Chapter 12: Fallen Territory

I follow Bloom at an even distance. If something goes down between Diaspro and her, then I will have to be the mediator. Bloom stomps up to Sky with her arms crossed. I can almost imagine the nasty scowl on her face, but I could only see her back.

"Who is this Sky?" She stated calmly, but deadly. Sky looks like a deer caught in headlights. Did he really not think she was here or was he that stupid to flirt with another girl?

"Uh…Bloom! This is my…new friend," he swallowed, "Di…Dia..." Wow. He didn't even remember her name. Diaspro raised an eyebrow at him, but otherwise said nothing. Bloom turned her sights on her.

"Friend, huh? I've never seen you around. What are you, a runaway?"

"Nope, but it wouldn't be any of your business if I was." Some instigators started making sounds of agreement.

Bloom sniffed and lifted her head. "Well, we have a rule about skanks in this town. None of them are allowed. So kindly leave the premises and go back to whatever hillbilly town you came from." A collective sound of 'Ooooo' came from all around. I look to see the crowd has gotten larger.

Diaspro's face completely changed. I've seen the face before, but not in full force like this. She was getting pissed. "Look here, Broom or whatever your name is. I don't have time for you. Some people have things to do in their lives other than obsess over their boyfriends latest booty call." I hid a smile at her nickname for Bloom. This girl was a little like me.

"So you admit you're a slut?" Bloom accuses and I decide to step in.

"Alright you two. That's enough," I say, getting between them. Diaspro smirks.

"Whatever." She tries to walk around us, but Bloom yanks her back by her arm. That was obviously a bad idea since Diaspro swings her other hand around and slaps Bloom clear across the face.

Whoa. This chick was definitely my sister.

For a moment everyone sucked in a breath and went silent. I even backed up from them a little bit. As soon as one person yelled out "Fight!", all hell broke loose.

Bloom grabbed Diaspro back by the hair and was repeatedly punching her in the face. Or at least, I think they were punches. She obviously hasn't been in a big fight before. Diaspro kicks her leg back and hits Bloom in the stomach. I try to walk up to break up the fight, but by now, a lot of people have jumped in front of me to get a better look at the fight.

"What the hell's going on?" a director of the event shouts. I can hear him because he's right next to me, but I don't think anyone else could.

"Bloom is fighting my sister! I couldn't stop her. She's crazy." Okay, so I know that I'm being a snake right now. Diaspro did throw the first punch, but it's time to get some retribution here. She deserves it after all she put me through.

The director guy calls some people and they try weaving their way through the crowd.

Brandon runs up with them. "Stella, what happened?" He sounds angry and winded. Probably because his event is going in disarray.

I shook my head to get my bearings. "Diaspro was flirting with Sky and got Bloom all jealous. Bloom started talking nasty to her and when she tried to leave, Bloom stopped her which caused Diaspro to slap Bloom. That's when they started fighting." I rubbed my hands across my face. "I swear if Bloom hurts her-"

I stop abruptly when I see Diaspro and Bloom pulled from the fray. They both looked dirty and tossled, like they were rolling in the dirt or something. I run over to Diaspro.

"Are you okay?" I lightly touch her cheek and she winces. Bloom is shouting stuff that made no since as they dragged her away. I didn't listen because if I did, I probably would have kicked her butt some more.

Diaspro shrugged off the guy holding her back. "I'm fine. Not something new to me." She smirks. "So…what do we do now?"

"We are going home." Tecna says, appearing out of no where with a concerned look on her face.

"I'm fine, Tecna." She swatted her hands away. "Let's party some more."

"I don't think so." I say as Tecna and I start to lead her away. I stop and turn slightly in Brandon's direction. He's frowning. Shit.

"Um…guys? I'll be to the car in a minute. Go ahead. The door's unlocked." They nod and walk towards the car. I face Brandon, but he's looking at the destruction that the fight caused. Trash from trash cans was splattered everywhere. The tassels from the stage were torn up and flying in the wind. Flower pots set on the stage were broken. Soil was spilled all over. That's just the beginning.

I cover my mouth with my hand. "Brandon….I'm so-"

"Don't apologize. You didn't do anything." He sighed. "Well, I guess this will never happen again."

"What? Just because of a fight?" I question in disbelief.

"No, princess. This was just the final straw. People are sneaking in through the gates so they don't have to pay, people who don't go to the school are here so it's overcrowded, and someone's setting off tiny firecrackers everywhere, which is violation of the fire code." He sighed and sat down in the grass.

"Firecrackers? Are you kidding?" I take a seat next to him, folding my legs under myself and facing his side. "Who does that?"

Brandon shrugged. "I have no idea. It figures that the whole jamboree closes early for the first time like this. You didn't even have a stage last year. It was my idea. I'm guessing they'll never ask me to be on a committee again, huh?" he chuckled humorlessly. "Do you know who that guy was? The one who asked you what was going on?"

I shook my head and he told me, "It was the new principal."

My jaw dropped slightly. "Seriously? Whoa."

"Yeah, we definitely didn't make a good first impression as students." he rubbed the back of his neck.

I shoved his shoulder lightly. "Hey, you can't blame yourself for all of this," I gesture to the stage and its surroundings. "This place looked great before the…encounter and I'm sure that was all your idea too."

He stared at the ground silently. He was starting to get in a funk and I knew it. That wasn't happening on my watch.

"Want to come with me and visit my Aunt Faroganda? I haven't visited her in the longest." That was true. My Dad and I are going to see her tomorrow. I'm still not completely comfortable being alone with my Dad yet, something I absolutely hate, so the extra company would be great.

Brandon looked up at me in confusion. "I thought you and your Dad were going? I don't wanna intrude."

I crawl behind him and put my chin on his shoulder while my arms wined their way around his chest. "You wouldn't be intruding at all. I want you there. Plus, my aunt has been wanting to meet the boy who stole my heart." I kiss his cheek as he chuckled.

"Well, I guess I could meet her. She already sounds like a great lady." He stood up, bringing me with him. "Let me finish up here and go home to change. You still got to drop off your sisters right?"

I sigh lightly. "Yep. I don't think Cassandra's going to be very happy about the shiner on her daughters face, though."

Brandon plays with a strand of my hair. "She won't touch you, don't worry about that. What time are you leaving tomorrow?"

"Mmm…around 4, I guess."

"I'll be ready." He pecked my lips twice. "See you then, gorgeous."

I smiled. "See ya." He took off toward an angry looking principal and I went towards my car.

"Stella!" I turn around at the sound of my voice to find my old friend, Musa, staring at me. I smile tightly.

"Musa. Hello." Musa stops in front of me with a wide, hopeful grin. "Hey. Um…how have you been?

I shifted my feet uncomfortably. "Fine. I have to go though," I spin back around. "Talk to you some other time."

"Wait, Stella! I just wanted to say I was sorry…again." I look at her and see that she's staring at her shoes. "It was a mistake. I understand that you can't trust me anymore. I just hope we can at least be civil with one another." She looks up at me. "Please?"

I inhale deeply and quickly give her a small nod. "Thank you for your apology. I forgive you. I just…won't forget it. Ever. I hope you're not looking for friendship anytime soon."

She shook her head. "No! Of course not. I'm fine with just being…civil with each other."

"Okay then. Goodbye."

She gives me a sad smile. "Goodbye, Stella."

When I got back to the car, Diaspro is laying across the back seats, groaning in apparent pain. "I need drugs," she complains.

My eyes widen. "What?"

Tecna chuckles. "She means medicine. For her headache and stuff. If she didn't start

fighting in the first place this wouldn't have happened."

Diaspro lifted her head. "She started it! She shouldn't have put her filthy claws on me."

"You shouldn't have been all over her boyfriend," Tecna retorted. "I mean, come on Diaspro. Stella told you he had a girlfriend. You didn't listen anyway."

I started the car as Diaspro muttered, "Whatever." The car ride was quiet except for the small talk shared between Tecna and I. I dropped them off and proceeded home.

"So, he's going too?" My father asked. He was on the couch watching TV, when he decided to strike up this

conversation with me. It's almost 4 now, so Brandon should be here soon.

"Yeah, Dad. I told you that." I busy myself by washing a few dishes.

He huffs. "Well…okay then." I sigh and walk into the den to face him.

"What's your deal with Brandon? He's been nothing but completely respectful to you and treats me exactly how I should be treated. I don't understand your issue with him." I say, with my hands on my hips.

"I don't have a problem with him," he says as he flicks off the television. "I just don't like that…never mind."

He stands up and I slide in front of him. "Oh, no, no. Tell me, Dad. What's going on?"

"Nothing, Stella. I don't think any father wants to see their daughter this…close to a guy." He admits gruffly.

My cheeks burned. "We're not…doing…anything…like-"

"I know, I know! Uh…just keep it that way." I nod and he scuffs his shoe across the floor. Silence. It was broken by the sound of the doorbell. I grin as I walk to answer it.

"Hey," he said with a grin.

"Hi," I reply breathlessly. I hear my Dad clear his throat.

"So, we should be going then. I'll be in the car." He moves me out of the way, pats Brandon on the shoulder and heads off to wait in the car.

Brandon looked back at me. "Let's get to it then."

A/N: Okay first, Thanks sooooooo much for reading and reviewing. I love hearing your thoughts.

Sorry this is so short, but I wanted to give you something. I won't be able to update until like Thursday or Friday. Please don't kill me! I'll come back better than ever, lol.

So…Review!