Stella's POV
"Stella, where were you? This is the third time you've missed class this week!" Bloom yelled at me as the girls walked into the apartment.
"I was out shopping, duh! See all my bags!" I said not even caring enough to look up from my fashion magazines.
"If you miss more than 75% of class, they'll fail you automatically." Tecna informed me.
"Look. I know everyone is worried about me, but I've got this under control. I'll just go tell the professor that I haven't been feeling well." I said.
"That's a great idea!" Musa said sarcastically.
"I'm sure he'll believe you, considering they're pictures of you shopping all over the newspapers!" Layla exclaimed.
"What do you girls want me to do?" I sighed.
"We want you to talk to us." Bloom said sitting down next to me.
"Fine. I like to drink. My parents only care about their reputation. My dad is a cheater. My parents are way too busy managing their wealth that they completely forget about me. They think a platinum credit card and jewelry will make up for everything. So I sleep with random guys to make my parents mad just so they'll spare me a second!" I blurted out.
"I have issues built on issues. Do you understand why going to class isn't that important to me? Anyways, the only thing that really takes my mind off everything is fashion!" I continued. The girls were silent. They didn't know what to say, but they all came in rushing to hug me.
"We didn't know, Stell." Flora said softly.
"It's okay. It's not your fault." I said.
"I'm sorry if I was rude towards any of you. I know you were all just trying to help." I apologized.
"We forgive you." The girls said in unison.
"Thanks." I said quietly.
"We're here for you." Bloom said. I nodded before standing up.
"I have to get ready. Apparently, my parents wants to see me for dinner. I think they have some secret agenda, but I guess I'll find out soon enough." I said rolling my eyes. The girls waved at me before I went to my room to change into something appropriate.
After raiding my closet for an outfit, I headed towards the center of Magix. The restaurant was located in an extremely high skyscraper on the very top floor. My parents were waiting for me at a table by the balcony. The view was amazing. I shot them a quick half-smile as they waved at me. I took my seat and order a drink from the waiter right away.
"How are you doing, honey?" My mom asked me.
"I'm good!" I said sipping my champagne that just arrived.
"How is college going?" My dad asked me.
"It's going." I said shortly. My father glared at me before continuing to interrogate me about my personal life.
"Really? What did you do today?" He asked me.
"I went shopping instead of going to class, because I am a spoiled brat." I said harshly. A shocked expression appeared on both of their faces.
"Please don't act so surprised. You obviously both already knew. Let's not play mind games here." I continued confidently.
"Anyways, you invited me to eat not to interrogate me or accuse of me doing something wrong. Can we please get on with the dinner part of the night?" I asked annoyed.
"Of course, but we're waiting for our special guest." My dad said mysteriously. I finally notice that our table was really big for just the three of us. We still had three empty seats left.
"Dad, I swear if you invited a therapist, life coach, or whatever professional help you think I need to dinner again I will get up and leave right now." I threatened. He has done that before! The last time my parents invited me to dinner I somehow ended up in a class for alcoholics. My father just let out a chuckle. It was irritating me so much.
My father and mother eventually waved to a couple walking into the restaurant. The women was brunette and the man had dirty blonde hair. They both had perfectly sun-kissed skin.
"Shields." My dad said looking at the man.
"Solaria." The man responded. Is there tension or is it just me?
"HAHA. I've missed you, man!" My dad chuckled before they embraced in a manly hug. I have never seen my dad act like this.
"It's been a long time!" The man added.
"Luna!" The brunette women said happily to my mom embracing her.
"Stella, this is Mr. and Mrs. Shields!" My mom introduced me to them.
"It's very nice to meet you." I said sweetly.
"You've grown so much. You're beautiful just like your mother." She complimented me. Did I ever meet this women before?
"How's your son? Is he on his way?" My dad asked.
"He should be here very soon. He's running late, because he was helping his professor." Mr. Shields said. Wow, this guy must have a stick up his ... butt. This better not be some arranged marriage dinner, or I will literally kill myself. I am not marrying a teacher's pet.
"Do you want to wait, or should we just go ahead and order for him?" My mom asked Mrs. Shields.
"Let's order. We've already kept you waiting." She answered. My parents ordered food for everyone, which was the only good thing they've done so far this entire night. I was starving and extremely tired of waiting around for the mystery boy.
After the waiter took our order, my parents and the Shields talked about their businesses for what felt like a good solid two hours, but I checked my phone and only twenty minutes actually passed. The Shields are the CEOs of one of the major protection and insurance companies in Magix, Shields Incorporated. The Shields formed the company after Mr. Shields spent many years being Mr. Eraklyon's personal bodyguard. I guess Sky's dad had lots of enemies, haha. The thought of Sky's dad being nothing like him made me laugh. Bloom's boyfriend was like the model of a friendly person.
"Dad, I'm so sorry I'm late. Professor Cordatorta needed more help than I expected." A oddly familiar voice said approaching the table. He was brunette just like his mother and strongly built like his father. He also had a perfect tan.
"It's okay, sweetie." Mrs. Shields said. The boy smiled and quickly took the empty seat next to me. He was kind of cute. He didn't look like a teacher's pet. Then again, I was only looking at him out of the corner of my eye.
"This is Brandon." Mrs. Shields said. Brandon? My heart dropped. IT. CAN'T BE. HIM.
"Introduce yourself, honey." My mom directed at me. I think I was starting to sweat. I don't think I've ever been this nervous in my life. If it is who I think it is, I'm going to die right here.
"I'm Brandon, what's your name?" He said sweetly offering me his hand. Luckily, my hair was currently in the way of my face. I finally built up the courage and turned around to face him.
"Stella." I answered nervously. My eyes met with his perfect chocolate brown eyes that I could never forget. Shit. It was him.
Brandon's friendly expression turned into a hostile one immediately. He quickly dropped his hand and stiffened. I couldn't tell what he was feeling.
Everything was starting to make sense now. I've always wondered where he got his good looks from. He was literally the perfect combination of his parents. Why did I never put it together until now? It would've saved me the embarrassment! Brandon was glaring at me. I swear he was trying to strangle me with his eyes.
An awkward silence filled the entire table, but the waiter arrived with our food luckily breaking it. This was one of my favorite restaurants, but for some reason after seeing Brandon everything just did not look appetizing. I let out a small frustrated groan.
"Can I get you anything else?" The waiter asked us politely.
"Champagne, please!" Brandon and I coincidently said together at the same time. Our parents laughed at us, but it only frustrated us more.
"I'll be right back." The waiter said.
"Wait, go ahead and just bring me three glasses." I said to the waiter. I definetly needed it if I wanted to surivive the rest of this night. My parents looked at me, but I just shrugged it off.
"Where are you going to school, son?" My dad asked Brandon.
"Magix University." He answered.
"That's good. I hear you are the top of your class. Congrats!" My dad continued the conversation.
"Thank you." Brandon said.
"Where do you go, honey?" Brandon's mom asked me.
"I go to Magix University." I answered. Yay! The waiter just arrived with four glasses of champagne. Brandon and I quickly took one and gulped it down.
"Son, I didn't know you like champagne. I've never seen you drinking." Mr. Shields said.
"I'm just trying something new." He said sheepishly.
"I'm definetly going to need it tonight after seeing you." He said quietly, but loud enough for me to hear. How petty!
"I'm not thrilled to see you either." I said under my breath glaring at him. He just chuckled.
The awkwardness continued, but our parents didn't even noticed. They were having so much fun talking about the business world together. It was weird. My dad was so relaxed when he talked with Brandon's dad. I wonder how long they've all known each other. Our mothers got along great too. It was all too much for me to handle. I quickly finished all three of my glass of champagne. I honestly did not need to remember this night.
"I'll be right back." I said getting up to go get some fresh air. It was ironic, because we were basically sitting outside. I just needed to get away from everything, especially him.
"Brandon, do you mind accompanying Stella?" My dad asked him. Nooooo! I'm trying to get away from him! Brandon nodded before following me outside. I walked towards the fountain located at the entrance of the restaurant.
"When did you come back to Magix, Solaria?" Brandon asked me. He was standing a few feet behind me with his hands in his pockets.
"That's none of your business." I answered coldly.
"You're right. I don't have the right to know anymore." He said, but I couldn't tell if he was angry or sad.
I glanced at him before walking back inside the restaurant. I think I lost him. I didn't return back to the table. I was at the bar instead.
"Can you give me the strongest thing you have here, please?" I basically begged the bartender.
"Here you go." He said.
"Great! Now triple it." I commanded. I stood there just drinking all my problems away like normal.
Eventually, I decided to stumble back to the table. I quickly took my seat, so that my parents wouldn't notice how wasted I actually was. Luckily, I arrived back just towards the end of it.
"Brandon, do you mind driving Stella back?" His mom asked him.
"We're all going to meet with the Eraklyons." My mother explained.
"Sure." Brandon said unwillingly. That jerk. I can get back myself!
"See you later, honey." My mom said to me. I just smiled and waved. Everyone left leaving Brandon and I alone at the table.
"Are you going to get up or do you want to sleep here?" Brandon asked me. He was really getting on my nerves. I struggled to get up, but I succeeded. He started walking out, so I followed behind him. Once we were out of the restaurant, he turned around and grabbed me wrist.
"You're completely wasted. Where did you dissappear to earlier?" He asks me sternly.
"I went to the bar!" I giggled. He shook his head and pulled me towards his car.
"You are stumbling around like crazy." He complained.
"Why do you care?" I asked.
"I don't. I'm just annoyed, because now your my responsibility until I get you home." He explained. He shoved me into his car, and he got in on the other side.
"Alright, where do you live?" He asked me.
"You can just drop me off at the Frutti Music." I answered.
"Ummm ... NO. You're already drunk. Why would I do that?" He said.
"You care about me. Wow, you're still not over me." I teased him. Brandon's faced turned red, but not with embarrassment. He was angry.
"I do not care about you. I am over you. Anyways, I'm already with someone else." He said defensively.
"That's cute. You have an imaginary girlfriend." I continued.
"Whatever, Stella. You're a mess. I really don't care what you think." Brandon said coldly. He really despises me. Eventually, I felt my phone starting to vibrate.
"Hello?" I answered my phone.
"Do you wanna come over tonight?" The voice answered.
"Of course, Ben!" I said happily before hanging up my phone.
"Change of plans. I need you to drop me off here." I said pointing to the address on my phone. Brandon gave me a puzzled look.
"It's my boyfriend's place." I lied. It really wasn't a lie, but Ben and I were more of like an on and off couple. He constantly cheated on me, but I didn't care. I did it too. I know, I'm a hoe, but I honestly don't care.
"I don't think so." Brandon said angrily. Why the hell was he angry?
"Why not?" I whined.
"I wonder why ..." He trailed off. Brandon picked up his phone and dialed a number.
"Hey, dude! Where is your girlfriend's apartment?" Brandon said into the phone.
"Thanks. See you later, Sky." He said before hanging up.
"How the hell do you know I live with Bloom?" I asked confused.
"Your parents told me." He answered before taking a quick exit on the road.
"Whatever. I'll just tell Ben to come and pick me up from the apartment." I said just so I could get under his skin.
Brandon was silent the rest of the car ride back. He was deep in thought from what I could tell. He pulled into the front of my apartment. I saw Ben's car parked on the side.
"Thanks." I said sleepily before stumbling to Ben's car.
"You're really not the girl I used to know anymore." He said.
"People change, Brandon. Why do you care? You already have a new girlfriend." I retorted before leaving. He didn't say anything.
I glanced at Brandon one last time before I got into Ben's car and we drove off. Brandon looked sad. Why am I thinking about him? I'm with Ben now. It doesn't matter, but I have to admit it was nice seeing him today after all these years. I think I might've missed him.
Author's Note
Howdy! This story takes place in Magix, but I guess you could consider it AU. Thank you for giving me your opinions. I really do take them into consideration. As for Cupix, I am currently writing it as well, but I just recently got a rush of inspiration for this story. I just wanted to get my thoughts written before I forget, lol. Also, I know Stella is extremely crazy right now, but I promise she will get better. I just wanted to try something different with her character. Everything will be explained later in the story. Thank you for reading!