I did say I'd update, it just took a while.

Also, I have changed some things because I didn't like that they were in the story. So they're either gone or twisted differently.

Also I've included FloraxHelia (finally) and I'm going to run BrandonxStella on quicker than originally planned. In the next chapter there's going to be a sweet moment (or that's what I've planned in my head) between the two so I'm looking forward to it.

Finally I hope you enjoy this new chapter.

~

Stella POV

"Stella, are you ok? You're drooling on your bag."

"I'm what?" I replied, still half asleep. Following Flora's pointed finger to the small dribble of saliva on my bag, I sighed and grabbed a tissue to wipe it away.

"You seem really tired. How much sleep did you have last night?"

I paused from cleaning my own spit to think how many hours I actually slept last night. Let's be honest, Youtube is too good at its job. "Uhm...six maybe?"

Flora smiled but rolled her eyes. "No wonder you're always grouchy."

"S'cuse me? Ah no you may be right."

"Are you sure it's a lack of sleep Flora? I mean I always thought that was your permanent mood."

I threw the tissue at Musa as she, Bloom, Aisha and Tecna came over and sat with us. She squirmed and attempted to dodge the flying featherweight, which bounced off her shoulder. "Yep. I'll have to throw away my entire arm now."

"Hey, thanks again you guys for coming Saturday. Though I'm sorry it was ruined by the boys invading our space." Bloom frowned.

"Technically," Musa started, opening a cereal bar and shoving half of it into her mouth, "that was my fault. But it was all good, right?"

Tecna shrugged, "Luckily it didn't end in disaster. Just don't spill popcorn and coke over Riven next time."

The bell then went for next class and we all got up to leave.

I inwardly wanted to die all of a sudden, "English. Yay."

"Stella, you sound so thrilled! Is it the prospect of spending more time with Mr Handsome?"

I grunted and, in response, shoved her into the garbage bin; I heard her gag as she deep throated her cereal bar. Musa managed to hobble back over to me though, slightly hunched, holding her abdomen and with no more cereal bar.

"I could've died...just then. Thanks Stella."

I smiled, "You're welcome! I especially loved it when your eyes bulged out of their sockets. I really should have taken a picture."

~

"And when do you look so jolly?"

"Mmmm why do you care?"

"Because I care about you. So much!"

I sat down at my dask, slamming down my book, which caused him to jump a little. "If you really must know, I almost killed my friend earlier."

"You must be sick in the head." He mused, looking ahead and sitting back in his chair, drumming his finger against the table.

"Nah. Just an incredibly dark sense of humour." I smirked. And if I didn't know any better I swear he glimpsed me, with a slight quirk of his lips.

By the time the teacher arrived, we were ten minutes late. She blamed it on her meetings and then hurried to start the lesson. It consisted of basically reading through more Shakespeare and answering questions like; "Why are the curtains red?"Oh I dunno? Why is the sky blue? Why is grass green? Do pigeons have feelings, I mean, if you wanna push it might as well?

"What the hell are you ranting about?"

"I was talking to myself!"

"You're not exactley quiet about it."

"It's none of your business to listen to my business."

"I can't exactley help it, you sounded even dumber than normal."

Ignoring Brandon, I attempted to get on with my work. Three paragraphs in and I was interrupted, again.

"You wrote three paragraphs? You're wasting your time."

"Hey, at least I'm getting the work done. What have you done - Oh! A sentence! Congratulations, you deserve a gold star!"

"Do you want to keep going?"

"Look, maybe if you stopped snooping at my work and breathing down my neck, you'd get somewhere with it."

He shook his head and turned back to his paper, although the blue light reflecting under the table showed otherwise. It was odd, he hardly ever completed any work, let alone write a paragraph.

"Do you need any help?"

His finger stopped stabbing furiously at the screen and he looked up at me with a raised eyebrow. "Huh?"

"Do you need any help?" I repeated.

"No, I'm capable of doing this myself."

"But you're not doing it."

He locked eyes with me, his face like thunder, "I said I'm capable of doing this myself!"

"Ok..." I frowned, "I'm sorry I asked." Feeling a little cut, I decided to shut up for the rest of the hour and concentrate on my own doing. Brandon just went back to his phone.

As the bell rang for next lesson a sheet of paper floated onto my desk. "This is your homework, I want it completed by the end of the week."

"Yes Miss." I answered and shoved it into my bag along with the rest of my stationary. It'd be a good way to kill some free time, at least.

~

Flora POV

The library was my favourite place to be, away from noise and people. It was peaceful, a beautiful escape from everything else in the world, especially when I had my sketch pad and pencil.

I shut off my brain from taking control and let my hand be my guide, the pencil gliding seamlessly across the paper, creating lines and lines of elegance.

It wasn't anything in particular that I was sketching, nothing special, only a stranger that I'd sometimes glimpsed in the hallways. He was staring intently at his laptop screen, right palm cupping his chin whilst his left fingers worked the keyboard, a concentrated frown etched on his face. His dark, scruffy hair fell just above his eyes, a deep emerald, and cast small shadows over his features. The miday sun shone warm, bright rays through the window which caused larger, deeper shadows that framed his face against the glow, cut sharper angles into his cheekbones and manifested more of the creases in his shirt that had now become more of a lilc than a purple.

My mind was fully concentrated but also fully at peace. This was my escape. This was my relaxation. I was so focused, in fact, that I didn't notice the sun disappear until I looked up and saw someone stood in my view.

He was frowning, at me or my work I wasn't sure. "Is this all you?" He asked.

"Um, pardon?" I replied.

He crouched now and pointed at my sketch. "This," he elaborated, his hand moving in a circular motion over it, "it's all from you?"

"Yes."

"It's beautiful."

I blushed, mumbling, "Thank you."

He seemed hesitant to ask his next question, recoiling his hand and entwining it with the other, "Do you mind if I..."

"Join me?" I finished, to which he looked at me with a warm smile. His long, thick hair fell over his face, there were hints of silver I noticed blended in with the black, and even with the lack of light his eyes seemed to illuminate a sapphire blue, "No, of course not."

He pulled over a chair and sat next to me at the table. Then he smiled before glancing at me with a smile, "Could you... teach me? How to draw as beautifully as you?"

I shaded absent-mindedly at a darker patch of clothing on my sketch before returning to him and meeting his gaze, " Ok then. First, you'll need some pencils and some paper..."

~

Brandon POV

I tapped my pen absent-mindedly against the table as I sat and stressed, wondering what to do. If I didn't come home with a definite answer as to how I was planning to help myself then I might as well lose my car and everything else I take for granted; including my phone. And I couldn't let that happen.

There were a couple of other kids in cafeteria, most scribbling furiously in notebooks, probably starting on homework as they waited for the bus. The staff were clearing up and preparing for tomorrow, continuously checking the clock to make sure we all got shooter out in time.

I was supposed to be driving home with Bethany but instead I opted out, much to her frustration, my head too full of excuses to concentrate on her. She stormed off, pretty pissed, but not before some whining and begging.

I ran my fingers through my hair in frustration, time was running out and I'd come up with nothing. I was going to lose everything for something that I didn't care for, it wasn't fair.

"Come on then, out you go."

What? Not already!

"But-"

"Come on!" She pushed, "Cafe's closed now, you need to be off home!"

Everyone was pushed out of the hall and the doors shut and locked firmly. I was the last one standing there whilst everyone walked off. This was it.

I headed back to my car, frustration and anger building. It wasn't until I passed the library, however, that I realised that it would be open for another hour still. And I knew there and then the answer to my problems.

~

Stella POV

I jabbed blindly at the keyboard, letting my mind flow and leading my fingers to follow. I'd only been here a half hour and I was already half why through this homework. A simple 800 word piece was nothing but a piece of cake, I'd have it done by the time I'd get to leaving.

I was planning on getting this sorted at home however upon ringing mum she'd replied with she'd be out late tonight on her job and of course, I didn't have a damn key. So instead, I opted for the library, which was open till after school hours anyway. It was a good way to get this finished though, then I'd have all the free time I'd like at home, without the nagging thought that this was still to be done.

The doors opened and shut but I didn't pay them much notice. Often it'd be the librarian returning from doing something or other. But then the hairs on the back of my neck stood on end; someone was behind me.

I finished up my sentence and turned around, a little pissed for someone to come and interrupt me, and that someone was Brandon.

"What?"

He frowned but with his cocky little smirk too, "That's rude."

"I was in the middle of writing and you interrupt me! What do you want now?" I huffed.

"I need you to come with me."

"I'm not going anywhere with you! I have work to do!"

"Fine, then I'll drag you...and your work."

I hastily saved my progress, on a hunch that he would literally hoist me up by my waist, which, he did, but subtly enough so no one of authority would notice.

"Brandon, what are you doing?! Put me down!"

We were out in the corridor now, all bare of student and teachers. I kept thrashing at him in an attempt to get him to loosen his grip, he was so strong I was almost struggling to breathe.

"Stop...squirming!" He insisted and flung me over his shoulder instead, "I need a favour from you."

"Then why not ask? Instead of flinging me over your shoulder! I can't breathe here - OW! That's my hip!"

"God, you're like a yappy, little, Chiuaua!" He mumbled and with me over his shoulder and my bag in his other hand, he walked us outside.

I sighed, "Fine, what is the favour you want? Ow! This isn't comfortable, you know?"

He dropped my down suddenly, knocking the breath out of me. I placed my hands on my soon-to-be sore hips and looked at where we were. Next to a sleek, black, BMW.

"Is this your car?"

"It won't be soon, unless you agree to my proposal."

Oh no. "What...?" I pressed.

"I need you...to tutor me."