AUTHOR'S NOTE: So the writing of my other two stories is ruining my mood , especially 'Legacy Long Awaits', because it was just perfect the first time around, and I cant get it to be perfect this time ! I think once I get past the chapters that I have to rewrite , my writing will flow much more quickly . Anyways , here's another installment of the story . Im posting it in bits and pieces because , honestly , I'm trying to sate your guys' thirsty reading palates to the best of my ability while I finish the writing of the stories . Also , this story is from RANDY'S POV , unless it says otherwise in the beginning . There will actually be quite a few of Istella's POVs as well , now that I think about it , because you all should see both sides . I wont guarantee her side for every chapter , but I will do my best ! Anywaysss , enjoy ! Oh , and thank you to all the readers , and to you people who have favorites/put this story on alert/etc. [:

-xoxo

Katherine Nicotra ;D

Chapter 3:

I drove to my house in silence, listening to the hushed voices of Ted and Cody conversing. As soon as we pulled up, I cut the engine and strode to the trunk, getting the bags. I heard the doors open, and saw Istella looking at me with surprise. I quickly made my way into the house and went upstairs, putting the bags down in the only available guest room: the one next to my bedroom. I'd decided after a while that I'd cope with her, just like I'd done with other people in my past, but I wouldn't be too chummy with her.

I turned and saw Istella looking into the room timidly. I walked out of the room, passing her, and then turned around.

"That's your room." I turned back around and left her to do whatever the hell she wanted. She was an intruder in my life, and I wasn't about to make the intruding any easier for her. I went downstairs, pulling off my sunglasses. I reached the living room and saw everyone talking, getting to know each other. Brandon looked up and smiled.

"Aye Mr. Orton, your back! So where's the little writer girl?" Brandon leaned a little to the right to look behind me, and I shrugged. I dropped down into a free spot on the couch and turned on the tv. I flipped to LA Ink and started watching with some interest.

"Randy, don't you think you're being a little too hard on her?" I turned to John, frustrated.

"John, keep out of my business, okay?" I stopped myself from saying anything offensive to him, not wanting to be a jerk to my best friend.

"Fine." I heard John emit a little grumble, but I tuned him out, returning to watch the show. Consumed in the show, I didn't notice anything until the voices died down a little. They were all staring at the staircase.

"Umm, Randy, excuse me." I heard a little voice, and I turned my head minutely. Istella stood at the foot of the stairs with her hair in a ponytail. She had changed out of her conservative outfit and was wearing a white spaghetti strap top which bared her midriff somewhat, and short blue denim shorts. I was a little surprised by her outfit, but didn't show it. I just raised an eyebrow, staring at her. "Where's the bathroom?" I saw her face turn a little red, and I held back the laugh of derision.

"Cody, show her the bathroom." I turned back to the television as Cody got up and went upstairs with Istella, talking to her kindly. I felt another twinge of irritation. Why did everyone act like they were so damn sorry for her? It was like she was to be pitied because she had to deal with me for the next four months. Did everyone forget that I would be living with an intruder for the next four months as well? I clenched the television remote roughly, hearing the conversation start up again. Footsteps thudded down the stairs as Cody walked down again, reseating himself.

"Did you help her out, Cody?" John asked in a concerned voice. I glanced sideways to see Cody nod.

"She's pretty awesome! You guys should get to know her, but for now she says she's gotta work." Cody leaned into the sofa, propping his feet on the coffee table. Brandon, who was sitting on the carpet on the other side of the coffee table, grinned as he wagged his eyebrows. I noticed for the first time that he had gages in his ears, and the lines of a tattoo peeked out from his shirt. I wished once more that I had gotten a semi-cool person to be my interviewer.

"You know, she's actually pretty hot! I hit on her a couple times while we were in the Stamford office, though, and she was like 'Oh hell no', and I tried to get her to go out with me, but she said she wasn't interested." Brandon frowned as he spoke, and I held back the smirk threatening to take over my face. She was totally ordinary, what was so hot about that? I heard Cody make a disapproving sound from where he sat.

"Shame, I'd do her in no time! She looks damn fuckable." Cody laughed, and Brandon nodded, high-fiving Cody.

"She's got a great bod, she's smart, and that girl has got a mean pair of legs on that short little body!" I turned my head completely this time, startled at hearing the young blonde man who had been texting earlier while standing behind Cody and Ted. He hadn't spoken much more than a grunt or a 'hm'. Cody put a hand on his shoulder, grinning.

"Everyone knows that, buddy. I think it could actually work out to everyone's advantage…" Cody winked, and everyone laughed, except for Ted, and obviously, me.

"Guys, stop treating her like she's some thing. That's messed up." Everyone turned to Ted, still laughing slightly.

"Geez Ted, who knew you had a womanly side!" Cody exclaimed, sending everyone into a fit of laughter.

"Just because I know how to treat a woman doesn't mean that I have a womanly side. Let me ask you, who's the single guy, and who's the married guy over here?" Ted smirked at Cody's shocked expression. I went back to watching the television, and checked the time. It was already four in the afternoon. Pulling my feet off the coffee table, I got up, tossing the remote onto my now vacant seat. Everyone looked up at me as I stretched.

"I'm going to go take a nap. If you aren't staying here overnight, then just leave whenever." Everyone nodded, and I started to walk to the staircase.

"See you later Randy!" I lifted a hand in acknowledgement at Brandon, and trekked up the stairs. I walked past the guest bedroom, and was surprised to hear humming. The door was open, and I slowed my pace as I walked past. I briefly glanced into her room to see her sitting cross-legged on the large white bed. She had iPod headphones stuck in her ears, her iTouch sitting next to her, and a sleek Mac sat in front of her. She leaned towards it, peering at it with interest as she typed.

I continued walking, chuckling to myself. What did everyone see in her that I didn't? Oh well, it didn't matter anyways. I went into my room and laid on my bed, finally falling asleep.

I woke up to voices coming from the next room. I knew immediately that it was from the room Istella was staying in. I got up, rolling my eyes. Did she have to be a pain in the ass this early into the month?

I walked out of my room towards where the noise was coming from. Curiousity got the better of me, and I stopped a foot away from the door, listening to what was happening.

"Come on, Randy doesn't have to find out." I knew Cody was talking. What the hell was he talking about?

"Cody, please leave, now. I don't care about getting caught, I just don't want to!" I knew that the hushed, frantic voice was Istella. I furrowed my brow, even more confused.

"Baby, please, I know how to make you scream my name all night long." I covered my mouth to hide the laughter threatening to burst at Cody's lame pick-up line. So he wanted to fuck her, and she was afraid that I would find out? This was rich!

"Cody, don't come any closer. I don't think I want to see the worlds smallest dick right now." Damn! Little girl was feisty, that was for sure. I heard Cody growl, and the I heard a little squeal and a thud.

"I don't give a fuck what you think. I'll show you just how small my dick really is." I heard Cody's voice, and realized that Istella's voice was muffled. I thought about what the thud was. I knew I had to do something as soon as I figured out what was going on. I mean, I may not have liked the annoying little stalker, but I wasn't gonna let her get hurt either.

I walked into the room quietly, and saw Istella backed against a wall, and Cody clamping a hand to her face, and a hand to the hem of her shirt. Both of them turned to me when they heard me.

"Cody, what the hell are you doing? Let go of the girl." I spoke harshly, and Cody backed off immediately. I saw Istella out of the corner of my eye. Her eyes were wet, and there were a couple of tears going down her cheeks. She held the back of her head delicately, and her face had a red mark on it, but she stared daggers at Cody's head.

"Hey, let me explain! She was all over me, she wanted it rough-" Cody started explaining.

"I don't give a flying fuck. Out. Now. Go downstairs." I pointed to the door, annoyed at Cody's stupidity. I felt a little bad for the girl, I mean, I wasn't going to be nice to her, but she didn't deserve to get harassed by my friends. Cody walked out the room, and I heard the footsteps going down the stairs. I stared at the floor as I made sure that he didn't return for round two.

"Thanks." I looked up, startled, and saw Istella smiling at me a little. She looked innocent, and I wanted to give her a little reassurance, maybe a hug, but I stopped myself. She was a stranger, I didn't want to make any bonds with her, so friendliness was out of the question.

"Stop wearing clothes that'll tempt them." I stared at her hard, feeling bad as her smile fell, and she looked down at the ground. "There's a lock on the door," I said, trying to be nicer. She didn't respond, and I left quickly. I walked downstairs, and walked right to Cody.

"What the fuck do you think you're doing, going after her like that? She's gonna be travelling with me for four months. I don't want her to be bitching at your punk ass just because you cant keep your dick to yourself. Now straighten up and be a little more mature!" I spoke quietly but coldly to Cody, and he looked down, his face turning a little red.

"Sorry, I didn't think…" Cody tried apologizing.

"I know you didn't think, if you had thought, then she wouldn't have almost been raped by you!" I turned around, disgusted, and walked back to my room. On the way, I heard John speak.

"Wow Cody, I think that you must've fucked up big time if he's that pissed. Maybe you should apologize to her." I stopped at the top step, listening.

"Dude, John, he's gone. Calm down." I listened more attentively. What was Cody talking about?

"I'm surprised that didn't work…I thought Randy would be a little nicer to her if someone pulled a stunt like that." I gripped the banister at John's voice, feeling the wood give slightly, and I grit my teeth. They set me up!

"I just risked getting my ass kicked for nothing… and to top it off, she wont go anywhere near me anymore!" I couldn't even force myself to smile at Cody's whining. Why couldn't they just let me be? I knew I kept some things hidden from them, but it was for good reason. They had no right to try and change me. I had my reasons for why I was the way I was.

"Just tell her that you were kidding, and apologize for being an ass. Say that John dared you to do it." I heard everyone laugh at Brandon's suggestion, and I heard them all agree to the idea to bail Cody out. I was tired, and it was starting to get dark outside. I went back upstairs and went straight to my bedroom, not bothering to glance into the girl's room. I laid on my bed, staring at my wall, getting sleepier as the minutes ticked by.

I woke up in the middle of the night, and I rubbed my eyes, knowing that it was nowhere near time for me to get up. I looked at the clock and gritted my teeth as I saw the time: four in the morning. I got up silently, because even though I seemed heartless, I wasn't THAT bad. I grabbed my iPod and laid on my bed, listening to Metallica and Pantera until my eyes drifted closed.

I woke up once more to hear soft noises coming from the kitchen. I rubbed my eyes and turned off my iPod, setting it back down on my desk. I pulled on a plain black shirt and some jeans, then walked into the bathroom to wash up. I looked in the mirror and winced as I saw myself. I looked like I had been through hell in the past couple of days. My face was slightly rugged, and my face was sagging with tiredness. After a moment's deliberation I stripped down, taking a shower and shaving my face. I changed into a new black shirt and dark jeans and walked downstairs, listening to the muttered voices in my kitchen.

"Hey, he's alive!" I nodded to John, who was cooking something in the kitchen. Brandon was cooking with him, and Cody, Ted, and their interviewer sitting at the dining table with... her. She was in her pajamas, which consisted of a white vneck and plaid short shorts. Her hair was in a ponytail. I turned away, wincing, as I noticed her colorful bra showing through her shirt. She was definitely a tease, and a problem.

"Wow Randy, you seem more alive than yesterday! Shower did you some good." Cody smiled hesitantly at me as he joked, and even though I wanted to rip his head off, I decided to be neutral. I just nodded, sitting down. Excruciatingly enough, the only free spot that wasn't claimed by John or Brandon or anyone else was next to the girl. I pulled out the chair and sat down as far away as I could. I could feel her gaze on me, and I resisted saying any snide remark. I was tired from the day before, and getting pissy with everyone wasn't going to help me feel any better.

"Here's the food!" John and Brandon came in, setting down plates of pancakes, bacon, sausage, and scrambled eggs in front of each of us. John sat down in the chair next to me, and Brandon sat down too. I looked down at my plate, and felt a twinge in my stomach.

"We thought you'd love it!" John laughed as I stared at the pancakes which spelled out my initials. I rolled my eyes and nodded, turning to John.

"Thanks," I mumbled as I began to eat. I heard John tut, and I stopped myself from rolling my eyes.

"Seems like that shower didn't wash away your crappy mood." I kept eating, focusing my gaze on the plate in front of me. I listened to the conversation as I idly picked at the scrambled eggs.

"So Istella, do you like the pancakes we made you? Brandon wanted to make them." I ate faster, hoping that I would be able to leave the table in the span of five minutes.

"Yeah, thanks, I appreciate it." I winced at her small voice. It wasn't right having a girl in the mix. It would just end bad! Oh well, too bad nobody ever listened to me. I finished up my food quickly.

Pushing my chair back from the table, I stood up. The chair had made a loud scraping noise, so everyone turned to stare.

"Where you off to?" Ted asked, biting into a strip of bacon.

"I'm going to the gym. Be back in an hour." I strode out of the room, going upstairs to change. I went into the bathroom to change into gym shorts and came outside. I stripped off my shirt to change into a muscle shirt, and I heard someone clear their throat at the door. I suppressed the urge to growl, turning around.

She stood there in her pajamas, staring at me with her big eyes. She seemed so innocent, like a rabbit... too bad I couldn't just give her to someone else like I could do to a rabbit. I realized that I was shirtless and she was somewhat staring at me, so I pulled on the muscle shirt quickly. She cleared her throat again.

"Um Mr. Orton, could I come with you to the gym? I need to get photos of you, and some gym shots would be good." I felt a twinge of annoyance. I wanted to go to the gym to get away from everyone here, especially her! Did she not realize that? Fuck, this was going to be a long day.

I got home from the gym, where I had gone alone, around three in the afternoon. I had told the girl that I had a few personal errands to run, and she backed off. I went upstairs and took a proper shower, since I hated the gym showers. I got out and changed into jeans and a plain dark blue shirt. Feeling fairly sore from the long workout, I went downstairs and sat on the couch to watch tv. I had been lucky enough to come home to an empty house and a note which I hadn't bothered to read.

I relaxed in blissful solitude for about half an hour when I heard the front door open, voices talking and laughing.

"Oh hey Randy! When did you get here?" I heard Cody speaking happily, and I turned to them all. Shrugging, I got up.

"We have to get to the arena in an hour for the house show. Hurry up and get ready." I watched all of them sped off to their respective rooms, and I went upstairs slowly, so I could grab my gym bag. I heard voices coming from the guest bedroom, and listened as I walked past.

"So Istella, I had a really good time today." I rolled my eyes at Brandon's voice. I knew he would try to hit on her sooner or later. Just one look at him showed that he was the kind of guy that had one night stands.

"I did too." I suppressed a gag at her response. I could imagine Brandon in the room, trying not to show his little friend rising up on him.

"Do you want to go out for dinner tonight?" I stopped at my door, listening for the response.

"Uhmm, well... sure. I'd like that." She had said yes to Brandon's offer. Of course she had. Atleast she'd be out of my house for a while... But why the hell was her response bugging me so damn much?