A Forbidden Romance

Chapter Thirty Nine

*Mature Content*
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Reader's POV:

"Hey Stella, can we talk?" You hadn't spoken to her since she confronted you about your mysterious weekend away, and you felt awful for snapping at her the way you did. She'd been your best friend, your ride or die for as long as you could remember. You told each other everything so it was understandable that she was a little upset being kept in the dark about your new relationship.

Stella slammed her locker shut, hoisting her bag onto her shoulder as she fixed her dark eyes on you. "About what?"

"I wanted to apologise for the other day, I shouldn't have snapped at you, and I shouldn't have lied to you. I'm sorry." Apologies didn't come easy for you, too stubborn to admit when you were in the wrong, but you just about managed.

Stella shrugged dismissively, casting her gaze over to a group of boys who were being obnoxiously loud. "It's fine." She sighed, drawing her gaze back to you. "What happened to your eye?" She questioned, and you self consciously lifted your hand to your face. You'd tried so hard to conceal it but upon closer inspection it was mildly noticeable.

"Don't ask." You chuckled nervously, scanning the corridor for any eavesdroppers. Then Stella's gaze dropped from your face down to the faint bruise on your neck, the same one she questioned you about the other day. You could practically hear the cogs turning inside her head.

Pulling your shirt collar up a little further in attempt at hiding the mark, concealer clearly not doing the trick, you ushered Stella into an empty classroom. "Ok," you exhaled slowly, closing the door behind you. "I am seeing someone, I have been for a while now." You paused so she could react before you added. "A girl, I'm dating a girl."

A few long moments passed, a nonplussed expression settling over her face before she slowly nodded her head. "Wow, I didn't even know you were into girls." She contemplated the thought for a second taking a seat on one of the tables. The next class didn't start for another 10 minutes so you had some time to discuss your new relationship and fill Stella in on how sickeningly in love you were.

"Yeah, me neither." You chuckled nervously as you took a seat beside her, discarding your bag on the floor. "Until I met Bi-" you stopped yourself from saying Billie's name, you had to be more careful. "Bailey.." was the first name you could think of.

"Bailey?" She questioned and for a split second you thought she'd clocked on to who you were really talking about until a soft smile crept onto her face. "So where did you meet her?"

"At the coffee shop near my house.. she's a little older than me."

"How much older?" She asked hesitantly and of course you weren't about to tell her that she was old enough to be your mother.

"25.." you trailed off, apprehensively waiting for judgment to take hold of Stella's features. Her eyebrows rose, clearly shocked before a wicked smirk teased the corners of her mouth.

"Well, you have been busy." She teased light-heartedly and your body physically relaxed. "So, tell me about her."

♡ ♡ ♡

The familiar tap of heels echoed around the bathroom and you lifted your gaze to see none other than Billie's reflection through the mirror a knowing smirk tugging at her lips as she came to stand beside you. "Mrs Howard." You greeted her politely as you continued to touch up your makeup, adding a little more concealer to your slightly bruised eye. She smiled at you in response, your name falling from her lips in a delicate murmur. Silence followed, the tension that lingered in the air was palpable, even Stella's gaze flickered between the two of you and for a moment you thought she'd worked it out just by the subtle glances you shared, read both your minds but then her attention drifted to her reflection as she combed her fingers through her hair.