I am not going to give up. Charlie where are you?
Charlie's POV
"Where's Stella?" i asked when i returned from the bathroom. Ray, Scott, Matt just shrugged. Wen pointed to where Maddy, Jo, Emzy, Olivia, and Mo were. I walked over to the DDR station hoping to find Stella cause she wasn't where i left her. "Have you seen Stella?" i asked a little worried.
"Over there at the food table" Emzy said. I looked over towards that table and no one was there. "Well she was there talking to Damen." Emzy said with a shrug. Obviously she doesnt know about the real reason Damen and Stella broke up…heck I don't even know…i just know its bad. I have had this really bad feeling around him ever since I met him. I need to find Stella now. I started to pace hoping that Stella was in the bathroom. I saw Ray head in my direction.
"Bro you alright?" Ray asked a little concerned about my expression. I stopped and looked at him.
"Yeah man is everything alright?" Scott asked. I shook my head no. I noticed the girls walk over to us. Then we heard it. A scream as if she was in pain. One that I thought id never hear from her. Especially her.
"CHARLIE! CHARLIE HELP!" She sounded close. Then we heard a someone peel out in front of the house.
I looked at Scott and Ray. "We need to go now." I mouthed as I began walking to find her.
"Wen stay here with the girls." Scott said to him. I heard Mo ask what's going on and Olivia ask where we were going and the others asking where Damen and Stella were. But I didn't hear anyone reply just heavy breathing matching mine and another scream in pain. They can't be that far away. Where are you Stella?
I had no idea where to look. So I said the first thing that came to mind. "Is there any nearby ally ways?" I asked Matt as we jumped into his vehicle.
"Y-Yeah that way." he replied pointing the right. "B-But its like 10 mins. away."
"Well don't just sit there go!" I said to him and without question he backed out and began driving. I seriously watch way to much Will Smith movies.
"Charlie what's going on?" Scott asked trying to cover the quiet/awkwardness filling the car. I didn't want to look at him so I continued looking out the window.
To Be Continued...
A/N: I don't own Lemonade Mouth or Can't Be Tamed by Miley Cyrus but I do own the plot, Stella's Story's story line, and characters Jo, Maddy, Emzy, Matt, and Damen. Which speaking of Damen, who hates him as much as I do? Ugh. Anyway. (: This chapter was really long AND I am still writing it. So I cut in half. I felt i should post the first half now. Next chapter will be up within the next few days. (: -Victoria