isn't it lovely

chapter nineteen: she's home

stella

"thanks for this dinner mom, this pasta is really good." i added to the dinner conversation.

"yeah, thanks." wyatt says, from the chair next to me.

he seems happier than usual, which is odd. even when he's in a healthy and happy point in his life he acts SO neutral at dinners and during conversation so this is just, unusual.

i never got a chance to talk to him before dinner, but he seems much less sad than when we last talked. i've talked to him a few times since the situation with cory and he said she was still mad at him, but i haven't been informed in a week, maybe they got back together? or stopped their break or whatever?

"i'm glad you all like it." she says.

"so, stella, tell us about your trip with your little girlfriend."

"fuck off, wyatt."

i wasn't out to my parents yet, only my siblings. so i get really defensive. it's like a fight or flight situation that just gets flicked on whenever someone (usually wyatt) jokes about this shit. it's not a joke to me,

"stella, language." my dad chimes in.

"sorry, he just-" i stopped myself and took a deep breath before going the fuck off on my stupid ass twin.

"is she, your girlfriend, stella?" my mom looks concerned.

i look down at my plate and play with the remnants of my pasta on my fork. "no, mom." i say defensively. "wyatt just wants to make my first night back miserable for me already." i send him an annoyed, cocky smile.

he just laughs at me, continuing eating his pasta.

my mind was conjuring up all these thoughts about whether my mom meant for her face to look concerned when wyatt made his uncalled-for comment. did she mean it? would she be unsupportive? did she intend to look excited? why don't straight people have to deal with this? what the fuck.

"do you mind if lennon and them come over soon?"

"of course, if you're up for it. they can all stay over if they want!" my mom assures me.

"thanks. may i be excused? i just wanna get into comfier clothes and be alone for a bit."

"you may. you're answering the door when your friends get here." my dad says, sternly.

i nod and head upstairs.

i open the door to my room and turn on my purple led lights. god i missed this. i threw myself onto my bed, which was made for once because of my mom scolding me to before i left.

i pull my phone out and notice messages from lennon. god i miss lennon.

lennie <3
HIII CALL ME PLS
lila and joey are here we wanna know when we can come over so we don't have to arrive unwarranted ;)

i call her, as requested.

"STELLAAA OMG YOU'RE ALIVE" i hear lennon shout through her end.