Ira's pov

I woke up with a little headache. I slept late last night as I kept thinking about why Brandon would have the same pills that my sister had, especially because it was a drug. A kind of a drug my sister got addicted to, that made her leave her own home. Why was it with him?

That's all I thought about almost all night. I also thought about telling Stella, but I know she wouldn't listen. It would only create more boundaries between us.

I sighed as those thoughts started to linger in my head again. I finished my morning routine and went downstairs for breakfast.

In the dining room, Ray munched on his toast while staring at his phone, Dad was drinking his tea while reading the newspaper, and Mum was enjoying her eggs with her head dug into a magazine. I went in, sat on my chair, picked something to eat, and started eating silently. All those thoughts were still running through my head.

"Oh! Good morning sweetie, did you sleep well?" I snapped out of my thoughts as my mom asked me a question, finally noticing my presence.

"When did you get here?" Ray said, putting his phone aside.

"A few minutes ago," I told Ray, ignoring Mom's question as I am sure she could see the bags under my eyes. I also knew I would get caught if I said that I slept well, so I decided to keep silent.

Ray just hummed and went back to eating. After a while, my mom suddenly spoke.

"I am going to take the day after tomorrow off from work."

"Why?" I asked in confusion.

"To help you pack! You know you should start packing soon, if you want to leave in a week," she said brightly.

"When did she become so pleased and happy with me going?" I thought to myself.

"I know you must be wondering why your dad and I have suddenly started to approve of your decision. It's because we love you and your choices are what make you, 'you', so we have to love your choices too. Never ever think that if we don't approve of anything, we don't love you."

"Yes Ira, we care about you and want the best for you. We didn't approve of you going to Santa Cruz because we thought it would be dangerous for young women like you and Stella. But now, we think that this decision is good! Just take care of yourself," said Dad, standing up as he came to me and gave me a hug.

Soon, it became a family hug, with Mom and Ray joining in. But something is always missing in these. Rose.

"I miss her Paul!" Mom cried, suddenly pulling away and burying her face into her hands.

"I know, we all do. But we can not do anything to change the fact that she is gone. We know that we can not keep lying to ourselves that she will come back," said Dad, calmly patting Mom's back. But his eyes showed that he misses Rose more than anyone else does.

Her and Dad used to be really close. She was 'daddy's little girl'. He adored her more than he did anyone else. He was broken into pieces when she left like that; he wouldn't eat, talk, or even cry. He was just blank. But then he got a lot better. He stayed really strong.

Ray told me that he doesn't treat me like Rose. It's not to make me feel bad, but that Rose was really blessed to have him. Ray says he does that because he sees Rose in me. And if he gets closer, then he will lose it. It's scary how people can change dramatically, but nothing can be undone.

"Oh, and Ira! Your plane ticket has been booked," Dad said, turning to me.

"Thanks Dad," I said with a smile

"By the way, I'm going to Stella's today, we have some things to talk about," I told them before I could forget.

"Okay, Ray, I want you to drop your sister off at Stella's place and pick her up whenever she wants!" Mom told Ray as she got her purse.

"Why me??" Ray whined.

"I have to go to work, and so does your Dad. Ira is not old enough to have a driver's license yet, so you're the only one left. Bye!" said Mom as she walked outside, leaving us alone.

"Ok, then get ready fast," said Ray, lazily sitting on the sofa.

"Yeah, yeah," I said as I went upstairs to my room

~Time skip~

"Thanks for the ride, Ray! Oh, and pick me up at 6 in the evening!!" Ira told Ray as she stepped out of the car.

"Yeah sure, I'll text you when I get here. Now go!"

Ray drove off as Ira entered Stella's house.

"Hey Ira!! Come!" Stella said as she saw Ira enter the house.

She started walking upstairs to her room and Ira followed her. This wasn't anything new for them as they have practically known each other for their entire lives.

"Ok! So? Have you started packing yet?"

Stella asked cheerfully.

Ira just gave her a *really* look.

"Okay...! I'll take that as a 'no'," said Stella with a chuckle.

"So, are we going shopping tomorrow?" Ira said as she took a seat on the bed.

"Yeah, of course?" Stella said with a nervous grin on her face.

"Spit it out!" said Ira, noticing her friend's expression.

"Uhhh, ummm I- I'm so sorry Ira but, but I- I have a date with B-Brandon tomorrow," Stella said, feeling guilty and angry at herself.

"Oh," said Ira blankly, as she did see it coming.

"Just 'Oh'? You're not mad at me for ditching our hang?" asked Stella, a bit shocked.

"I honestly don't expect anything from you anymore. I can't make you choose me over him. 'Cause I know you'll choose him in the end, as you fancy him. So I've just stopped trying," said Ira coldly.

Stella was stunned at Ira's bluntness in the answer. She didn't expect that from her. Ira had never really been cold to her; she had been angry and mad, but never cold.

"Let's just forget that right now, and enjoy our time here while we can," said Ira with a small smile on her face when she saw Stella's expression. She knew that Stella was hurt, so she decided to change the topic.

~Time skip~

Stella and Ira were laughing while watching a rom-com, their favorite type of movie to watch together. Otherwise, Ira's favorite movie genres are suspense and supernatural fiction, while Stella's was coming of age and comedy.

"I'm sorry for what I did," said Stella sincerely.

"It's- It's ok," said Ira, knowing exactly what Stella was talking about.

Ira's pov

Should I tell her right now? Will she believe me? No, I'm sure she wouldn't. She has blind love for him. Especially after hanging out with him more than she hung out with me all summer.

I gave a deep sigh and checked my phone, suddenly remembering that Ray was going to text me and pick me up.

I opened my phone and saw that I had 10 messages from him and a couple of missed calls. Shoot. I am toast.

"Stella, I've gotta go! Ray is waiting for me outside!!" I said hurriedly, starting up and getting my things.

"Okay, let me come with you outside," said Stella as she started coming with me downstairs.

"Bye Stella! Call me tomorrow when you get home!!" I said with a fake smile.

"Yeah, I will. Bye!!" said Stella with a grin as she goes back into her house.

Ray's pov

Gosh! Where is this girl?! I've been waiting for at least 20 minutes now. Oh wait, she's coming. I'm going to give her a little piece of my mind for making me wait for 20 minutes, which felt like an eternity.

Before I could say anything, she got in the car and slammed the door shut, making me flinch. God, this girl's strong. Wait, I think something happened between her and Stella. I'll ask.

"Hey Ira, what happe-" Before I could finish my sentence, she cut me off and exploded.

"I HATE BRANDON!! AND I HATE HOW STELLA IS OBSESSED WITH HIM!!! HE IS AN ASSHOLE!!!!" she suddenly yelled, getting all of her anger out and cursing about someone named Brandon?

"Who's Brandon?" I asked, confused, still driving.

"Stella's new so-called boyfriend," said Ira.

"Ok, ok. Calm down now, it's alright! Now let me guess, she canceled tomorrow's shopping hang?" said Ray with a comfort smile.

"Yes!" said Ira, pouting.

"Why don't you go with Mom? She really likes spending time with you, but you always push her away. And you need new clothes for Muart High," I said with a teasing smile.

"I hate to say this, but you're right. I should spend some time with Mom before leaving."

"AHA!" I yelled. "Finally, you admit that I am right!!" I said with a proud, smug look on his face.

"Only sometimes though," Ira said with a little smirk.

"You're never grateful for having such a wonderful brother as me," I said, fake crying.

"Wonderful my ass!" said Ira, laughing at him.

"Ok, ok, we're here now so just shut up and ask Mom to go with you tomorrow! No exceptions," I said.

"Okayyy," whined Ira as she went inside the house. The first thing she saw was her mom with a cheerful look on her face.

Ira's pov
I

guess I have to ask her.

"Mom?" I called her nervously.

"Yes?" she asked calmly while looking at her phone.

"Stella won't be coming to the mall tomorrow. She has somewhere else to go. So would you like to come with me instead?" I asked.

"Oh sweetie, I thought you'd never ask! I'd love to go with you!! I'm calling my work right now and telling them that I'm taking 2 days off instead of 1. Gosh, I'm so excited!!" my mom exclaimed happily and went inside a room to make the call.

"Good job!" said Ray, giving me a thumbs up.

I just sighed and went to my room to change. Is tomorrow going to be fun?

I hope so...

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Thank you for reading!
Have a nice day/night~

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Story line and writing by me Star
Editing by Rory Campbell
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