I'M SORRY! There aren't words to describe how sorry I am. You have to understand that I have 2 other stories. I write 6,000 to 7,000 words per chapter. Now, you have to keep in mind that I DO have a life outside of fanfiction. It's summer now, so yes, I have time to write, but I have to put time out or my friends, you know? For each chapter I write, I usually do it in 1 to 2 nights…but I stay up until 3 or 4am typing (My record was 5:30) So please do forgive me, and this story is 100 percent a go. It's been almost 3 months since I last updated, and I understand if you're furious with me and don't want to read it, but here's to all of my loyal readers, that have been begging me to continue. I hope you guys enjoy!
Author's Note: Okay, so I just want you guys to understand something. When the girls said they can't be friends anymore, they weren't trying to be mean. It's just that they're such close friends that they have to tell each other everything. They love each other, and they were hurt that Stella didn't tell them.
Anyways…
Chapter 8: Final Examination Surprises!
The next day I walked to school alone. When I got there, I saw my friends…ex friends…sitting at our usual table, talking. For once in my life…I wasn't sitting with them. I sat down at another table alone, just watching them. They were laughing, and smiling happily. They were laughing more than they ever had with me.
Suddenly, Musa realized I was looking, and looked at me. I quickly looked at my hands.
I cant make it seem like I miss them, even though I do. I miss them more than anything in the world.
I dug into my bag and pulled out my English novel. I was reading it for finals.
Yup, this is what it has come to. I, Stella Solaria, am now reading, for fun!
It went like this or the rest of the week. I sat at lunch, alone. I spent study period, alone. I was even alone during class. Musa didn't talk to me once.
I got to school and sat down at a lunch table. I took out my book and began reading.
"Hey…Stella"
I looked up and saw 5 familiar faces before me.
"Oh…hey" I said slowly
There was a long pause.
Suddenly, Musa ran at me, throwing her arms around me.
"I miss you!" She cried
"I miss you too!" I cried
"Hey, save some for us!" Bloom said as they all came at me with hugs
"We couldn't last another day without you Stell, it was pure agony" Flora said
"We felt so bad watching you all along" Tecna said
"So…you guys forgive me?" I asked
"We should be asking the same question" Layla said
"Seriously, I cant believe we actually let you go cause you messed up once, I mean really? Come on!" Bloom said
I was smiling more than I had the whole week
"Let's forget this even happened, okay?" I asked
They nodded
"So..you've been living with Brandon huh?" Musa asked, nudging me playfully
"Yeah, and what I've found out is 1, boys are nasty. 2, they should wash their boxers more than once or…well you don't want to know about that. 3, they have NO hearts. And 4, they can be real asses sometimes" I said
They started laughing
"Stell you really…hold up, you saw his boxers?!" Bloom asked
"Do you have something to tell us?" Layla asked, laughing
"GOD NO! I do laundry people!" I screamed
"Stella, you're so lucky! You're living with your all time crush" Tecna said
"Try ex all time crush" I said
They hugged me once more
You know, life aint so bad after all!
Finals were in about 2 weeks, so I had a lot of studying to get done. Hard part was, I just told my tutor he had no heart, and that I hated him.
We had been avoiding each other for a whole week. I was left studying by myself. What I have figured out is…I NEED BRANDON!
It's time to be the bigger person and apologize.
I took a breath and walked across the hall. I lightly knocked on Brandon's door.
"Brandon" I asked
No answer
"Brandon, I've come to apologize" I said
Still no answer
"Look, I'm trying to be mature here!" I said
Again, nothing!
"Fine! So that's how it's gonna be huh?" I screamed
"Well I'm comin in!" I screamed
I clenched my fists and swung my hand into the door. It just smacked my hand.
"Owwwwww!" I screamed
"Ow, ow, ow, ow, ow" I said, clutching my hand
"Brandon! I hope you're happy!" I screamed
I heard laughing from behind me.
"Super"
I turned around and saw Brandon, with an amused look on his face.
"You think this is funny?" I asked
"Very" He said
"Okay, now you forgive me, right?" I asked
"Not yet. I just need a little more…something" Brandon said, a smile playing on his lips
"What do you want me to do? Break out in song? Do I look like mary freakin poppins?" I asked, hands on hips
"Okay your forgiven" He said
"Really!?" I asked happily
"Yeah, cause if you did break out in song…well that would be torture" He said smugly
"Hey!" I said angrily
"Uh, uh, uh. You need me. Don't you want to pass your exam?" He asked with a smirk
"Yes" I moaned, defeated
"Yes master" He corrected
"Don't push it" I said through clenched teeth.
We studied for hours. Hours turned into days, and days turned into 2 full weeks. Finals was tomorrow!
"Stella! Why don't you get this?!" Brandon screamed, shaking my shoulders.
It was 1am, and Brandon and I were the only ones awake in the whole house. We were studying in my room, sitting on the floor.
"I don't know!" I screamed, my eyes blood shot from sleep deprivation
"Just multiply it by 42!"
"I cant!" I screamed
"Stella!" He pushed me onto the floor, pinning me down
"Do it!" He screamed
"I…I..I" I stammered
"What in the world is going on?!" Melanie walked in, but paused when she saw Brandon on top of me
"Brandon? Stella? Oh my god…I so called it! You guys are so cute together!" She screamed
My face flushed
"We're not a couple. As if I would ever date this air head" Brandon said
"Mmmhhmmm, whatever you say" Melanie said, leaving
"Just keep it down. I don't want you waking Sammy" She said
We nodded
My face was still red as ever
"Keep dreaming Stella" Brandon said
"Don't flatter yourself Brandon" I replied
"Now answer the freakin question" Brandon said
"Uhhh..uuhhh….427!" I screamed
It was the first number that came to my mind!
"Correct!" Brandon screamed
"Really?!" I asked surprised
"No! Not even close. Get back to work!" He screamed at me
"Brandon, it's 1:30 am. Let's take a break" I said putting my head in my book
"Fine" Brandon yawned, laying his head down next to me
"So what are you going to do after graduation?" I asked
"I don't know, probably Princeton. Since it's right here, I want to be near the family, you know, in case of an emergency" He said
"Wow, Princeton, that's amazing" I said surprised
"I want to become a doctor" He said
"That's great!"
Wow! A doctor?! That's so hot!
"What about you?" He asked
"Mist likely no college would take me, so I'm hoping art school" I said
"That's nice" Brandon said before we both began to drift off to sleep. We fell asleep for what felt like 5 minutes, but to our surprise it was much, much more!
"Stella! Stella!"
"W..w..what?!" I said snapping my head up
"We're late!" Brandon yelled
I looked at the alarm clock. It read 8:50!
"We slept in!" I screamed running to my closet
"Finals start in 10! If we're late they wont let us take it" Brandon said
"Crap!" I screamed throwing on my clothing as fast as I could, I didn't even have time to put on my shoes when Brandon pulled me out. I quickly brushed my teeth, then ran out with him. His Father had already taken the car so we were stuck on our feet. We were running, hair uncombed, clothes all wrinkly…and I'm not sure but I think I have my underwear on backwards.
"Can we just stop so I could put my shoes on!" I begged
"No! You'll live without them. Stella Solaria, I am not, repeat NOT getting a bad grade because of your lazy ass. So, MOVE IT!" Brandon screamed, practically pushing me
"Jeez! I'm going!" I said pushing him off
We got to the school, running to the examination room.
"We have like 1 minute" Brandon screamed, as we neared the doors
"Wait!"
Brandon turned to me
I looked at the shoes that were dangling in my hand.
"Ahhh, screw it! Who needs shoes?" I said, tossing them to the side. I through my head down, running my fingers through my hair then picking it up into a tight bun. When I looked up Brandon was narrowing his eyes.
"What?" I asked, hands on hips
"You are utterly ridiculous, do you know that?" He asked
I smiled
"Sure do" I said as we walked in
The clatter of the doors, caused everybody's attention to move to us. I looked up and saw Ms. Grizelda glaring.
"What a surprise, Stella Solaria, you're late" She said with a glare
"You know what, I'm leaving this place after today so…what the hell," I said with a smile
She looked at me confused
"I've never liked you, nobody has, so why do you even bother come in every day. You're mean, you're ugly, and no offence but just because you get a coupon for a free hair cut, doesn't mean you should use it" I said
Everybody gasped, some even laughed, but most tried to hide their laughter in fear of Ms. Grizelda.
"Ms. Solaria!-"
"Alright Stella, that's enough" Brandon whispered, pulling me away
"Fine, but I was just getting started" I said, crossing my arms
"Just focus on the test" He told me
I nodded then sat down on one of the testing tables. I looked around, trying to find my girls. When the tests were handed out I abandoned my search and did as Brandon told me, I focused on my test.
Let's see, A, B, A,D, wow this is really easy! Man, Brandon is actually a really good teacher! I understood every single one! I even managed to finish before Tecna…..mind blowing!
I handed in my test, then I got up and walked out into the halls where people that finish early wait. I've never gotten to wait in here, and actually, it was quite a fulfilling feeling! Eventually, everybody was done. Some people left, but I decided to wait the extra 15 minutes for the top 100 list to be posted.
"How did you do?" Brandon asked when he found me
"Actually, I think I did really good" I said with a smile
Brandon let out a breath
"Good" He said with a half smile, then he walked of to join his own friends. I'm even surprised he talked to me in public, we barely ever talk in school.
"Stella!" Musa ran up to me along with Bloom, Tecna, Flora, and Layla
"How did you do?" I asked, gripping Musa's arms anxiously
"I think I did great!" Musa screamed
"For real?" I asked
"Yeah! Tecna and Bloom have been great tutors. We all think we did great!" Musa exclaimed
I looked at the other girls, who were nodding in agreement
We all started jumping in excitement
"Oh my god Musa, are we excited over a test?" I asked all of a sudden
"Wow, now I feel dirty" Musa said
"Same here" I said
They all laughed at us
"What? Stupid people like us are not supposed to care" Musa said
"Stella! They just posted the list!" Ms. Hudson called gaining our attention. She waved to us from the other side of the room, then crossed her fingers
We stood in a circle, our heads in.
"Look you guys, we all did our best, so that's all that matters, right?" Bloom asked
"Right!" We all agreed
"Now…come on. Let's go check out that list" Layla said
I took a breath. This is it. The moment of truth. The moment I've been preparing for for the last 10 weeks. The moment that all of my studying will finally-hopefully, pay off.
I looked at the very end of the list. No point in even looking at the top 50, as if I could even make it there. The bottom 50 is still in the top 100 so it's fine with me. I looked through the list. Come on Solaria, where are you…
I searched through all the names…but I wasn't there.
I slid down to the floor, my mouth going wide. I didn't make it. That's it. It's over.
I put my head between my legs, taking deep breathes. Well, what can I say, once an idiot, always an idiot.
"Stella, what the hell? Why are you crying?" Brandon asked when he saw me
"I didn't make it" I said softly
Brandon smirked
"Did you even bother to check the top 50?" He asked
I lifted an eyebrow, getting up and going over to the list. I started at the bottom, making my way to the top and then…
STELLA SOLARIA, NUMBER 2!?
"Ahhhhhhhh!" I cried, jumping up and down
Brandon, of course, got number 1. But you know what? I don't care! Because I got number 2!
"2! I got number 2!" I screamed loudly, running to Brandon and wrapping my arms around Brandon.
"Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!" I cried
Brandon pushed me off, obviously embarrassed. But you know what? That's okay, because I got number 2!
After I was officially screamed out, the girls and I went out for a late lunch. Tecna had made number 14, Bloom made number 18, Flora and Layla even got on the list, ranking as number 28 and number 43. Musa on the other hand didn't make it…but she was still really happy for us.
I went home that night, happy as ever. I decided to save the big news until after dinner. What happened after dinner, however, that's when all hell broke lose.
"I'm sorry, but I'm moving out"
Melanie was crying her eyes out. Melanie was usually a really composed movie, even when she was trying to get Brandon and I together, she was still extremely graceful. Now, she was totally loose. I'd never seen her like this.
"B..but why? Why do you want to leave? Have I not been a good mother to you?" Melanie pleaded
"Mom, calm down. It has nothing to do with you. I just want to be able to focus on my studies, and I cant do that here with all the noise. I'm of legal age now, and I don't think it's really in your power" Brandon said, as lightly as possible
Brandon had announced he was moving out after the summer ended. I held my head high, with my mouth shut, showing him that I absolutely had no feelings toward him….even though I completely and absolutely did.
"B..but you and Stella…were going to get married" Melanie sniffled
My face turned bright red
"No we weren't. See, this is why I have to move out. I'm going to be studying 24/7, so I cant have you on my back laying match maker all the time" Brandon said in a cruel tone
"How could you be so cruel?" I asked as I went to comfort Melanie
"I'm just telling her the truth" He said, crossing his arms
"You're so…you're so…mean! How could you say such things to the woman who for you and loved you for 18 years, to a woman that had to listen to all your crap for 18 years. Hell, I've only known you for 6 years and I cant stand you" I said glaring at him
"Funny, cause from my point of view, you're in love with me" He said with a smirk
"You…."
"Stella, there's no use, Brandon's right, he's old enough to care for himself!" Melanie cried, wiping away her tears
I gave Brandon a death glare, then sat down crossing my arms
"But Brandon, who's going to tutor me?" Sammy asked. At that point I actually felt for him. Losing his older brother, the only brother he's got, and will ever have.
Suddenly, a smile snapped on my face
"I can!" I screamed getting up
"No way, I'd have better luck with a monkey" Sammy said
"Well could a monkey score number on the top 100 list?" I asked in a singy tone
Everybody gasped
"Stella, you're lying, right?" My Dad asked in disbelief
"Nope, I got umber 2!" I screamed happily
"Yeah, and who got number 1?" Sammy asked with a smirk
God I hate that kid.
"Brandon" I mumbled under my breath
"Who? I couldn't hear you" Sammy said, a hand to his ear
"Brandon! Okay? Brandon did. But still, I got number 2" I said
"Oh congratulations!" Melanie exclaimed, wiping the last of her tears away, and hugging me
Suddenly the doorbell rang
"I'll go get the door, Stella you go to the fridge and get the cake out so we can celebrate!" Melanie said excitedly
I went to the kitchen, opening up the fridge. I took out the half chocolate, half vanilla cake Melanie had made for Brandon and I. Brandon likes vanilla, but I like chocolate.
I put it on the counter, then shut the fridge door, reveling a very smug looking Brandon. He had his arms crossed, leaning back on the counter coolly.
"Ahhh!" I jumped, clutching my heart. He'd startled me!
"What do you want?" I asked angrily
"Wow, I would think you'd be so upset because I'm leaving" Brandon said
"What in the world would possess you to think that?" I asked, hands on hips
"You know, because you're in looooovvvveeee with me?" He taunted
"What are you talking about? With you out of the picture I can turn your room into my own personal art studio!"
"But admit it, you're going to miss me" He said nudging me playfully
"Yeah, no" I said, putting my finger into the chocolate frosting and licking it of my finger
"Yes you are, because you looovvveeee me" He taunted
"No I don't" I said annoyed
"Dear Brandon, I have been in love with you for quite some time now. I'm not exactly what you call bright, and I know that you probably like that in a girl. How couldn't you, you're the smarted guy in this school!" Brandon started in a high pitched voice. I know those words. Crap! He memorized my love letter!
"No!" I jumped trying to shut him up
"I know this is kind of cliché, and I'm sure there's probably thousands of girls wanting to go out with you, and I mean why would you pick me out of all of them. I just want to talk to you…like, face to face" He continued in that same high pitched voice
"No! Stop!" I cried, jumping on his back. I was on his back like a piggyback, except my arms were around his neck, and the rest of my body was hanging out dangling in the air.
He started to walk forward, trying to balance.
". I hope you could think of me..the way that I think of you. Love," Brandon continued, but then he was cut off
"Stella"
I looked up and saw a man in a suit and tie. He had black, graying hair, a perfectly chiseled face…basically he was really official looking. He looked at Brandon and I with a shocked look…in fact everyone did. But..I don't think we were the ones that were shocking them.
"Stella, this man wants to give you a scholarship to Princeton" Melanie said, dumbfounded.
I stood there, wide eyed on top of Brandon.
Officially, THE craziest moment of my ENTIRE life.
