Once Upon A Starr

Chapter 11: Jealous 'Friend' on the Loose

Stefanie's POV

It's been hours since Starry left but it still bothers me that she hadn't spoke to me since yesterday's fiasco.

She can't even look at me when she left. That never happens; she usually can't resist me but maybe I've gone overboard teasing her this time.

It's only been a day but I miss her so much, I miss my bestfriend.

I need to apologize to her; I really feel bad. Maybe I should call her again? But she doesn't pick up any of my calls. I should text her. Text her what, exactly? What if she doesn't even reply?

"Screw it! I'll text her," I decided and began to look for my phone.

Once I found it, I texted her quickly without opening the number of unopened messages. Who could they be? Anyways, they can wait.

After typing the longest message ever, I hit send without rereading it.

I feel nervous. Well, I just have to suck it up and make the first move.

I lay down my bed once again, stared at the ceiling and decided to read those messages. There were from Alex, Josh, Jane and an unknown number. I opened the message right away and my eyes widened once I found out who it came from.

"Oh, no! You've got to be kidding me!" I muttered to myself.

From: Unknown Number

Hi Stef! Been a long time, how are you? I know, I know. That's not really the reason why I texted

but I heard you're getting married. That's great! Congratulations, Stef! So, back to the real question. Is she back? I think I saw her yesterday walking out of the cake shop and I was wondering if I can have her number. I hope that she would agree with my invitation this time. Please do get back to me. Thank you.

--N. Mills

So, I guess I was wrong; that was the longest message ever.

How should I tell her that Nathan's back? God! This is going to be hard.

Tyler's POV

What the hell am I doing?

I've been asking myself that question repeatedly since I wrapped my arm around her waist but I can't help but notice that it felt really good; it seems that my arms fit right around her. It felt so perfect.

But I honestly don't know why I did it. It's like I did it on impulse; that I should protect her from anything or anyone.

From any guy for that matter. I thought to myself.

I cleared my throat to ease up the tension rising up. "Do you know each other, Sunny?" I directed my question to Starr but was looking intently at the guy in front of us.

How can't I look? He's been glaring at me the moment he saw Starry and I together.

"Yes, who are you again?" the douchebag replied.

"I was talking to her," I groaned and faced Starr.

I waited for her reply and moments later, she nodded.

"See? Now that we got that issue cleared down, who are you?" he continued.

"I'm Tyler, Tyler Thompson. And you are?" I said proudly and offered my hand as a sign of respect even though all I wanted to do is break that smugness off his face.

If I wasn't looking at him attentively, I wouldn't notice his slight reaction when he heard my last name which made me smirk a little.

My hand was starting to droop and as I was about to retreat, he offered his and spoke up, "Mills. Nathaniel Mills. I own this restaurant."

"You do? Right! Telli's; your mom, Aunt Kristel," she finally joined in and continued, "but I remembered that Zayla Zaff's family owned this, right?"

"Uhm..Yeah. I knew you loved this place so, I figured that if I'd buy this pizzeria, you'd finally agree to go out with me," Nathaniel, I hate him already, replied while scratching the back of his head.

I scoffed at him and he glared at me. Being a competitive guy myself, I glared back at him like it's a stupid game among kids; whoever blinks first, loses.

Minutes gone by without anyone of us talking so, again, I spoke up first. "We should go, Sunny. It's dark and we still have a long drive ahead."

I felt her jump a bit when I spoke and she replied once she composed herself, "That's right. We should go, Ty." She was looking for her keys in her bag and once she had it in her hands, I grabbed them and told her that I'm driving which she happily obliged.

"See you around, Nate," she said to that bastard with a small smile.

"Yes, you will," he replied and continued, "It's great seeing you again, Starr, and I hope it wouldn't take another six years to see that lovely face."

She laughed awkwardly and waved at him, "you're still the same old Nate I knew."

"The same one who still loves you," he replied with a small chuckle.

"Nate," she continued with a low voice.

He cut her off and said, "We'll talk some other time, Starr. And I really do plan to see you again."

I can see that she tried to reply but closed her mouth and nodded instead.

As she bid him farewell, I ran to the passenger side to open the door for her. She was about to walk away from him but before I can even blink, he held her hand and hugged her.

I went stiff; I can't move. I can't process what I am seeing right now. I feel crushed. It seems that someone held my heart and squeezed it.

Damn! Never in my life have I felt this. I've dated before but I never felt this kind of pain; I was never jealous especially to those I don't own.

And after the unending pain, I realized something.

I like her. I want her. I need her. So, I did something irrational; I ran to her, grabbed her and pulled her away from that douche.

I may look like a jealous boyfriend right now but that's the point, I want to be that. I want to be her jealous boyfriend.