Bruised

Chapter 8

They called a cab and until the three of them were out of it the whole lie kept on being told "My house is on fire". Drunken Matthew could be very unpredictable and Nate didn't want to deal with the consequences.

Joe asked the man to stop in front of his house and the both of them helped Matt out. Although he was indeed way too drunk to realize what was happening he knew Nate's house was near Joe's and he could still see there was no fire around that place "Did you just lie to me?" he yelled pointing his finger at Nate.

The girls soon arrived and heard all the noise that would certainly wake the neighbourhood. "Hey!" Stella said just loud enough for all of them to stop and look at her "Will you all come inside and act like proper people or shall I call the cops" she spoke again and opened the front gate and after that the front door watching all of them walking inside in front of her.

"Our parents went to LA this week" Joe said as he sat on the couch and Matthew followed him as he was trying to walk properly. Matthew was quiet, which was weird considering how angry he was just a few minutes before.

"Second room on the right" Stella smiled to the happy couple who was murmuring about the night incidents "Thanks" Nate said and Matthew suddenly seemed mad again. "You don't deserve to be my friend you liar" he said trying to stand up but easily lost his strength. She moved her arms telling them to go up "See you tomorrow" she said and they disappeared in the stairs.

Stella was standing in front of Matthew, those electric blue eyes that were once staring at her were now almost closed "Don't you dare thinking you are spending another night on my favourite couch!" she said loud, causing him to open his eyes again. Then she looked at Joe, and the poor guy he knew that it would have to be him dragging Matthew into the free bedroom.

She smiled when he walked back into the living room, obviously tired, walked closer to her brother and kissed his cheek "Thanks". At this point he had a grin on his face "I'm glad I have you" he said pulling her into a warm hug.

They had the best brother-sister relationship most people had ever seen; both of them had gone through a lot and only managed to overcome it together. Joe admired Stella above anything else, for her strength, for her compassion, for her capacity to love and even for her sassiness.

"I'm going to bed" he said letting go of her "You should too, saviour" Joe laughed turning around to take the stairs.

"You know how it is, someone gotta save the day, and that someone has to be me, obviously" she started walking to the kitchen.

Joe called her name and she showed up again "That girl will only bring problems and you know what father always tells you".

She smiled and started quoting him "You are just enough trouble, stay away from more" and with that he went upstairs.

It was still early morning when Stella woke up; she didn't mind it though, thanks to Matt they had left the club when the night was still young and she had barely drink.

She stood up and put on some leggings, a pair of trainers and then a stretch tank top that she had bought just a couple of days ago. She picked up her earphones from the desk and her iPod that was lying just next to them. She left the room carefully and went downstairs, always making an effort to make no noise.

Picked up an apple from the table and took a granola bar from one of the selves. She thought about sitting while eating but the day looked fabulous so the red-haired girl walked to the front door, opened it and let the wind blow her hair.

The sun was already shinning and the gardener was already taking care of the garden "Good Morning Mr. Gilbert" she waved at him and opened the front gate.

Once she stepped outside the gate she saw cars, traffic, people running late to work, a family walking down the street, a woman with her dog. Things looked normal, just like any other day. She smiled, bit her apple, and then she started walking.

Stella liked to watch around her as to check the world hadn't collapsed while she was asleep. She always did that, when she stepped outside, no one knew why, but she felt like she had to. After eating and just before her feet started to move fast, she looked at the sky, a sad smile on her face showed her dimples. And then she started running.

She had her iPod on and her head off; trapped in her own thoughts just like every other time she was alone. She crossed the street as the light turned green. A girl from her old school crossed on the opposite direction. And memories flashed.

She remembered like it had been just a few days ago, it hurt like it had been just a few days ago. Jerrie. An older boy from her class, the life of every party, one of those guys that were nice to everyone even though he had no idea who they were. That boy had the biggest heart, the purest soul. She would never forget that day.

It was Saturday morning, she was joking around with Joe when the phone rang. She wondered who it would be. The phone kept ringing, until she saw the name on the screen, her best friend Vicky.

"You can't really live without me can you?" she had mocked. Then she heard a sob, and another one. "What's going on?" Stella asked, her heart almost leaving her chest.

"Jerrie's gone" she said between sobs and Stella couldn't believe it. She looked around the house almost let out a laugh "You're joking". But Vicky kept on sobbing, and that was when she realised it was no joke. Tears started to fall, Joe immediately ran to her.

None of the girls would say a word but neither would hang up the phone. "He's gone S! How's he gone?!" the other girl say this time screaming and Stella started to shake. Thoughts crossing her mind, it is something you don't ever even think about. Losing a friend. You know we all have to leave this world. But not at such a young age.

Stella was now running slower, and when she realised there were tears on her face. She looked at the sky again. It was morning, there were no stars, but she could still feel him.

More memories flashed back. She remembered spending half a day crying on her bedroom, alone, even though she knew she should be with her friends. She never liked her classmates, yet Jerrie was one of those she actually adored.

He had the most amazing smile she had ever seen, a smile that would light up the whole room, make someone smile when they were about to cry. It seemed so ironic that she was crying over the guy who smiled the most. It is something you can't describe, and that you wish you never had to go through.

Stella remembered clearly the Monday after. People staring at his friends. people talking about him in every corner. Psychologists, teachers, the school director, everyone had gone to talk to them on that day, the only day they wanted to be left alone.

She saw Aaron at the end of the hall and she looked down, he looked a mess. He had just lost one of his best friends how could he look good. He walked in her direction.

She opened her arms and embraced him into a warm hug, and then she kissed his cheek and gave him a weak smile. It was easy to see him about to crack down to every word people said, so she just remained silent, and hugged him again.

It was impossible for her to forget those days, to forget the pain that once in a while would still make her lay in bed for a whole day crying.

And unlike what people say, she knew these things don't make you stronger; they create small holes inside your heart that you'll never be able to fill.

It was already lunch time when Stella arrived home, and when she was about to open the front door someone did it for her.

"Hello Matthew" she smiled and walked in which make him step aside "I suppose you have a hell of a headache today" he nodded "and well you deserve it" she smiled like what she had said was the most innocent thing on the world.

"I know" he said "Thank you for last night"

"Where's everyone?" she simply cut him off looking around "Nate and Christie have left, I think Joe is changing" he said and approached the door again "Bye Stella". She waved at him and went upstairs to take a so deserved shower.

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This chapter is very special to me, so I hope you guys enjoy it.

Give me your opinions

Love you,

Yxzmin