Instant Connection

17

"So are we just not gonna talk about what happened down there?" I ask as I take a seat on the small couch in Johnny's room.

"There's nothing to say." he shrugs, closing the door.

"You looked upset."

"I wasn't."

"Johnny, it's okay to be upset."

"Dammit, Stella! Just let it go!" he shouts.

I froze. I've heard Johnny yell before, I've seen him get angry, but rarely has it ever been directed at me. And never this much.

"I-I'm sorry." I whisper, getting up and pushing past him to get to the door.

"No, Stella, wait." he tried to reach out for me, but I was already out the door. Quickly rushing back down the stairs. I hear his door slam shut when I'm half-way down the staircase. Charlie, Mike, and Briggs were still downstairs, but have moved from the living room to the kitchen.

"Hey, what's going on up there? We heard yelling?" Charlie asks.

"Um, Charlie, can I talk to you outside for a bit please?" I plead, fighting the tears that were trying to form.

"Of course, babe." I quickly rush outside and down the stairs to the beach.

"What's going on? Are you okay?" she places her hand on my hand in an attempt to calm me. I turn to face her as she pulls me into a hug, her hand begins to run up and down my back, causing a sob to escape my lips.

"Oh, honey, what happened?"

"I don't know. Johnny seemed upset when Mike said he was gonna be our boss and when we went upstairs I asked him about it and he was really short with me and I pushed, because he was still clearly upset and he yelled at me, Charlie. Like, not Johnny being a goof yell, but he was really angry. And his voice got really deep and it scared me. He's never yelled at me like that before." I ramble.

"I'm sure he's just frustrated, babe. I don't think he meant to scare you. A lot has happened today and now Mikes' back in the house. I think everyones a bit stressed out. It doesn't give him an excuse to freak out on you, though."

I nod into her shoulder.

She lets out a sigh, "I usually crash in Paul's room, why don't you crash in mine tonight?"

"You wouldn't mind?"

"Eh, somebody should sleep in it." she tries to joke.

"Thanks, Charlie." I smile.

I set my alarm to wake up early, so Charlie can get ready in peace. If I know Mike, he is already out of bed. I open my bedroom door slightly to see it empty, the bed made. Yep, he's gone. I walk in and grab my laptop before going downstairs.

I need to finish my report on Isabelle Russo. I don't think they are going to let me finish the case since she's barely hanging on. She has quickly turned from fearless to paranoid. And since Mike is my new boss... I doubt he wants me to finish since I've been on it for so long.

I take a seat on the couch and open the document I had already on the case. As I begin to read over what I've already written Mike comes in from a run.

"Morning, Stella." He greets me as he walks to the fridge to grab a water.

"Morning."

He walks into the living room, "Why're you up so early?"

"Gotta finish this report." I shrug.

"On Isabella Russo?"

"Yep, I figured it would get passed on to someone else."