This chapter is dedicated to vinfi1_3 for all your support❤
It really means a lot to me.

You can check out her ongoing book on her profile titled 'BEAUTY OF LIFE'. It's worth reading💕

*

Yes I lied.

I was totally free on Friday night but maybe I'm just gonna ditch the party.

"Why aren't you going?" Tianna asked for like the hundredth time.

School was already over for the day and we were in the hallway standing right infront of my locker.

"I said I'm busy on Friday night, I already have plans!" I finally replied, sick of all the questions.

"But earlier, you said you were going," Amber argued.

"I forgot I had other plans."

"So which other 'plan' do you have?" Tianna asked again.

"I'm not going! Just understand and stop pestering me! It's none of your business if I'm going or not! Or if I have other plans or not! Fuck off!" I screamed at the both of them.

They were suprised at my sudden outburst but they should learn to stop poking into every part of my life.

"You know what......just leave," I said, a bit calmer this time.

They exchanged glances between each other and me before walking away.

Yes! Finally! Breathing space!

"Hey, Stella" someone called out.

Can't I just have some personal time!

I looked to my side to see Veronica walking towards me.

She had ripped jeans on with a black vest and leather jacket with her short black hair which had blue and red stripes.

She was one crazy girl and I heard that her brothers were the ones hosting the party.

She chewed her gum loudly, made a big bubble and made it pop when she got to me.

"Nika! Long time!" I greeted, we used to be close friends when we were in middle school but though we're not as close as before, we still do talk.

"That's right," she said with a huge smile on her face.

"Sooo....you've heard about the party right?" She asked.

"Yeah....yeah I have," I replied, feigning a smile.

"You coming? I'll love you to be there."

"Well...I don't think so," I replied trying not to make it sound so bad.

"I'll actually love to go but I already made plans earlier," I tried to explain.

"No worries, suit yourself," She said, that smile not diminishing from her face.

I guess she's not angry.

"Okay then, thanks for understanding," I said and we exchanged waves of 'goodbyes' before she left.

"You're not going to the party?!" I heard a farmiliar voice panick from beside me.

"Why?!" Kelly screamed.

"Shut up!" I spat trying to walk towards the school exit.

"You know Ivy won't let me go if you're not going!" She walked fast trying to keep up with my pace.

I decided to just ignore her, still moving foward. I was walking past the library door when it suddenly swung open and someone stepped out.

It was Timothy.

But I noticed something about him.

His face was swollen red and he had bruises and small bandages on.

"Sorry," he said quickly before moving past me.

But I just stood there, I noticed he wasn't in class earlier today.

Hope it wasn't what I'm thinking...

I hope Lan didn't have anything to do with it.

I felt my hands clench tightly.

He doesn't have to be a jerk all the time.

"Are you okay?" Kelly asked, I almost forgot she was here.

"Yeah...I'm fine."

*

Finally, it's Friday!

I'm so happy the week is coming to an end, this has been one hell of a week, trying to avoid Lan and explain to a multitude of people why I aren't going to the party.

Is it a crime to ditch just one party!

"See ya," Amber said, waving at me, standing up to leave.

It was closing time but I was still in class waiting for Kelly.

She usually had basketball practice every Wednesdays and Fridays after school so I had to wait for her so we would be able to ride home together.

"But I really wish you could come to the party, it'll be very boring without you," Tianna whined.

"Yeah, whatever..." I scoffed.

"Byeee," They echoed before leaving the class with the door still slightly ajar.

I still had over 30 minutes to wait for her, my friends decided to stay with me for atleast half the time.

I used my phone to pass time, playing games, watching videos and scrolling through my newsfeed.

I had to admit that Kelly is good in basketball, she is good in sports in general.

Infact, she's good in almost everything.

I would say life has been a bit hard on her, my parents separated when she was still very little and then my mom had to work twice as hard to cater for the three of us, and it deprived her of her duties as a mom. She was barely at home and everything was just all about work.

But I won't blame her though, I blame HIM.

I heard footsteps coming towards the class.

Finally she's here!

I stood up to pack my things, I was in a hurry to leave.

The door opened and someone entered.

But it wasn't Kelly.

What is he doing here?!

"Hey....I'm not here to cause trouble," he said, carrying his hands up in surrender probably noticing how tensed up I was.

He started walking towards me.

I needed to leave this class ASAP.

I held on tighter to my bag, walking towards the exit before he blocked my way.

"Why are you leaving?" He asked.

"Because I want to!" I retorted, trying my best to make my voice as firm as possible but it came out otherwise.

"Are you perhaps scared of me?" He asked with a deep husky tone that echoed in my ears.

Me! Scared?!

Those two words don't just go together, I am not scared of anybody and he's not an exception.

I'm Stella Downer! People fear me!

"I'm not scared of any fuckin' body," I replied.

He started walking towards me and I took equal backward steps.

"Do I make you...uncomfortable?" He asked in the same tone.

My heart was pounding fast against my chest.

W...Wha...What...

Great! Now I'm even stammering in my own thoughts.

He put his hands on my shoulders.

"Calm down, I don't bite."

I removed his hands from me, maybe he really does make me so uncomfortable.

I tried to walk away.

"So why aren't you going to the party? Is it because of me?"

I gave a fake dry chuckle.

"Do you think I'll ditch a party, just because of you?" I snapped.

That was exactly what I was doing.

"I dunno....maybe?" Was his reply as he shrugged.

"But I think is possible....I think you can," he continued.

I scoffed.

Is this guy underestimating me?!

"If you aren't.....then prove it," he said and I looked at him with a puzzled expression.

"Come to the party."

~~~~~~~~

What would you do if you were in Stella's shoes?

Fill me in💓