LUMIX CLUB

3x02

Stella reached her dorm room, her vision still blurred by tears. She slammed the door shut behind her and leaned against it, letting out a shuddering breath. The room was quiet, the kind of quiet that made her loneliness feel all the more suffocating. She slid down to the floor, hugging her knees to her chest, and let the sobs come.

"I hate them," she whispered, her voice breaking. "I hate the Winx. I hate Brandon. And I hate Elena."

The words felt like poison on her tongue, but she couldn't stop herself. Everything that had happened, all the friendships she had lost, the feelings she had kept bottled up—it all came crashing down on her at once. She felt raw, exposed, and utterly alone.

Across the room, a small plant on the windowsill began to wilt, its leaves turning brown and curling in on themselves. Flora, who had just returned from a brief walk outside, noticed the change immediately. She frowned, stepping closer to the plant. Without thinking, she extended her hand, and a soft green glow enveloped the dying plant. Within moments, the leaves regained their color, standing tall and vibrant once more.

Stella's sobs quieted as she watched Flora, her anger and pain momentarily overshadowed by curiosity. Flora turned and saw Stella sitting on the floor, her face red and tear-streaked.

"Stella," Flora said gently, her eyes filled with concern. "What happened?"

Stella looked away, wiping her tears with the back of her hand. "Nothing. I don't want to talk about it."

Flora knelt down beside her, her expression softening. "Sometimes it helps to talk. You don't have to go through this alone."

Stella shook her head. "It doesn't matter. You wouldn't understand."

Flora's hand hovered uncertainly before she gently placed it on Stella's shoulder. "Try me."

Stella took a deep breath, her emotions still a tumultuous storm inside her. "Brandon... He wants to ask out Elena. And he wanted me to help him."

Flora's eyes widened in surprise, but she didn't interrupt.

"And the Winx," Stella continued, her voice filled with bitterness. "I feel like People only see me as the girl who left the Winx for petty reasons."

Flora nodded slowly, understanding dawning in her eyes. "That sounds really tough, Stella. But you're not alone. Even if things are hard right now, there are people who care about you."

Stella looked at Flora, the anger and pain still raw in her expression. "You don't get it. I hate them. I hate the Winx, I hate Brandon for not seeing how I feel, and I hate Elena for... for everything."

Flora's heart ached for her friend. She knew how much Stella had been through, and she wished she could take away her pain. "It's okay to feel hurt and angry, Stella. But hate... hate will only make things worse."

Stella's eyes filled with fresh tears. "I don't know what to do, Flora. I feel so lost."

Flora wrapped her arms around Stella, pulling her into a comforting embrace. "We'll figure it out together," she whispered. "You don't have to face this alone. You're stronger than you think, and you'll get through this."

Stella clung to Flora, her sobs slowly subsiding. For the first time in what felt like forever, she allowed herself to lean on someone else, to accept the support and kindness being offered.

As Flora held her, Stella realized that maybe, just maybe, she didn't have to face her struggles alone. There were people who cared, who wanted to help her heal. And perhaps, in time, she could find a way to mend her broken heart and rebuild the friendships she had lost.