Runaway (ATL fanfic)

Chapter Ten - Stella

"What if his girlfriend doesn't like me?" I asked Zack nervously as I mentally prepared myself to go see Ethan, his girlfriend and his daughter.

"How could anyone not like you?" Zack questioned.

"My mother doesn't like me and she might've said something," I said. "That's it," I exclaimed, "I can't do this."

"Invidia," Zack said grabbing my shoulders, "you'll be fine. They'll love you."

"Can you come with me?" I asked.

"Only if you want me to," Zack replied.

"Thank you," I smiled softly. Zack gave me a tight hug before holding me out at arms length.

"Ready to go?" he asked. I nodded and we walked out of the bus towards the area where Ethan and I had agreed on meeting at when we talked on the phone the night before. The whole walk I was completely freaking out. Zack noticed and took my hand, rubbing my thumb comfortingly with his.

"Invidia!" Ethan called out from where he stood with a beautiful blonde woman and an adorable little blonde girl in his arms.

"Hey, Ethan," I smiled at my brother. I let go of Zack's hand as Ethan put his daughter down so we could hug.

"This is my girlfriend, Scarlett and our daughter Stella," Ethan introduced the two girls.

"It's nice to meet you," Scarlett smiled as she picked up Stella, "Ethan has told me a lot about you."

"It's nice to meet you, too," I replied feeling less nervous. "This is my friend, Zack," I told them pointing at Zack.

Ethan shook his hand. "Good to finally meet one of the guys my baby sister idolises."

"Shut up, Ethan," I mumbled.

"Well, I already know I'm your favourite," Zack reminded me, "so nothing else is really as embarrassing."

"You're embarrassing," I scowled.

"Boys in general are embarrassing," Scarlett teased.

"Very true," I chuckled.

"Oi!" Ethan and Zack chorused making Scarlett and me laugh.

"Do you guys want to come back to the bus?" Zack asked, "we have air conditioning."

"Sounds good," Ethan said, "what do you think, Scar?"

"Anything to get out of this heat," she laughed.

"Whozzat?" Stella asked pointing at me as we started back for the bus.

"That's Aunty Invie," Ethan told his daughter.

"Whozzat?" she asked again pointing to Zack.

"That's Aunty Invie's friend, Zack," Ethan answered.

"She's so cute," I cooed.

"Thanks," Ethan smiled before kissing his daughter on the top of her head.
"I'll just make sure the boys aren't doing anything immature," Zack said as he opened the door of the bus.
"If Alex and Jack are on there they're most likely doing something immature," I reminded him. Zack shrugged and got on the bus.
"All clear," he called out to us. I let Scarlett and Ethan walk on first before walking on myself and shutting the door.
"So, Invie," Ethan began as he sat down in the back lounge, "what've you been doing in the last few years?"
"Well," I replied, "after I ran away from Lawrence, I moved to Baltimore and found these two guys, Ben and Luke, who took me in like a sister, helped me find a place to stay and gave me a job at their music shop and I've been there ever since." I stopped, thinking about how my breakup with Luke would affect my job.
"Until now, I'm guessing," Ethan said.
"I was intending to go back when Warped was over," I said, "but I don't know now."
"I'm sure Ben can get you shifts when Luke isn't working," Zack reassured me.
"What happened with Luke?" Scarlett asked. "If you don't mind me asking."
"We tried a relationship but then he tried to choose who I was friends with," I replied.
"Those guys are the worst," Scarlett said.
"Tell me about it," I agreed with a small laugh.
"Anyone want a drink?" Zack asked being a good host.
"Just water please," Scarlett answered.
"Same here," I smiled.
"Got any beer?" Ethan asked making Scarlett roll her eyes and laugh.
"Yeah," Zack replied, "come with me."
"So are you and Zack a thing?" Scarlett asked me when the boys had left the room.
I shook my head. "He's just a really good friend."
"Well I can tell you this," Scarlett smiled, "he definitely likes you."
"You think?" I asked, grinning.
Scarlett nodded. "I can tell by the way he looks at you and how he reassured you before. Do you like him?"
"Yeah," I answered.
Suddenly there was a lot of shouting coming from the front of the bus.
"I'll go see what's going on," I told Scarlett as I got up. When I got to the front of the bus, I was shocked at what I saw. Ethan was holding back a very angry Luke, who was glaring at Zack, who had a bloody nose, while Rian, Alex and Jack looked on.
"You fucking piece of shit!" Luke yelled at Rian. "I thought we were friends but then you just have to go and steal my girlfriend!"
"Luke, chill," Alex said.
"Why the fuck should I chill?" Luke snapped at him before turning back to Zack. "You already have girls throwing themselves at you, why do you have to take mine?"
"He didn't take me from you," I yelled at Luke. "You were the one trying to control my friendships. Why are you even here?"
"To take you home," Luke replied.
"Yeah, no," I replied before going into the bathroom to grab some toilet paper for Zack's nose. "You've lost all chance of ever getting me back now," I told Luke.
"You can leave now," Rian said to Luke.
Ethan pushed Luke towards the door.
"Some friends you lot turned out to be," Luke growled before getting off the bus.
"You okay?" I asked Zack.
"Yeah," he said muffled by the toilet paper.
"I'm sorry," I said, "this is my fault, if I had ju-"
"It's not your fault, Invie," Zack cut me off, "its Luke's." He gave me a look that made my insides melt.
"Why don't I take you to the first aid tent," Rian offered.
Zack nodded before the two guys headed out. The rest of us went back to Scarlett and Stella who were in the back lounge.
"Everything okay?" Scarlett asked us.
"My ex decided to pay a visit," I responded.
Scarlett nodded before introducing herself to all the guys.
"Who wants to watch a movie until Zack and Rian get back?" Jack asked.
We all agreed and he put Peter Pan on.

A/N: I'm sorry I haven't posted in a while but the FIFA under 20 World Cup is on at the moment and I've gone to like every game in my city and then there's work and course as well. Also I feel like this story is a let down compared to my last one because I'm not getting as many votes or comments. Btw I might not post for a while because this is a busy month for me. But please comment and vote because then I know people actually want me to continue. Much love xx