Chapter 6: Defined Relationships

"Are you sure you don't want me to go? I'm not comfortable with you going over his house." My father said for the hundredth time. Brandon will be here in a couple of hours and my Dad has been giving me the third degree.

"Dad, it's not like I'm spending the night. He wants me to meet his family." It felt like I was repeating myself over and over again. I get that he's protective of his only child, but he is going overboard.

My Dad followed me into the kitchen. "Already? Are you two even in a relationship like that yet?" He questioned.

"Well….not really." I'm not quite sure what the status of our relationship is. "We only just went on our first date last week." Brandon called me last Saturday and told me the cookout was rescheduled for this Saturday. The reason for the rescheduling was due to heavy rainstorms. Now it's bright and sunny. No excuses.

"Hmm….I don't like this boy."

"You don't like any boy I date, Dad." I say patiently. Better not get on his bad side today.

he grumbles something under his breath and walked into the den. I sighed and went up into my room. I receive a text on my phone from Musa. Ugh.

Hey ~M

Should I even respond? I haven't spoken to her in weeks since her betrayal. Maybe I'm being overdramatic, but what she did really hurt me.

What do you want? ~S

What r u up 2? ~M

Is she really trying to create small talk with me? Suddenly my phone vibrates out. Musa.

"What?" I answer rudely. I didn't think I could possibly put that much venom in my voice.

"Stella! I didn't even expect you to answer." she said, relieved.

"What. Do. You. Want?" I gritted out.

"I just.. I wanted to talk to you. I miss you, Stella. Just here me out when I tell you I'm so sorry for giving Bloom those pictures. It's just…. You know how my family's financial situation is. We really needed the money. Please Stella, forgive me." she finished and took a breath to collect herself again.

I kind of pause for a few seconds. The old me would have just hung up in the middle of her explanation, but the happier side of me made me hear her out. I was still angry about what she did, but I think I may forgive her. In the future that is.

"I've gotta go Musa. I sort of understand, but it doesn't erase what you did." I hung up before she could apologize again. That went better than I thought.

I changed into a pair of dark blue shorts and a orange tank top. My Dad was asleep on the couch when I went back downstairs. I snatched the remote from his belly and watched a rerun of Bridezillas. These chicks were crazy. By the time it was over, the doorbell rang. Finally, I thought. Even thought he was a couple of minutes early.

I opened the door and was greeted with Brandon's warm smile that took my breath away. "Hey" He said.

"Hi," I responded breathlessly.

Apparently my Dad woke up somewhere in between, because he was right behind me.

"I want her home by 9." he said sternly.

I balked. "9 o'clock?" He nodded. "Oh, come on, Dad. Seriously?"

"No, it's okay Stella." Brandon said. "I'll have her home on time, sir."

My Dad looked pleased and closed the door behind us. I looked up at Brandon in confusion. "You don't want me to stay longer?"

"Of course I do! I just want to stay on your Dad's good side for now. I want to be able to take you out on more unsupervised dates in the future." He chuckled. I just smiled and jumped in the car.

Brandon's house was only about 10 minutes away from mine. The front yard was well groomed and there were already several cars surrounding the home. I see some people on the front porch laughing and drinking out of red plastic cups.

Brandon comes around to open the car door for me. "So I thought it was going to be small and everything, but I guess my brother told all his buddies to come. I hope your okay with this." He said.

"I'll be fine Brandon." I grin. He smiles back and wraps an arm around my shoulder. "Come on. There are some people I want you to meet real fast."

He guides my into the house where there are even more people. They're either sitting in the kitchen playing cards, talking on their phones, eating on the floor, or watching television. Brandon and I go into the kitchen.

"Helia." He calls out. A guy with medium length black hair in a short ponytail, turns around in his chair. When he looks at me, he stands up and walks over to us.

"Hey man. So, this is the wonderful Stella we've been hearing about, huh?" Helia asks with a smile. It's a lot like his brother's.

"Yeah. Stella this is my brother and Helia this is my…." He trails off uncertainly. He doesn't know how to define our relationship either. I kind of wish he would just ask me to be his girlfriend.

"His girl!" someone else at the table yells out. I blush as he stands up and sticks out his hand. "I'm Nabu. Layla's boyfriend."

"Oh! Well it's nice to meet you both." I say with a smile.

The front screen door opens and Layla enters with Flora.

"Hey boys!" Layla says as she goes to the refrigerator for something. "Stella! What's happin' girl? I see Brandon found a way to drag you here."

Brandon cleared his throat. "Excuse me, but she wanted to come."

Layla laughed and teased him by saying, "You sure you didn't drag her here to take away her sweet innocence?"

He playfully glared at her and they started a little banter with one another. They seemed like any other brother and sister to me. I didn't really hear them because I was watching Helia. He seemed to be quite smitten by Flora's beauty, because he wouldn't stop staring at her. Flora didn't seem to notice at all.

I unwrapped myself from Brandon and glided over to Flora. "Hey chick." I greeted her grinning.

"Hi Stella. On another date again?"

"Sort of. But enough about me." I lean in to whisper in her ear. "It looks like Helia is liking what he sees." I pulled back to see her confused expression. I turn her slightly to the direction of Helia. She gasps slightly. "Oh."

Mission accomplished.

"Why don't you go talk to him?" I spoke too soon because he was already walking in her direction.

"Hello." Helia says staring into her eyes. "I'm.. uh… Helia."

I smile as Flora blushes and says, "Hi. I'm Flora."

"I'm going to go… try the… punch. Heard it was good." I quickly made the excuse and walked away to give them some private time. Who knew I could be such a match maker.

I felt an arm wrap around my waist from my back. "Hey." Brandon said softly. "Do you want anything to eat? The food is ready." I turn in is arm to come face-to-face with him. I nodded, which mad our noses brush together. It tickled.

He kissed my nose, grabbed my hand, and leaded me into the backyard. There was sort of a buffet line going on here. Brandon and I grabbed a paper plate and loaded them with chicken, casserole, deviled eggs, hot dogs, and beans. We sat down at a picnic table with several of Brandon's cousins. They didn't bother saying anything to us so Brandon didn't say anything to them.

"Son! Would you stop eating for once and help bring out some more chairs!" I could only assume it was Brandon's father talking to him.

Brandon sighed and looked at me apologetically, "I'll be right back." I nodded and he walked off to his father, clearly annoyed.

I finished my food and went to throw it away. Brandon still wasn't back, so I went to get some punch from the table. As I was sipping, some guy sauntered up to me.

"Well, hello." He said in a smooth voice.

"Hi," I say politely. I glance around the yard again. Where is Brandon?

"I noticed you were standing all alone. A pretty lady like you shouldn't be all alone." He stated.

I laughed nervously. "Um actually I'm not-" but before I could finish, Brandon appeared beside me.

"She's not alone, Carter. Back off." Brandon says calmly. "She's with me."

Carter looked surprised. "Really? Doesn't seem like-"

"Doesn't matter what it seems like." Brandon interrupted and slid an arm around my waist. "She's my girlfriend and I would appreciate if you would respect that."

Girlfriend. Girlfriend? GIRLFRIEND!

Okay calm down, Stella. He's probably just in the heat of the moment.

"Well, my bad man." Then he turned to me with a cocky grin. "See ya later, cutie." I probably should have been flattered, but I only liked Brandon calling me nicknames. Not some stranger.

I heard Brandon release a long sigh and turned to look at him. His face and body was still tense from the encounter. I rubbed his arm slightly. "Hey." He turned his head toward me. "You okay?" I ask concerned. My mind is still slightly reeling from the whole girlfriend comment. Did he mean that.

He stared into my eyes and nodded slightly. "I'm sorry about that. Carter knows how to get under my skin sometimes. I guess I'm just a little protective of you." He confesses sheepishly while rubbing the back of his neck.

I smile at him. "It's cool. You should come back to finish your food." We started back to the table, when Brandon's father stopped in front of us.

"You're not going to introduce me, son?" He asks.

Brandon looks up to the sky for a second and fixes his stare on his father. "Dad this is Stella. Stella this is my Dad."

I stick my hand out. "Very nice to meet you Mr. Powers. Brandon only has great things to say about you." Nothing's wrong with fibbing a little bit to gain brownie points. Brandon glances at me with a smirk.

"He does? Sorry, but that is just really hard to believe." he said shaking my hand but giving Brandon a weird look. Brandon just stared back.

"Are we done with introductions, father?" He said coldly. Ouch. There is definitely more bad blood between them than I thought.

His Dad ignored him and spoke to me again. "Please call me Stan, Stella. Thank you for coming." With one last strange look at Brandon, Stan left.

We kind of just stood there for a few seconds. He cleared his throat and turned to me. "Wanna dance? I'll explain a few things."

"That sounds good." The lyrics of the song couldn't be heard over the talking, but the beat was slow and soothing. A few more couples were in the yard dancing . One of them included Flora and Helia. Whoa. They hit it off fast. I wonder how their relationship would work if they decided to explore one. He is going to be a college sophomore next year while Flora is just going to be a senior in high school. Oh well. They'll find some way I guess.

I wrapped my arms around Brandon's neck as he wrapped his around my waist. It felt perfect and natural. Like I belong here, in his arms. He picked me up and twirled me around. I giggled the whole time.

"That makes me feel like…a princess or something." I say once I catch my breath.

"Well, princess, you deserve the best." He smiled my favorite smile.

I still had a few questions though.

"You didn't seem so happy with your Dad." I stated.

"Well he isn't exactly a lovable guy. We never had a great relationship to began with." He lowered his voice. "After my mom passed, it just got worse. Now I'm just a liability to him."

"Don't say that." I scolded. "I'm sure he loves you, he just has a funny way of showing it."

"Sure." he mumbled, still tense. It kind of worries me that he doesn't believe his own father loves him. That was a heavy subject for a later time though.

"So is Carter a cousin or something?" I ask curiously trying to change the subject. I probably should've thought of something else because this made him tense even more.

"Yeah. He is always stirring up trouble. Sorry again for going all possessive on you." He laughed nervously.

I grinned in reassurance. "No harm done. But I do have another question. Last one I promise. But you don't even have to answer it. I completely understand if you don't. It's not like you meant it or anything-"

"Stella! Breathe, princess." He said calmly. "What are you talking about?"

"Well… back there when you were arguing with Carter… you said… you told him…" I swallowed. Why is this so hard? "You said I was your girlfriend." I say quickly. I look up at him and he seems to freeze for a second.

"Oh. That. I didn't mean to embarrass you." He explained quietly.

"You didn't! I just wanted to know if you… ya know… actually meant it." I whispered, looking down.

There was a slight pause and I felt his finger lifting my chin up. "Yeah, I meant it." He whispered back. "Do you oppose?" Does he honestly think I do?

Before I can respond, he lifts my chin higher and lowers his mouth to mine. Sweet baby Jesus. This boy can kiss. His lips were soft and warm against mine. I tightened my arms around his neck and pressed myself a little closer. The hand on under my chin found it's way back to my waist and the hand on my waist wound it's way in my blond hair, pulling me closer than I thought possible. I definitely didn't mind. I was in heaven. Brandon heaven.

Brandon didn't get a chance to deepen the kiss, because we soon heard the wolf-whistles and cat-calls in the background. I completely forgot we were even at the cookout. I was way too wrapped up in Brandon. My… Boyfriend. I pulled away reluctantly, blushing. Brandon pressed his forehead into mine smiling widely.

"Man, Brandon. I guess that is your girl!" Nabu yells out, laughing along with the rest of the crowd. I blushed even harder and turned my face into Brandon's shoulder.

He chuckled lowly and said, "Shut up, Nabu!", while hugging me close. I turned my face into his neck and we swayed back and fourth a little while longer. I could stay in the safety of his arms forever.

The rest of the day was spent with Brandon introducing me to more family members, dancing, watching TV, stealing kisses, and just goofing off. I have never had this much fun in my life. It was almost 9 o'clock before I knew it.

"I had such a good time." I told Brandon as he walked me to my porch. "Helia already seems in love with Flora." I laugh.

"I know. He's pretty passionate about things like relationships and stuff." He said taking my hands in his and pulling me close to his chest.

"So…you never did answer my question. Do you oppose?" He asked cautiously. He is so cute when he's unsure of things.

"You didn't really give me a chance to answer." I tease, lightly blushing.

"Oh, yeah. Sorry about that, you're just too hard to resist, I guess." He rubbed the back of his neck again. I'm beginning to think he does this a lot when he gets embarrassed. It fills me with joy to know that I have been with him long enough to notice little things about him like this.

"Well, I'm not complaining exactly." I lean up to give him a peck on the lips. Then it turned into two. Then a last lingering third kiss.

"I don't oppose."

A/N: Thanks for reading and thanks for the reviews! They truly make my day. Did you like the fluff? Hope you did. A reviewer gave me the idea of Brandon's new nickname for Stella. Thanks!

I love Stella and Brandon but I love Flora and Helia too. Expect more of them soon. Oh and sorry about Brandon's last name. I don't remember them mentioning it in the show.

So…. Review and tell me what you think! I need your go ahead to continue! I think Bloom will be making another appearance next time….