DISCLAIMER: I DON'T OWN WINX CLUB.
...I'm not sure if anyone STILL wants to read this story. I mean, it's been so, so long since I updated that I forgot this story even existed.
This is just a short chapter, so if you still want more, please let me know c:
~ The Next Afternoon - 8:00 AM ~
Stella clutched her head tightly as she blinked her eyes open. She moaned in pain as a migraine throbbed inside of her head. She tiredly opened her eyes and groaned as sunlight pierced through the soft yellow curtains.
"Good heavens," she mumbled as she scrambled out of her bed. She stood up and yawned. A second later, she froze. What am I doing on the bed? She was pretty sure that she resorted to sleeping on the floor. As if she'd sleep beside him in the first place.
Heat rose to her cheeks when she thought about the only plausibility. She hugged herself embarrassingly as she imagined him picking her up and placing her on the bed. Shrugging, she went to the bathroom while clutching her throbbing head.
In a few minutes, she stepped out feeling dizzy and dazed out of her mind. Well. She really wished to bunk college for today and just sleep in. But turning rogue on the second day itself has never been her forte. She rubbed her eyes tiredly.
Stella looked up when the room's door's handle turned. She stopped when she saw Brandon walking in. Her cheeks turned a little red as their eyes locked for a few moments. She broke away the contact first and waltzed back to her bed.
Stella yawned as she sat on her bed. She leaned her head against the wall and closed her eyes.
Brandon looked at her, feeling a little awkward. Just yesterday, he felt the need to either ignore or insult her, but today, he felt awkward. He narrowed his eyes as she contently slept against the confines of her bed.
"Not going to class?" he asked casually.
"...I thought we weren't talking to each other," she quoted him from earlier in a hoarse voice.
"I suppose you're right," he shrugged. He groaned as he, with less than one stride, sat against the dry and plush yellow mattress. Stella popped her eyes open when she saw him sitting beside her.
"What are you doing?" she asked him incredulously.
He uncaringly took his phone near her nightstand and unlocked it. "I'm gonna keep using your bed till mine dries up. If that means sitting next to you..." he trailed off. He shuddered in disgust before looking at her. "Then so be it," he said to her in distaste before fumbling with his phone again.
Stella, however, tried to mask the hurt she felt at that. He just made sitting beside her seem so vile and sinful that she found herself wanting to...just...cry her heart out again. She's so sick of her life that she prayed for this year to pass by quickly. She's being shamefully defamed everyday with the one word that she vowed herself to never become. And now...she's stuck with a twenty-two year old man who can't even stand the mere existence of her.
Why couldn't I just get a roommate who doesn't give a shit about me!? she sulked.
But no, she had to get someone who not only gived a shit about her, but also made sure she knew that he was shitting her.
What did she do to deserve this? She's still a...
I'm still a virgin, Stella thought as she closed her eyes shut. Who's gonna believe her though? If this is what she needed to endure to get by this year, then this year will be a long and painful one just like the previous ones.
"I'm gonna...I'm gonna take a shower first," she choked out, swallowing her incoming tears. She hopped off the bed and moved straight to her closet. She picked out the first thing she saw, not caring about the fashion diva inside of her at the moment. She just needed to get away from all this.
She stormed into the bathroom and shut it behind the door. Her fingers shook as her back pressed against the door tightly. She leaned against the countertop of the sink and refused to look at herself in the mirror. She knows what she'll see despite not having a view of her face.
Tears fell freely down her cheeks as she started to cry. She hated lying. She hated being defamed and shamed. She hated being branded as a whore and slut. On top of everything else...her roommate points out every single flaw in her with raw disgust that clearly can be voiced through his eyes. She hated her life.
She hated herself.
A small sob escaped her lips and she instantly covered her mouth at the sound. She turned the tap on to keep the noise out. She refused to let everyone know how weak and sensitive she actually is. Despite having a cold and mean exterior on the outside, she was still a human being who craved for someone who can see through the real her. Being nice will get her nowhere. People will only take advantage of her. She's been victim of that far too many times.
Little did she know a few years ago...that she'll use her looks to her advantage to make a disgraceful living. Heh. Who would've known?
Stop it, Stell! she scolded herself. No matter how many times she reprimanded or chided herself, no one will come to comfort her. No one will want to know her. They're all just greedy for her drool-worthy figure. Stella looked up and glanced at her reflection in the mirror.
Her brown eyes which once shimmered with light, honor, hope, integrity, and truth were now broken. She looked so vulnerable that it scared her. Her heart was so bruised, tattered, and scattered but she knew she brought it upon herself. But that doesn't mean that it didn't hurt. It hurt. It hurt a lot.
"Just one more year..." she whispered painfully to herself. Then I can get out of this hell hole. "Stay strong, Stel," she breathed in and out before getting her feelings in check.
Stella stepped out of the bathroom monotonously with damp hair and fully dressed in sky blue blouse and white jeans. She threw her clothes near the laundry basket by her closet and refused to look at the brunette sitting on her bed. Instead, she grabbed her bag and took out a notebook. Stella contemplated about sitting on her bed beside him but due to her wounded pride, she refused to do so.
Instead, she moved away and sat on the floor, attaching her back to his bed.
Brandon looked up and raised an eyebrow at her behavior. "You can sit over here. I'm not totally untouchable, you know," he said.
Neither am I, Stella thought bitterly. She resisted the urge to scoff at his hypocrisy. She didn't even look up from her book. She ran a hand through her strands to dry it faster and kept her eyes on the book, intent on studying to distract herself.
"Suit yourself," he shrugged when she didn't even bother speaking or at least acknowledging. Fine. If she wants to be a total bitch, then let her. It's not like he didn't try being nice for a change. He relaxed back and made sure to make full use of her bed out of spite. God, I can't stand this tramp, he cursed. Jesus.
Stella's attention turned to her phone which suddenly started vibrating. She looked at the screen and rolled her eyes when she saw Jason calling her. Obviously about where she is. Perverted bastard, she cursed in her mind and let it ring.
Brandon sighed in exasperation. The day was still too early for noise pollution. But in the back of his mind, he knew he was just irritated with everything she did or, in general, just anything related to her.
"Can you turn it off if you're not gonna answer it?" he snapped.
Stella closed her eyes, trying her very best to not lose it at his pompously snippy tone. Who does he think he is?! He probably thinks he's better than her. Good for him. Slamming her book shut almost angrily, she grabbed her bag and tossed the notebook inside. She cut the phone off and switched it off without uttering another word.
She stood up and smoothed her shirt out before tossing her bag around her shoulders. She looked up to see Brandon watching her unblinkingly. Their eyes connected for a succinct moment. A flicker of hurt flashed in Stella's eyes as she remembered the words he uttered towards her last night.
Brandon felt drawn to her honey depths that somehow screamed to him for help. For a split second, she appeared vulnerable and nearly fragile that he found himself resisting the urge to pull her into a tight hug. Did I do something? he thought in confusion. Before he could ponder anymore, Stella looked away with a sigh.
She walked out of the room in a melancholy fashion. Brandon watched her leave with a frown. He hadn't meant for her to bolt outside. He turned his gaze towards the place she just sat in. He didn't like the fact that she just packed up and left.
He didn't like it at all.
Some hours away...
~ Campus Quad - 12:40 PM ~
Stella walked through the quad. A slight breeze blew through the autumn climate. The blonde placed a few swaying tendrils behind her ear, enjoying the beautiful weather. She felt free for a few moments as if nothing weighed down her shoulders anymore.
A beautiful smile erupted on her coral peach lips as she watched leaves fall and turn to that lovely amber shade of a perfect autumn brown. As she walked through the neatly trimmed grass, she could feel a few dry leaves crunching underneath her feet. She loved the Fall season. In her opinion, it was one of the most beautiful times of the year.
She suddenly gasped when she felt a few fingers tickling her waist. She yelped and turned around only to be greeted by vivacious laughter.
Stella's eyes widened in delight. "MUSA!" the blonde jumped to hug her best friend in the whole entire world. A quite cliched description, but true.
"STELL!" the midnight-blue haired young woman hugged her blonde friend.
"I thought you were gonna be a week late to school. Why didn't you tell me?!" Stella smiled.
Musa growled in frustration. "Don't even get me started. I swear...I couldn't stand to be at home! Mom and dad couldn't scream loud enough about the Mured shipping. Like ew! What a gross name!" she fumed.
Stella laughed heartily. Musa's parents, Maitlyn and Hoboe, dote endlessly on their one and only daughter. They both work in a successful music-based company where Maitlyn sings at charity events and galas while Hoboe commands an orchestra. As Musa grew older, they began introducing her to one of their friends' son, Jared. Eventually, the folks named their favorite shipping, Musa and Jared, as Mured. And as Musa put it, it's not attractive at all.
"Why can't you just tell them about you and Riven?" the blonde asked with an amused smile.
Musa rolled her eyes and snorted. "Because my so-called boyfriend can't introduce himself without sounding like he wants to kill someone."
Stella burst out laughing again. It's true. Riven had this grumpy nature that scared everyone surrounding him. But once you got to know him, he's a good friend and does stand up for what is right. Plus, it's no secret that he has an unconventional soft spot for Musa.
"So what's up with you?" Musa asked. They both started walking together with their bags slung on their backs.
Stella sighed. "Nothing. The same. Usual."
Musa whistled. "Uh uh uh. Don't give me that, Stel. I mean the co-ed dorm roomie. How's that workin' out for ya?"
Stella groaned. "You're lucky, girl. You've got Riven. I have this dipshit who thinks he's better than everyone else."
Musa smiled apologetically. "Sorry, Stell. I should've come earlier." If she had, then the two girls would've been able to dorm together.
Stella dismissed her airily. "Nah, it's fine, Muse. You and Riven deserve it. Just don't make me feel like a third wheel."
"Well, get yourself another wheel then!" Musa laughed.
The two girls started to laugh as they walked to class arm-in-arm. Musa knew Stella better than anyone. She's probably the only one in this world who truly loves the blonde for who she really is. She knows the reason why Stella is doing what she's doing. Stella didn't really have a choice and Musa knew better than to touch the touchy matters insensitively.
The two girls parted their ways and headed for their respective classes many minutes later. Musa majored in the musical arts while Stella took up English and literature.
~ 1:00 PM ~
Stella walked into class with sweat threatening to glisten her forehead. She bit her lip, nearly dreading of what's to come. The second she set foot inside, a roar of snickers nearly made her deaf. Keeping up her stoic composure, she tried her best to not look in the back of the classroom. She knew what lay there. The claps and pats on the back didn't escape her notice either. Out of her peripheral vision, she saw Jason laughing and giving everyone high-fives as he started to whisper something vulgar...clearly about her.
"Her legs are miles long, man!"
"...Not to mention she's got one of the best racks I've ever seen."
Stella clutched her books tightly to her chest when she distinctively heard the vulgar remark and bit her lip hard to hide the shame that traveled hotly over her face. The idiot obviously didn't remember anything because if he had, he would've realized that he didn't get as much as a peck from her. Bastard. But then again, his inflated 'manly' ego wouldn't stop him from scoring in with the other perverted jocks, would it now?
Stella sat in one of the front desks, all the while ignoring the hungry looks she got from the dumb jocks in the back. They seriously behave like it's high school sometimes. She sighed and opened her phone even though she knew she won't be paying attention to the screen.
Heat rose to her face and she suddenly started to feel hot when the snickers only grew wilder and perverted.
She let out a huge sigh of relief when the bell rang, signalling students to sit down.
"Alright, students! Settle down!" Dr. Hall, the teacher, yelled over the noise. In a matter of moments, the class settled down.
"I have a new project for all of you," he announced, making half the class groan.
"Second day and we already have projects?!" one girl whispered.
Stella rolled her eyes. Honestly, what did everyone expect? They're all seniors in college and yet still behave like high school delinquents.
"Enough," Dr. Hall warned strictly. "Now. All of you will be paired with one other student. And no, you're not allowed to choose."
The class groaned again at the mean teacher. Stella honestly didn't care. She hated this particular class a lot because of her classmates. Her only friend (the one that mattered) is somewhere else right now. So it didn't really matter whom she got paired up with.
"Each team will have a different assignment, so don't even think of cheating or copying from one another," Dr. Hall threatened.
Stella smiled. Soooooo not a problem for me.
Quite contraire to others might think, Stella always performed exceptionally well in English. It was her major. She did get good grades, although she was a 'delinquent slut' in everyone's eyes.
"Each of you will be assigned a role and I need you to submit a few excerpts according to your role. I'll be reading out the names, so pay close attention."
Dr. Hall picked up a sheet of paper from his desk and read out the pairings of the students. "Galatea and Krystal. Amaryl and Spencer. Stella and Jason. Nereus and-"
Stella paled instantly and stiffened when she heard her name. She shut her eyes in embarrassment when she heard a few snickers from the back desks.
GREAT. Just my luck, she groaned and sighed. She put her head into her hands when she heard the class shuffling around as everyone tried to get to their respective partners.
Stella jumped when she felt a tap on her shoulder. She looked up irritably and eyed the desk beside her to see Jason winking at her. "What?!" she snapped angrily. He smirked, "Chill, wildcat. Why'd you leave so early?" he smirked hungrily. Stella rolled her eyes and ignored him.
Dr. Hall passed out a stapled booklet to each of them with their unique respective assignments. Stella skimmed over the criteria and raised an enthusiastic eyebrow. Her assignment was to conduct interviews of an important figure in society. Well that was refreshing and exciting.
Her goal was to become a journalist some day. So, this will be a fantastic start to what she wanted to do.
She sighed again when she felt another tap on her shoulder. "Whattt?" she groaned in irritation as she turned to see Jason.
"Tonight again?" he asked hopefully with lust-filled eyes.
"I don't touch anyone twice," she snapped rudely.
"I'll invite a few friends over," he offered. Stella's eyes widened as her mind burned with humiliation and degradation of respect. So he's expecting her to sleep with all of them?!
Stella's eyes hardened into a glare. "Listen here, you fucking idiot. And listen well. Leave me the hell alone," she glared which instantly made him shut up. Stella pursed her lips into a straight line before shooting him a final glare to not mess with her.
If there was one good thing about this lifestyle, it's that no one dared to make her angry. She can defend herself perfectly against perverted jocks and Jason was no exception.
Sighing, she looked towards the front of the classroom where Dr. Hall was still chattering about the assignment before moving onto today's lesson.
~ Residential Dorms - 3:00 PM ~
Stella stretched her arms a little as she approached her room. The blonde saw, much to her deep annoyance, that the door was slightly open.
She grimaced instantly. Does this guy ever go to class?! Shaking her head, she opened it fully before making her way inside.
She rolled her eyes when she saw the brunette sitting on her bed like it belonged to him. She dropped her bag to her side of the room before groaning softly. She felt her body go really stiff for some reason. Stella shot her roommate a small glare. It was his fault that she slept on the floor last night. And if this keeps up, then she'll be sleeping on the floor till his mattress dries up.
Ugh, I almost regret pranking him, she thought with a shake of her head.
Out of her peripheral vision, she saw Brandon relaxing against the wall and reading a textbook. His eyes looked so deep and narrowed as he studied with concentration and focus. Guess he's really studious, she thought positively. Sighing, she slowly sat on the floor and leaned back against his bed.
It hasn't been many hours, but today felt like a really long day.
The most tiresome class was Dr. Hall's where she was paired up with the same guy who thinks he slept with her last night.
Sighing out of stress, she leaned her head back against Brandon's bed before closing her eyes with a small and tired groan. Creases appeared on her forehead as a noticeably small frown donned her features.
An abrupt but fast-paced thumping on the door interrupted them both.
Brandon looked up suddenly from his book and eyed the door.
Stella stood up from her place as the knocking grew a little too frantic for her liking. "Hold your horses, people!" she shouted in annoyance. Grumbling at their impatience, Stella rolled her eyes before opening the door.
She let go of the handle as she gasped in shock when she saw Jason standing coolly with a smirk on his face. In an instant, the surprise wore off and Stella's face hardened into a glare.
"What are you doing here?" she snapped. "Didn't I tell you to leave me alone?"
"Can't, babe," Jason laughed. "We have a project to do, remember?" he asked in a mocking voice. Stella rolled her eyes, knowing that he was only using it as an excuse to get into her pants 'again'. Why the quotes, you say? Because he'd actually have to be in her pants at least once in order to say 'again'...which he never was.
Brandon eyed the exchange with a raised eyebrow. He frowned before burying his head back into his textbook.
"How'd you know where I am anyway?" Stella asked curiously.
"I followed you," Jason replied like it was no big thing.
Oh no, you didn't. Stella felt her stomach grow queasy at the mere idea. She felt almost violated.
"Dr. Hall was very clear in our assignments. You have your own and I have mine. There's nothing to work together on," Stella cut him down firmly before moving to slam the door shut in his face.
But he stopped her by putting his hand on the door. "But I need help understanding mine," Jason whined.
Brandon took a deep breath and slammed his book shut which got the attention of the bickering individuals. "Dear god...can you tone your pathetic flirting down a notch?!" he groaned in agony.
Jason raised an eyebrow before pushing Stella aside and waltzing into the room. "You got a problem with me, homie?" he snarled.
Brandon raised an eyebrow at the attitude before he stood up from his bed as well. "Yeah, homie, I do," he replied in a mocking tone. His eyes darted towards Stella who simply blinked. "And you! Are you immature enough to not realize that you're sharing this room?! Take your married couple spat outside," the brunette spat angrily. Stella instantly averted her eyes away while effectively masking her hurt at the visibly harsh tone. She rubbed her arms awkwardly, feeling embarrassed.
Jason glared at Brandon's thundering personality. Clearly, the brunette wasn't someone he should be making enemies with. Not alone anyway. He looked too powerful at the moment. Besides, his problem wasn't with Stella's roommate. It's with the girl herself. Turning around,
Jason stormed up to Stella before grabbing her wrist tightly.
"What the-?!" Stella blinked in anger. "Jason, let me go!"
"We're gonna talk outside," he snapped before dragging her outside of the room.
"Jason. Let. Me. Go. NOW." Stella told him a deathly calm voice before her fist started to curl tightly. Brandon raised an eyebrow at her tone. There was fire in her vibrant amber eyes and her golden mane danced around her as she flamed.
"Bitch, you'll do as I say!" Jason snarled. He instinctively raised his hand to slap her when an arm immediately grasped around his wrist tightly. He let out a small howl in pain when he felt a nerve twitch in his tremoring wrist.
His eyes widened with disbelief to see none other than the vivacious blonde glaring at him fiercely. Jason let out another howl when she turned him and slammed him against the wall with his face pressed tightly against the concrete. Stella smirked and twisted his arm behind his back painfully.
Unbeknownst to her, Brandon watched the blonde with wide, bugged out eyes. If she lost a few more pounds, she'll look like she's underweight but here she was taking on a fully grown male who was nearly twice the size of her.
"No, bitch, I will not," Stella smirked mockingly before twisting his arm tighter, making him groan in pain.
"Listen to me and listen to me well, Jason Sinclair," Stella hissed. "Treat me like that ever again and I'll make sure to never make you fertile ever again," she threatened in his ear, gesturing to his crotch area, much to his horror. The blonde twisted his arm further, leaving him to gasp in pain.
"Okay, okay! I'm sorry, let me go!" he cried out but Stella paid no heed.
Brandon's eyes widened when she continued to twist the poor guy's arm without mercy. Another twist and she'll either break it or dislocate a nerve for sure. "Stella, stop," he suddenly said as he got up from the bed.
"Butt out, Shields," she snapped instantly while glaring at Jason with hatred in her eyes. It's because of guys like him that she got a tarnished reputation to carry around. It's because of people like him that she is constantly living in the shadows and hiding her true self away. Fire burned in her eyes as she felt her resolve to give in to the anger grow stronger.
His cries fell on deaf ears. She'll enjoy this. She'll enjoy breaking every limb of this guy.
And she was just about to do that when she felt an arm snake around her waist and pull her back. She squeaked in surprise and looked over her shoulder to see Brandon glaring at her with a warning. "That's enough. Stop," he warned her, leaving her to hiss crazily in his arms. "Let me go!" she snarled while starting to thrash wildly. Brandon rolled his eyes before grabbing her arms and freeing Jason from her death grip.
"Dude, get out of here," Brandon sighed irritably and Jason didn't need any further explanation.
"Crazy ass bitch!" he muttered on the way out but unfortunately, Stella heard him.
"Why, you...!" she screamed and struggled in Brandon's death grip. "Let me go!" she thrashed while clawing at his shirt desperately to free herself.
"Calm down and I will," Brandon explained calmly but in a firm tone. "That's enough, Stella."
"I could've killed him!" she snapped while turning to him angrily.
He raised an eyebrow. "Exactly. You're welcome, by the way."
"He deserves it," the blonde huffed while steam blew out of her ears. She struggled in his arms and clawed painfully at his sleeves in a desperate attempt to free herself but he didn't even budge.
Brandon suppressed a small smile at her failed attempts. Her face was full of frustration and bitterness that he somehow found highly attractive and cute on her. "I'm stronger than you, so I'd tone your efforts down a notch," he smirked while finally letting go of her with a sharp shove.
Shaking his head, he moved towards her bed again and settled down once more.
Stella sighed before slamming the door shut. "Bastard," she whispered furiously while cursing Jason under her breath.
Brandon watched her with a raised eyebrow as she cursed mercilessly under her breath. Honestly, her streams of profanity included words that are quite inappropriate for human ears. She flopped onto the floor cross-legged and crossed her arms. She pouted angrily.
"...You should really learn to control your anger," he commented. "It'll probably kill you someday."
She rolled her eyes. "Assuming you don't kill me first," she muttered under her breath but loud enough for him to hear.
He looked momentarily taken aback by her spontaneous counter. The fire in her eyes was unexplainable but it burned with such ferocity that he couldn't understand why. Besides, he didn't really get why she was so riled up over that dude. Honestly, it's not like no guy ever touched her before. She'll actually have an easier time counting the guys she hasn't slept with yet.
With a roll of his eyes, he turned back to his books again.
Stella checked the time. She really didn't want to be in this room. Her roommate was just horrible! Packing up her books and her bag, she tossed him an angry glare before grabbing her phone and other essentials.
Brandon watched in irritation as she left the room. What is with her leaving after every single conversation?!
If anything, HE should be the one leaving!
A few hours later...
~ 5:30 PM ~
Brandon roamed randomly within the campus, just having finished a class, when he saw a dash of familiar golden yellow. His eyes immediately darted towards the blonde, who was also conveniently his roommate, seated in a bench. Her head was buried in some book as she appeared to take notes on something.
She jumped all of a sudden when a brunette slid in beside her. She sighed in exasperation at her teammate for her English class.
"Leave me alone, Jason," she bit with an edge but didn't raise her head up from her notebook.
"I'm sorry about earlier," he said with a nudge.
"It's fine. Now leave me alone," Stella snapped with a bit of an edge.
She jerked as she felt a sting of burn when Jason wrapped an arm around her shoulders. "C'mon, baby...just a single date? And maybe something else-"
With an angry glare, she forcibly removed his arm from her and stood up sharply. "WHAT is wrong with you?!" she demanded while grabbing his collar, making him stand up in tow. "Don't make me slap you in front of everyone, you pathetic idiot, because I WILL do it," she snapped angrily without a care. "LEAVE. ME. ALONE!"
Jason's eyes widened hesitantly as he took in her death glare. No matter how bulky a man can be, he can never match up to an angry, young, and hot-blooded woman. He slowly raised his hands in surrender while suppressing a deep, dark glare for the time-being, obviously not wanting to be slapped and humiliated in public.
But seriously, what was wrong with her?!
Damn, Brandon thought from a distance as he watched the unpleasant exchange. He didn't understand what the big deal was about though. Didn't she sleep with that guy already? So, why the cold and angry shoulder now?
Women.
He'll never understand them.
"STELLA!" a loud screech interrupted the nearby vicinity.
Brandon's eyes turned towards a tall, dark-haired girl waving to the blonde. Musa...?! he thought in confusion as he turned to Stella again.
His breath hitched as he trained his gaze on Stella. Wow...he thought in wonder and flustered awe as he watched Stella's eyes light up to a luminosity of a thousand stars almost instantly. Brandon's eyes blinked back surprise at the joy that radiated from her.
Just a few seconds ago, she resembled an active volcano, ready to erupt everywhere. And also, she was always so brooding and moody in the room that he didn't know she could smile.
"MUSA!" the blonde waved back and tossed her friend a big, wide grateful smile for entering at just the right moment.
Stella tossed a small glare to Jason before pushing him aside before beaming up at Musa again.
"Hi!" the blonde laughed before the two friends met and hugged the life out of each other.
The two separated before starting to laugh.
"Why are we acting like long lost lovers?" Musa giggled. "It has just been this morning."
Stella chuckled before high-fiving her best friend. "That means that we should hang out soon," she smirked.
Musa's eyes widened. "OOOOH! I know the best place! The Treblemakes are hosting a party tonight and we should totally go!" she jumped up and down in excitement.
Stella snorted. "That frat group of useless bachelors? No thanks," she winced.
The Treblemakers (a pun for trouble-makers) were one of the most nefarious, reckless, and all-boys societies in the campus. Bachelors. Obviously...boys will always be boys. And besides, frat parties are usually not her things.
"C'mon, Stell! Riven is going and I wanna keep an eye on him," Musa whined.
"And make me a third-wheel?" Stella commented dryly.
Musa shook her head in protest. "No! Bloom, Layla, Tec, and Flo will be there!"
Brandon couldn't help but eavesdrop. They know Bloom and the other girls...? he thought in astonishment at the familiar names. He had no idea that he and Stella had so many mutual friends. They weren't even in the same majors, so how did this happen?
"The eleventh wheel then. Great," Stella muttered in protest.
"Us girls can hang out together. Pleaseeeee! I just want to make sure Riv doesn't take a random girl home. When he gets drunk, he gets a hangover for a whole week."
Stella laughed. Riven rarely gets drunk, but when he does, he goes all the way. It's a surprise that he hasn't ever been diagnosed with alcohol poisoning yet.
Seeing Musa's puppy dog eyes, Stella caved in with a glare. "You owe me for this," she muttered.
"I love you too," Musa smirked with a giggle, making Stella roll her eyes with a smile.
"Where's Riven?" Stella asked curiously while looking over Musa's shoulder.
"Heading to the party as we speak. You know us girls. We gotta be lateeeeeee," Musa sang with a wink.
The blonde laughed. "So, your room's empty right now?"
Musa nodded in excitement. "Get your stuff and we can get ready and go together! Speaking of roomies, you still have problems with yours?"
Brandon's eyes perked up at that and he listened curiously for the blonde's answer.
Stella snorted at the indirect mention of his name. "Can we not? I don't want to lose my breakfast over him," she snapped. "I swear, Muse, he's one of the biggest assholes I've ever met. And that's saying something especially when I have another asshole to deal with," Stella scoffed, thinking of Jason as well. Her life is literally full of assholes.
Brandon's jaw dropped to the floor as he scoffed. Is she kidding me?! Oh hell no.
Stella didn't usually cake herself with makeup, but every now and then, she did enjoy dolling herself up slightly at least. She drew a thin line of liquid eyeliner just above her lashes and dabbed enough mascara. Topping off the look with a little lip gloss, she tossed her curled hair over her shoulders.
She looked at herself in the mirror. She knew she was attractive and that's mainly the reason she used her looks for her advantage.
Dressed clad in a black full-sleeved leather top and black mini skirt, she twirled around the mirror for one last glance before moving to put on her black knee-high boots.
Stella sat on Musa's bed as she waited for her friend to hurry. "Oh my god, you look so hot!" Musa exclaimed as she came out of the bathroom.
"That's all you," Stella smirked while casting a wink towards her. "Riven's totally getting laid," the blonde started to giggle.
Musa chuckled before eyeing her own outfit. The top was a deep maroon-red halter-neck and the bottom was black shorts. Her hair was sleek straight except for her bangs which were lightly curled to lift them up.
Stella grabbed her phone and wallet as Musa put on ankle-length black high heels.
"Ready to go?" Musa asked while grabbing her stuff as well.
"Readyyyyy!" Stella sang.
Twenty minutes later...
Stella parked the car in the venue's parking lot as they both stepped out onto the ground. "Damn," she muttered under her breath at the blasting punk music that was audible from all the way over there.
They made their way inside while keeping a lookout for any familiar people. It was a pretty big place, so chances were pretty slim especially when no one bothered to check their phones for missed calls or texts.
"Musa, I don't know about this," Stella frowned at the ogling guys around her. She wasn't wearing anything revealing or slutty, but nonetheless. These frats always eyed girls like pieces of meat to munch on. And she was no exception to their vulture-like gazes.
"Let's just find Riven," Musa muttered under her breath before looping an arm through Stella's. The blonde nodded in agreement. It would be nice to have a male to back them up.
A short while later...
Stella walked towards the kitchen, just to get some peace and hopefully pass some time in obligation for her friend. She looked around her, trying to see if she can spot Musa.
Stella lost Musa in the first ten minutes when Riven showed up out of nowhere. They both went to have a dance or whatever it is that couples do. So...basically, long story short, the blonde felt like she's just been ditched.
Musa wouldn't obviously leave without telling Stella, assuming she's sober.
With a shake of her head, Stella continued brushing and pushing past drunken-out-of-their-mind young adults with frustration. She looked around trying to spot her traitor friend instead of watching where she was going. She felt her breath knocked out of their lungs when she felt herself crash against a solid brick wall.
"Oof!" she shrieked before falling backwards.
An arm looped around her waist before hoisting her back up. She shook her head before opening her eyes once more. "Thank-" she started before realizing whom she just bumped into.
She saw none other than her roommate standing quite amusedly before her. "Thank you," he smirked, finishing her statement.
She blinked and stared at him. "What are you doing here?" she blurted.
"The same reason you're here," he stated with a raised eyebrow.
Stella shook her head stupidly. Of course, he would be here. The Treblemakers were one of the biggest mean men 'cliques' in the campus. And like the cliched stereotype, the badass ones are always the popular troops. It would make sense for many people, especially seniors, within the campus to attend the party.
"...Thanks," she said quietly before removing his arm from her and brushing past him.
He shook his head before going about on his way. BUT...
Bloody hell, she was hot, his subconscious teased him as his blood thickened as it pulsed. Her head-to-toe black leather outfit with thick blonde curls and black smoky eye...
He turned around, hoping to get another glance of her, but to his immense disappointment and chagrin, she was nowhere to be found within the crowd.
Minutes later...
"Leave me alone," Stella groaned. She placed her red cup containing crimson red liquid back on a random counter in the kitchen. She took the drink a while ago from the punch bowl out of thirst, but reminded herself way later that it was probably spiked as hell and she's not the one to knowingly drink and wake up in a random bed naked the next morning.
The drunked guy she was currently stuck with slurred and swayed around her body. He placed an arm around her waist before leaning on her shoulder sloppily. Stella threw him a cross glare.
"C'mon, babe..." he slurred. "You don't have to do it for free," he added while exhaling a breath of toxic alcohol. Stella frowned deeply and moved to knee the guy in the one place no guy wants to be nailed in.
But...
I need the money, she thought with shame.
"How much?" she asked quietly while hanging her head with disgraced shame.
"Five hundred," he slurred before starting to tug on her waist possessively.
Five hundred?! Stella thought with a jerk as she followed him in surprise. She never received such money before. It usually ranged in between hundred (she recently up-ed this amount for her own sanity) to three hundred.
They made their way to the guest rooms upstairs. Stella clenched her fists in her sides and resisted the urge to break his teeth as the clearly horny guy kissed her neck. OH I'm gonna kill him, she muttered under her breath as he pulled her in possessively at the first room that had an open door.
Stella peeked inside and sighed in relief to see that there was no frisky couple inside. She didn't have the heart (or powerful eyes) to witness such horrors in her young life.
She quickly closed the door behind her and locked it for good measure. She shrieked in surprise when the guy pressed himself tightly against her, crushing her to the door.
Her purse containing her purse and wallet fell to the floor with a soft thump.
She turned her head to the side while he continued to push her hair aside and kiss her skin.
Stella took in a deep breath as she closed her eyes, trying to regain her slipping courage.
She suddenly pressed her hands forward before pushing him away backwards and onto a bed. The nameless pervert fell back with a grunt before growling lowly for interrupting him. "What's the rush? I'm not doing this until you give me what I want," Stella smirked while extending her hand out.
"I'll give it to you after," he growled before lounging for her again.
Stella jumped back just in time. "NO. NOW," she growled back before extending her arm out stubbornly.
He sighed in frustration before pulling out a few hundred bills from the insides of his jacket and throwing them aside. "Here! Now, come here!" he tried to grab her again.
Stella smirked before doing as she was told. She climbed on top of him while trying to touch him as less as possible.
He grabbed her by the waist before hastily tryint to pull her jacket off. Stella quickly removed it and pretended that she was just as hasty as he was. Within seconds, her jacket was tossed aside as he buried his head deep into her shoulder before his hands made their way to grope.
How perfect...Stella thought in marvel at their position. She curled her hand into a fist before uncurling it and stretching it all the way. With a deep breath, she slipped her hand underneath his head.
Stella smirked wickedly as she hit the pressure point behind the neck. He groaned and tightened his grip on her for a few seconds before his grip abruptly loosened.
It was pretty easy, considering the guys she usually 'slept' with are always on the verge of passing out from drinking way too much. She wasn't stupid enough to take on guys with full consciousness.
Despite the "line of work" she indulged herself in...she couldn't deny the insurmountable amount of an unquenchable satiation it gave her. Every time she denied what these idiots clearly wanted, it gave her a sense of satisfaction. She wasn't wasting her life. She wasn't a slut or a tramp.
No, no, no, no, no...
She was pure and untouched.
Stella smiled in satisfaction as she did the same thing for the hundredth time already. She covered the random guy till his waist before unbuckling his belt and pushing his jeans away. She refused to see any guy completely naked, so she always covered them first before pushing their clothes aside and messily throwing them around the room like they had mind-blowing intimacy hours ago.
Getting up from the bed, she grabbed her jacket before adjusting her top. With a small smirk, she moved up to the door before putting on her coat. With one last glance, she turned the handle and stepped out from the room before closing it behind her. Adjusting herself slightly, she smiled to herself while her hands carefully tucked in the money.
"'Night, 'night," she sang as she breathed in the fresh air that was lacking in the room.
However, a sad sigh soon escaped her lips at her misery.
It's official. She couldn't wait to get the hell out of this hellhole. She sighed softly to herself before zipping up her jacket and tossing her blonde hair behind her shoulders. She checked the time on her boredom in total boredom before deciding that it was probably for the best to head to her dorm.
"I'm sorry, mom," she whispered to herself, just like she always did.
With a sigh, she turned on her heel to take a right into the hallway before suddenly stopping in her tracks. Her feet froze when she saw none other than her brunette roommate in the middle of the hallway.
Her eyes widened in a tad surprise when she saw Brandon gaping at her. A surge of fear passed through her as she held in her breath, wondering if he saw any of that. He blinked and darted his eyes back and forth between her and the room she just came out of from.
What the hell?! Where did he come from?! she panicked, wondering if he really somehow peeped into the room by accident or whatever.
For some reason, she felt really self-conscious of herself as he stared down at her like that. There was surprise, shock, and total bewilderment on his face as he mutely stood in front of her, holding a red plastic cup with a fruit punch.
Composing herself once more, she figured that he couldn't have seen anything. It was a ridiculous idea.
Obviously, everything she did was usually behind closed doors. So, how can anyone peep? Unless there's a hidden camera in the room...
Even THEN, they'll never be able to find out, Stella smirked to herself. Not only did she do everything behind closed doors, but she always made sure to turn off the lights. It was a safety precaution, of course. She honestly wouldn't be surprised if there are, in fact, hidden cameras placed all around the room. If anyone finds out...
She shuddered, not wanting to think about such an idea.
Snapping back to reality, she stared at Brandon, now completely frustrated at his stunned reaction. Rolling her eyes, she approached him.
"Take a picture. It'll last longer," she smirked while patting his cheek. With that, she dropped her hand and went down the hallway, but missed another stunned reaction from him.
Brandon turned around slowly as he watched unblinkingly at her retreating figure. He raised his hand to slowly touch his cheek and wondered to himself if she really touched him.
Stella yawned as she entered her room. She rubbed her eyes sleepily, obviously whipped and exhausted from the night.
She leaned against the door for a few moments before taking a few deep breaths.
A quiet sigh escaped his lips which didn't go unnoticed by the blonde.
"You have something you wanted to say to me?" she suddenly said, feeling the burning stare of his eyes through the back of her skull.
He stayed silent for a long moment before speaking up.
"Is it really that easy to you? To just sleep with just about anyone?" he asked quietly but also with incredulity.
She rolled her eyes while taking her boots off, revealing black ankle-length socks underneath. "Why are you that surprised? Isn't that why you treat me like a bug that needs to be squashed?" she replied coldly before shaking her hair loose.
He blinked at her description. How very accurate...he thought with a smirk. "You know me so well," he smirked.
Despite the rivalry between them, she couldn't help but scoff with a hidden smile.
He watched her take her jacket off and head towards her closet. She grabbed a set of pajamas before marching to the bathroom without giving him another spare look.
"Even though none of this is any of your business," she muttered sourly as a finishing statement while disappearing into the bathroom and closing the door shut loud enough for him to know that she did not appreciate his poking in.
He let out a 'tsk' under his breath.
Why is she always so arrogant?! Does she think that she's better than him?! She's the one whoring around and yet, she's also the one who snaps at people. "Bitch," he muttered under his breath with a roll of his eyes before minding his own business like she just 'suggested'.
He heard the door unlock as she stepped out a few minutes later. He still couldn't stop thinking about her.
She was acting SO normal and not even acknowledging that she just gave herself to a random, horny dude who wouldn't give a shit about her after it happened.
Unable to stop himself (and clearly lacking control to exercise his mouth with filters), he barked out once more. "Do you even know the name of the guy you slept with?" he asked in mild disgust. He didn't understand why he took so much interest in her personal life, considering she gave a rat's ass about his. But he couldn't help it.
She remained silent for a long moment. "...Will it change anything?" she asked him in return, even though his question was meant to be rhetorical.
Brandon appeared taken aback for a moment as she glanced into his eyes, something she rarely did. And for a fleeting moment, her eyes turned into one of the saddest pair of eyes he has ever seen. Her voice was melodiously soft, but also laced into utter sadness as if there was a hidden pain masked under her angry facade. Or was it a facade at all?
He was rendered speechless before she broke the gaze and let out a small sigh. She kneeled down before splaying herself across the floor. She lay down with her hands underneath her head to support as a cushion.
Mentally exhausted more than physical, she closed her eyes with a soft sigh to herself.
Meanwhile, Brandon's mind couldn't stray far from her. It's not my business! he scolded himself quite harshly because truthfully...it really isn't. WHY does HE care about what SHE does?! WHY?
He frankly didn't know. He didn't know why he cared. All he knew was that each time she returned to the room tired and sleepy as hell, it made his blood boil.
"Do your parents even know you're doing things like this?" he huffed with an edge to his tone. He waited for some kind of reaction from her. At least a little huff or puff.
...
But...nothing...
...
She didn't reply. He turned over on his side, ready to scoff in her face again but stopped suddenly when he saw her closed eyes. Her facial muscles didn't twitch or show any indication of signs of repulse at his words.
She slept quietly, almost like a baby, as she faced him in her sleep. Her lips were slightly parted as she exhaled through them.
He felt his anger fade into a dull bitterness.
He couldn't help but smile in peace at her angelic face. If not for her characterless nature, she definitely would've topped the list as one of the most beautiful girls he had ever laid his eyes on. Like she didn't do that already...his subconscious smirked at him, making him glare at himself.
"Good night then...I guess," he whispered but refusing to remove his piercing gaze on her.
What can he do?
He was still a hot-blooded young male, after all. And like any other man, he wasn't immune to beautiful women, especially when there is one sleeping less than five feet away from him.
~ The Next Morning - 6:30 AM ~
Brandon yawned when his phone buzzed with his alarm. He glanced at the little device in annoyance before slamming on the stop button. He slowly got up with frustration before rubbing his face quite sleepily.
He hopped off the bed before rushing straight to the bathroom.
He looked at himself in the mirror and raked a hand through his chestnut mane, making it even wilder than before.
He got on with his daily routine before jumping in the shower and getting dressed for the day. He went out into the room in a towel before grabbing some fresh clothes and putting them on. He looked down at the floor as the blonde was still oblivious to his morning activities. He got dressed in the room before going to watch himself in the mirror in the bathroom. He applied a little gel to his hair before setting it to his usual style.
He walked out of the bathroom and slipped in silently to the bedroom. He walked towards his bag and put his books and homework inside.
He glanced back and forth towards the blonde, hoping she'll wake up and say something to him.
As mad as she made him, he wanted to hear her insult him. She would look so fierce and independent while glaring down at him. It was one of the most amusing things he personally has ever seen. She was half the size as him but never showed any indication of that. She just didn't freaking care about anything.
A small smile erupted on his lips. He liked that. If there was one thing about her, he liked her independence. He went on a few dates before in his life but none of them were really worth remembering. His dates were either too clingy or too fake or too snobbish.
With curious eyes, he walked towards where she lay. She was laying on her back. A hand was under her head which acted as a makeshift pillow while another rested on her waist.
He sat cross-legged before her as she slept obliviously in front of him. He glared at himself for doing this but a part of him couldn't help it. Something about this girl was different. She was easy...yet at the same time, she wasn't.
He smiled faintly at her pajamas which were a pale blue accented with yellow and white teddy bears. She looked youthful and almost innocent in her nightwear, but he knew she wasn't. She was far from that. She wasn't innocent as much as a part of him wished that she was.
Her face, however, had this unexplainable magnetic pull that no one could resist peeking at it for longer than a second. Brandon sighed and grudgingly admitted to himself. If she had at least a little bit of respect for herself, he knew that he'd consider himself lucky for being roomed with a stunning girl with a voluptous figure.
"She's so beautiful..." he whispered to himself before running his eyes slowly around the features of her face, memorizing her soft, heart-shaped face accentuated by a symmetrical jaw line, her naturally peach-pink tinted lips, the bridge along her nose that ran as sharp as a dagger, and most of all...the curves of her closed eyelids that brimmed with long eyelashes.
He knew he was probably being a little weird right now. Forget weird. He was being downright creepy for staring at a sleeping girl without any relation to her.
Even though he didn't particularly like her, he had to admit: she was gorgeous.
There was some unknown fire to this girl that he didn't quite understand what it was. But he longed to know what secrets she possessed. He hadn't met anyone like this before. If she was a player and a heartbreaker, why did she turn down every male? He didn't know her for long, but from what he could gather, she was one hell of a fighter. She's fearless. When a dumb jock showed up here a day or two and started barking at her, she didn't whimper or even flinch.
She definitely used some unparliamentary and colorful vocabularly and not to mention nearly ripped the guy's arm off! He chuckled to himself at her bubbly fury. It was amusing to watch her face go red in a matter of moments.
His concentration zapped as his eyes widened when his phone suddenly buzzed out of nowhere on his nightstand, making a horrendously loud noise against the wood.
He reached over and instantly cut the sound off before grabbing his phone. His eyes dimmed in distaste that the sound had actually been an alarm to indicate that he had a class to go to.
He looked over at Stella and involuntarily, he let out a small sigh of relief when she didn't even twitch.
He stood up and stopped being creepy for the moment before grabbing his bag.
Smiling to himself, he stepped out of the room but not before casting the sleeping girl another look. He stopped for a moment before entering the room again.
He walked towards her before bending on his knee. Involuntarily, he bent and looped his arms through her body. He stood up while holding her bridal style in his arms.
He placed her gently on the bed, all the while wondering how light she really was. She fit perfectly in his arms as her head bobbed against his chest with his movements. He had to admit...he liked the feeling. It gave him a surge of confidence for some reason. It was obviously embarrassing to be thinking about a girl like this, especially when he can't stand her. But then again, no one has to know.
He pulled up the covers all the way till her chin.
He stopped in his tracks when she shifted in her sleep and made a few incoherent sounds. He silently gasped when her face fell on his hand due to her movements.
He pulled his hand out slowly from underneath, all the while his fingers brushing against the soft, smooth, porcelain skin of her cheek. His hand burned hotly and tingled the second he withdrew from her and he stepped back in a little shock.
Did I just touch her? he thought to himself while staring at his hand. Well, he did touch her a few times before, considering he always placed on the bed if she hadn't woken up yet. But...he never really touched her skin. His hand still tingled for some reason a s he rubbed it against his jacket material to get rid of the sensation.
With a weird feeling, he move to leave once more.
Turning around, he closed the door so softly behind him as to not disturb her slumber. He turned to leave but stopped in his tracks again. He normally wouldn't have given a damn on any other day, but for some reason, he stopped this morning. He pulled out his set of keys for the door before locking the room with a soft click.
Sleep tight, he smiled faintly to himself before disappearing into the amalgam of students roaming around in the hallways.
Preview for the next chapter:
"You need to grow the hell up," he growled while walking like a predator towards her.
"And you need to pull your head out of your ass!" she hissed back, not in the least bit intimidated.
...
"You're nothing but a whore," he spat angrily.
...
She looked down into the swirling black waters before contemplating on what to do.
Closing her eyes, she decided to just do it. "See you soon, mom..." she whispered before dashing forward.
OKAY.
Thank you for reading! It's been so long since I actually wrote this story that I really forgot what the hell happened in here. That's when you know that you have a responsibility to update xD
Well, guys...I'm sorry if the story seemed too rushed or sucked in some places. The thing is that I wrote the story in patches instead of the top-to-bottom style writing that I usually do.
I'm sorry about that. I KNOW that it was rushed in certain places but I have something to do this week and I wanted to update this for some reason, so I can study uninterruptedly in peace :)
I'm actually a little frenzy right now because I have a class soon and my break time's almost up ;)
Nonetheless, do let me know if this story still holds any worthwhile attention. Thank you!