Hey guys! Sorry for the super long wait. I just recently finished one of my stories, so I'll be able to update more often. Thanks or your patience!

Chapter 7: The Truth Comes Out

"Morning Miss H!" Musa and I sang walking into class

"Stella, how are you and Brandon doing?" Miss H asked

I froze

"Uhhhh…I..I..I"

She knows I like Brandon?

My face began to turn pale, and my skin became tingly.

"I meant with your studies" Ms. H said

My heart dropped. Thank god.

"I'm doing okay, though I'm still struggling in math…and science…and social studies.." I said

"But you're doing good in English..right?" Ms. H asked, a hopeful look on her face

"We take English too?" I asked surprised

"Oh for the love of god….yes!" Ms. H said

"Well how hard can it be? I've been speaking it since I was 3" I said with a snort

Ms. H palmed her face
"I'm toast" She moaned

"What? What did I say?" I asked

"Come on" Musa said pulling me by my hood to the back row.

We settled in the back and started talking.

"I'm so tired. I want to go home already" Musa said

"Well we have a half day today so no worries" I said

This was the last week before finals. The week of finals we get off at 12:30 to study. Only seniors get this privilege though.

"To bad afterward we'll have to walk home" I said

"You know, we need boyfriends. They'll drive us places!" Musa stated

"Couldn't agree more. I am 17, and never had a boyfriend before! Sammy's even had a girlfriend!" I said

"Well Sammy's an attractive snob of a child so…" Musa said trailing off

We started laughing

"Hey guys"

We turned and saw John standing behind us.

"Hey John" I mumbled

"I can sense you're tense. How about a romantic date to release the stress?" John asked flirtatiously

"Or how about not?" I said with faked enthusiasm

I went into my bag and pulled out a water bottle

"Then how about I come over to your new house. You know, let the family get to know me better. This way it's not awkward when we get married.."

I started choking

"Huh? I aint getting married!" I screamed gasping for air

I heard the door open

"Stella! Stella! Somebody do mouth to mouth or something!" Musa said as a joke cracking up

"Gladly" John said slamming his lips on mine

I quickly pushed him of me

"John! What the hell!" I screamed

Suddenly everyone gasped, turning their head toward the door.

As I wiped my mouth of John, I saw Brandon enter the room.

"Stella, if you're done making out with pretty boy over there it's time for your study session" Brandon said emotionlessly

I looked at my watch

"Right, I'll just gather up my stuff…..hey! I was not making out with him!" I screamed

"Just walk. The library closes in 2 hours. I'm hoping to fit in Math and Science" Brandon said waiting by the door

"Math AND science?" I groaned

"Don't be lazy" He said narrowing his eyes in irritation

I walked to the door

"Bye Muse, see ya at lunch" I mumbled on my way out

As we walked through the hallway Brandon was walking faster than me.

"Would you wait up!" I said now running to catch up with him

He totally ignored me!

We walked into the library, where students sat studying and using the computer.

We sat down in a quiet corner. Just as I was about to sit down in a chair Brandon slammed his backpack down in it. I glared, moving to the seat opposite him.

"Jeez man, what's your deal?" I asked

Brandon slammed open a Math textbook, ignoring me again.

"I'm sorry if I did something to upset you Brandon, but I need you to help me study" I said

He ignored me again

"Would you quit ignoring me!" I screamed at him

Everyone in the library turned to us and shushed us.

"Sorry" I whispered.

"Did it ever occur to you that I'm not ignoring you. I'm just zoning out your irritating voice" Brandon said

I glared

"You're lucky you're good looking and smart cause your personality really sucks, you know that?"

We studied for a good hour and a half. Brandon taught me 2 math lessons and a science lesson. They were strangly..easy? While Brandon tutored me I realized, I am much smarter than people take me for.

"Okay, can we take a break before I explode?" I asked

"Yeah, whatever" Brandon said pulling out a book

"Thank you" I said closing my textbook

I reached into my bag and pulled out my sketchbook. I pulled out my special drawing pencils and began to draw. Drawing is the only thing that I know I'm good at. School, makes me feel stupid. Sports, make me feel like a spaz. But drawing..drawing is the one thing that I feel like I can actually do something right!

"What are you doing?" Brandon asked, looking up from his book

"Drawing" I replied calmly

"What?" He asked

"You" I said turning the sketch book around and revealing my sketch

"No matter how clumsy, stupid, and idiotic you are… I must admit. This is quite good" Brandon said taking it out of my hands to get a closer look at it

Brandon examined it for another 5 minutes in silence, looking close.

"So when are you bringing your boyfriend home?" Brandon asked

"My boyfriend?" I asked confused

"Boy you were kissing this morning" Brandon said

"John. Hell to the no. Never going to happen. That is madness!" I screamed

"Then why were you kissing him?" Brandon asked with a chuckle

"It's a long story. Let's just leave it at this, he's not, nor will he ever be my boyfriend" I said with a laugh

Brandon nodded

I checked my watch

"Well, we've already missed lunch" I said

"Then we better head back to the house" Brandon said

I nodded gathering my stuff.

When we went out into the hallway, everybody was standing around. Some getting picked up, some going to their own cars, some hanging by their lockers.

"Hey man!" Sky called over Brandon

"I'll see you at the house" I said quietly

Brandon nodded, walking over to his friends.

I took my phone out of my backpack as I started walking home. I dialed Flora's number.

"Hey Flo" I said

"Hey Stella. We missed you at lunch" She said

"Yeah, I was doing extra studying with Brandon" I said in a tired voice

"Sounds fun" Flora said with a giggle

"Where are you?" I asked

"Well the girls and I are at Musa's house. By the end of today Musa will know the periodic table!" Flora said making me laugh

"I don't freakin know what H2O is!" I heard in the backround.

Musa.

"Tell her I say good luck" I said

"She says thanks…and if she dies you can have her wardrobe" Flora said with a laugh

"Score!" I said laughing

"Where are you off to?" Flora asked

"Home" I said

"Home? By yourself? How are you going to study?" Flora asked

"Well Bran…I'll be fine" I said

I almost let the whole living with Brandon secret out! That was a close one!

"Stella. You have 4 days until finals. Are you sure you don't want Tecna to come over?" Flora asked

"Yeah, I'll be fine! You guys focus on whipping Musa into shape. If she does good..maybe we'll all get into college! That would be awesome! We all applied to Georgia state, right?" I said

"This is true. Tecna and Bloom already got their acceptance letters" Flora said

"2 down, 4 to go!" I said hopefully

"We can only hope!" Flora said happily

"Stella!" I heard from behind me

I turned around and saw Brandon behind me.

I waved.

"You know what, I have to get going" I said

"Okay, see you later" Flora said

"Bye" I said

I hung up the phone. Brandon caught up with me.

"Hey" Brandon said

"Hey" I replied

We began to walk silently

"So could you explain something to me?" I asked

"Stella, I've been explaining stuff to you for the last 3 hours! Give me a break!" Brandon said

I laughed

"I meant, 1 minute you're all like, Stella you suck I hate you, then the next second you're all like, hey buddy" I said

"Okay first of all, I never said you suck. Second of all, I never said we were friends" Brandon said

"Now that sounds like the arrogant jerk I've learned to hate!" I said sarcastically

"Really? And all this time I thought you were in LOVE with me" He said with a smirk

I hit him on the back of the head

"That was 3 months ago, before I lived with you, and before I found out you were a big jerk face" I said

"So you admit it, you like me" Brandon said

"I never said that!" I said

"Yes you did! You liiiiikkkkkeeeee me!" Brandon taunted

I opened the door to the house

"Admit it Stella, you loooovvvveee me!" Brandon said, making a face

"I do not lo…." I looked up and saw John in the kitchen cooking with Melanie

My eyes grew wide

"What the heck is going on here?" I screamed

"Stella! You never told me you had a boyfriend!" Melanie squeaked happily

"That's because I don't! John, how did you even get my address?" I asked

"Bloom told me" John said

"Okay John, you have 5 seconds to GET OUT OF THIS HOUSE!" I screamed

"What are you talking about Stella?" John asked

"Stella…I'm confused. He said he was your boyfriend" Melanie said

"Cause I am" John said

"Oh no you're not!" I protested

"You kissed me this morning" John said smugly

"John" I sighed

"It wasn't…I didn't…I never kissed you" I said

That's when John noticed Brandon

"Ummm…what is he doing here?" John asked

"He lives here" Melanie said with a laugh

Brandon and I looked at each other

"I…I don't understand" John stuttered, eyes wide

"Mom, I'm sorry but John doesn't have the most…simulating brain. Let me break this down for you in a way, you may understand. Me live in the house" Brandon said slowly

John glared

"You wanna fight me, mr I think I'm so smart?" John asked

"No! No! No! John, get out!" I screamed turning and pointing toward the door.

I saw 5 heads at the door. 5 shocked faces. 5 people, that I wished with everything I had weren't there.

"Guys?" I said

I saw Musa, Bloom, Layla, Flora, and Tecna looking at me with open mouths

"We came to see if you wanted to study with us, but obviously you have a full house!" Musa said

"Guys, it's not like that…" I tried

"HE lives HERE?" Layla asked

"like..WITH YOU!" Flora asked

Suddenly, Brandon's 5 friends walked in behind them, confused expressions.

"Guys…?" Brandon asked, eyes growing wide

"She LIVES here?" Helia asked, eyebrow raised

Brandon and I looked at each other wide eyed. Then back at all our friends staring at us like we were crazy. Then at Melanie, who was just downright confused.

"I…uhhhh…" Brandon and I said at the same time

"Okay, what is going on here?" Melanie screamed

"Uhhhhh" Brandon and I said again

"Can you please explain to us why exactly you're living with Brandon Sheilds" Bloom asked

"I wanted to tell you guys, I really did. But Brandon and I made a deal, and then we started to fight, and he was tutoring me so what was I supposed to do….and…and" I stuttered, just babbling on

"What?" Musa asked

I cant help it! These situations make me uncomfortable!

"Her Father and my Father are friends, so when her house went up she came to live with us, the end" Brandon said emotionlessly, heading for the stairs

Musa went toward the stairs, getting in front of Brandon and putting her arms out.

"Oh I don't think so Sheilds, get your butt in there" Musa said

"Jeez!" Brandon said, throwing his hands up

"Now explain" Sky said

"Okay first, I'm going to say this 1 last time. John Freeman, get out of my house" I said

"I'll tell everyone!" John threatened

"No!" Brandon and I said at the same time

"Then explain!" Layla said

"Well, 3 months ago, my house was knocked down by the earthquake. My Father and I had no where to stay, but then Harry Shields, my father's best friend from high school, found us and invited us to stay. I had no idea it was Brandon's house" I explained

"Then I found out, and we made it work. We promised not to tell people, you know, keep it on the DL" I said

"And that's pretty much it I guess" I said

It started to sink into everyone's minds. After Brandon's friends left saying it was alright and they understood, and John was forcefully placed out of my house and now and forever banned from ever coming over, it left my friends and I in the living room.

The girls were still dumbfounded.

"So you've been LIVING with him for 3 months now?" Musa asked

I nodded

"Why didn't you just tell us? Cant you trust us? We're your best friends Stella!" Flora said

"Yeah, this is the first time you ever lied to us!" Layla said

"It wasn't my decision to make!" I said

"Yes it was! You could've told Brandon that you had to tell us" Tecna said

They all turned to leave

"Guys..?" I pleaded

"Stella, we finally get it. The reason you couldn't tell us..was because we're not friends after all" Musa said, and I can tell she was hurt

They went out toward the gate as I just stood at the door, my mouth open in horror.

"Guys!" I screamed

They just kept walking. Not even turning back.

Once the gate shut closed, it was over.

I could feel tears start to well up in my eyes.

I turned, running up to my room. Just as I was about o reach my room, I accidently tripped over some laundry. I went flying toward the floor. I was expecting to feel the impact…but I didn't. Instead I felt 2 strong arms lift me up on my feet.

"Woooaahhhhh, someone's moving faster than usual" Brandon said with a raised eyebrow

Tears started going down my face

"This is all your fault!" I screamed angrily

"What?" He asked confused

"My friends…they aren't my friends anymore! They hate me now!" I cried

"And who's fault is that?" Brandon asked

"Your!" I screamed angrily

"Oh and if it's my fault, then why did you go with it huh?" He asked

I looked at him disgusted

"Do you even have a heart?" I asked

I pushed passed him and went into my room, slamming the door behind me.

That's it. I have nothing. My friends, my best friends in the whole world, our unbreakable friendship, in less than 3 hours has been crumpled. 8 years of friendship down the drain.

Now I have nobody.

Not even Brandon.