Chapter 10: Startling Confessions
Come on, Stella. You can do this. I was standing outside of Books & Bargains bookstore. Cassandra called earlier and told my Dad to tell me they were meeting here instead of the coffee shop. Better for me. Brandon's working today and it'll give me a better since of security with him being in the vicinity.
I don't understand why I'm so nervous to meet my sisters. They couldn't be more than ten-years-old so I think I can handle it. I'm…okay with kids. Well, the quiet ones anyway.
I walk in the store. I must have this radar specified for Brandon, because I instantly spot him helping a customer find a book. Not wanting to disturb, I continue my search for my mother. There she is. Sipping coffee and reading a magazine in the corner.
Walking up to her table, I see three other people. Three? I thought she said two? Not only that, but two of the three looked well over ten. They looked my age, actually. The only one who looks remotely age appropriate was the toddler. She seemed no more than three. What the hell is going on?
Cassandra stood up and smiled nervously at me as I approached the table. "Hello, Stella. Thank you so much for coming." She sounded kind of sincere, but I was too busy trying to figure out who these other chicks were.
"So…not to be rude or anything, but…who are they?" I ask, looking at the two older girls. The blond one huffed in annoyance and the other, pink-haired one gave a tentative wave.
"Girls," Cassandra said to them. "Stand up please." The pink-haired girl stood up, but the one with the attitude just sat there, staring at Cassandra. Cassandra narrowed her eyes at the girl and barked, "Now." She reluctantly stood up, like it took all of her energy just to stand. I can already tell she was going to be a bitch.
Cassandra cleared her throat. "Stella, meet your sisters. Diaspro," She said, pointing to the blond one, "And Tecna."
WHAT?! "That…that's not possible." I breathe. "You left when I was eight. How old are they?"
Diaspro smirked. "I'm almost seventeen while Miss goody-too-shoes over here is eighteen." She took in my frozen state. "Shocker, huh?"
I slowly turn to Cassandra, who has the most painful look on her face. "I can explain, St-"
"Explain what?" I shouted. Good thing there was no one really here this early in the morning. Brandon still was though. I'm pretty sure he heard, but I'm beyond caring about my loudness right now. "You freaking…I don't even…You were cheating on my Dad the whole time! How…how did you even..." I stumbled over myself. I couldn't form the words correctly with all these thoughts going on at once. I try for the easiest question first.
"Who the hell is that then?" I inquire, pointing at the cute toddler.
"That's your niece." Cassandra said calmly. How in the world can she stay calm right now? "Tecna's daughter, Roxy." Roxy waved and smiled a toothy smile at me. "Hi!" she exclaimed joyfully.
I turn to Tecna, who was looking at me warily. "She's two. Very active as you can see." She laughed nervously. Diaspro just snorted and looked away.
Tecna and I were the same age. Diaspro is only two years younger. My mother was cheating on my father for some time then. I didn't know whether to cry or scream. I chose to laugh. I laughed humorlessly, but I couldn't stop. I laughed so hard that tears were starting to fall out of my eyes. All of them, except for Roxy, looked at me like I was crazy. I didn't care though. I think I was officially loosing it.
I saw a figure race over to me. My eyes were blurred with tears, so I didn't know who or what it was until it spoke. "Stella? Princess? What's going on?" Brandon's voice broke my bout of hysteria. I wiped my eyes to see his face clearly.
"Brandon! So nice for you to join us. Let me introduce you to the family." I turn towards my relatives, and point at Tecna first. "That's my 18-year-old sister. Yep. Eighteen, just like me!" I say with obvious false enjoyment. "That's her two-year-old daughter over there. This is my sixteen year old sister, Diaspro. Watch out, she has a major attitude." I giggle madly. "And this is the lovely Cassandra." I gesture to my guilt-ridden mother. That's when I sober up a bit.
"She's the one who had an affair with my father over eight years or more. Lived a double life, I suppose. That must have been very difficult. Hiding your pregnancy, huh?" I ask in a baby voice. "How did you do it? Those trips to Florida were obviously more than we thought. You didn't leave because you felt suffocated, you left because you couldn't keep up your double life anymore."
A tear leaked out of Cassandra's eye. "You're right, Stella. I couldn't live like that anymore. I was a coward. I admit that. I was a liar, too. I can't take it back now. All I can tell you is how sorry I am. You have no idea how-"
"No!" I yell abruptly. She jumps in surprise. "You have no idea about anything. So don't try to explain your deep sorrow." I point to my half-sisters. "They got to live with their mother. They didn't have to be under constant scrutiny from everyone in their town. You left me for them!" I scream. "And I will never forgive you for that." Everyone was silent. Even Diaspro looked a little guilty. I don't know why. Her mother was the reason for all this.
Cassandra and I just stared at each other for the longest time. "After you were born," she started, "I was depressed. I didn't want the life I was pushed into. So I used your father's money for trips to New York and Florida. He thought they were just business trips, and at first they were. Then, I met someone." She swallowed. "We started an affair and when I came back to Solaria two months later, I was pregnant.
"I felt so dirty and terrible for doing what I did, but I wasn't getting an abortion. I convinced your father that I was going to Florida for a year-long business venture. He couldn't get off work, so it was perfect for me. I went back to the man there, and he took care of me. I had Tecna six months later." I glance at Tecna and from the look on her face, this was the first time she was hearing this story.
"Thomas begged me to stay." She continued in a subdued voice. "I couldn't, though. Not yet. So I left him and went back home. After a year, I was getting restless again, so I took another trip. And, of course, I conceived again. The process repeated and I fell in love with Thomas. After having Diaspro though, I was too guilt-ridden to stay. He knew about my other life, but didn't care. I cared." She looked at me desperately. "So I came back.
"I stayed for six years more, but I couldn't take it. I couldn't live with what I had done to your father or you, for that matter. So, I left. And never looked back. I thought about you everyday Stella. Everyday. I think Thomas saw that, and got fed up. He took a car ride one day after we fought, and…he died." She looked away as her eyes got misty again. "I couldn't leave the kids, but I couldn't go back to your father and explain everything, either. So I stayed." Silence. Not a word was said.
I just had one question for her. "Did you ever love my Dad?" I whispered, my voice close to breaking down. Brandon put a comforting hand on my shoulder.
Her eyes softened immensely. "Yes. But I didn't deserve him. He was too good for me."
"Yes. He was." I say coldly and rush out of the door. I get to my car and try to yank the door open, but it won't budge. What's wrong with this stupid thing? I keep pulling until Brandon stops me.
"Stella, what the hell are you doing?" He asks worriedly.
I sniff. "It won't open!" I cry.
He gently pulls my hand away and pulls my keys from my pocket. "It's locked, princess." He unlocks the car and I rush inside.
"Thanks." I mumble and hold my hand out for the keys. He doesn't give them to me though. Instead, he jumps into the passengers side.
"What are you doing, Brandon? Go back to work." I wipe my eyes again.
"Nabu is covering for me. This is more important." He says as he shuts his door and leans back.
I shake my head, but shut my door as well. We sit in stillness. I don't want to think about what just happened or what happened years ago. I turn my head slightly in Brandon's direction. "Talk."
"About what?"
"Anything. Just talk, please." I whispered. It calms me to hear his voice.
"Umm, okay. Do you…do you want to know why I don't go to church." He asks hesitantly.
"Are you an Atheist?"
"No…well I don't know. My mom was a huge church person. Made us go every Sunday. When she died, my Dad and brother went, to honor her memory or something. I didn't though. I couldn't stand the sight of a church after her death. I still don't." He explains.
I didn't really want to get into religious talk with him, especially because of this delicate subject, so I ask, "What's something else?"
"Well…I almost got expelled from school once."
I sat up a little. "What? What did you do?"
"Me and some friends decided to play a little prank. Nothing to concern yourself about. Just know that it went pretty bad." He grinned sheepishly.
"Oh, come on. Tell me.
"No."
"Tell me."
"Nope.
"Brandon." I whined.
"Stella." He mocked, smiling.
I sat back with a huff. "Fine, don't tell me." I pouted.
He laughed and said, "Alright your turn."
"Didn't we play this game before?" I ask, having a strange sense of déjà vu. Brandon just shrugged. I sighed. I decided to have a little fun with this.
"I'm still a virgin." Silence. I grinned inwardly when he shifted awkwardly.
"Um…that's…good." he clears his throat. "I mean… even if you weren't it would…I'm not saying that it's bad that you are or anything. Because it's not! It's great actually. I mean, if you weren't… Oh goodness." He swallowed. I couldn't help but laugh out loud.
"It's okay Brandon. I just wanted to make you squirm. I'm kind of abstinent, actually. I, uh, hope that doesn't bother you."
"No! No, no! I'm fine with that." I sighed with relief. I knew he wouldn't pressure me, anyway. "Can we please talk about something else." He groaned. I giggled.
"Sure."
And we talked. I don't remember how long, but he had me smiling and laughing so much. After awhile though, he had to get back to work.
"Are you sure you're okay to drive? I don't really want to leave you alone." He was so sweet, but I didn't want to be treated like a fragile piece of glass.
"I'm fine now. Thanks to you." I kiss him lightly and pull back. "I think I can make it home."
He hesitated, but gave me the keys. With one last lingering kiss, he left.
"Wait, so she just left? Just like that?" Flora exclaims as I tell her about Cassandra. We are sitting in the food court at the mall. I just had to call her up and talk about it. My dad was at home and I didn't think I could face him yet.
"Yep." I say, crunching on a French fry.
"Whoa. That's crazy." She leaned back in her chair, then leaned forward again. "What about the sisters? Are they nice, at least?"
I sighed. "One of them has a two year-old kid and the other is blond and bitchy. Kind of like I am sometimes, but worse." I grumbled.
"A kid? Isn't she the same age as you?"
"Yeah. Another teenage pregnancy. I didn't ask much, didn't really have time."
"Well, I'm sorry you…" she trailed off, looking over my shoulder at something. Then I felt a hand slap my head.
"Ouch!" I yelp and turn around to see Tecna and her daughter, Roxy. Roxy giggled at me and squirmed in Tecna's arms. "Hi!" She says, quite loudly like before.
Flora immediately starts cooing at her. "She is so adorable!" Tecna beams.
"Thank you. Are you a friend of Stella's?"
"Oh, yes! I'm Flora." They shake hands and Tecna introduces herself as well.
"Sit down and chat with us Tecna." Flora pulls out a chair and gestures her to sit down. What is she doing?
Tecna sat down and pulled Roxy in her lap. "Do you want me to take her on the merry-go-round?" Flora asks. Roxy looks at her mom with pleading eyes and Tecna hands her off to Flora. Roxy is clapping her hands excitedly as they walk away and I can't help but think, What the hell is Flora doing?
This left Tecna and I alone. Ah, that's what she was doing. Tecna looked at me. "Look, I know you probably hate mom right now, and I don't blame you. I just hope you don't extend that hatred towards me."
I smiled slightly. "I don't hate her. I don't hate anyone. I have no reason to dislike you. You didn't create two separate families across the states."
Tecna nodded and were grew quiet. "Was that guy at the bookstore your boyfriend or something? He seemed pretty protective over you. Even gave us the look of death before he ran after you."
I smiled a little. "He's my boyfriend. Been dating for over a month. He can be protective like that, but he's always there for me."
She nodded again. I glanced over at the carrousel to see Flora holding Roxy on the little horse. Roxy was giggling madly and when she saw Tecna as they passed by, she yelled, "Look, mommy! We spinning!" And they spun around again.
I chuckled and looked at Tecna, who was smiling fondly. "She's really adorable." I say.
"Yeah. I love her to death. Though it wasn't an easy birth." She shivered from the memory. "At least I had Timmy there."
"Who?"
"Timmy, my fiancée." She hold out her hand to let me see the ring. I didn't notice before, but it was beautiful and diamond incrusted.
"Wow. That's beautiful. He must be a special guy." I grinned at her glowing expression.
"He really is. We were kind of stupid to have sex at our age, but we were in love. Or at least, that's the excuse we used. When I got pregnant, though, he stood by my side one hundred percent. I was very lucky. Most girls in my situation don't get that at all."
Well, I loved Brandon, but we already made it clear what we wanted in that field. Teen pregnancy is not on my agenda.
She looked at me sharply. "I don't regret Roxy, though. At first I really resented her." she looked down, as if ashamed of herself. "I thought she ruined my life, but it wasn't her fault that I was stupid and didn't think about the consequences of my actions. No ones fault but mine. And Timmy's." she added as an afterthought.
Roxy and Flora arrive back at the table, but instead of Roxy jumping in Tecna's lap, she jumps in mine.
"Hi! Wha your name?" She asks sweetly.
"Roxy," Tecna scolds, "You don't just go jumping in peoples laps like that." I laughed.
"It's okay." I look down at the long-haired two-year-old. "My name's Stella."
"Hi Swella! I'm Woxy!"
"Nice to meet you and actually…you can call me Aunt Stella, is you want."
"Okay!" She bounces form my lap to Tecna's. "Aun Swella nice, mommy!"
"Yes she is." Tecna beams at me. "She has a little trouble with her T's and R's, but she is only two." She chuckled as Roxy stole one of my frys and started munching right away.
"Roxy! You don't do that." She pulled the fry from her mouth and Roxy tried to grab it. "Ask Aunt Stella for a fry first." Roxy turned to me with tears in her eyes. "Can I have one?" It is amazing how she could say that perfectly.
"Sure, sweetie." She smiled and grabbed the fry from Tecna's hand.
"So, how long are you guys staying?" Flora asks, curiously.
"Well, I don't really know. Just before school starts again, I suppose."
"Wait. School doesn't start until like 4 weeks." I say kind of rudely. Tecna flinched. "I mean, your mom is staying here that long?"
"Yes, our mother is." She gives me a pointed look that I ignore. My cell rings and I check it. Brandon.
"Guys, I'll be right back." Before they can respond, I am already out of the door.
"Hey, you." I greet him cheerily.
"Hey yourself, princess." He responded.
"Aren't you suppose to be working?"
"I just wanted to check on you. You alright?" He was so sweet.
"Yes, Brandon I survived the drive to the food court." I rolled my eyes and grinned. "Tecna decided to pop by."
"The pink-haired one?" I nodded and then realized he couldn't see me.
"Yeah. She's not all that bad. I don't know about the other one though." I grumbled. I have a feeling we are going to butt heads soon.
"Well, she's pretty enough." I froze. The green-headed monster decided to rear it's head.
"Did you just call my half-sister pretty?"
"Well…she just reminds me of you. But she is no where near as gorgeous as you are…gorgeous." He quickly stated. Nice save, Brandon. Nice save.
"Hmm, alright then."
"Hey I gotta go, but I'll see you when I get off, okay?" He promised.
"Okay. See ya."
"Bye, princess." I giggled as I hung up the phone. His little nicknames for me are so endearing. He even says them more than he says my real name.
I walk back into the food court and think about how much my life is changing. Oh, stop being such a drama queen, Stella. Suck it up.
So I will.
A/N: First, as always, Thank you so much for reading and reviewing. I didn't feel so great writing this chapter. TOM(time-of-the-month) is here and I absolutely hate him right now. Not my best work, but tell me what you think.
Wow, can you believe Cassandra? I don't want to call her a hoe, but…you understand, lol. Do you think Stella can forgive her? Do you think Stella even should forgive her? Let me know.
We've reached 60 reviews! Thank you guys so much for your contiued support. Tell me what kind of drama you want to see when senior year starts.
So…Review!