Well, as you can see the votes were aimed more toward just finishing the story. Don't worry though because 2 words and Infinitive 9 will be updated ASAP. Again, I'm sorry for these long waits, I'm trying my hardest to make up for the lost time.

Author's Note: Second to last chapter! The next one is the finale! Ahhhh!

Chapter 21:

Isn't sleep just a wonderful thing? It's a time in a person's life where they can just sit back, relax, and forget all of their worries. You dream and put yourself into a whole new universe, where you can become a completely different person. Yup. Dreams rule.

Ring! Ring! Ring!

"WHAT?! I'M AWAKE!" I screamed, shooting up from my bed. My hair was a mess and I'm not positive but I think I may have drooled down my shirt. What can I say? That was a freaking good night of sleep.

I looked around my room trying to figure out where that ringing was coming from.

"Urrrghhh phone! It's summer vacation! Don't wake me up!" I yelled at my cell phone after picking it up from my side table

I looked to see who was calling. When I saw who it was I decided I should answer it. Maybe Musa can lighten up my depressed mood.

"Musa!" I cried into it, pulling my blanket around myself

"Morning Stell, how's it going over there?" Musa asked

"I don't know I just got up" I said

"I thought you said Mackenzie was coming over for lunch today"

"Shit! I completely forgot about that! Dammit!" I screamed jumping out of my bed

"What, so you're just upstairs sleeping while she's down there?" Musa asked with a laugh

"Muse, how is this funny?" I asked as I ran to my closet

"Because it's so Stella" She said

"Urrghhh! What do I wear?" I asked

"Who cares, it's just Mackenzie" Musa said

"Good point, but I don't want her to have the satisfaction of knowing how angry I am that she's not only taken my man but also my family" I said while slipping on a pair of skinny jeans.

"What did you just say?" Musa asked as I pulled on a white shirt and blazer.

"I said-"
"No I know what you said I'm just confused, first you tell me you're over Brandon and now he's 'your man'" Musa asked

"It just slipped out" I quickly countered

"Mmmhmmm" She said

"I'm serious. I meant it…..figuratively" I said

"Stella, it's been 2 months. When will you just accept that Mackenzie and Brandon are a thing?" Musa asked

"Musa, you're not making any sense. Of course I've accepted it all I'm saying is that when the little bitch and Brandon finally tie the knot I don't want her thinking she's got some big thing over me" I said

"Tie the knot? They've only been dating for 2 months. Mackenzie is the kind of woman that needs at least a year" Musa said

"Yeah but would she ever say no to Brandon Shields?" I asked

"Huh…I guess you're right. Either way, Brandon probably wont pop the question for a while" Musa said

I looked down, remembering the "plan" set up.

"What are we talking about? Who's to say they'll even get married" Musa asked

"They will" I said

Musa sighed.

"Stella, look, the girls and I don't like seeing you like this" Musa said

"Like what?" I asked

"You're all depressed because of it, and don't even deny it. Brandon is and will forever be a jerk. Don't let him rule your life forever" Musa said

"What are you talking about, he doesn't rule my life" I countered

"Yes he does. He's all you think about and it's driving you insane. If you don't give up on him now then you'll never learn to move on" Musa said

I sighed, sitting down on my bed.

"What am I supposed to do?" I asked quietly, shutting my eyes in pain.

"Stella there are so many people that love you in this world. Why does it have to be him?" Musa asked

"I don't know. I honestly don't know" I said

"Don't you want to find love? Settle down with a family of your own?"

"Yes" I said

"You're an amazing person, an amazing artist, and one of the greatest friends I have. Casey Freedmen is so head over heels for you I don't understand why you haven't jumped at the opportunity" Musa said

"Casey's just…"

"Just what?"

"Just…..I don't know!"

"Yes you do. He's not Brandon. Well maybe it's time for you to put Brandon in the back of your mind and Casey in front. If Brandon can move on, so can you. He cant restrict you forever" Musa said

"Look Musa, there had to be a reason for that earthquake. There had to be a reason for my Dad to just so happen be best friends with his dad. There had to be a reason for me writing a letter to him, moving in with him, and going to college with him! It's like fate cant be any more obvious with us!" I said

"Stella-"

"Don't tell me it's just coincidence because there's no such thing as coincidence" I said

Musa was silent

"Everything happens for a reason. All of these things have to just be things in the way- challenges" I said

"Stella, you sound like a deranged crazy person" Musa said

"Well…well…maybe I am!" I screamed

"You are not crazy. Stupid maybe, but not crazy" Musa said

"All I know is that everytime that demon comes over to this house I cant stand but feel….I don't know…"

"Jealous?"

"Maybe" I said

"Stella Solaria, you take that back. Jealous of Mackenzie White? We laugh in the face of Mackenzie White!" Musa said

"Why? Mackenzie is after all the perfect woman" I said bitterly

"The perfect woman? Where'd you get that from?" Musa asked

"Nevermind, just forget it. I have to get downstairs, it's almost 1" I said

"Okay, good luck. And Stell," Musa said

"Yeah?"

"Don't let him get you down. You'll always have us" Musa said

I smiled.

"Thanks Muse" I said

I hung up then finished getting ready, combing out my hair and brushing my teeth. I put on a bit of make-up then went downstairs. It's been 2 months since I broke Brandon's nose. He and Mackenzie have been dating ever since. Mackenzie's never straight out said it to me but I know what she's thinking: Ha, I beat you, as always. She's been to our house about 4 times, twice for dinner, and twice for lunch. Nobody in the family even suspects it's all apart of a plan to save their money, except Sammy and I of course. Harry approves of the relationship, he and President White are ecstatic. My father thinks that Mackenzie is a fine young lady and has told me more than once how much I can learn from her…..blah. Sammy isn't happy or sad about it, he just doesn't care. As for Melanie, Melanie is the one person who doesn't want her in any affiliation with Brandon. Melanie hates the girl and even confronted me about getting in between them. I wished I could say yes but… I didn't. I may not be the brightest but I am a girl of her word. I promised Brandon I wouldn't make a scene about it and just accept Mackenzie. After I realized there's absolutely no way that would happen I just decided to keep my mouth shut.

"Well, well, well look who decided to show up" Sammy said as I reached the dining room.

I looked around, immediately catching Mackenzie's eyes. As usual she was hanging over Brandon like she was his wife or something. I noticed how nice and beautiful she looked compared to me. Bite your cheek Stella, the anger wont show.

I'd kind of trained myself to not show what I was actually feeling. Biting your cheek helps keep in the anger.

"Sorry, I was out late last night" I said, taking a seat next to Sammy. Yup, this is what it has come to. I have now been booted from my regular spot because little miss rich girl stole my seat!

"No you weren't you didn't even leave the house" Sammy said.

I stepped on his foot.

"Actually I did, you must have fell asleep before I left" I said

Sammy glared at me as his foot throbbed.

"It's no problem at all Stella! After all, a girl needs her beauty sleep!" Melanie said, then she looked at Brandon.

"And boy did you get it! Is it just me or does Stella look even more beautiful than yesterday….if that's possible!" Melanie said with a smile

I nervous laughed and gave a fake smile.

"It's just you" Brandon said with a glare at his mother

"Oh Brandon, aren't you a charmer" I said as I stabbed a piece of toast with my fork.

We gave each other fake smiles then looked down.

"So Mackenzie, you were telling us something about being a doctor" Harry said

"Yes, I want to become a veterinarian" She said

"You don't want to eat meat?" I asked with my mouth full

"Huh?" Everyone said confused

Brandon slapped his forehead.

"That's a vegetarian you dimwit" He said

"So what the hell's a veterinarian?" I asked

"It's an animal doctor" Mackenzie said in a "duh" way.

"Oh! Why didn't you just say vet?" I asked

"Because that's the abbreviated version" Mackenzie said

"And most people know that vet is short for veterinarian" Sammy said

"Oh shut up" I said to him

"Well….you don't have to show off for us Mackenzie. We know you're smart" Melanie said in an annoyed tone

"Mom" Brandon said giving her a look

"Yes, Brandon" She said sending a look right back

"Melanie, why don't we start cleaning up" Harry suggested, noticing the tension

"But wait I didn't finish eating" I said taking another sandwich

"No, no, I think he's right. Stella, Brandon, please give me a hand in the kitchen" Melanie said

"But wait!" I said still eating

"Stella, put down the sandwich!" Melanie said

I dropped the sandwich, putting my hands up.

"Alright, alright" I moaned

"Sammy, can you help them out?" Brandon asked

Sammy nodded, standing

"I asked you, don't put your chores on your little brother" Melanie said

"I don't have chores, I don't live here anymore" Brandon said

"Well as long as you're in my house, you will follow my rules, understand?" Melanie asked

Mackenzie looked like she was out of place, not knowing what to say. She'd never in her life seen Brandon Shields, mr. perfect, getting rebuked….let alone by his mother.

"I…I can help" She said rising

"No, no, you're a guest" Melanie said

"No really, I don't mind" Mackenzie said

"It's fine. Sammy, why don't you show our guest around the garden. Harry, Radius, you guys go too, the 3 of us will meet you shortly" Melanie said

Melanie is a very sweet woman, but when she means business, she means business. Everyone did as they were told leaving Melanie, an annoyed Brandon, and a very hungry me sitting in the dining room. Right when we heard the back door shut Melanie turned to Brandon.

"Brandon how many times do I have to tell you not to bring her here?" Melanie asked

"Me? You're yelling at me? You're acting like a complete child" He said

"I'm acting like any mother would. I do not like this girl don't bring her to my home" Melanie said

"Fine, I wont" Brandon said

"And don't date her" Melanie said

"No, I'm old enough to make my own decisions" Brandon said

"Well now you're acting like a child" Melanie said

"No I'm not. You're just blowing this way out of proportions!"

I looked up at the 2 of them screaming at each other, not knowing what to do. Oh, how did I end up here?! What did I do to deserve this?! I've always been a good girl! I only lied when I had to! I never did drugs! I always stayed in school…mostly!

"Uhum….I think I'll go join everyone outside" I said, rising

"Sit down Stella!" Melanie shouted

I shot back down to my seat.

"See what you do? Now you're making her feel uncomfortable in her own home!" Melanie shouted.

"I haven't done a thing. Stella is fine, right Stella?" Brandon said, looking at me

"What? Y…yeah" I said looking from him to his mother

"Yeah right. She's just saying that to be nice. Right Stella?" Melanie asked

"Uhhh….Yeah?" I said unsurely. Brandon gave me a look.

"N..no! I mean no!" I screamed, frazzled

"Well, what is it Stella? Are you okay with this or not?!" Melanie asked

I looked from one to the other.

"Uhhh…I….yes…no…uhh….I DON'T KNOW! YOU TWO ARE CONFUSING ME!" I screamed, covering my ears.

"God, why cant you get anything right?!" Brandon screamed at me

"Why are you yelling at her?" Melanie asked, covering me protectively

"Because she's a complete idiot!" Brandon said

"How dare you talk about her that way! Stella is not an idiot!"

"That's really great coming from you!"

"Why are you being this way, I didn't raise you like this!"

"GUYS! STOP FIGHTING! I DON'T EVEN KNOW WHAT I'M DOING HERE!" I screamed

They both looked at me.

"Stop involving me in this! I have nothing to do with any of this!" I screamed

"Yes you do Stella. I honestly thought I raised my son to be loving, compassionate, and understanding of people's feelings. He doesn't even care that he's rubbing his girlfriend in your face when you obviously still love him. He's completely ignoring your feelings" Melanie said

There was a long silence.

"What?!" I said

"He's being totally insensitive to your feelings" Melanie said, crossing her arms

"Mom, how many times do I have to tell you? Stella and I are not Stella and I. We don't like each other. Right Stella?" Brandon said

"Yeah. I honestly don't care Melanie" I said

"You're wrong, you're lying. You two have so much chemistry-"

"No we don't. We hate each other" I said, then I looked at Brandon

"Stella, don't say that. It's not over yet. Brandon hasn't asked her to marry him or something, you still have a chance" Melanie encouraged

"No she doesn't" Brandon said

We both looked at him.

"Because I am going to ask her to marry me" He said, taking a small velvet box out of his pocket.

Melanie's eyes grew wide….but mine didn't. I saw this one coming. Sooner or later it would have to happen, right. I only wished it was later…..

"WHAT?!" Melanie screamed

"I am going to ask Mackenzie to marry me" Brandon said more firmly

"What?" Melanie whispered, sitting down for support.

I stood immediately, going to her side.

"Melanie calm down, you look like you're going to faint" I said

"What?" She repeated

Brandon watched his mother, but I knew he would sprint if anything really happened to her.

"Y…you cant be serious" She said shaking her head

"Mom, I'm serious" Brandon said

Melanie shook her head, tears forming in her eyes.

"How could you do this to me? How could you do this to Stella?!" She screamed

I crouched down, taking her hand.

"Melanie, you don't have to keep pretending you don't like Mackenzie. There is nothing wrong with her" I said softly.

Melanie shook her head, crying.

"Don't you just want what's best for Brandon?" I asked

"Of course I do but-"

"I wouldn't have been any good for him anyways. I cant cook or clean or do anything that Mackenzie can. She and Brandon make a great couple and they're going to be great parents in the future" I said holding back the tears I wanted to let out

"Stella, don't even go there" Melanie said

I shook my head.

"I'm sorry Melanie, that things didn't work out the way that you wanted. I'm sorry that Brandon and I weren't the match that you wanted us to be. Sometimes people just have to move on," I said, remembering Musa's words.

"Brandon did, and I did too" I said

"What are you talking about Stella. Don't you want things to be the way you imagined. Remember back when you were in high school. Remember the letter?" Melanie said

"But that was just high school, and it was just a letter. Brandon and I have gone our separate ways, his being with Mackenzie, and mine with Casey" I said

"Casey? Who's Casey?" Melanie asked

"He's the guy who I've been dating. He's a Freedmen" I said

"W…why haven't you told me this before?" Melanie asked

I shrugged.

"I didn't want it to turn out this way" I said

Melanie covered her face with her hands.

"I don't believe this. I don't believe this!" She cried

"Mom….I'm sorry" Brandon said, and he never apologizes

Melanie stood, composing herself.

"No, I'm sorry too. I really, really believed that-" Her voice cracked.

"I just….I need to go lay down" She said, wiping a tear on her sleeve.

"Melanie, please don't be upset" I begged.

She turned to be, with a forced smile.

"Stella, I just want you to be happy" She said

"Melanie-"

She went upstairs. Brandon and I were silent as we heard her footsteps. We heard her bedroom door shut then we both looked down. I looked at him, at the box in his hand, then up at his eyes. My face began to hurt from holding back tears. I let out a breath before speaking so I wouldn't start crying.

"Well, these dishes wont clean themselves" I said, picking up 2 plates.

Brandon nodded reaching for a plate.

"N..no, it's fine. Go outside. It's not a lot" I said, trying to get rid of him. He looked at me, silent, then turned and went to the back door. I started to pick up dishes, bringing them into the kitchen. Tears started to cloud my vision but I kept on working. Please, stop crying. Your nose will turn red and your eyes will get puffy.

I started to load the dish washer, faster and faster I put the dishes in. I barely even washed them, I just threw them in.

Crash!

A glass plate shattered on the ground, a shard of it brushing against my thumb.

"Ah!" I cried as I saw the blood begin to flow. It wasn't big, but enough to make me feel frustrated. I started sobbing, but not out of pain, out of frustration. I got a piece of paper towel, wrapping it around my finger. I sat down next to the dish washer, sobbing and trying to stop my thumb from bleeding.

I heard the back door open and footsteps leading to the kitchen. I gasped, wiping my face as fast as I could trying to hide my tears. I wasn't crying for too long so at least I didn't look THAT bad. The bloody finger did look bad though…

"Not Brandon. Not Brandon. Anyone but Brandon" I chanted.

My prayers were answered.

"Stella, are you okay, we heard a cras-" Sammy said, and when he saw me he stopped. He arched his eyebrows in concern.

"Are you okay?" He asked looking at the broken glass and then back at me.

"Yeah, of course I am" I said, looking away, hiding my face.

"You're crying….are you hurt?" He asked stepping around the glass and towards me.

"No I'm fine, go back outside" I said

Then, he noticed the red begin to seep through the many layers of paper towel.

"You're bleeding!" He said in surprise looking at my finger

"I…I just got cut by the plate. I'm fine" I said

He looked at me, then at the injury, then back at me.

"You're not crying because of the cut, are you?" He asked softly

That's it. I give up!

"No!" I cried, shaking my head and letting the tears flow again.

"Did Brandon do something?" He asked

I shook my head.

"I did this to myself" I cried

He looked at me sadly.

"Stella….don't cry" He said finally

That was the first time he's ever showed love to me.

Later that night

It was almost 12, so it was pretty dark out. I had just showered and was now dressed in sweatpants and a t-shirt. After today's events I was pretty worn out. I was tired, upset, frustrated, and envious. I wasn't sure who I was envious of, all I knew was that I did not want to be me.

"Daddy" I said, walking into his room.

"I'm out here" He called from his balcony.

My Dad was in his pajamas, watching the stars in the sky, enjoying the summer air.

"Hi" I said softly, standing beside him.

"What's wrong?" He asked noticing the sadness on my face.

"N…nothing" I said

He looked at me unsurely

"I just felt like I wanted to be with you" I said

He wrapped his arm around me and we both looked up.

"Brandon's going to propose to Mackenzie" I said

He looked at me with a sad expression, but then smiled.

"I know, he told me"

"He told you?" I asked

My Dad nodded.

There was a long silence.

"Stella, I don't think this is going to work anymore" My Dad said finally

I looked at him with a confused expression.

"What do you mean?" I asked

"This" He said motioning to the house

"I still don't understand" I said

"Stella….it's not necessary for us to be living here anymore" My Dad said

I turned to him surprised.

"You want to move?" I asked

"Honey…we've been here for almost 3 years. Everyone's growing up. When we first arrived we were 2 people with no where to go. I finally have enough money for us to move into our very own apartment" My Dad said

"But….I love it here" I said

"I do too…but things change. When we first started living here we were expecting to stay a few months, a year at most. I think we've overstayed our welcome" He said

"Did Harry say something?" I asked shaking my head in disbelief

"No, no, in fact when I tell him he'll probably protest" He said

"Then...why?" I asked

He turned to me.

"Do you think I want you to feel this way? As your father all I want for you is happiness. When we're here…it's so painful for you. When things are painful for you they're painful for me too because you're all that I've got" He said

I pulled him into a tight hug as he continued talking.

"I don't want you to see him anymore" He said

I pulled back.

"Who? Brandon?" I asked

"I don't want you to be taunted any longer. If we continue this way I fear you'll never heal from this broken heart" He said

"Daddy-"

"I want you to be happy. I want you to get married, I want to have little grandchildren running around my restaurant. I want you to experience all of these things" My Dad said

"I want to experience them too" I said

He pulled back, pushing my hair back.

"Then we need to get out of here" He said

I pulled him in for a tight hug, feeling more tears starting to fall.

Never in my life have I ever felt so defeated.

Oh man, that was really sad. Anyways, the next chapter will be….epic. I cant wait to write it! I hope you guys enjoyed!