Stella
I got out of the car and felt my mom's presence right behind me, her hands resting gently on my shoulders. I could feel her hesitation, like she wasn't quite ready to let go. It was a strange moment—like both of us were trying to decide what was right. I paused for a moment, taking a deep breath.
" I'm going to be alright, Mom. Trust me , everything is going to be okay." I smiled at her, though I wasn't entirely sure myself.
She smiled back, but there was a flicker of worry in her eyes "If you're sure, I'll leave. I love you, and have a great first day of junior year." She kissed me on the forehead, her lips soft and warm, and I waved goodbye, watching her turn away. As she walked, back to the car, I couldn't help but notice how small she looked against the backdrop of the massive school building.
I turned back toward the school, feeling my stomach tighten. It was junior year. In a new school. I tried to shake off the nerves, but they stayed, creeping up my spine. The feeling of being the new kid again—it never really went away.
I stepped trough the school doors, only to be greeted by the chaotic hustle of students rushinf past. I was just about to pull out my phone when I collied with someone. A jarring thud. My phone went flying from my hand, landing with a harsh crack against the ground.
Great. Perfect. Amazing.
I bent down to pick it up, wincing at the shattered screen.
"Are you serious?" I yelled, my voice louder than I intended, frustration bubbling up.
He just smirked at me. A slow careless smile. That was it no apology, no sympathy.
I couldn't take it. Without thinking, I shoved him hard against the wall, my heart pounding in my chest. His body hit the bricks with a thud, and for a moment, I thought maybe I'd gone too far.
He didn't flinch. He didn't even look mad. Instead, his smirk deepened.
"I like the fire," he said, his voice smooth, almost admiring.
My breath hitched. What was wrong with me? I had just snapped, and now I felt like an idiot.
Before I could respond, the school bell rang, signaling the start of class. I exhaled sharply and turned away, my anger still bubbling under the surface. Biology. Great.
I headed to class, my mind swirling. The first class of the year, and I'd already made an impression. The wrong one.
The classroom was quiet, and I felt shrinking as I stepped inside. My eyes scanned the room for an empty seat. Then, I saw him—Theo. He say at the desk closest to the window, scribbling in his notebook with a quiet focus. He looked calm, collected—everything I wasn't in that moment. I quickly made my way over and sat down next to him.
"You okay?" he asked, glancing up with a concerned look.
"Not really," I sighed, wishing I could hide the frustration still gnawing at me.
I ran a hand through my hair. " Some guys bumped into me and broke my phone."
He raised an eyebrow, his face full of sympathy. "That sucks."
I shrugged, trying to play it off. " He was a jerk. Didn't even apologize."
Theo nodded, looking thoughtful. "Sounds like Jaxon Rivers."
"Jaxon?" I repeated, trying to picture the guy.
"Yeah, he's kind of...well, a troublemaker," he said with a small smile. "By the way, I'm Theo"
" I'm Stella."
We continued talking for a while, about my transfer, his love for Biology. Slowly, the tension from the morning started to ease, and I actually found myself smiling a little.
" I love Biology, too, " I admitted quietly. " It's always been my thing."
Theo looked curious. "Really? Why's that?"
I paused, feeling the lump in my throat. " Because of my dad. He was a Biology professor. I used to help him with his experiments, and...it feels like the only thing that keeps me connected to him now."
There was a softness in his gaze nodded. "Sounds like a great memory."
I nodded, blinking back the sudden rush of emotion. The room was quieter, and I could feel myself pulling away into my thoughts.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The bell rang , breaking my reverie, it was time for lunch. My stomach churned. Then cafeteria was a warzone of laughter and chattering voices, and I didn't know where to go. I felt like an outsider, a shadow among the masses.
And then, a voice sliced through the noice
"Over here!"
I turned, startled, and saw a girl waving enthusiastically at me. She had a wide smile and a confidence I instantly envied.
"Hi! I'm Bella, but you can call me B," she said, offering a warm handshake.
I smirked, my unease fading a little. " I'm Stella, but you can call me Stell."
"Come sit with us!" she insisted, gesturing to the table where a group a girls sat.
I followed her, feeling a bit out of place but also strangely welcomed. The girls introduced themselves—Kara, Lily, and Jenna—and they immediately complimented me on my hazel eyes."
I smiled, feeling a flush creep across my cheeks. It felt good to be noticed. To be seen for something other than the new girl.
As I sat back, my mind wandered to my mom's words. She always said she fell in love with my dad because of his hazel eyes. Maybe that's why she loved me so much. I had a piece of him with me.
I snapped back to the conversation when one of the girls spoke again.
" I saw you earlier. You were the one who yelled at Jax, right?"
I blinked, confused. "Jax?"
"Jaxon Rivers", she grinned.
"Oh...right," I said, recalling the confrontation earlier. " Yeah, I did. He broke my phone."
I pulled out my phone to show them the crack.
Bella's face darkened. "No one messes with my new best friend," she muttered, her voice tight with fury.
Without a second thought, she stood up, storming toward Jaxon's table. I couldn't do anything but watch, dumbfounded, as she slapped him across the face.
The sound of it echoed in the cafeteria. I sat froezen in shock.
She returned to the the table like nothing had happened.
"Why did you do that?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.
"No one treats my people like that," Bella replied, sitting back down nonchalantly.
I blinked, trying to process what just happened. " But...won't you get in trouble?"
Bella shrugged, a smirk tugging at the corners of her lips. "Don't worry about it. Jax and I are siblings."
Siblings.
I felt my stomach drop. Jaxon was her brother?