Chapter 11: Back-to-School Jamboree
Two weeks later…
"Brandon," I panted. "Can we stop now? I'm tired." Brandon stopped and turned to me.
"Stella, how are you tired after ten minutes of jogging?" He asks, exasperated.
I plop down on the park bench, glaring at Brandon. "I don't jog, so I'm not conditioned. Duh," I snap. Ugh, I didn't mean to snap. I had been doing that a lot lately, to everyone. Well, I've actually been flat out rude to everyone but Brandon. I haven't blown up at him yet, but I felt it coming. The whole situation with Cassandra and my estranged sisters is really stressing me out.
"Well, that's why we're out here. To get your mind off things." He sat down next to me. "I don't know if you notice, Stella, but you're really stressed out lately." Nope, didn't notice at all. "I just thought a run would help you…relieve your stress or something."
"Thanks for the thought, but running just isn't my thing." I lean my head back, looking up at the sky with my eyes closed. The sun was out in full force, but the heat felt good against my skin. It's not usually this sunny in Solaria.
Brandon was silent and looked in deep thought as I turn to look at him. "Is everything okay with you?" I ask, feeling like a terrible girlfriend. I've been so wrapped up in my own self-pity that I didn't even know what was going on with my boyfriend. He might be a little nervous about how things at the Back-to-school jamboree will turn out tomorrow.
He hesitated. "How are things with your dad?" He avoided my question, but I responded anyway.
"Strained, really. He knows all about Cassandra's affair. She told him the day she came back. He gets these faraway looks now, like he's remembering something." I shook my head, sighing. "I just can't believe her."
"Have you talked to her since the bookstore incident?"
"Nope." We got quiet. I leaned my head on his shoulder and breathed in his scent. We hadn't been running very long, so he didn't smell like dirty socks, yet. I don't think I would mind if he did.
"What about your sisters?"
"What about them?"
"Have you talked to them either?" He asked curiously.
"No," I mumble. "I probably should. They are leaving next week." I look up at Brandon and see he is staring back at me. He looks like he wants to say something, but he's holding it back.
"Just spit it out." I say.
He shook his head and broke eye contact with me. "You won't want to hear it."
I tugged his arm gently. "Come on. I want to know. Just say it."
He blows out a breath and grasps my hands. "I think you should forgive your mom."
I kind of froze. What? I tear my hands away from him. "What? You're on her side?"
He closed his eyes and groaned. "See? This is why I didn't want to tell you. I knew you would automatically think that." He tried to grab my hands again but I shied away, waiting for his explanation. "Princess, I'm always on your side, no matter what. I just think that life is too short to have all this resentment in yourself." I stood up and backed away from the bench.
"Are you kidding me? Do you not understand what she did? Brandon, she left me for her other secret family. Didn't tell my dad and I anything. Just lied to my dad for eighteen years like it was freaking normal!" I raised my voice slightly. Calm down, Stella.
Brandon stood in front of me. "I do understand that. But…look at you, Stella." He ran a hand through his hair. "You're snapping at everyone who cares about you, you're shutting out your dad, and you won't see reason for anything. I'm just suggesting that you think about it."
"I don't have to think about it. I wish she would just leave already. Just get out of my life," I growl and start walking back to my house. Brandon runs in front of me.
"You're doing it again." He says angrily.
"Doing what?" I throw my hands up in exasperation. I'm starting to feel that dark bubble of raw anger rise it's way up.
"Not seeing reason. I know what she did is almost unforgivable-"
"It is unforgivable. And I don't need you to tell me what do." I snap, cutting him off. I try to walk around him, but he just moves in front of me again.
"If you don't do it for her, do it for yourself, Stella." He lowered his voice, concernedly. "You are acting differently now. I don't want to see you fall into a pit of anger that you can't get yourself out of. You have to let go."
"If you don't like the way I act, tough luck. This is who I am, Brandon. Get used to it or go away." I growl menacingly. Where are these words coming from? It's like my rage is taking over my voice.
Brandon's gaze hardened. "I'm trying to help you. Soon, everyone is going to abandon you because of this attitude. I love you, Stella. More than anything, but you're not acting like My Stella anymore."
I pushed him on his chest. "Screw you. You don't know anything." What am I saying? I prayed that he stopped talking know, before I say something I will truly regret. But, he didn't. He kept pressing, because he's Brandon.
"She's your mom, Stella. No matter what, you have to remember that."
I blew up. "Coming from the guy with no mom anymore. How would you know anything?" I shouted. Oh. My. God. Did I just say that? Please tell me I didn't say that. From the look on Brandon's face, I did just say that.
His eyes turned cold as he completely tensed. His hands were balled up and shaking slightly. I looked into his eyes and saw no warmth anymore.
"Brandon…I'm so-" I choked off a sob before he interrupted me.
"You're right." I flinched at his harsh tone. "I don't know a damn thing." Then he turned and tried to run in the direction of his neighborhood.
"Brandon, wait! Please!" I shouted, grabbing his arm tightly. "I'm sorry! I didn't mean it! Please!"
I don't know if it was my grip on his arm or the pleading sound in my voice, but he stopped his movement. He didn't turn to face me, but at least he didn't leave.
"I can't believe I said that." I spoke more to myself than anything.
"Me either." Brandon's voice was cold and closed-off. I really crossed the line this time. He turned quickly around and faced me once again. "Do you see now? How say stupid shit like that? Soon you're going to say it and not care who you hurt." There was fire in his eyes as he told me this.
"I'm sorry." I whispered. Brandon gaze softened a bit, but then toughened again.
"Sorry isn't enough anymore. You need to get it together. When you do, let me know." He faltered for a second, before he placed a gentle kiss on my head and ran in the direction of his home.
I plopped back on the bench with my head in my hands. Am I really going crazy? I understand what he's saying; all this resentment isn't good for me. The policy is forgive and forget right? Even if I forgave her though, I would never forget. Since I can't forget something like that, I probably won't forgive her.
I sigh and tilt my head back again, welcoming the heat. Maybe I should get to know my sisters better. That will definitely get rid of some resentment. At least, I think it will. Worth a try. Anything to show Brandon that I am the Stella he knows. The Stella he fell in love with.
"So…why are we going there again?" Diaspro asked for the umpteenth time. She was going to make me chock her.
"It's a back-to-school thing they do every year. I thought we could go together. For some…bonding time." I explain, looking in my rearview mirror at Diaspro. She had her hair half-up and half-down. She would've looked absolutely stunning, if it wasn't for that scowl on her face.
Tecna was sitting in the passengers side. She turned around and scowled right back at Diaspro. "Stop being a brat. Stella kindly invited us, so shut it up." She turned back in her seat. Diaspro huffed, but fell silent. I inwardly smile.
I find Flora's car and park right next to it. We hope out and walk towards the entrance booth. They are always wanting money. After we paid for the $5 tickets, I led my sisters around the place. They really did it up this year. Not nearly as boring. It probably had something to do with Brandon's ideas. Brandon. My heart clenched at the thought of him. I just had to see him.
I spotted Mitzi and…Baltor? I thought he stayed at the college. Oh, well. They're arguing again, so I guess this is just another breakup episode.
"Whoa. Who's the hottie over there?" Diaspro asked, looking behind me. I turned around to see the 'hottie' she was seeing was Sky. I wanted to laugh out loud, but restrained myself.
"That's Sky. He has a girlfriend already."
"What does that have to do with me?" She smirked. "I'm only here for another week. Might as well make it count. Excuse me ladies." With that, she sauntered off in his direction. Well, this will be interesting.
"Stella!" Flora shouts running up to give me a hug. "I've been texting you all morning." She pulled back to look in my face. "You okay?"
I gently extracted myself from her hold. "I'm fine. It's not like we broke up or anything." I paused. "Did he say anything?"
Flora sighed. "He wasn't really in the mood for talking. I was at his house with Helia and he came storming in. Helia kept banging on his door for like ten minutes before he told him to go screw himself. We just assumed it had something to do with you."
I looked down guiltily. Tecna's voice piped into the conversation. "You argued with Brandon?"
"Yeah. I said some stupid stuff when he was just trying to help." I look up at Flora. "Have you seen him around yet?"
She nodded. "He should be setting up more chairs by the stage. Come on, Tecna," She hooked Tecna's arm around hers. "Let's go explore."
I glance at Diaspro, who was in an already intimate looking conversation with Sky. He is such a man-whore. She should be fine until I get back, though.
People said hey to me as I walked to the stage. I forgot how many people I knew in this town. Brandon was pulling folding chairs out of a trailer when I walked up to him. His muscles rippled and tensed as he set them down. Oo-la-la….Focus, Stella!
I cleared my throat to get his attention. "Hi," I squeaked. I guess clearing my throat didn't really help my voice.
He stood at full height and looked down at me. "Hey." We just stood there in silence. I can't remember when we had an awkward silence like this before. He obviously hasn't forgiven my for my words yesterday.
"I'm here with my sisters. I wanted to give them a little tour of the town before they left next week."
He nodded. "That's good." His eyes averted from mine when someone called his name.
"Brandon! We need some help over here." Brandon shouted that he was coming and then looked back at me.
"Duty calls." He smiled slightly, even though it came out as more of a grimace.
"Right. Of course. I just….uh…I'm so sorry Brandon. You have to believe me. I was just so caught up in the moment that I didn't even realize what I was saying. I understand your standpoint in how I am treating others, and I'm working on it. I promise. I don't know about my mom, but everyone else I can handle. I treated people wrong, especially you, and I can't tell you how sorry I am. I love you so much, Brandon and I-" Brandon interrupted my long rant by grabbing my face and giving me a searing kiss. I was shocked at first, but welcomed the kiss greedily. He pulled back, giving me his trademark smile.
"Are you done now?" All I could do was nod. That kiss was leaving me in all kinds of happy.
"I know you didn't mean it, gorgeous. I was just worried, is all." He stroked my right cheek. "As long as I have my Stella back, then I'm good." I grinned and he smiled back, leaning in for another kiss.
"Hey, Brandon! You gonna stop macking with your girl and come help us, or what?" Someone shouted again. It sounded like Nabu, but I didn't really care. He was messing up my Brandon time.
He rested his forehead against mine. "See ya around, princess." And he took off. I think we are going to be alright.
I tried to walk straight after that kiss, but my mind and legs didn't seem to cooperate. I sat down in a chair and smiled goofily. That's how Bloom unfortunately found me minutes later.
"Hey, Bella," she barked. "Who the hell is that Blond bimbo hanging off of my man over there?" She points behind my shoulder. " She looks like you."
I look over my shoulder to find Diaspro rubbing Sky's flexed bicep. She was smiling flirtatiously and he seemed to be putty in her hands.
"Bloom, first of all, the name's not Bella. Get it right. Second of all, that 'blond bimbo' is my sister, so don't insult her again. Third of all, why don't you get your man in check?" I run down the list with an attitude that she deserves.
Bloom crossed her arms. "Your sister? Since when did you-"
"None of your damn business," I interrupted. "If he's your man, go get him. He's not much of one anyway. Stop complaining to me."
Bloom narrowed her eyes and smirked evilly. "Maybe I'll have Brandon show me what a real man is."
I clenched my jaw. Don't punch her, Stella. Don't punch her. I grabbed her arm, which she loudly protested about, and dragged her behind the stage setup.
After throwing her back against the wall, I got in her face. "What the hell is your problem? Are you not satisfied with anything? You publicly humiliated me, stole my previous boyfriend, bully my best friend, and try to steal my current boyfriend. What. Is. Your. Deal?" I gritted out at her. I expected a snaky retort in response, but instead she just averted her eyes in shame.
"You don't get it, Bella. You'd never understand." She whispered, more to herself than to me.
"What?" I ignored the fact that she called me Bella again. I'll handle that later.
"I said you wouldn't understand." She whirled her head around to me and pushed me away from her. "You have the great guys. You get the good grades. You have the most friends. You have at least a part of your family left. Me? I'm just rich." She threw her hands in the air. "No one likes me for me. They just like e for the money. They actually like you for some reason. And I hated that. I still do." She put up her hand to stop me from talking.
"So, yeah. I made your life a living hell, but for some reason, you kept getting back up when I knocked you down. And that infuriates me to no end." She crossed her arms like a petulant child. "That's my deal."
I kind of just stare at her for a second, dumb-struck by her explanation. "So you…envy me?"
She scrunched up her nose. "Don't get it twisted. I don't want to be you. I just don't want other people to like you."
I blink. "So basically, since you don't have the perfect life, you make sure I don't either?"
"Somewhat. Anyways, make sure your sister stays away from Sky. Wouldn't want to have to take drastic measures." She grins sneakily. I push her shoulder into the wall.
"Don't mess with my sister, Broom."
She scoffs. "Broom? Really? Very original." She pushes past me and walks in the direction of Sky. "I won't start anything if she doesn't."
This was going to be an interesting day.
A/N: Once again, thank you so much for reading and reviewing. I just love you all.
Do you think Bloom is being sincre? And even if she is, do you think Stella should cut her any slack? Hmmm…I don't know. Tell me what you think.
Do I smell a fight coming on? If there will be one, are you sure it would be between Bloom and Diaspro, or two completely different people? Tune in to find out.
Someone asked about my updating schedule. I try to update every other day in the morning time. This week I was off (sorry!) because I had a birthday party to go to, but I should be back on schedule now.
So…Review!