Chapter Two: Going Back Home
Two Weeks Later
Stella's POV
Olivia says, "Hey Stella. Wake up. We are back home."
"I'm up! Just give me a moment." I say.
Olivia leaves and let's me get up. I grab my suitcase and walk to my mom's car.
Mom says, "We missed you Stella."
"Yeah right. Just take me home. I need some sleep." I say.
Mom replies, "Okay. Come on."
"I change my mind. I will walk home." I say.
Mom says, "Okay. See you later. Just don't get arrested."
"Okay Mrs. Yamada." I say.
Mom says, "You know that you need to be home at 7:00 pm."
"Yeah. So I don't miss the Yamada dinner." I say.
Olivia's POV
"Umm. I hate to ask Mrs. Yamada, but why did Stella just call you Mrs. Yamada instead of mother?" I ask.
Mrs. Yamada says, "Stella is adopted. Her real name is Stevie Nicholas. She is originally from New York, so going there must have reminded her of the family that gave her up because she was a girl."
"Oh." I say, "She was acting strange this week. Now that you mention it."
Mrs. Yamada says, "Don't tell anyone that I told you. Not even Stella."
Stella Yamada/Stevie Nicholas's POV
I go into Walgreens. I see Ray in there. I can't go in there. But you have to.
Well, here goes nothing.
I go and grab three pregnancy test. I walk up to the counter and Ray says, "What is Stella Yamada buying today?"
He looks at the tests and says, "Oh Yamada. Look at the trouble she has gone into."
"What are you doing?" I ask.
Ray asks, "Which one of your band mates is its."
"None of them. Wen has Olivia, Scott and Charlie fight over Mo and I'm the rebellious feminist." I say.
Ray says, "You know. You remind me of an old friend."
Ray's POV
"You know. You remind me of an old friend." I say.
Stella reminds me of my old friend Stevie Nicholas. Her parents died at nine and she was put in the foster care system in he wizard world. She was adopted by an ex-wizard family. The Yamadas.
"Stevie Nicholas." I whisper, "You're actual name is Stevie Nicholas and you are a wizard. A Nicholas family wizard."
Stevie/Stella whispers, "Caleb Benedict. A Benedict family wizard."
My actual name is Caleb Benedict. Ray Beech is just an alias. I am not adopted, but someone found out I was a wizard and it was either give up magic or change completely. You can guess what I choose.
"Wait. If it isn't one of the band members, then who's is it?" I ask.
Stevie/Stella asks, "I don't even know if I have one. I better go and take these tests Benedict."
Stella/Stevie's POV
"I don't even know if I have one. I better go take these tests Benedict." I say.
Ray/Caleb says, "Go take your tests."
I go to the bathroom stall and pee on all three sticks. Has anyone ever said how uncomfortable it is to pee on a stick.
Three minutes later I get three positives. I cry. I sit on a bathroom stall and cry.
I can't be pregnant. I don't even know who the father is. I am a victim. I could never love this child. It wouldn't love me. It would call me a failure.
Ray/Caleb says, "They were positive weren't they?"
I go out and nod. I fall to the floor and Ray/Caleb gives me his jacket. He says, "Do you want to go back to my house. Or your house?"
"Yours." I croak.
Ray/Caleb asks, "Okay Stevie. Should I call you Stevie or Stella?"
"St-ste-Ev-vi-vie wh-Whe-n-n we are al-ALO-alon-ne. Sh-sho-ould I c-cal-ll y-you C-Cal-leb-b or R-Ray-y?" I stutter/ask. Great. I have gone from croaking to stuttering!
Ray/Caleb says, "Caleb. Now. Was this a one night stand situation or…"
"T-th-he o-t-th-e-er." I stutter.
Caleb says, "Oh Stevie. I feel really sorry for you. I really do. Do you want to leave. Like leave this world."
"N-No-ot l-Li-Ike dy-dyi-ing if t-th-hats wh-ha-at y-you-you're-re su-sug-Essay-st-ti-ting. M-Ma-ayb-be t-to W-Wiz-Tech." I stutter.
Caleb says, "That will be great for you. But will they accept you pregnant?"
"I d-don't k-know." I say, "I h-hope s-so."
Caleb says, "We are going to Wiz-Tech together."
"B-bu-ut y-yo-ou h-have t-the s-soc-cer t-team C-Caleb." I stutter in protest.
Caleb says, "I can't leave my pregnant best friend alone."
"T-Thank y-you C-Caleb." I say.
Caleb says, "I will take you to my house and tomorrow we will go to your house. Then we will go back to my house to go through my Wiz World portal. I can get us registered."
"Y-You a-are a t-true b-best f-friend." I stutter.
Caleb says narcissistically, "I know."
Caleb puts on a cd. Ugh! Most likely Mudslide Crush! I don't know why, but I can think in coherent sentences, but I can say coherent sentences. The song that plays is More Than A Band. Caleb starts singing it.
I can't pretend to know how you feel,
But know that I'm here, know that I'm real,
Say what you want, or don't talk at all,
Not gonna let you fall
Reach for my hand,
Cause it's held out for you,
My shoulders are small,
But you can cry on them too,
Everything changes, but one thing
Is true, understand,
We'll always be more than a band
Yeah...
You used to brave the world all on your own,
Now we won't let you go, go it alone
Be who you want to be, always stand tall
Not gonna let you fall,
Reach for my hand,
Cause it's held out for you,
My shoulders are small,
But you can cry on them too,
Everything changes, but one thing
Is true, understand,
We'll always be more than a band
I never knew you could take me so far,
I've always wanted the hope that you
Are the ones...
Always be more than...
I need...
Reach for my hand,
Cause it's held out for you,
My shoulders are small,
But you can cry on them too,
Everything changes, but one thing
Is true, understand,
We'll always be more than a band
Reach for my hand,
Cause it's held out for you,
My shoulders are strong,
But you can cry on them too,
Everything changes, but one thing
Is true, understand,
We'll always be more than a band
"A-Aww. Y-You h-have L-Lemonade M-Mouth's a-album." I stutter, "D-Didn't y-you h-have s-school t-today?"
Caleb says, "I was going to buy you chocolate and roses and put them on the front door of detention."
"T-That's s-sweet." I stutter, I t-think I have control over my temporary stuttering. Do you mind if I videotape me singing She's So Gone?"
Caleb says, "As long as I can have backup."
"Deal." I say.
Insecure
In her skin
Like a puppet, a girl on a string
Broke away
Learned to fly
If you want her back, gotta let her shine
So, it looks like the joke's on you
'Cuz the girl that you thought you knew
She's so gone
That's so over now
She's so gone
You won't find her around
You can look but you won't see
The girl I used to be
'Cuz she, she's so gone
Here I am
This is me
And I'm stronger than you ever thought I'd be
Are you shocked?
Are you mad?
That your missin' out on who I really am
Now it looks like the joke's on you
'Cuz the girl that you thought you knew
She's so gone
That's so over now
She's so gone
You won't find her around
You can look but you won't see
The girl I used to be
'Cuz she, she's so gone
Away, like history,
She's so gone,
Baby this is me... Yeah...
She's so gone
That's so over now
She's so gone
You won't find her around
You can look but you won't see
The girl I used to be
'Cuz she, she's so gone
She's so gone
That's so over now
She's so gone
You won't find her around
You can look but you won't see
The girl I used to be
'Cuz she, she's so gone
She's so gone, she's so gone...
So gone, she's so gone... Gone, gone, gone.
Caleb says, "Welcome to Casa De Benedict/Beech."
"It's amazing." I say and walk in.