Being heroes didn't go so smooth as Stella thought as it would. They had fail catching some thieves, non magical thieves! Stella felt humiliated, if people at Solaria got to know this, it would be all over the news and be a disaster. She regret that they left without doing anything to stop the thieves, they let them leap away and then the girls ran off.
The news on the radio didn't cheer the girls up, talking about the thieves and the mysterious girls with wings who had disappeared before the police arrived. They were all over the internet, people had filmed them, photographed them.
"Supposed heroes?" sighed Bloom after the news was over. "Great."
Stella let also out a sigh and hugged her knees. They were in their pyjamas even if sun was still up. But it was soon about to be evening and Stella can't wait to go to bed.
"Hi girls," a cheery voice was heard and everyone looked at the door. It was Aisha. "I hope you are ready for some wonderful news!"
Stella snorted and put her legs down on the floor. "We have also news for you, but they aren't wonderful."
"What? Don't tell me you lost your shoes that you brought from Solaria," giggled Aisha.
Stella crossed her arms, not in the mood for jokes.
"No, I lost a friend."
"What do you mean?" Aisha sounded all of the sudden worried and the rest of the girls went silent. None of them wanted to say anything, not wanting to be part of the incoming fight.
Stella broke the silence when she realised she was on her own with this. "I mean if you spent a little time with us instead of your Nabu, you may known what is going on."
Aisha furioused her eyebrows and glared at Stella.
"What do you got against Nabu?" Aisha asked and put her hands on her hips. "Or maybe you are just jealous because things between you and Brandon are-"
Flora let out a gasp which cut Aisha, she didn't want to say the rest anyway. Stella got up on her feet and stormed up to Aisha. Stella have never been afraid to stand up to herself or about her reputation.
"Things between me and Brandon are what?" Stella repeated and glared into Aishas eyes.
Musa came up and pushed both Aisha and Stella away from each other.
"Guys," Musa said when pushing them. "stop this now."
"I have always been there for you, all of you," Aisha said, turned around and walked to the door. "it is not fair how you treat my like this. Especially with the news I was about to tell you!"
Aisha opened up the door and walked out, slammed the door behind her to make sure everyone felt guilty.
Stella turned around and started to walk up to the room. "Sure, leave! You have been doing that a lot lately!"
When she came up the rooms, she closed the door and sighed before she fell onto the bed. It didn't feel good. Fighting with a best friend. And yes Aisha have always been there for Stella. Even when Stella almost froze out Aisha from the group when she first arrived. Stella pushed away that thought. Aisha hasn't been around, she could have helped with the thieves! Stella hugged the pillow and looked at the clock. Five o'clock.
She thought to herself that she actually wanted to go to bed early, so it wouldn't harm to do it now.
Stella had her eyes closed, prayed it was day time and she had slept through the whole night. But when she opened her eyes it was dark in the room and all the other girls were sleeping. She turned to the clock, almost midnight.
"Great," whispered Stella and sat up.
But she noticed one thing straight away. Aisha's bed was empty. Stella bit her lip, she didn't think that Aisha would leave. She should have come back. Was it Stella's fault? Probably. Would Stella take the blame if something had happened to Aisha? Probably yes.
Stella got up and sneaked away from the room. Hoped that Aisha would sleep on the couch. But when she came down it was empty in the living room.
"Goddammit," Stella picked up her phone and found Aisha in her contacts.
But she didn't press to call Aisha. She stared at it for a moment before putting her phone down.
If Aisha wanted to be alone then so be it. Stella went to the fridge to find something to eat. Once again nothing in the fridge could please her. Stella groaned and shut it close. She kinda knew what she needed. Adrenaline. And the best way to get it, is to go outside. Stella is the fairy of the Shining Sun, she could handle darkness. So she danced with her finger and she was dressed properly to go she brought her white coat with her incase it would be chilly.
As she closed the door behind her and let in the fresh air into her, she felt some peace with her. Stella walked in to the park and no one was around, it was empty and the park was lighted up lamps.
And then she found the bench. The bench that Duman first time had walked up to her. She sat down on the bench and listened to the wind that blew against the trees. Perhaps Stella was a little bit harsh to Aisha, but Stella put a big blame on Aisha too. They were here on a mission, not to spend time with their boyfriends.
"Or maybe you are just jealous because things between you and Brandon."
"Shut up," Stella mimed with her mouth to her brain.
Yes she has ignored Brandon and haven't talked to him in a couple of days. But what hurt most is that all the girls knew that she and Brandon fought.
"Is this supposed to become a daily thing?"
Stella rolled her eyes when she heard the voice.
"Or should I say, nightly thing?" Duman was behind her and she scoffed a bit closer to the left of the bench.
This time I won't flee, I won't be the one who leaves tonight, Stella thought to herself. She had flee from the police today and the other nights when she had met Duman, she had been the one who had run away. But not this time. Stella would show him where her place was and that he was the one who would leave.
"Not chatty?" Duman let out a soft chuckle and walked around the bench, letting his hand follow on the wood on back of the bench. "And I thought I could chatting you up."
Duman sat on the right side of the bench and Stella jumped closer to the edge and had her knees pointed away from Duman, showing him that she wasn't interested for a small talk.
She held her arms close to her body and looked towards the trees to focus on something else. But Stella could feel the dark magic aura that came out from Duman and it was close to her. She had never thought about it before, it just showed it present right now. It gave her a reminder when she was in the Cloud Tower. When the Winx had to go to there and study, that much dark energy had she never felt before.
Duman do bring out some dark energy but it isn't the same feeling as in Cloud Tower. Cloud Tower was more alive and everywhere she walked was like being followed. The only reason she feel Duman's energy now is because how close they are. And the peace in Stella had made it much easier for her to feel his aura.
"What's up with the ring?" Stella came back from her thoughts and looked down on her ring.
She had been twisting it around her finger without acknowledge it or thinking about it. Stella wondered how much she actually play with her ring, especially the latest time when she is worried or is in her thoughts.
"It is a royal ring," Stella said with a cold voice. "from Solaria."
"Ah that's right," Duman said with a cheery voice. "you are a princess. Almost forgot about it."
Stella got a puzzled face. Have she mentioned to Duman that she is a princess? Not that she can remember. Wait, why am I even talking to him? Why did I even answer his question? Stella thought to herself, feeling dumb that the villain could make her speak. Again. Just like last night.
"I thought it was your engagement ring," Duman's voice was low and Stella couldn't help to look at him. He was picking on some dirt that was stuck on his kilt and didn't look at Stella. "from your Casanova."
"Stop calling Brandon that," Stella slammed her hand down on the bench.
"Do you know what it means?"
Stella glared at Duman, he still didn't look at her. But she drew back her hand and laid it on her lap. He can at least look at me if he is going to insult me or Brandon.
"Then I shall continue to call him that," Duman grinned. "but I guess he has also a ring from his royal place."
"He isn't a royal," Stella looked away again, stared back at the trees.
"I thought royals only married royals. At least in the Magic Dimension."
"We don't live like in the old days. There are new times."
"So your parents approved it?"
Stella didn't answer. They were happy about it, they didn't say anything against. But now when Stella is mad at Brandon, she wished they had said no. Perhaps they were happy that Stella didn't fall in love with someone royal.
"No comment on that," Duman let out a sigh. "how is he though? Last time you were so mad when I brought him up."
Stella let out a snort and saw in the corner of her eye that Duman looked at her. "Haven't you spied on him to tell how he is?"
"My main job is to spy on you girls, I only spy on them when you are near them. But I haven't been able to tell how he is when you weren't there with him today."
"Then it means it is none of your business."
"Oh but it was my fault, remember?" Duman teased. "You seem to have bottled this up all to yourself and not even mentioned it to anyone."
A big heavy rock had Stella swollen. At least felt like it. No she had decided to not talk about it to the other girls. Isn't she supposed to be the cheery one? The one that make dumb comments so everyone laugh?
She can allow herself to be angry, and complain about others fashion, but crying over a boy? She have grown up from that.
"Seems that you are scared to share your feelings to you friends," Duman held up his hands and then crossed them over his chest.
Stella bit her lip. After all that had happened this day she would want to shout out her feelings. The day couldn't get worse anyway. Stella took a deep breath before she spoke.
"I wished I was happy as Aisha."
The silent could almost fool Stella to think that Duman had left, but she still felt the dark aura that was dancing around Duman. He was the one who wanted to chat so why is he the quiet one?
Stella glanced over at Duman. His style was nothing she would ever wear. Black isn't just her style. Many people have said it does suit her but Stella like bright colours. Black clothes outshine nothing. And his hair, the only thing that is colourful. Brandon would look like a fool if he ever decided to style his hair like that.
"Am I getting more beautiful the longer you look at me?"
Stella felt her cheeks heating up but she decided to roll her eyes. "I was waiting for an answer. You wanted to talk and you aren't responding back."
"You wished you were happy as Aisha," Duman repeated what Stella had said. "so go on, why do you wish you were happy as Aisha?"
Stella raised her eyebrow, she didn't really think Duman would continue the conservation. But with the feelings bottingling up inside her wanted to get out.
"Because… she and Nabu never fights."
"That magician?" Duman asked and Stella nodded. "I don't like him for one bit."
"I thought you didn't like any of us?" Stella looked a bit shocked and Duman gave a shrug.
"I don't like anyone of you. But that magician, he disturbs me a lot."
Before Stella could say anything, Duman rolled with his hand in a gesture. "Go on."
"What more do you want to hear?" Stella snapped. "Aisha and Nabu never fights! Nabu is so perfect and nice, that's all the time I hear!"
"So you are jealous of their relationship?"
Stella took another deep breath before letting out as a sigh. Remember what Tecna had said the other day around. "That is what everyone says I am."
"Then go and be happy with Casanova," Duman said.
"It is Brandon!" Stella pointed out. "It isn't that simple. Mitzi is in the way."
"Shoot a spell at her then."
"Don't you think I have wanted to do that?"
Stella have thought about ten spells to use on Mitzi but Bloom had to stop Stella. Saying that they can't use magic to harm people, in that way they would never succeed with making people believing in fairies and believe they are good.
"Then tell your boyfriend to stop be with her, isn't it you girls who is bossing around your boys?"
"I have already told him. He doesn't listen."
The last words had Stella mumbled. Hoping that Duman didn't catch what she had just said. Another silent came and it felt awkward for Stella. She hates silent around other people. When she is around people, Stella makes sure that it won't be an awkward silent. But with Duman it was different.
She is suppose to insult him, fight him. Why did she tell him all that? Why couldn't she just shoot a spell at him? Leave, wait if I leave that means I gave up. Stella looked down on her knees and there her hands laid. It is okay to leave! Another part of her said. He is the villain, leave now! He can't be trusted, better to run before he attacks me!
But, he doesn't attack me.
Stella waited for one more minute. Alright I leave on three. Stella counted to three very slow and after hitting three she stood up. She looked down on the ground avoiding his yellow glowing eyes. Stella walked past, didn't run, didn't speed up her steps. Just walked calmly.
"Hey sun fairy," Duman said.
Stella stood near the lamp that lightened up the road. She looked behind her at Duman.
"Just because you and Casanova doesn't work out, doesn't mean you should hate on someone else relationship. As I have heard, love isn't supposed to be like battlefields."
Stella furrowed her eyebrows, what would Duman know about love? There may be something in what he say but what does he know?
"Also," Duman held up his finger, pressed his lips together before he continued. "check at your little pet store, I think I saw your friend walking in there. If you were now looking for her."
There was a weird feeling with having eye contact for so long without a comment. But Stella turned her gaze down on the ground before deciding to leave.
Stella would check the pet store. What if he lies? What if this is a trick? But her guts said that this may he not lie about. Stella decided to sneak in at the backside of their shop if now Aisha would be there. Instead of a key they used their magic to lock and unlock the door, a simple way and no need to share a key together. Stella poked her head inside and saw nothing. She tipped on her toes further in the shop and could hear heavy breathing behind the disk. Stella leaned over the disk and there was Aisha, sleeping peacefully. Stella smiled a bit but it faded fast away and she left the shop.
When Stella came home it was still quiet. And she changed to her pj's and walked up to the bedroom. Everyone was still sleeping and Aishas bed was still empty. Stella sneaked back to her bed and buried herself underneath the covers. The rest of the night Stella was awake, not a tired for one bit.
When the morning came Stella sat up in her bed, exhausted with all the thoughts but walked over to Aishas bed and sat down on it. She regrets for starting a fight with Aisha. Duman was right, even if Stella hated that thought that he was right, she shouldn't be so negative for others happiness.
"Stella," Stella looked up at Bloom who walked over to Stella. She must have missed that Bloom woke up. "where is Aisha?"
Stella looked down and once again, she was playing with her ring. Bloom sat down next to Stella and Kiko jumped up to sit on Blooms lap.
"She slept at the pet store," Stella sighed, still had her eyes on her ring. "I didn't mean to hurt her. I shouldn't have been so rude to her. It is just," Stella took a deep breath, she would want to say that she miss Brandon and wished to be like Aisha and Nabu but kept it rather to herself. "with our mission… and everything, I don't know Bloom. Things here on earth is so much harder."
"I know what you mean, things aren't easy on earth," Bloom put her hand on Stellas hand and they looked into each others eyes. "and we others didn't do anything yesterday either. We should have listened to Aisha when she had now news to tell us. She has the right to be mad at us all."
"Mostly at me," Stella sighed.
"Don't worry Stella," Bloom gave a soft smile. "I'm sure she will forgive you if you just let her know that you are sorry. I'm sure she feel sorry too."
Stella gave a soft smile back and opened up her arms and leaned to Bloom and gave a hug. "Thanks for listening to me Bloom."
"No problem," Bloom said and hugged back. "but let us put our minds on something different today."
And it was different. They were going shopping. Stella yawned the whole way, had barley listen to the others who was talking. She can't wait to look at clothes and buy some stuff. Usually when she is upset she tedens to buy more than usual, and when she want to get her mind on something else.
There was so much going on in her head, with Brandon, with Duman, and that she had fought with Aisha only because she was jealous. Stella looked up when she noticed that the floor didn't look like a store filled with clothes. They were at the Mall that is for sure but they had walked in to a grocery store.
"I talked with Aisha before," Stella snapped up what Flora was talking about. "she said she would take care of the fairy pets today. I think she means she wants some space off."
"I still feel bad for how we treated her," Musa grumbled while Bloom took a cart and started to roll it. "we really need to talk to her later."
Stella bit her lip and followed the others. She felt the negative around her friends when they brought up Aisha and Stella felt she needed to turn their mood. After have walked around for what seems forever in the grocery store, Stella decided to break the silence that had been way too long.
"Guys I'm exhausted, how about we take smoothies at the Fruti Music Bar?" Stella came up behind Bloom.
"Businesses before pleasure," Bloom smiled and gave the shopping list to Stella. "the list isn't that long."
A little reviled was it that they didn't want to go to the Fruti Music Bar, but it was the only place Stella knew the girls were truly happiest at.
Stella looked down on the list, food for the animals, cleaning products, trash bags, Stella scanned through the shopping list. It was mostly things to their apartment or to their shop.
"No clothes?" Stella asked and looked shocked.
"You already have plenty of clothes," Bloom didn't even turn around.
"You can't have too little clothes."
"The least we can do is to buy something nice to Aisha when she gets back to the apartment," Flora came up from behind of Stella and catched her when Stella pretended to faint.
"Our sweet Stella just doesn't get it," Musa giggled with Bloom.
Stella got back on her feet and let out a big sigh and looked down, Flora noticed it that and went up next to Stella.
"If you got money left after we have shopped what we need," Flora laid her hand around Stella's shoulders. "you can check some clothes, this Mall does after all have the most trendiest shops!"
"I know!" Stella smiled. "That is why we need to shop some clothes! I always get so inspired with new ideas when I look at the clothes or buy them."
"You sure are all about fashion," Flora giggled and went along with Stella.
"It is what makes me the happiest," Stella swinged with her finger. "seeing everyone's unique style, though I wouldn't wear it, and making clothes for other people and see them shine out in their clothes means alot to me!"
"When did actually all of this started?"
"I think when I would choose dresses on my own for the first time… it was for a royal wedding and I was like, eight years old. It drove everyone crazy that I was so picky and said it was wrong."
"I can imagine," Flora grinned a little.
Stella grinned too but is slowly faded away. She was a lot in to fashion especially when her parents divorced, it was there Stella found herself obsessed with clothes and her only way to escape from the real world. Whenever there was problem, a conflict, when her parents signed the divorce papers, Stella had been shopping clothes or designed clothes.
"Something wrong?" Stella looked up on Flora and gave a soft smile.
"I slept bad, didn't really get my full beauty sleep."
After they had shopped everything for the apartment and for the pets, it was Stellas turn to go inside to the fashion stores. The other girls did also look around but it was Stella who shopped most. She wanted to fit as much as possible on Earth and the best way was to dress stylish.
"Stella how could you afford all this?" Flora asked and helped carrying two bags.
"Don't worry I have it all under control, I got a small loan from Bloom," Stella grinned at Bloom and Bloom looked a little bit proud to have been able to help her friend. "and I didn't need to put anything back, and it was all on sale!"
"Then the next question is how all of this is going to fit in your wardrobe," Musa teased.
"Oh I will simply cast a bottomless well spell on the wardrobe to make it all fit," they all laughed at the comment.
But they got cut off by the loud sirens that went off in the Mall. Stella looked around and people around them started to run away from the Mall.
"It is the thieves!" was heard from the people.
"They are robbing the shop!" Musa gasped.
"Winx let us go!" Bloom was stepping forward.
"Wait, stop!" Stella said and Bloom turned around to Stella.
Stella's mind was back to how it went last time, the radio who called them supposed heroes. They were fools.
"Stella they need us!"
"Oh sure, like the last time?" Stella's voice was cold.
"She is right Bloom," Musa said.
"Maybe we should someone else take care of it, we gave it a try." Flora sighed.
Stella could see how disappointed Bloom was but she also let out a sigh. "I guess you're right. We better step aside and let the police handle it."
Just then the thieves ran past them and Stella digged her nails in to her palm and glared at the thieves. How she wished she could just shoot one of her powerful spells at them, but they are humans, they wouldn't survive the spells.
"Come out with your hands up," Stella heard the police and one of the thieves grabbed a girl.
"We have a hostage!"
The Winx looked at each other and none of them could stand to watch this. If the police couldn't come in and save the girl, it was up to them.
"That girl need our help," Bloom stated and Stella nodded.
"We can't just stand here and doing nothing!" Musa let go of the bags.
"Winx Believix!"
"Release the girl!" Bloom flew towards the thieves and Stella went after her.
"Ready for round two, fairies?" they all laughed and Stella narrowed her eyes.
This time she wouldn't let them escape. But it would be hard not to harm the girl or the other people that was inside the Mall.
Bloom tried to get closer but it didn't work, the just held the hostage closer and threatened to harm her.
"Girls," Stella said and glanced behind her. "let us try to distract them!"
They flew around the thieves, trying to make them feel threatened but they just jumped around and avoided them.
"We should use our attack spell to hold them still!" Flora said, ready to use the veins.
"No Flora!" Tecna shouted, making her stop. "That would harm the girl and we would destroy this place!"
"Looks like they are out of magic," laughed the thieves.
Stella didn't have any ideas and when she looked at the other girls it seemed they were out of ideas as well. "I can't leave you guys alone for one minute."
Stella looked behind her, it was Aisha's voice and she had a smirk on her lips. Stella felt a jolt in her and she flew fast over to Aisha.
"Aisha!"
"Hi Stella," her tone was low but still embraced Stella.
"I'm so sorry for everything I said. I didn't mean anything of that!"
Aisha pushed Stella away from the hug and looked into her eyes. "I should apologise as well Stella, I have been selfish the last few days and left you guys behind."
"Great with the news that you are friends again," Tecna flew over to get their attention. "but we have a bigger problem at the moment."
Aisha looked down on the thieves and the girl they held as a hostage.
"I guess it is time for the believix power," she said and all the girls looked at her as she flew down closer to the girl. "spirit of courage, find in your heart the courage. You can defend yourself, you can fight, believe in yourself!"
It was like the girl woke up from a dream and her eyes narrowed as she kicked the thief that held her right on his knee, making him bend down. The girl swinged with her left hand right at his stomach and he let go of her.
"That must have hurt," Stella grinned and looked over at Aisha. She gave a nod at Stellas comment and they watched Tecna use her believix power too. It calmed down the thieves and suddenly it seemed they came to their senses and Stella calmed down the police officers as well to make them understand that the Winx are not here to harm anyone, they are here to protect the people.
The media surrendered them and Stella who was used by it and had experienced a lot of interviews back at Solaria, took the lead and had a positive attitude that she knew would make the audience flattered.
The celebration went over to the Fruti Music bar and Stella stood with Musa and drank a smoothie that Klaus had made. She knew Musa wouldn't run off to her boyfriend like the other girls did. With Andy and his band playing, with all the people dancing, it felt really good after all. Until she saw in the corner of her eye who made it closer to her.
"This fruit juice is delicious," Stella turned to Musa fast. "we really needed a break after all those interviews."
As she spoke to Musa, they both looked at Brandon who passed them. Stella didn't want to speak with him, after knowing he was with Mitzi last night, she wasn't interested to talk with him.
"Everything alright between you and Brandon?" Musa whispered when Brandon was a bit further away and couldn't hear them. "You haven't spoke in a while."
"Neither have you and Riven," snapped Stella.
"I was just concerned," snorted Musa and had cold eyes at Stella.
"I know, and I'm sorry," not really was she sorry. If Musa can't even handle her relationship, why would she start to help Stella? "I just feel that I don't want to speak about him. He is the one who sees Mitzi in secret."
"What?" shout whispered Musa. "Do you have any proof of that?!"
"Oh yeah, two nights ago when I looked for Aisha I met Mitzi. And she told that she and Brandon has texted each other and they would meet here, at Fruti Music Bar."
"Is that true? Stella I know sometimes you overreact or even twist things in your own term, but are you sure that really happened?"
"I am sure," Stella put down the glas hard to table, making some of the juice spilling down on her hand as she quickly pulled her hand away from the glas. "or else she wouldn't have brought it up in my face, would she?"
"Mitzi clearly tries to make you jealous, just ignore her."
"I would, if Brandon would stop being around her."
"Maybe have more proof before you start to blame him alright?" Musa said before she left, seeing that the others discussed about the ring Bloom was wearing.
Stella just snorted. So much for that for trying to tell one of the girls what is happening. It seemed like Musa didn't even listen, even Duman took his time to listen and responding.
"Seems that you are scared to share your feelings to you friends"
Gosh, she hear his voice even clearer now in her head than she ever wished for. Stella rubbed her head as she leaned to the bar table. Narrowed her eyes at the juice.
Duman of all the people listened to her, even suggested to shoot a spell on Mitzi, like Musa should have done, supported her choice of harming Mitzi or humiliate her. He even told where Aisha was-
I never said I was looking for Aisha.
Had he spied on them? Of course he had, why wouldn't he? It was his mission. And he could only assume she was looking for Aisha because those two nights ago when she actually looked for Aisha.
Aisha.
Stella went closer to the others and looked around.
"I'm so glad we managed to convince people to believe in us today," she heard Musa saying.
Stella came up behind Flora and Helia. "Am I wrong or did someone having something special to tell us."
Stella got every of the girls attention as she walked up to Aisha and nudged in her back. Making Aisha almost swallow wrong with the juice. As Aisha turned around, her cheeks became darker and she looked down on the floor, spoke in a higher voice tone of the excitement.
"Well yes actually," looking back up at the girls. "it's Nabu, he proposed to me!"
Stella stood frozen. Proposed. She thought she would be the one upcoming one who told everyone that Brandon had proposed to her. As she heard the other girls cheering she smiled and put her arms around Aisha.
"Congratulation Aisha," Flora said and hugging as well along with everyone.
"Oh I think I'm gonna cry," said Musa and tried to squeeze closer to Aisha.
"We gotta plan out the wedding for you two," said Tecna. "I can start right away with the help of a simulator in my-"
"I hope we are you have planned us as bridesmaids," Stella cut off Tecna as she knew Tecna would be all over the place with already planning the wedding.
Aisha laughed and hugged Stella tighter. "I wouldn't ask for anyone else."
"Tecna you can now tell the whole Magic Dimension that they are getting married," all the girls laughed to Stellas comment and Stella still put on a smile, not showing that she was sad.