AGED 19

Stella was buzzing with excitement. She'd been counting down the days since she'd been informed that the Stone family would be holding an event in their local neighbourhood. It meant that everyone from their community would be involved and she'd have the chance to see a few more familiar faces.

Brandon's included.

A few days after her father's funeral, Stella had found out that Brandon had shortly broken up with his then girlfriend, Mitzi, and had been single ever since. The pair of them would speak daily with one another as Stella felt her feelings for him grow once more.

Though this time, she didn't let it show too much. She didn't want to risk something similar to what had happened between them at only age fifteen. She wouldn't be able to take his rejection again.

Her phone buzzed as she looked at it, a smile already forming on her face.

BRANDON: I can't wait to see you again, sunshine. It's been so long. Way too long.

She replied to that, a simple Same here, as she stripped herself of her clothes and entered her bathroom. She'd have a shower first and then get changed. She was excited to see Brandon once again, but that fear of him turning her down would always remain. She shook her head and cleared the negative thoughts away.

She finally understood why Brandon had done what he had those few years ago. She'd be mortified if someone three years younger than her had a very obvious crush on her. Redness bloomed on Stella's cheeks as she remembered the ways she'd acted around him. She stepped into the shower box and switched on the water.

She couldn't wait to finally see Brandon again.

Familiar faces enveloped Stella into hugs as they each offered her their condolences. It had been a little over two years since her father had passed but it seemed as though the entire community was saddened with his passing.

He was an active member in their community after all. Almost every family within the community had reached out to Stella to offer her their support if she needed it. They all wanted to make sure that she was secure, and although Stella always had the Stone family to rely on, she also knew that the other members in her community would be there for her.

They were family.

An older woman by the name of Faragonda reached up to take Stella's hand as she clasped it between hers. She was the token grandma of the area, and everyone knew it. Stella smiled softly at her and waited to see what she had to say. She didn't expect it at all.

"I'm sure you've got all the boys going crazy after you, Stella."

She let an embarrassed laugh slip out as the women around her also began to laugh. There was no denying that Stella sure had grown into a beautiful young woman from just a pretty child. Anyone with two working eyes would be able to see that. But Stella hadn't been involved with many boys, she couldn't, because she always found herself comparing them to Brandon.

Her heart skipped a beat at the mere thought of him. She couldn't wait until she'd be able to see him in the flesh. Faragonda's hands tightened around hers.

"Don't let them break your heart. We don't want to see you broken, Stella."

For some reason, that advice made her feel tense. She brushed off the feeling and tugged her hand out of the older woman's hands. She rolled her shoulders, explaining that she had to go back inside to see if either Flora or her parents needed any help. Faragonda looked at her knowingly but didn't say anything to that.

Stella, on unsteady feet, stumbled into the house as her heart began to fasten its pace.

Was Faragonda offering her advice or warning her? Did they know something which she didn't?

She relaxed when she saw Flora and tugged her into an embrace. Flora laughed and hugged her best-friend back for a few seconds before they both pulled away.

"What's going on, honey?"

Flora asked as she tucked a single strand of blonde hair behind Stella's ear. Stella didn't say anything, just shook her head like she'd always done, and offered her a smile. She just hoped that it didn't look as fake as it felt.

"When is Brandon coming?"

She asked, deciding to change the subject.

Flora's eyes softened and Stella wished she could take back her words. There was something wrong and she knew it. Her arms dropped to her sides and she felt her lower lip quiver. She couldn't help herself from asking another question.

"Isn't Brandon coming home?"

There was a pause before either one of them spoke.

"Oh, Stella. He already came but he left just a little while ago. We all saw him but he wasn't able to stay for long. I was coming to grab you but everyone outside was saying that you were talking with Faragonda and I didn't want to disturb you. I'm so sorry, honey."

Her mouth parted as she took a small step back.

He left?

She looked down at her phone for something, maybe a message or a phone call from him, but there was nothing there.

He left. He came to see his family, and then he left. She blinked away the tears which were threatening to fall and shot out another tight smile to Flora.

"Don't worry about it. Thanks for telling me."

With that, she turned on her feet and ducked out of their home.

She should have realised that it was too good to be true. Brandon didn't want to see her, not really.

Excuses, excuses.

Because in the end, no-one really cared for her. She was the orphan who was a burden to their family. Nobody wanted her. Nobody needed her.

She recognised the looks they'd all give her.

Poor, little Stella Solaria.

She didn't need their pity. Not even an ounce of it. So she grabbed a bottle of beer and took a large chug. The bitterness burned in her throat but hey, at least this made her feel.

No more pain. No more rejection.

Her decision was made and it was set in stone. Tomorrow, she'd leave and create a new beginning for herself. Radius had left enough finances in his will to ensure that his daughter would be able to be stable in her life, and he made sure that she'd have access to the funds as soon as she was legal in the eyes of the law.

Her eyes burned with unshed tears. She missed her father. She regretted taking their time together for granted. The things that she'd give to be able to talk to him one last time. He'd be able to help her out with this, he always knew what to say and do.

Stella's phone buzzed as she stared at the lit screen with blurry eyes.

BRANDON: I'm sorry, sunshine.

For some reason, those three words had been enough to send tears rolling down her face. Her sobs came out loud and heavy as she struggled to breathe normally for a few seconds. She put the bottle to one side and grabbed her phone, ignoring his message as she opened her contacts. She scrolled until she reached him, and then she did it.

She blocked his stupid number. And she deleted it.

No more crushing.

No more pining.

No more wishing.

No more.

She'd be a new woman tomorrow.

She had to be.