Stephanie woke up the next morning feeling happier than she had in a very long time. She got up from her bed over to her dresser and combed her hair to put it up into a ponytail. After she was done she decided it was time for breakfast feeling her stomach rumble. She headed downstairs to the kitchen grabbing a bowl and a box of Honey Nut Cheerios.
"Good morning" Stephanie greeted her family with a smile. They just stared at her as if she had grew an extra head over night.
"Why are you in such a good mood?" She heard Shane ask as she sat down with her bowl of cereal.
"It's just a good day" Stephanie shrugged at her brother who just looked suspiciously at her.
"It hasn't really even started"
"Well some people are optimistic Shane"
"Yeah well not you" replied Shane looking at his cellphone but he didn't say anymore on the subject.
"What are you doing?" Stephanie asked eyeing Shane's cellphone.
"I'm looking at listings in the area for available apartments"
"How many have you found?"
"Not many too be honest but hopefully we can go look at some of them today"
"Where is Paul?" Stephanie tried acting nonchalant about it while she continued to eat her breakfast.
"He's in the shower" Stephanie just nodded her head at Shane but he was still staring at his phone not even noticing.
Stephanie continued with her breakfast thinking about what had happened between her and Paul last night. She wondered what today would be like. Would it be awkward between them, or would he act like it never happened? Stephanie was having trouble keeping up with it all, that was for sure. She couldn't deny the fact that she had liked what happened last night. She really did like Paul but his feeling towards her were confusing at the moment. The only thing she knew for sure now was he didn't think of her the way he used to because he would never had been like that towards her five years ago. Stephanie was also confused about what Shane had said about whatever was going on between them to end it. Did he not want her with Paul?
"I'm going to call these listings I found and see if we can look at them" Shane said breaking her thoughts as she looked over to where Shane was looking to find Paul standing in the kitchen door way.
"Okay. I'm going to grab something to eat so just let me know what you found out" Paul replied coming more into the kitchen to grab a bowl. Stephanie watched as he poured some cereal and milk and came to sit beside of her. He looked over at her and gave her a small smile while she continued eating her breakfast. It was awkward seeing him this morning but hopefully it would dissipate through the day. Stephanie sat looking into her bowl of cereal thinking of something to say but she didn't have to be the first one to speak apparently as she heard Paul clear his throat as if he were going to be the first to break the awkwardness.
"How are you this morning?"
"Good"
"Listen I want to apologize for last night-"
"It's fine" Stephanie replied quickly feeling a blush rise to her cheeks. This was definitely not the conversation she wanted to have right now especially when Shane could walk back into the kitchen and hear them.
"No it's not I took that a little too far last night and for that I am sorry"
"Let's just forget about it okay" Stephanie replied feeling the good mood she was in slip into a sour mood. She looked at her food not really interested in eating it anymore.
"I hope you're not mad at me"
"No not at all" Stephanie replied turning to him faking a smile. She got up from her seat taking her bowl and emptying into the trash.
"Steph-"
"Okay so I was able to get a hold of some of the people for the listings so we can go look at those today" Shane announced coming back into the kitchen. Paul continued to look at Stephanie for a moment. It looked like to her he wanted to say more but he just turned his attention to Shane instead.
"I'm going to finish up my breakfast and then I guess we will head out" Paul replied turning his attention back to his breakfast.
"Well I guess I'll talk to you guys later, good luck" Stephanie said heading out of the kitchen. It didn't feel like there was anything else to say. At this point she just wanted to go back to her room and some how start the day back over. She was honestly hoping that Paul would confess his feelings for her but it sounded like if anything he was just took his teasing too far and completely regretted it.
"Stephanie there you are" Stephanie had made it to the stairs but turned around at the sound of her mothers voice.
"Did you need something mom?"
"You remember my friend Tamara right?"
"Yeah what about her?"
"She's coming over today and well after she found out you were back home her daughter Melanie wanted to come and catch up with you"
"Mom you know I hate Melanie" Stephanie replied disgusted at even the mention of her name. Melanie and Stephanie used to be friends back in high school until one day Melanie decided she was too cool for Stephanie. She suddenly started rumors about Stephanie and started dating her crush and made Stephanie's time in high school pure hell. Stephanie still to this day didn't understand what had happened between them but after everything that happened she definitely hated her.
"Stephanie don't be so dramatic you two used to be so close"
"Until she became a backstabbing bitch" Stephanie muttered under her breath. Stephanie honestly even wondered why she wanted to see her.
"You two haven't talked in almost three years maybe things have changed"
"Highly doubt it mom"
"Could you just please talk to her? She has already decided to come"
"I'm going to be busy" Stephanie lied desperately trying to get out of it but then she heard the doorbell and watched as her mother smile. It was apparently too late, they were already here.
Stephanie watched Linda head down the hall to answer the door. She looked back at the stairs wondering if she could possibly escape up them quickly.
"Hello Tamara, Melanie. Come on in" Linda said as Stephanie sighed and went over to the couch to sit down. She was sure she could get through this and it would be easier to live down then Linda telling her how she embarrassed her by running off.
"Hello Stephanie" Melanie greeted her sweetly. Stephanie could tell that it was completely fake but she turned around on the couch to face her. Melanie was about 5'7 with long golden blonde hair, baby blue eyes, and fair skin. She was honestly very pretty even though Stephanie hated to admit it.
"Hello Melanie" Stephanie replied back in her own sweet fake voice along with a fake smile.
"It's been so long since we seen each other" Melanie replied while Stephanie watched her come over to the couch and sit down on the other end of the couch leaving a space between them.
"Not long enough" Stephanie replied through clenched teeth crossing her arms against her chest. Melanie apparently pretended not to hear her as she just smiled over at Stephanie.
"My mom was telling me on the way over how Linda told her that you were taking a year off from school. Was it too much pressure?"
"No I wanted to take a breather and spend time with my family"
"Awww how sweet, you were home sick" Melanie replied as Stephanie rolled her eyes because she knew she was trying to make fun of her subtly, she wasn't dumb. Stephanie opened her mouth to insult her but she heard her mother and Tamara coming into the living room.
"It's nice to see Melanie again she hasn't been here in so long" Stephanie heard her mother say as Melanie looked at Linda and smiled. Stephanie felt annoyed and she had to get out of there for even just for a minute so she got up and headed to the kitchen. She wondered if she could sneak a little bit of wine because she knew Linda wouldn't let her drink while there was company. When Stephanie entered the kitchen she seen that Shane and Paul were still there and they were looking at something on Shane's cellphone. It hadn't been a minute since Stephanie had arrived in the kitchen when she heard the sound of high heels behind her headed that way. Stephanie groaned inwardly just wanting to catch a break but no such luck.
"Stephanie it's rude to leave while someone is trying to talk to you" Melanie said coming up behind her.
"Oh I didn't know anyone else was in here" Melanie replied and Stephanie turned around to face her only to see Melanie looking over in the direction of Paul and Shane.
"Hi Melanie" Shane answered in an uninterested tone looking at her once and then going back to his cellphone.
"Who is your friend?" Melanie asked while taking a strand of her blonde hair and started twirling it around her finger.
"I'm Paul" Paul answered shooting her smile. Stephanie begin to feel her blood boil at this point as Melanie made her way over to where he was sitting.
"I'm Melanie"
"I think he already caught that" Stephanie replied going over to the cabinet and grabbing a wine glass. At this point she didn't care if Linda got pissed at her for drinking or not, she needed this drink.
"Are you from around here?" Melanie asked Paul ignoring Stephanie.
Stephanie was glad she had left her alone but she was pissed that Melanie was trying to now dig her claws into Paul, another one of her crushes. Stephanie poured the wine and started drinking it while Melanie continued to ignore her, her eyes were only on Paul. Paul was chatting back with her but Stephanie pretty much tuned out the conversation watching Melanie pretty much drool all over him. She never wanted to hit somebody so much in her life but Paul wasn't hers to tell Melanie to back off. Stephanie watched as Melanie laid her hand on Paul's bicep but Paul removed it as quickly as she had put it there. Stephanie couldn't help but smile as he refused Melanie's advances.
"We better get going Shane" Paul said looking uncomfortable. He looked like he was going to flee at any moment with or without Shane.
"Where do you want to start" Shane asked getting up from his seat.
"Let's start with the closest to us"
"Bye Paul" Melanie called as Shane and Paul left the kitchen. Stephanie stood there smiling to herself until she realized Melanie's gaze was now back to her. Melanie's fake smile she had towards Stephanie earlier was now gone.
"So what are you really doing here?" Stephanie asked narrowing her eyes at Melanie.
"Does Paul have a girlfriend?" Melanie asked ignoring her question.
"Not that I know of but I think he has his eye on someone" Stephanie flushed at the thought of him liking her. She turned around quickly putting her empty glass in the sink before Melanie could see her blushing.
"Wait. You like him don't you?"
"What?" Stephanie asked turning back around to look at her. Melanie had the fake smiled plastered to her face again which wasn't good.
"You heard me"
"No I don't"
"Hmm... Well I guess you won't mind if I ask him out?" Melanie asked with a smirk. Stephanie knew Melanie was doing this on purpose. This was how it had been since high school and it didn't matter what Stephanie's answer was because she knew Melanie would ask him out anyway.
"No I don't mind at all"
"Good. Maybe I'll be coming over more often. Especially since we're putting the past behind us and we have a lot of catching up to do" Melanie replied as she stood up from her seat. "I guess I'll see you back in the living room."
Stephanie watched her walk back to the living room. Stephanie turned around grabbing another glass for some more wine. She really hoped to God she wouldn't be seeing her more but knowing Melanie she probably would, especially since she wanted Paul, and even more now since she knew Stephanie liked him. Stephanie just hoped that Paul wouldn't give her the time of day just like earlier. Stephanie sighed as she realized what a shitty day it had ended up being.
