𝐁𝐋𝐈𝐒𝐒𝐅𝐔𝐋 𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐎𝐒

𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐏𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝟏𝟗

STELLA
RUSSEL

I didn't go home for way too long, by too long, I mean three days. But today was Sunday, so I had to go home for school.

"You can always stay here," Marcella suggested. I appreciated her concern, but I smiled at her, shaking my head. She frowned and opened the door, letting me go.

"I'll see you tomorrow!" I waved at her, and she gave a small, unsure smile in return. I entered my car and drove home, my nerves creeping up on me. Was my mom still there? If she was, how was I supposed to act around her? A fake smile and glittering eyes wouldn't stop me from bursting out and screaming at her.

I parked my car in the garage, looking up at the old Victorian house that I once called home. It didn't feel like home anymore. I opened the French doors, and the house was eerily silent. Only the sound of heels clicking on the floor made my breath hitch. "Oh dear, where have you been?" The maid came up to me, her heels echoing in the quiet house.

"Hey, I've been over at Marcella's," I said politely. She nodded and observed me carefully, but I held an emotionless smile, reminding myself to follow rule number one: Never share your secrets. I didn't also like maids in general, you're here because you're broke and to clean around.

"Your father has Mr. Meadows over."

"What? Meadows, as in the businessman who has a son named Grayson Meadows?" I asked, my cheeks heating up. The memory of him staying beside me all night, of him letting me sleep in his room, rushed back.

"Yes, make sure to not disturb them. And how did we not know you were dating Grayson Meadows? You're a lucky girl, that young man is very handsome." Her words hit me like a cold splash of water. Dating? My stomach dropped.

"Dating?"

"Yes. Mr. Meadows is persuading your father to let you stay in New York, since your father was going to send you to LA with your mother." She muttered, looking around the house. I stood there, trying to process her words, hoping she was joking, but the pit in my stomach deepened.

Everything connected in my mind, and I felt the world tilt. My father had wanted to abandon me, and Grayson had lied to me. The realization hit me hard, like a punch to the gut. I nodded at the maid and walked upstairs, the sound of my footsteps muffled by the growing panic in my chest. My father's voice echoed from his office as I passed by, but I didn't stop.

Shutting the door to my room behind me, I walked to my walk-in closet and picked out something to wear. Removing my sweatpants and hoodie, I slipped into comfortable shorts and a baby tee. But nothing felt right. I couldn't shake the feeling of betrayal that weighed on me, and the confusion gnawed at my insides.

This was all a lie. My father was abandoning me, and Grayson—Grayson had known and hadn't told me. I clenched my fists, my breath growing shallow.

My phone buzzed, snapping me from my thoughts. I checked the screen. It was Lily.

"Hey, how's it going?"

"It's fine." The lie slipped out, my voice betraying me.

"When you say it's fine, it's the opposite. It's okay to feel upset, Stella."

"Lily, I'll tell you tomorrow in school." Another lie.

"Hey, Stella, just never forget we're here for you. I love you. Goodbye."

"Me too. Bye." My voice cracked, and I felt the tears building up, threatening to spill. My whole life felt like a lie, and I was sick of pretending everything was okay. I hated myself for not being honest, for not telling my friends what was really going on. But I didn't want to burden them. I was already carrying the weight of so many secrets.