Stella rode in silence, her mom peeking over her shoulder. "Stella..." Her mom started. She turned and faced her, "Yeah?"
"Who is that boy that's been taxiing you around?" She asked smugly, prodding. Stella smiled widely. "His name is Brandon, just a friend." She said coyly.
They arrived at the appointment and Stella kept her fingers crossed, praying that she would get this monstrosity off of her leg. They called her name and her heart was racing. Later that morning, Stella smiled as they cracked her cast open, seeing her leg for the first time in a while.
Stella woke up on Monday ready to go to school for the first time in months. She pulled on her favorite bright blue dress and a crochet belt. She straightened her hair and grabbed her backpack, leaving in a hurry. She walked into school strutting with all her might. Since her awkward kiss with Brandon, they haven't seen each other over the weekend. She spotted him with a pack of other football players in their varsity jackets. Stella held her breath and walked right by them with her head held high. Brandon peeked over his shoulder and immediately went after her. "Stella!" He called.
Stella grinned to herself, score. She turned and smiled to him, "Hey." She grinned. He handed her a small black jacket and she took it from him, "You left your jacket in my truck." He interjected. Stella's smile watered itself down as he waved and walked away. He just walked away. What did she do? She slowly turned away and kept walking. He watching her walk towards her class and he fought the urge to run after her.
Brandon sat down with Skye in his calculus class room. "What are you doing with that sophomore?" Skye started.
Brandon turned to Skye and laughed, "What do you mean..."
Skye rolled his eyes, "Don't play stupid. The blonde one with the gimp leg and nice ass." He laughed.
Brandon's brow furrowed, "Hey, watch it with the ass comments." He detested.
"Ahhhh, so there IS something going on!" Skye laughed.
Towards the end of class, the door of his classroom opened and the long-legged blonde strutted in slowly. The young male teacher looked up at her, eyes widened by her beauty and youth. She handed him a pink piece of paper and nodded swiftly.
"Go ahead and take the seat in the back." He handed her a packet and Stella turned to walk to the back. The guys in the class stared. Stella was new to the school this year, new meat. She was transferred to a more difficult class, Brandon's calc class. She didn't notice him yet, finding her new seat. Within minutes, guys found there way over to her and began to flirt with the unwilling participant. She ignored them, much to Brandon's enjoyment.
Brandon walked back to her desk and sat on top of it. "Hey girl," He smiled at her. She looked up at him. Stella didn't know how to act. "Hi." She nodded at him, returning back to her work.
"What's up Stella?" He asked, confused at her stuffiness.
She looked up at him slowly, "Nothing."
Brandon looked at her leg, "You get your cast off?" He tried to start a conversation.
"No, I got a skin color cast so you can't see it." She rolled her eyes and kept pegging numbers into her calculator.
"No need to be snippy..." Brandon whispered and hopped off her desk.
"Sorry..." She mumbled.
The bell echoed through the class room, ushering Stella to quickly gather her things and rushing her to her next class. Brandon bolted after her and paced with her quick walking.
"So, need a ride home today? He asked, hoping for a yes.
Stella shrugged, "My mom is going to get me after work." She answered.
"Can I please take you?" He smiled. Stella fought back a smile. She nodded and Brandon sighed in relief. He walked her to her next class and hugged her goodbye. Stella loved the way he smelt and she grinned into his chest.
At lunch, Brandon sat next to her. She adored his laugh, which luckily he did a lot. Brandon nonchalantly held her hand when she was standing up, still not used to walking on her feet without a cast. He let go much to Stella's detestment.
Suddenly, a tall, beautiful red head made her way over to the table. "Brandon." she called.
Brandon looked up and smile, "Hey Meghan." He smiled widely. Stella felt a sense of anger flood over her.
"Do you want to come over and study after school?" She traced her finger across her bottom lip. Brandon's eyes brightened and he began to stutter.
"I-uuhh-uhh-I-can't-sor-sorry." He scratched his head softly.
Stella could only stare. Meghan was stunning. Her hair was bobbed below her ears and she had a perfect body. She would win homecoming queen hands down. It always went to a senior and it was destine to be her and Brandon.
Her brows furrowed, "Why not?" She protested.
"I'm driving Stella home." He answered, gesturing towards her.
Meghan walked slowly around Stella, "A junior?" She laughed, "Nice going. When you want a real woman, make sure you call." She began to strut away before Stella stood up.
"I don't think fire crotches constitute as women." Stella barked. Every eye in the cafeteria shot towards Stella and a gasp from every mouth in there erupted.
Meghan spun around with anger loaded into her eyes. "Excuse me?" She yelped.
Stella chuckled and walked away. "Deaf too? You're perfection." She laughed and walked out of the cafeteria.
Stella had perfect timing; the bell ringing sent her quickly to her next class.
After the bell dismissed everyone, Stella walked quickly to Brandon's truck. He was standing with Meghan when she found him. Stella felt a lump in her throat. Meghan's arms were around his neck while his hands hung at his side. Stella felt her stomach do acrobatics her chest cavity.
Stella locked eyes with him as he froze and gently pushed Meghan off. Stella turned and ran. She didn't want to cry in front of him. She didn't care how beautiful Meghan was, he led her on.
Stella left the parking lot and hid amongst the underclassmen who stared at her presence. Brandon searched for her diligently. But Stella won that game of hide-and-seek as she dove into her mother's car, slammed the door and cried into her knees.