Stella winced she hadn't meant for the news to come out that way. A tense silenced filled the room.

"What the hell Stella!" Charlie exclaimed breaking the silence.

"Yea when exactly did you sign up for this?" Mo said working hard to keep from yelling at her short friend.

Stella looked down at her feet and mumbled something.

Mo narrowed her eyes dangerously "What was that Yamada?"

Stella gulped audibly whenever her last name was used she knew she was in big trouble.

"Um you know."

"No, we dont know thats sort of why Mo asked you." Scott snapped

A sigh came out of the shorter guitarist mouth "I signed the papers four months ago."

The look on her friends faces evidenced shock, anger and hurt.

"When do you leave for basic?" Wen asked calmly. What he really wanted to do was grab Stella and shake her, ask her what the hell was she thinking but he knew he wouldn't get any information like that so he tried to keep calm. In fact everything about him from his facial expression to his posture evidenced calmness the only thing that gave him away were the way his hands where shoved into his pocket, he had a habit of doing that when he was irritated.

" next month." Stella responded unlike her friend she stood rigidly.

A long silence passed until Olivia spoke.

"So you knew... " Olivia Stated like her boyfriend she evidenced complete calmness in her posture and facial expression at first Stella though everything was okay, till she looked in her friend's eyes. There was a heavy layer of anger in Olivia's eyes mixed with something that Stella couldn't quite place.

"Olivia listen" Stella started trying to calm her friend.

Olivia interrupted her eyes flashing angrily "You had four months to tell us and you decided to tell us now a month before you leave."

Stella winced once again even though it was cold in the auditorium her hands where sweaty and she was starting to feel cornered.

"Olivia I wanted to tell you guys sooner but-"

"Save it Stella, you obviously didn't trust us enough to tell us and you know what makes it worse you didn't trust me enough as your best friend to tell me that you where thinking of this decision." Olivia said calmly before getting up and turning on her heel, heading for the back door.

"Liv come on your my best friend!"

Olivia stopped and turned slowly her penetrating gaze softening before it turned cold again "Was, I was your best friend." she responded coldly before turning around and walking calmly out the back door.

Wen got up and walked over to the dejected half-asian "You know I'm not going to pretend I like this...but you have my full support and I'll try to talk to Liv for you."Stella gave him a watery smile and punched him in the arm.

"Thank you Wen, that means a lot."

"It's nothing, I gotta go though I'll see you tommorow alright?" Wen said before walking out the back door to search for his girlfriend.

Stella sighed and looked at her three remaining friends.

"I guess I owe you guys some explanations huh?"

Mo rolled her eyes "You think?"

"Lets start with why you didn't tell us in the first place." Scott said evenly

"Ok that's fair, well I didn't tell you guys because I knew you guys would try to talk me out of it."

"Your damn right we'd try to talk you out of it! It's a stupid Idea!" Charlie said still seething.

"And why is it stupid Charlie?" Stella said with all the calmness she could muster.

"Because you could get hurt or captured or even..." Charlie trailed off he hated the thought of it. He tried to shake the image of Stella in a white coffin, pale with her hands neatly folded ready to be buried. He shook his head but it was the image was there to stay

"Or what Charlie?" Stella asked softly. "Die?" Stella asked noticing how her friends winced at the word.

"Guys I've thought of that. I know the risk and I'm willing to take it if it means I can fight to make sure that the people who are being oppressed can be given a voice! I could never live with myself If I'm playing music while people are fighting and dying for us!" Stella wasn't going to lie to herself she was scared of dying but she honestly felt with all her heart and soul that is where she had to be.

"But this is different Stella, This isn't just singing some songs to help the kids in our school. This is you fighting and risking your life, for people you've never even met!"

Stella crossed her arms resolutely "Listen guys I've made my choice and its not going to change. You're either with me or not." she glared at them daring anyone to try and change her mind.

Mo stood up and for a second Stella was worried she was going to pull an Olivia instead Mo ran up and embraced her short friend.

"You better write to all of us every day." Mo whispered still clutching her friend tightly.

"I will." Stella choked out pleasantly surprised and glad that she wouldn't be losing another friend.

"Promise?" Mo asked finally releasing the young recruit.

Stella smiled "I promise."

Scott smiled and got up, he wanted to argue and shout but he had to be strong for Mo and the rest of the band "Ok but you gotta promise me you won't kick to much ass over there."

Stella gave him a cocky condescending smile "Sorry Scotty I cant promise that kicking ass just comes naturally to me."

Scott and Mo laughed before saying goodbye and walking out the door hand in hand.

Charlie frowned "I still don't like it." Stella opened her mouth to interrupt. "but I guess I'm going to have to learn to like it aren't I?" Charlie finished smiling.

Stella hugged him "Thanks bro."

Charlie smiled again " Anytime sis, I'll catch you later ok?"

"Alright later Charlie."

Stella sighed as he walked out the door at least they didn't hate her but Olivia was different story.


So I hope you liked it! Please, Please review!