Chapter #4 - Stella's POV

After realizing who Brandon actually was, which is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Shield's, I could not endure being near him anymore. If there wasn't already a reason why we could not be together, which is my secret, then this would definitely be it. As I walked through the semi-empty hallways, I felt my phone buzz in my back pocket. It's probably one of the girls wondering where I went off to, I pulled it out to check.

New Message from Sky

Damn it. If it were one of the girls I could lie, but with Sky, it's different. We don't lie to each other, especially not about something this big. It's bad enough my parents are lying to us about it.

Sky's POV -

"What was that about?" Bloom asked as we all watched Stella bolt for the building. She didn't say anything, but something really triggered her, I've never seen her like that.

"It looked like she saw a ghost, she went so pale," stated Musa

"I have no idea," I said, I took my phone out to text her because I have no idea why she ran off.

"Brandon you were with her, do you know what happened?" asked Flora, Brandon shook his head.

"No, she was fine when we left class," he just shrugged his shoulders, but he did look dejected once Stella was gone.

Me - Hey Stella, why did you run off like that?

"I just texted her," I announced, seconds later my phone beeped and I immediately checked it, of course it was Stella answering back.

"Oh what did she say!" asked Layla very concerned about her friends condition. I opened the text,

Stella - We NEED to talk. Come to the music room NOW.

I got up, "I'm going to go talk to her, I'll be right back."

Stella's POV -

As I sat in the music room, I could not help but realize how my life is going to complete shit. The tears just started flowing down my face, and I could not stop. A few minutes past since I told Sky we needed to talk, that is when the door to the music room creaked open. Sky walked in, he saw me crying and immediately gave me a hug.

"Stella what's wrong?" he asked as he took the seat next to me, I wiped the tears from my face.

"Before you got home last night I heard Mom and Dad talking the the Shield's.." I started, "they were talking about how they wanted to marry me off to their son to combine our two companies to create an empire!"

"They did what!" Sky snapped, I have never seen him so pissed.

"And well, I did not know who their son was until now," I confessed, Sky's face went blank.

"So let me get this straight. Our parents think they can just marry you off to Brandon?" Sky had to clarify what was going on, I couldn't help but cry some more.

"Stella it's okay, you know I'd never let them do this to you," Sky said as he pulled me in for another hug, I could not help but think in this situation he was not going to be able to prevent it.

"I know Sky, but what if it does happen?" I asked as I continued to wipe the tears from my face.

"Everything is so much harder now, keeping my secret from everyone is just that much more difficult," I cried out.

"Maybe you shouldn't keep it a secret-" started Sky, I can't believe he was saying this, "you and the girls get along so well, I think you would be able to trust them!"

What Sky was saying was true, I do trust them. But could I trust them with something that could change my entire life if it were released? I guess the only way to know would be to tell them, but it does not seem like the right time.

"You're right Sky I do trust them, even if it's only after a couple of days," I agreed with Sky.

"And I know exactly how I am going to tell them, when the time is right of course!" I announced, I finally felt a burden being lifted off my shoulders. That is at least for the girls, now for the other issue, Brandon.

"That's great!" exclaimed Sky

"Now, what about Brandon?" I asked

"Don't worry about it alright? Just go on with life as if you never heard Mom and Dad's conversation," Sky kpt trying to assure me that I would not have to worry about it, but it's fine, for once in my life I'll listen to his advice.

"Alright I will, or will try at least" I laughed, finally the tears had stopped and I was in a place where I could be happy again.

"So how about we got back with the others?" asked Sky as he stood up, he held his hand out to help me up.

"Even after my dramatic exit, maybe I should just stay here?" I said, Sky grabbed my hands and pulled me out of my seat.

"Nope, if these girls are really your friends then they will understand and like you said you'd trust them with your biggest secret!" demanded Sky as he pulled me out of the music room

"Fine, but I can walk on my own I don't want you pulling my arm off," I stated, Sky released my arm and I brought it back to my side. As we walked through the hallway, we talked about the others.

"So you and Bloom?" I addressed the awkward elephant in the room, Sky's cheeks turned rosy red. I have never seen Sky like this before, he must have a big crush on Bloom!
"What about us?" asked Sky trying not to make eye contact, doesn't he know I'm like an expert when it comes to reading people?

"Oh Skylar, both you and I know you have a thing for Bloom," I asserted, Sky swatted my arm.

"You know I do not like being called Skylar!" whined Sky as we walked back out to where the rest of the group was chilling, the girls seemed to be getting very close to the guys. As much as I wanted to keep Sky happy, every time I saw Brandon I wanted to burst out in tears. But for Sky I kept my composure. For the rest of the free period, I sat in silence, really contemplating what I was going to with, everything.

The bell eventually rang for fourth period, the rest of the group got up and made their way to class in pairs of course. Since Musa decided to walk with Riven to class, I was left to make my way by myself. As the courtyard began to empty, I headed towards the building.

"Princess wait," I knew that nickname all too well, I turned around to see none other than Brandon, "What class do you have next?" he asked.

I replied, "Music, Musa went with Riven so I'm heading there now."

"Can I walk you there?" asked Brandon. Look I am not going to lie, I don't like the idea of my parents setting an arranged marriage, but I honestly obtained the biggest crush I've ever had on this boy. It sucks.

"Sure, why not?" I answered, Brandon opened the door to the building and we continued making our way to the music room.

"So is everything okay?" asked Brandon as we passed sets of grey lockers, how do I answer this question?

"Honestly no," I laughed, I stopped suddenly in my tracks. Brandon also stopped once he realised I did.

"Do you want to get out of here? I heard there is a great pizza place near here and I don't feel like going to class right now," I asked, Brandon had the biggest smile on his face.

"Anything for you Princess!" said Brandon, instead of stopping at the music room we kept walking until we got to the front of the school. Once we were outside, we followed along the sidewalk towards town.

"Gosh it feels so good to just be outside," I cheered

"Weren't we just outside?" asked Brandon with a laugh

"Technically yes, but I mean outside like free! No parents telling you what to do or who to hang with, and no Mitzi!" I beamed with happiness, Brandon laughed at how happy I was.

"If you were in my position right now, you'd be happy too!" I laughed, in the distance I saw a giant sign that said World of Pizza. Once we got closer I could smell the pizza coming from the building, it smelt so good. Inside there were not many people considering it was the middle of the school and work day, so we took a seat in a booth near the back. A waitress came over and took our orders, I got a slice of cheese pizza while Brandon got a slice of combination.

"So Princess, I've got a question," stated Brandon, the waitress brought some drinks over to our table and I took a sip.

"I've got a question too, why do you call me princess?" I asked, not going to lie, I kind of like it.

Brandon laughed, "What can I say, you're a princess?"

"Anyways what's your question?" I asked

"Well Sky has never mentioned anything about his sister, all of a sudden you're going to school with us. What's that about?" inquired Brandon, I knew someone was going to ask sooner or later, but for right now I'm just going to have to lie.

"Well," I started, "It's kind of a hard story to tell but I'll give you the gist of it. When I was little I wasn't the most popular or most social kid, so my parents decided it would be best if I were homeschooled. That was until this year when I decided I wanted to give school another shot, even with my busy schedule," I explained, it's not the BEST lie but it will keep him in the dark.

"Well what I've seen the past couple days I wouldn't think that was true at all!" Brandon laughed, I gulped and let out a nervous laugh

"I'm going to take that as a compliment!" I thanked Brandon, just as I said that the waitress brought our pizza to our table.

"One slice of cheese and one combination, enjoy!" the waitress said as she placed the pizza on the table

"Thank you!" I exclaimed, I rubbed my hands together in excitement I was so ready to eat this pizza.

"This pizza is like, bigger than my face," I laughed, Brandon looked at my pizza then to my face.

"Yea it is, but your face is definitely prettier," said Brandon with a cheeky grin, I could feel my cheeks start to warm up. I knew I was blushing, so I hid my face with my hands until I felt them cool off.

"So what's your story?" I asked as I shoved the piece of pizza into my mouth.

"Hmm my story?" started Brandon, "Well my parents and I moved here when I was about eight years old, I met Sky my first year at school and we've been best friends ever since!" explained Brandon as he ate his pizza, even when he's eating he's cute.

"I'm glad Sky found a friend as great as you," I stated, I finished off my piece of pizza, Brandon still had a few bites left on his.

"Yea well I'm glad I met Sky," Brandon smiled, he finished off his slice of pizza. I took my phone out to check the time, it was nearly the end of fourth and the beginning of lunch time.

"We should get going soon, I don't want Sky to worry about where we are,". The waitress dropped the bill off at our table, I got up out of my seat to grab my wallet from my backpack so that I could pay for the meal.

"It's fine princess, I've got it," Brandon declared he was paying for the bill, "any excuse to be alone with you!"

I could feel my cheeks heating up again, but I calmed myself down before my rosy cheeks became noticeable. Brandon took his wallet from out of his pocket, he pulled two twenties out. After placing them inside of the check holder, we grabbed our backpacks and headed back towards school. As we walked along the sidewalk, the rays of sunshine hit my face, it's turning out to actually be a hot day.

"Oh my gosh, it's so hot out today," I complained as I wiped sweat from my forehead, this better not make my concealer run! I look to Brandon who wasn't even breaking a sweat, what is up with this boy!

"How are you not sweating?" I asked completely astonished by his perfectly tanned and dry skin, he wiped his forehead to check that he wasn't sweating.

"Hm I guess I just don't sweat," we both laughed as we crossed the street and headed down the two way street which the school was located on. As we got closer to the school, in the distance I heard the bell ring for the end of fourth and the beginning of lunch.

"We'd better hurry!" I stated as we turned onto the school campus. We entered through the same double doors as this morning, now the poster that was neatly hung up yesterday morning, was only hanging up by a strand. As we shuffled through the halls together, Brandon and I got some very unwelcoming stares. Most of them came from girls who were in Mitzi's clique, they immediately took their phones out and started typing. I'm going to go ahead and assume that they are texting Mitzi, we're probably going to be hearing from her very soon about me being around her 'Brandy'.

Teens were making their way in and out of the cafeteria, Brandon held the door open for us. Once we were inside, my eyes immediately shot to the second level of the cafeteria. As soon as my eyes hit the table we were at yesterday, I saw the rest of the group. Brandon and I headed up the stairs, I saw Sky who was seated next to none other than Bloom!

"Hey girls," I greeted them as I took a seat at the table, Brandon took the seat next to me

"Stella where were you during music?" asked Musa, she was probably interested in the fact that Brandon and I arrived to lunch together.

"Oh, here and there," I laughed, I looked at Brandon with the biggest smile, thinking of the amazing time I just had with Brandon I completely forgot about the whole arrange marriage thing.

"Anyways, Stella, I was thinking everyone can come over after school to swim since it is so hot. How about it?" Sky asked, as I realized how hot is was actually getting I thought about it, it wouldn't be a horrible idea to have everyone over.

I shook my head, "Yes, that sounds great! But only if ice cream is in the equation," everyone laughed. As I sat there, I'm realizing how much my life has changed from when I started high school and where I am now. I've made a relationship with these people like I've known them all my life, but I have only in fact known them for two days!

"I like the way you think!" Bloom laughed.

As time progressed during lunch time, the cafeteria was so crowded that it was super hot. Both Layla and Flora were fanning themselves with their math homework, while the guys were trying their hardest to make it seem like the heat wasn't getting to them. As for the girls, it was sweltering. I don't even think there was air conditioning in here!

Sitting there for what felt like forever, the bell finally rang for the end of lunch. We all got out of our seats, I grabbed my backpack which was on the seat behind me. I threw it onto my back, then walked over to Sky and Brandon.

"So which one of you is going to show my to my math class?" I asked jokingly, but of course the two of them had to act as my bodyguards. Each boy stood at one of my sides, we headed out of the cafeteria and towards my next class. Once we were outside in the halls, we got some whispers and stares from kids in the hallway. We turned the corner the see none other than Mitzi and her friends, this time I have two bodyguards by my side! Mitzi looked up to see me, she tapped her heels into my direction. Both Sky and Brandon immediately took a step in front of me, I grabbed both of their arms and pulled them back.

"What do you want Mitzi?" I asked as she stopped about three feet in front of them, both still didn't look to enthralled to have Mitzi in her presence. I found myself wishing that for some reason she was here for me and not Brandon.

"Oh I just need to talk to Brandon," explained Mitzi, I looked to Brandon who looked genuinely annoyed

"Mitzi just stop, we have nothing to talk about," proclaimed Brandon as I felt his hand touch my back, he was being very overprotective.

"Look, I just wanted to tell you that I'm sorry and I won't bother you anymore," said Mitzi. Everyone around us was marveled by what she had just said, but honestly I didn't believe her one bit. The way she was raising her eyebrows and giving him those puppy dog eyes, there was no way she was telling the truth. These guys are delirious to what she is saying, so I need to make sure to keep an eye on her.

"Well thank you Mitzi," Brandon spoke up, the three of us continued our way to my class. As we walked away, I turned around to see Mitzi and er posse watch us walk away. She put her hands to her hips, then gave me a smirk as we turned another corner. I knew it.

"I'm glad that's over," stated Sky as we arrived to a class which didn't have many students in it, and I could tell it was a math class by the lack of decorations and equations on the board.

"Yea cause she's definitely over it, I'll see you guys next period," I did not hesitate to walk into the classroom, it is kind of annoying that the guys did not catch on to Mitzi's game. Now all that is going through my head is, what exactly is her game?

I took a seat at an empty desk near the back of the room, and I grabbed my binder from the backpack. As I threw it onto my desk my song book fell out and onto the floor. Before I could reach to grab it, a tan hand with long purple nails grasped it. I looked up to see, Mitzi..

"Look Mitzi I don't want to deal with you today, just give me my book back," I stated as I got out of my seat, I reached my hand to grab it from her and she pulled it back.

"If you want this back, then you need to stay away from Brandon." Mitzi didn't hesitate to say what she wanted, now I know what she's trying to do.

"Alright since you haven't comprehended what Brandon was saying, I'll say it again. He does not like you anymore, you are not dating and you are being extremely annoying following him around all the time." I cringed at the idea of Brandon ever being with her. With one hand one her hip, Mitzi held my book near her face. Oh how I wish I could smack that grin right off of her face.

"I'm going to act like you didn't just say that and give you one last warning, stay away from Brandon or else," said Mitzi with a threatening tone, I could not help but laugh.

"Whatever," I said.

"Is this whatever?" asked Mitzi as she proceeded to rip my song book into tiny little pieces, I stood there with my mouth wide open. Mitzi and her posse turned around and left the class, I bent over to pick up the pieces.

As I held the shredded pieces in my hands, I could faintly read some lyrics I written but nothing was really legible. I crushed the paper in my hands, Mitzi has messed with the wrong girl. Just as I was about to storm out of the class to give Mitzi a piece of my mind, the bell rang for the start of class. I regretfully turned to go sit in my seat, my binder still sat on my desk where I had left it before.

About ten minutes had past since my encounter with Mitzi, I tried my hardest to focus on class considering I'm not the best with math, but I couldn't help but think what was I going to do to get back at Mitzi? I tapped my pencil onto my notebook as I gazed at the board completely lost in thought, it wasn't until the teacher spoke up that I stopped daydreaming.

"Yes-" the teacher checked his attendance before saying my name, " do you know the answer to number 4?" he asked. I looked up to the board, all I could see was a bunch of random numbers.

"Uhhh no?" I replied, he looked severely disappointed but proceeded to pick on another student ended up stating the correct answer.

Whatever. I'm just distracted constructing my revenge plan! Which is turning out to be more complicated than I imagined, I slammed my head onto my notebooks and binder out of frustration. Why can't I just come up with a brilliant plan that will get under Mitzi's skin-

Wait.

I'm a genius! I need to get the one thing she can't, BRANDON! Just some flirting here and there will surely piss her off. I don't know why I didn't think of this earlier.

"Alright class here is your homework for tonight, finish problems 1 through 16 before class tomorrow!" the teacher passed out a worksheet, and for being a math teacher he seems very upbeat. I checked the clock, we still had about had an hour in this class. I took my headphones out so that I could at least listen to some music while I pretend to understand this math.

Writing down the answers to the problems, I couldn't help but but think that Mitzi needs to reevaluate who she's messing with because going to be surprised at what I can do. Wait, yes that's perfect! I quickly shuffled my books into my backpack, a song was forming in my head and if I didn't get to the recording booth as soon as possible it was going to disappear. As I threw the backpack onto my shoulder, I scanned the room to see if the teacher was even paying attention. He was helping a student at the other end of the cass, so he was distracted. I practically sprinted out of that room so that he didn't catch me, luckily for me I'm great at sneaking out of places, most notably out of concerts and my house.

The hallways were silent, most kids were in class except for the occasional student either going to the bathroom or those who were like me, and cutting class. Maneuvering my through the halls as quickly I could without causing any attention to myself, I somehow got to the music room unnoticed. That is for except the texts that I got from some of the guys, more specifically Brandon and Sky who happened to have class together this period.

Sky - Where are you going? You should be in class..

Brandon - Princess why in such a hurry?

Figures. I can't answer now or the lyrics that I've come up with I'll forget, so I've got to hurry. I pushed the door to the music room open, it creaked loudly. I scanned the room to make sure nobody was in there, it was perfect for me because there is no music class after fourth! I shut the door quietly so that is didn't echo in the hallway causing me to get caught.

In an open booth, I recorded the song that I had come up with. It really portrays how I'm going to rise over Mitzi. I was just about to leave the music room, when the bell that indicated the end of fifth period, rang. The one thing I've been dreading since I enrolled into this schools was PE. I'm all for being active, in fact I love sports! But this class is just unnecessary because it's just a handful of students pretending like it's the fucking olympics. As slow as I could I left the music room and headed towards the gigantic gym at the back of the school, it's also where the football field was located.

I decided to take the long way to class, just so that I could maybe skip part of whatever we were doing today. Once I opened a set of double doors that led to the courtyard, the same ones Musa and I went through yesterday to go to music class. The hot air hit me and I could already feel my body producing sweat even before they left me glands. I walked across the courtyard, trying to stay in the shade if possible and approached a set of doors I had never encountered before, well in the two days I've been here. I opened them and felt a breeze of air conditioner, it felt so good. I walked down the short hall, on the other end was a set of doors and through them I could see the sign Gym hanging off the giant building in the distance. Once I got closer to the doors, I could see my group of friends waiting outside. Whether they were waiting for me or not, I have no idea. I finally exited the hallway, which in my opinion didn't have a purpose other than the air conditioner. I waved to my friends as they shot their heads up, Brandon looked extremely happy to see me.

"So we all have class together?" I asked, the rest of the group shook their heads. This is actually perfect. But just as I thought this couldn't get more perfect, Mitzi and her friends walked past us. She shot me an unattractive glare.

"What was that about?" asked Sky as he grabbed my arm, I turned towards him

"Let's just say we had a disagreement," I stated in the most simple way possible. Little does he know, mission make Mitzi jealous is now in action.

We all headed towards the locker rooms which were on the side of the gym, the boys stopped at the boys locker room and us girls headed towards the girls locker room. If I thought the inside of the school was dreary, I was so wrong. The locker room was literally a grey cement room with grey lockers. They could have thrown in some color here or there, even some white would liven up the place!

I threw my bag into one of the empty lockers, then changed into the matching PE uniforms. Again these were all grey.. As we left the locker room and headed into the gym, the guys were already in there warming up for class. Now these are the fucking people I was talking about, they think it's the goddamn olympics!

"Attention students, we will be continuing our lesson in dodgeball today!" as the teacher was explaining what today's focus was going to be on, I could see there lots of boys in our class who were catching the attention of Mitzi. Unfortunately for them only one guy was catching Mitzi's attention and that guy is Brandon. The girls and I made our way over to where the guys were, the first thing I did was stand near Brandon.

"Princess, grey looks good on you," he laughed, I gave him a light hit on the shoulder.

"Ew don't say that again," I said while fiddling with the ugly shorts

"Alright everyone get into two teams, girls on this side and boys on that side," the teacher shouted which echoed throughout the gym. All us girls headed to one end of the gym, minus Mitzi of course who sat on the sidelines.

"I'm so ready for this," stated Layla as she stretched out her legs and arms. If there was one person who was all about sports, it was Layla. As for the rest of us Bloom, Tecna and Musa were able to protect themselves while Flora and I crouched behind the others so that we wouldn't get hit.

"On your marks, get set-" the teacher looked to both sides to make sure all of us were on the proper line, "GO!" Flora and I didn't even move off the line, we stayed behind some of the other girls but as they started to get out we had to start moving around. Eventually there were only a few girls and boys left. For the girls it was Layla, Flora, and some other girl. As for the boys it was Riven, Sky and one of Mitzi's boy toys. I watched as Mitzi called over her friend, she whispered something into his ear and all he did was grin. Sky threw a ball in my direction, luckily for me I noticed and moved out of its trajectory. I immediately picked it up and threw it back towards him, and it actually got him! Honestly he probably let me hit him.

Layla picked up one of the loose balls from our side of the court, she launched it at Riven while he threw one at her. They got each other out. Flora eventually got hit and then the other girl. Somehow I was the last girl standing and then that boy on the other side.

"Come on Stella, you got this!" shouted Sky, I looked around aimlessly to find a ballon my side of the court. Just my luck they were all with the mystery boy. He got as close as he could to the line, eventually crossing it, and he threw the ball as hard as he could at me.

Before I knew it, I felt myself hit the floor then everything went black..