Hi! I hope you're all doing well, thank you so much for the sweet reviews, it really makes me happy that even after all these years there are still people here who are interested in this story and support me finishing it, I really appreciate it.💕 Just to answer a few specific questions, yes, I do plan on giving them a lot of steamy moments when they get together, and even some before, but they will still have that ongoing banter, trust me that'll never change.
Hope you guys enjoy this chapter, starting off with, yes, finally, Brandon's POV. ;)
Brandon's P.O.V.
The bright rays of the morning sun peeked through my curtains, waking me up. I looked over at my alarm clock, which flashed 6:43.
It was still pretty early, so I decided to go back to sleep. As I was closing my eyes, realisation dawned on me that there was a certain blonde just inches away from me, peacefully asleep. She was still wrapped up in my arms, her hands lightly clutched to my wrists, so I tried not to move too much.
Carefully, I lifted my head up and peeked over her shoulder to see her face, and she was engulfed in a deep sleep. She looked so still and serene, which contrasted to her usual bubbly, hyperactive persona. I smiled to myself before laying my head back on the pillow, where her golden hair tickled my face.
I really have no clue what overcame me last night, what the hell was I thinking, trying to.. cuddle her? I have no idea why she even tolerated it, I mean not a single protest or complain after that? But I guess that was a good thing, because it would be so fucking awkward if she had pushed me off. I must've been desperately tired if I thought doing.. that was more logical than getting her warmer clothing.
I still have no idea why I did it, but I shouldn't read too much into the fact that she let me do it, right? I still don't know where we stand, it's not like we're really good friends or anything, we literally used to be enemies just months ago, so this is all so new. But ever since Liam's party, and that talk we had.. I don't know, it's like I feel different around her?
It's probably the fact that we had that super deep conversation and know more about each other than our own friends do, but I'm not really mad that she knows. It's like I can trust her with it, like we have some sort of mutual, unspoken understanding, but we haven't mentioned a word of it, or anything that happened that night, since then.
Feeling her fingers softly ghosting over my knuckles, I got lost in my thoughts. Having her here, this close, felt good. Stella's not really what I had initially expected - I was finally getting to know her, and it was throwing me off. I mean sure, we're around each other all the time.. when someone lives next door to you, goes to your school, is best friends with all your friends and practically lives in your house, you can't not know everything about them.
I had always seen her as another obnoxious girl with one hell of a mouth on her, but now, it was somehow different. Like I could somehow see past her jokes and witty remarks, everything about her that made my blood boil suddenly just seemed less annoying? I don't mind her presence that much either, in fact actually it's quite calming. I know we're like 'friends' or whatever, but there's just something about her that fascinates me, and I hate to admit this but I can't stop thinking about her.
Maybe it's just because of what she told me that night, that made me see her in a different light.. to see her fears, what keeps her up at night. It really scared me, how hysterical she was after that nightmare, and I was definitely not expecting what she had told me. She must be so strong, she literally was face to face with death, and made her way through it.. just looking at her, you'd never expect her to be a victim of such a life altering tragedy.
I admire her for it. To be able to endure that kind of pain and trauma, and still be so genuine and keep a smile on her face.. now that was both unfathomable and inspiring to me. Come to think of it, she's actually a really compassionate person. Sure, she and I have had it out for each other since the day we met, but admittedly, that was my fault, if I hadn't insisted on declaring world war 3, then she probably would've been nice to me too. But to everyone else, including me that night, she's nothing but kind.
And it really makes me think about myself. I've been such an ass, not only to her, but to literally everybody. I guess we were similar in the way that we both dealt with some pretty rough shit in the past year, but the difference is she made it through without blowing up everything around her. It's not hard to tell that all that stuff still bothers her, but she does a remarkable job of hiding it and persisting no matter what. Well.. I, on the other hand, decided that since I was suffering, everyone else should too. It was so stupid and she was right, I was brutal, and only when talking to her did I realise how selfish I had been.
I'm stuck in this self-destructive state and I have been ever since Mitzi obliterated my heart. My personality had taken a serious turn after her, it's like I built a foolproof wall around my heart, not allowing myself to feel anything or trust anyone because then I'd have to deal with all the pain that she left me. But Stella.. she cracked that wall, and little by little, I'm starting to feel things that I haven't in a really long time.
Never in a million years did I think I'd ever befriend Stella, let alone be able to let down my guard with her and be vulnerable like I was that night. God, this is all so weird, maybe this is just my delirious half asleep brain bringing up thoughts I've submerged deep in my subconscious... but all I'm certain of right now is that having her in my arms is the most calming thing I've felt in ages.
I sighed to myself, feeling my eyes grow heavy again. I nuzzled my face into the crook of her neck, inhaling her fragrant scent. I could sense a subtle whiff of my mom's detergent, remembering she was wearing my shirt. It gave me an unusual thrill - the thought of her wearing my clothes, like it was a weirdly intimate thing. And I've got to admit, she looked kinda cute in it...
I felt sleep starting to take over my body, and gently tightened my hold on her, so she was securely encompassed in my embrace. I don't exactly know why I didn't just stay like that or just pull away, she was clearly asleep and probably didn't need me anymore, but something in me was desperate not to let her go. I let myself slowly doze off with a faint feeling of content still lingering in my mind.
Stella's P.O.V.
I felt myself slowly start to wake up, and squinted my eyes as the sunlight glared through the window. I glanced at the digital clock at the other side of the room which read 10:03 am. I sighed to myself, feeling much more refreshed, and so much better than I did yesterday. The fever had definitely wore off and my body was going back to normal.
Talking about my body... what the hell is Brandon doing holding onto me like his personal pillow?
And then, my tired state wore off and I remembered. Last night.
That was kinda out of the ordinary for him, but I had figured he'd probably let go once I had fallen asleep and fled back to his side of the bed. Guess not..
In all seriousness, this is mega weird. Waking up like this, I mean it wasn't necessarily bad.. but regardless, it was weird, right? God, I should probably spare myself the humiliation and move back before he wakes up and it gets all awkward again.
I squirmed slightly, trying to loosen his hold so I could squeeze myself out, but his grip was too strong.
Damn those stupid muscles.
Instead of trying to pull away, I started to turned my body in his direction, in hopes that it would somehow move his arms, but no. He was still gripping on. And I had just made it a hundred times worse because I was now facing him, and I had somehow tightened his hold so it was impossible to get out of.
I rolled my eyes at my own incompetence, before realising how close we were. Sure, his chest was pressed against my back all night, but at least I didn't have to look at him!
Now, his face was like dangerously close. I sucked in a breath as I watched him curiously. I mean I had nothing else to do, except stare at him.
He looks so innocent in his sleep.. like a harmless little kid.
Okay, fine, I'll admit he looks adorable.
The way his lips were slightly parted, his brown tousled hair was dishevelled against his forehead, and how his expression remained soft...
I had realised that I'd never gotten such a close up view of him. Technically, yes, I've had an abundance of awkward encounters where we accidentally got a little too close, but this was different, because his conscious presence wasn't there to tell me to back the hell off.
I marvelled at the ambiguity of his face, I couldn't really read it. My curiosity started to wonder, pondering about what he was dreaming of, or whether he was dreaming at all. There's like a whole side of him I don't know, even though I thought I knew him pretty well, being my enemy and all. Keep your friends close and your enemies closer, isn't that what they say? How else are you meant to exploit their weaknesses, after all?
But now, he wasn't my enemy anymore, he was my friend - kinda. He's not like Liam or Musa or even Sky. They're all my friends but I don't find myself thinking about them this much. I guess it's just because of the unfamiliarity of it all. We weren't fighting to the extreme extent we used to, but we weren't talking that much either. I guess I just feel odd about him giving me that glimpse into his life, about his past, and then suddenly never talking about it again.
He clearly has some unresolved feelings that he needs to sort out, and I don't know.. I guess I thought he'd confide in me about it. Not that he should feel obligated or anything, I just thought maybe he'd mention it by now, it's not like we agreed to never speak of it. But then again, he maybe just trying to be considerate, in case he thought I wanted to forget it happened.
See what I mean? I can't go one second without overthinking and overanalysing everything these days! Don't even get me started about last night, whatever possessed him to do that has probably worn off and he'll be throwing me off his bed in a matter of seconds when he wakes up.
Maybe not though.. I mean he was being weirdly nice yesterday? So what if this was all an act of kindness, an attempt to be nice and initiate a friendship?
Whatever it was, I didn't really mind it. Not telling him that, though.
My daze was interrupted by a sudden deafening clang of saucepans in the distance.
Liam.
I groaned lightly, wincing at the headache it gave me and the fact that my eardrums had probably bursted. I felt the body next to mine stir slightly, and my eyes were met with two chocolate brown ones.
"Morning" I squeaked, not knowing what to say, or whether to mention our current state or proximity.
"Morning" He whispered, his voice husky from sleep. "How long have you been awake?"
"Me? I- um, I just woke up right now. Same as you" I stuttered, faking a yawn, hoping he didn't call me out for watching him sleep for god knows how long.
"Did you sleep okay?" He asked, his eyebrows furrowing out of concern, probably at my flustered state.
"Great.." I smiled.
There was a comfortable silence after that, neither of us said anything, or moved, we just stayed still. I mean we were still tucked into each others embrace, and were unsure of what to do. So we just kinda stared at one another...
I opened my mouth, just about to say something, but before I had the chance, the door suddenly flung open and Liam burst into the room.
"Brandon! Did you touch my expensive cocoa mix without my supervision?! Because I told you-"
We both practically jolted to opposite sides of the bed as soon as we realised his presence, trying to act as nonchalant as possible.
"Liam, learn how to fucking knock, please" Brandon groaned, trying to compose himself after the initial shock.
"I'm sorry, did I interrupt something? Since when did you two start canoodling?" Liam asked, eyeing us suspiciously.
"What are you talking about?" I asked, acting oblivious.
"First off, what the hell are you both doing in Brandon's bed? The whole freaking house was empty, but you chose to sleep here, together?"
"We were watching a movie and we fell asleep, no big deal" Brandon lied.
"Hm okay, but that doesn't explain the serious spooning going on.." he said.
Brandon and I exchanged nervous glances at each other. Why the hell did Liam have to walk in?
"That wasn't- we were just, um... talking?" I proposed.
"I don't talk to my friends like that" Liam scoffed. "If something is going on with you guys, you should just spill. I mean this is the second time I've caught you in bed together and it can't be a coincidence-"
"Liam!" I gasped at the accusation. "We were watching a movie and we fell asleep. Not my fault Brandon rolls around in his sleep!"
"Speak for yourself, blondie, you were practically drop kicking me" Brandon said.
"You know what, we should be the ones questioning you" I said, crossing my arms as I glared at Liam. "Where were you all night?"
"Yeah, you didn't come home last night, you have some explaining to do" Brandon added.
"Hey, why are we ganging up on me suddenly? I did come home last night, you guys were asleep. I went straight to my room because I was tired, but now I regret not checking up on you guys. God knows what you were doing when I was gone"
"What were you doing? Care to explain why your phone was off?" I interrogated.
"Hey, it's not what you're thinking, Stel. Not that it's any of your business, but I'm still an innocent virgin" he joked, putting his hands up in defence. "We went to see a late night showing at the theatre and the show was three hours long, I had to turn off my phone. And it was kinda far from here, so it was a long drive. Nothing scandalous about it at all, unlike you guys"
"Dude why did you burst into my room unannounced again?" Brandon asked.
"Oh yeah, right. You ransacked my hot cocoa collection!" he huffed.
"Blame Stella, she was begging for it!" He said, pointing at me.
"Hey! You offered! Plus, as I recall, I was promised me the finest royal treatment!" I protested.
"Whatever, you both owe me for the mess you left! I'm gonna make some coffee, you coming?" Liam said, heading to the door.
"Yeah, I'll be down in a sec" I answered.
"Did I really kick you?" I asked Brandon, as soon as Liam was out of sight.
"You think I'd let you stay if you did?" He joked.
"Shut up" I scoffed, trying to chuck a pillow at him, but I ended up missing.
"I'm sorry, were you aiming for me or the window?" he asked, making fun of my miserable fail before grabbing the pillow from beside him and tossing it right at my face.
"Hey!" I pouted. "You can't hurt me, I'm sick"
"Not anymore you aren't. Which means you can finally stop putting off math lessons" he smirked.
Wow, he must really enjoy this. I mean getting to be the one who has to torture me with my most loathed subject ever, that must be satisfying.
"Ugh fine, but after breakfast!" I said, hopping off the bed.
It was around 3pm, and my mom had just texted that she was home, so I could finally leave. As much as I love Liam, staying with those two guys can be a little much, ya know? All the testosterone and stuff.
I waited eagerly at the door, and greeted her with a hug before running straight to my room.
"Oh how I've missed you mi amor!" I sighed, collapsing into my sheets, relishing in the expanse of my bed.
"Stel, Isabel called last night and told you weren't feeling well. Are you okay honey?" My mom asked, walking into my room.
"Yeah, I'm fine" I said, sitting up.
"Stella.." My mom said, giving me a stern look as she raised her hand to my forehead.
"I'm okay now, mom I promise! It was probably a bug or something, I had a fever yesterday but I'm all good. I got lots of rest and took medicine and stayed hydrated, trust me, I got Liam and Brandon to attend to my every need" I smiled.
"Oh those poor boys, I need to apologise to Isabel for the inconvenience - honestly, why didn't you stay here? Or call me" she asked.
"I may have accidentally left my keys here" I shrugged.
She shook her head, chuckling at me as she got up.
"Well try to be more careful from now on, okay?" she said. I nodded, laying back in my bed.
After a couple hours of switching between my phone and Netflix, I decided to take a nice steaming hot shower because I really needed it. Once I stepped out, I wrapped a towel around my body and then realised I'd forgotten my clothes in my room.
I opened the door unknowingly, just minding my own business, until I suddenly looked up and shrieked in terror to see someone sitting on my bed nonchalantly.
As I caught my breath I realised it was Brandon, and I suddenly became very aware of my clothing. Or lack thereof.
"What the fuck are you doing in my room you psycho!" I exclaimed, tightly grasping the top of my towel as my arms covered my chest protectively.
"Chill, your mom let me in. I figured you were in the shower so I decided to entertain myself" He said, motioning to a book he had grabbed off my shelf.
"You just- what if I was naked, Brandon?!" I scolded, not even moving from the spot I was it, creating a puddle on my floor from my sopping wet hair.
"Well, then that would've been a little awkward" He joked, an amused smile plastered on his face as he eyed me.
"Why are you even here, douche?" I asked, trying my best to not expose anymore of myself as I scuttled around my room to look for my clothes.
Seriously, one slip up and I'd be flashing everything. This towel is way too small, I mean it's basically a freaking tea towel!
"We agreed, we'd meet up at your house at 6 so I could tutor you?" he said.
Oh right. Well that's just great, now I have to communicate with him, face to face, after accidentally almost putting myself on display.
"Fine, just let me find my clothes first" I said, scanning my room in confusion.
I could've sworn I left them sitting on my bed?
"You mean these?"
I glanced up to see Brandon holding up the clothes I'd left, with a devious smirk on his face.
"Give them back!" I demanded, trying to hold out my arm without letting my towel slip.
"Come and get them" he said.
"Brandon you know I can't- ugh just throw them to me!" I whined, practically glued on the spot.
"I don't know what you're talking about... I'm trying to give them to you" He said innocently, pretending to be clueless.
"This isn't funny, hand them over!" I grumbled, crossing my arms like an angry toddler.
"Stella I really don't get you mean. I'm doing exactly what you're asking, I'm handing them to you" he shrugged, literally sitting in my bed putting zero effort into outstretching his arm. He was practically clutching them to his chest, so I had no way to grab them without completely embarrassing myself.
I rolled my eyes, cautiously walking over to the edge of my bed, glancing down every two seconds to ensure I was still.. covered up.
"If this towel comes undone I swear to god I'm gonna kill you" I said, narrowing my eyes at Brandon, who was still a good 3 feet away.
"Hey, it's not my fault you forgot your clothes, is it?" he questioned.
"I didn't forget them, you stole them!" I said, trying desperately to reach over to get them.
"You shouldn't take such hot showers, they make you really red" he advised, pointing out the blush that was starting to creep up my neck.
"Don't think I won't hesitate to slap you Shields, give them to me now!" I ordered, climbing onto the bed.
"That towel is starting to look a little loose" he tutted, making me suddenly gasp down in horror only to see him burst out in laughter.
"Asshole" I muttered, finally snatching them from him.
"You're too easy to mess with, Stel" he chuckled.
"I'm glad my suffering brings you such joy" I smiled sarcastically, before marching back to my bathroom and slamming the door shut.
And now he gets to teach me maths for an hour straight, I can't even begin to comprehend how happy this must make him. Prepare for the most boring night of my life...
"I don't get it" I groaned for the umpteenth time, throwing my head back into my pillow.
Almost TWO hours had passed and I was.. well, struggling would be an serious understatement.
"No, you refuse to get it, there's a difference" Brandon said, closing the textbook.
"Don't be a smartass, okay, this literally no sense - zero, zilch, nada!" I sighed.
"You're not listening, it makes sense once you understand the basics" he said.
"What's the point? It's not like my dumb brain will be able to comprehend it, you said that yourself" I retorted.
"Hey that was like 4 months ago, I obviously didn't mean it" he said.
"But you're right, I'm incapable of getting this and I'll just flunk this test like I flunked all the others, and then I'll fail the SATs, I'll never graduate, and I'll-"
"Stella, stop it" he interrupted, grabbing my arm and pulling me back up. "Look at me. You're gonna understand this, even if it takes us all freaking night, and you're gonna ace that test tomorrow, got it?"
"You promise?" I asked, furrowing my brows. He nodded, sticking out his pinky finger adamantly.
"Seriously?" I scoffed, looking at him incredulously.
He was insistent, so I rolled my eyes, laughing as I followed suit.
"Now pay attention. You already know the equation, you just have to apply it to the question and substitute the numbers.." he instructed, showing me a demonstration.
After several explanations, some angry outbursts (on my part), a LOT of scrunched up balls of paper and half a dozen textbooks scattered across the room, Brandon had somehow convinced me to do some questions in silence. We were currently sitting on my bedroom floor leaning against my bed, and Brandon was finishing up an essay while I worked away.
"So, your mom invited me to stay for dinner"
My eyes shot up from my notebook in surprise.
"Wait really? What did you say?" I asked.
"Well it wasn't much of a question, I couldn't really say no" he shrugged.
"Why would she ask you to have dinner here?" I said.
"I don't know, maybe because I rarely come over" he said, looking around at my room. "Come to think of it, this is the probably the first time I've even seen your room. Weird, we've been neighbours for ages and you basically live at my house, yet I've never even set foot in yours"
"Um, incorrect - you have seen it. That time you broke the wall down, remember? You had a pretty decent view of my room, but it was kinda covered in drywall" I laughed.
"When will you stop bringing that up?" he said, glaring at me.
"When it stops being funny" I said. "Hey, can I ask you something?"
"You just did, but go ahead"
"You never actually told me your side of the story. I mean I heard some yelling, so I assumed you and Liam got into a fight or something? What happened?" I asked.
"He was just winding me up about something, and I overreacted. Nothing special" He said.
"Well it must've been pretty special if it provoked you to do something like that. Was it about Mitzi?" I blurted out.
I instantly regret what had slipped out of my mouth, as I watched his expression harden.
Shit shit shit! I definitely hit a spot, he's gonna be mad at me for the rest of eternity.
"Oh my god, I'm so sorry, I don't know why I just said that. Just forget it, I-"
"It was. About her" he uttered.
"You really don't need to tell me if you don't want" I said, putting my pen down.
"No, it's fine. Liam was trying to convince me to go on a date with some random girl he knew, and when I kept refusing he started to bring Mitzi up, and was telling me I needed to stop being hung over her and put myself back out there. In hindsight he was only looking out for me but at the time I thought he was just trying to piss me off and I don't know, I just got really, really mad - I think, with myself more than anything. I wasn't thinking rationally and before I knew it, our apparently very fragile wall over there was taking all the heat" he said.
"I'm sorry you had to go through such a rough breakup" I said softly. "And trust me I get the urge, Liam can be really persistent sometimes, but I'm sure he meant well"
He nodded, affliction still glinting in his eyes as he glanced up. "I never apologised for it. It was a really moronic thing to do"
"It's fine, you don't need to-"
"I do" he interjected. "I was way too arrogant to say anything before, but I am sorry. Believe it or not, demolishing your house wasn't on my bucket list"
"It wasn't? And here I was believing I'd helped you achieve your life long dream of re-enacting a scene from the Hulk" I joked, making him crack a smile.
"And I'm sorry for punching you in the face that day. Even though it did me way worse, so you should be apologising for spraining my poor wrist" I said.
"Hey, who was the bleeding all over the principals office! It looked like a freaking crime scene in there, I was the real victim" he argued. "Plus, I think making my house hotel Stella for a month was punishment enough"
"I was a delightful guest, I don't know what you mean" I said.
"Oh yeah? Then why do I still find your scrunchies all over my house like I'm on an Easter egg hunt?" he asked.
"So you're the one who's been stealing them!" I gasped dramatically.
"Not stealing them, just discovering them" he said.
"Why haven't you given them back then?" I inquired.
"Because you never asked" he shrugged.
"Well, can I have them back?"
"No. They make really good slingshots, you know" he said.
He suddenly slid the baby blue scrunchie right off my wrist, and aimed it at a random corner of my room.
"Brandon!" I squeaked, trying to snatch it back. "I really liked that one! What if it breaks?!"
"Then I'll buy you a new one, just watch!" he said, stretching it before flinging it across the room. "That could like seriously injure someone!"
"I know, cool right? These things have got insane elasticity" He chuckled, picking it back up and continuing to mess with it.
"You're ridiculous" I muttered, getting back to my work.
After twenty minutes or so, I finished answering all the questions and hesitantly gave it back to Brandon to mark.
A couple moments of silence had passed, and I was starting to get anxious.
"Let me guess, I completely bombed it?" I pouted.
"No, actually you did pretty well. There's a couple errors here and there with your calculations, but you got the method right for the most part. You just need to double check next time, and you should be fine" he said.
"You're lying" I said, narrowing my eyes at him.
"I'm not, see for yourself" He said, showing me the page.
"You mean I actually got it right? Like, me, Stella, actually succeeded in a math test for once?" I grinned in disbelief.
"Yup"
"Thank you, thank you, thank you!" I squealed, mindlessly throwing my arms around his neck for a hug.
I suddenly realised what I was doing and pulled back immediately. Wow Stel, congrats, you've made it weird now.
"So, um.." I cleared my throat. "You don't look very surprised, I mean you didn't even accuse me of cheating yet"
"I knew you could do it" he shrugged. "But don't go getting all this confidence, okay, I'm still top of the class and you're not beating me anytime soon"
"Relax dude, I'm not dying for your spot. Why would I when I already have it in Chemistry?" I smirked.
"Fair enough - but just for your information, I was excelling at that too, that is until some infuriating blond came in and stole my place" he teased.
"Maybe I should be the one tutoring you" I chuckled, nudging his shoulder.
"I should really be charging you for my services" he sighed. "It's an exhausting responsibility, I'm sure the other two people would be profiting off it"
"Well the other two aren't my friends, you are. Besides, we do have an agreement, you help me, I don't go complaining to your mom" I smiled.
"No, see that's what they call blackmail" he said, shaking his head.
"Semantics" I muttered.
There was a knock on the door, and then my mom peeked her head in.
"Ah, great, you both are still alive. I was starting to get suspicious" she said.
"What, why?" I asked.
"There was no yelling or screaming or arguing - I'm not quite accustomed to the peace and quiet, but I could get used to it" she laughed.
"Dinner's ready, just wanted to tell you guys. How is your tutoring going? I hope she's not giving you too much trouble" she said, looking at Brandon sympathetically.
"Mom!"
"Not at all, she's actually doing pretty well." he said.
"Well please do let me know if she starts goofing off. You have my full permission to do anything it takes for her to do well"
"Mother!" I whined.
"I'm serious Stella, you better be listening to everything he's telling you, and be really grateful that he's sacrificing his precious time to help you. Especially considering how poorly you've treated him ever since you moved here, you should really be thanking him" she said.
"He is not the victim here! I'm the one who has to endure extra hours of my precious time learning the devil's subject" I grumbled.
"It's really no trouble, Ms Solaria. I'm glad to be of help, really" he smiled, as my mom left.
"Why are you sucking up to my mom?" I asked.
"Hey, I'm just being polite. That way your little promise to go snitch on my mom works both ways" he winked, getting up to follow her downstairs.
"Unbelievable!" I huffed.
"Stel, honey could you get the plates from the cupboard?" My mom asked, as she set the table.
Damn, she's busting out the china? Must be a special occasion.
"The fancy ones? Sure" I nodded, heading to the kitchen.
"Well it's not everyday we don't eat dinner from a cardboard box" she yelled back.
True, we usually just order takeout, and we rarely ever have guests so my mom must be thrilled.
I looked up at the plates, which were stacked right at the top. I stood on my tiptoes, attempting to stretch my arm out to reach them, but I wasn't even close.
"Need some help?"
I felt a body grazing against my back, and a quickly spun my head around to see Brandon towering over me. His arm extended over mine, grabbing the plates with ease.
"I could've done that myself" I said.
"Sure..." he said, his voice dripping with sarcasm.
"My next plan was to climb on the counter!" I said, crossing my arms.
"And what, break your neck too?" he chuckled.
"I'll take those, thank you" I said, snatching the plates from him, as I head to dining room to spread out them out.
"So where's Angelo?" I asked, sitting down.
"He's out late for practice tonight, so it'll just be us" she said, as she joined us.
"That sucks, I was hoping to talk to him actually" Brandon said.
"Wait really? Since when were you guys buddies?" I asked.
"Angelo used to help me with my workout regime last year, before you came here" he said.
Okay, how was I not aware of this?
"That's right, I'm sure he'd love to catch up." My mom said, starting to serve dinner. It was some Italian dish she'd learnt from Angelo that I can't pronounce or spell, and it basically just looked like fancy spaghetti and meatballs, but boy was it good.
"So Brandon, are you still enjoying football?" she asked.
"Actually, I quit during the first semester this year. But I've decided to join the team again"
I choked on my drink for second, before erupting into a fit of coughs.
"You're- I'm sorry, what?!" I asked, finally catching my breath
"I'm joining the team again. Is that a.. problem?" he asked, confused.
"No! No of course not, I think it's great! I'm just really surprised is all" I said. "When are you gonna go back?"
"It's too late in the year to start now, but I'm certain coach will let me start next semester, with senior year and all"
"I'm sure Angelo will be more than happy to help you get back into the routine. From what I've heard, you were quite the player last year, they'll be happy to have you back. Stella, you should really try out for a sport, it would be good for you" my mom said.
I scoffed, stuffing a huge fork full of spaghetti into my mouth.
"Never gonna happen. I'd rather join debate club than do physical exercise, especially if it involves girls who are twice my size getting to viciously attack me, all over a game" I shuddered at the thought.
Could you imagine, though? Some things are just not meant to be. And Stella and sports are like oil and water.
"They're hosting a pizza eating contest next week, you should think about joining that" Brandon said.
"What, really?! That's so cool, how do I sign up?" I asked eagerly.
"I was just kidding, but now I'm a little concerned.." he remarked.
"You're so mean, getting my hopes up like that" I sighed.
"I'm glad you guys decided to end that awful feud you had, Stella's way less grumpy now that she doesn't spend every waking hour complaining to me about this boy she utterly despises" my mom said, sipping on her glass.
"You're exaggerating, she's exaggerating!" I squeaked, looking at Brandon."I d-don't spend all day doing that, I have a life, obviously"
Way to embarrass me, mom! He probably thinks my whole world revolves around him!
"Well for the record, I'm glad too" he said, totally ignoring my attempts to divert the conversation.
At least he's being... nice, I guess?
We continued to talk for the rest of dinner, and it was getting pretty late so Brandon had to get going.
After I finished cleaning up, we were both standing on my porch, as I handed him back his textbook.
"Thank you" I said. "For helping me"
"No problem" he said, starting to turn around.
"Is it true?" I suddenly chirped, making him turn back. "Are you really gonna join the team again? Or was it just something you said to keep the conversation going"
"Yeah, it's true" he said. "Thought it was high time their star quarterback returned to them"
I laughed, rolling my eyes at his ego. "I'm serious. What inspired this sudden... ambitious impulse?"
"You did"
"Me?" I questioned, knitting my brows together. "What did I do?"
"Nothing much" he shrugged, putting his hands in his pockets as he began to walk off.
"Brandon! Wait up, you can't just leave me here with that. What do you mean me?" I asked, hopping down the porch stairs as he got further away.
"Night. Tell your mom thanks for dinner"
"Are you really gonna leave me confused out here? Hello? Shields!" I yelled.
"See you tomorrow, Sunshine" he winked, chuckling to himself before closing his door.
Okay I'm officially stumped.. I really cannot figure this guy out.
What does he mean, saying I inspired him to spontaneously start engaging in extra curricular activities again? I don't remember saying anything or encouraging it..
I don't know, he probably just meant it as a joke or something. No point dwelling on it, right?
I walked back into my house, and trudged up the stairs, heading straight to my room. I was totally burned out and collapsed into my bed, snuggling into my covers as exhaustion washed over my body.
Since it was nearing the end of junior year, SATs were coming up, and there was a lot of prep to be done for senior year, so everything was getting hectic. But on the bright side, once they're over, a long summer vacation awaits and I couldn't be more excited. The past year has been anything but relaxing and the last summer was full of police investigations, divorce lawyers, and a bunch of therapy. All I want is a normal summer and I intend for this one to be the best one yet.
So the beginning of this chapter was basically to just share their inner thoughts and feelings, and showcase how they were both lowkey feeling the same things but don't even know it, and also how they're adjusting to being friends lol. This point in the story is a bit of an emotional breakthrough for Brandon, because before any feelings come into play, there's this admiration he has of Stella and his realisation that he could learn from her and the way she deals with her past in comparison to him, which is really huge part of his development. I feel like it's kinda unrealistic when characters just fall in love and their faults just suddenly disappear, it's definitely a process in which both of them help each other grow. So idk I thought it would be necessary to show the little things that lead to his development as a character, as well as them as a couple, if that makes sense?
Anyways, that's all I really have to say. I hope you all are doing okay during this time, and I hope this story brings a little temporary comfort to any of you who need it. Please do review, I love hearing what you guys think. Love you all, stay safe! ❤︎