isn't it lovely

chapter twenty-three: catching up

stella

i'm currently in my bed, messing around on my electric guitar.

it's been about a week since i've seen billie. she's a busy girl though so i don't really blame her. she's had tons of press and shit because her music is kind of popping off at the moment.

honestly, after that talk with her i've felt so exposed. i don't normally open up to people like that. even though we both opened up to each other i just usually keep some things private, so it's weird to have her know about my brother and stuff.

playing guitar usually clears my mind.

today is saturday so my mom is home. she's downstairs cooking or something i'm not really sure.

the doorbell rang, i was debating getting it but i was pretty sure i heard my mom walking to the door.

i assumed it was one of my moms facebook group buddies or something. our town has a whole facebook group for the moms. they post shit about air fryers and their kids, it's fucking hilarious.

i didn't hear a middle aged woman's voice though, which was odd cause i couldn't think of anyone else that would willingly knock on our door knowing how much my mom likes to talk to people.

i heard chatter. friendly chatter? surprised chatter?

i cracked my door open and briefly stepped out to see who it was, trying not to be seen. all of my moms friends try to make small talk with me and i really wasn't in the mood so after realizing i couldn't really see the mystery person, i just eavesdropped.

i'm not usually this nosy i swear.

i couldn't really hear what they were saying, but i think i heard my mom say, "you can wait in the living room!" all excited and shit.

i had so many questions. i feel like i'm already so oddly invented in this mystery person, so i risk small talk to go see who it was. made sure to grab my phone in case i needed an excuse to leave.

i when i reach the stairs the figure on the couch immediately jerks their head towards me.

in that moment i wished so badly that i could turn around once i realized who it was, but i was in too deep.

"stella!" they say.

"jess?!" i say, surprised.

my mom rushes back out of the kitchen, "stella, your sister had me call jess the other day to ask him about helping her with her skateboarding."

"she's at mackenzie's house." i add.

"there was a miscommunication, lovey. so he's here a bit early." mom says, i cringe at her pet name, "stella why don't you let jess wait in your room with you? charlotte should be back in about fourty five minutes."

"n-no." i say cautiously.

"stella, sweetie, be welcoming to our guest."

i protest, "mom,"

"stella. jess doesn't bite. now go make small talk in your room, or something. i've got to clean down here while the meatloaf is in the oven."