Belonging Season

10

Stella hung up the phone just as quickly as she had answered it. The argument with her best friend Lorenzo had been playing on her mind all night, and she had spent hours rehearsing what she wanted to say to him. But after ten of her calls were ignored and went straight to voicemail, she came to the realization that it was not her who needed to apologize.

So when the phone finally rang and she saw Lorenzo's name flash on the screen, she picked it up without thinking, but as soon as the sound of his voice came through, she froze, forgetting everything she had planned to say.

Stella's heart felt heavy with the weight of her conflicted feelings. "You'll never choose me over him, no matter how much I love you," Lorenzo's words echoed through her mind, and she found herself questioning her own emotions. She knew deep down that her best friend harbored feelings for her, but she didn't want to lead him on. They had decided to remain friends, or at least that's what she thought. But now, she wasn't so sure.

Stella quickly dialed Lorenzo's number and as soon as he picked up the call, she said firmly, "I don't like it when you talk to me that way. Maybe I messed up, but you have no reason to be insecure about Matteo or anyone else. Man up and learn how to behave before you call me again." With that, she hung up the phone before he could respond.

Even though telling Lorenzo off felt good, just like it had when she told off Matteo the other day, she couldn't shake the feeling of intense loneliness that washed over her. Suddenly, the silence seemed more deafening, and the emptiness more vast. She realized that despite her pride, she sorely missed her best friends.

Stella felt an overwhelming wave of sadness wash over her, and she didn't know what to do. In desperation, she went to her piano because playing music was the only way to keep her from having a full-blown panic attack.

As her fingers glided across the keys, the melodies filled the room, drowning out her negative thoughts. The music became her sanctuary, allowing her to momentarily escape from her troubles and immerse herself in its soothing embrace.

Despite sinking into the comfort of her music, Stella still couldn't shake the crushing weight of sadness from her shoulders. After a while, she came to the realization that what she really needed was someone to talk to. She picked up her phone and dialed Gaston's number, hoping for the familiar comfort of her other best friend's voice.

Stella held her breath as the phone rang. Once, twice, three times. Then, finally, Gaston picked up. "Hello?" his voice came through the speaker, filled with a mixture of surprise and concern.

Stella's voice trembled as she spoke into the phone. "Hey, Gaston," she said, trying to keep her tone casual but failing miserably.

Stella took a deep breath, steeling herself for the conversation ahead. "Can you come over?" she asked, her voice betraying a hint of vulnerability. "I really need to talk to you about something."

"Sure, I can come over," Gaston replied, a tone of concern in his voice. "Just give me a few minutes and I'll be right there."

Stella lowered her voice, afraid of being overheard, and whispered into the phone, "Can you come in through the servant's entrance in the back? It'll be less suspicious that way."

There was a moment of silence on the other end of the line before Gaston spoke, "Alright, I'll come through the servant's entrance."

Stella thanked him and hung up the phone, pacing back and forth anxiously in her room as she waited. The minutes felt like hours as she anticipated his arrival. She knew she could always count on Gaston to listen and offer her comfort.

Stella waited anxiously in the kitchen as minutes seemed to pass as hours, her heart rate increasing with every passing second. Eventually, a knock on the door broke the silence, signaling that Gaston had arrived. She stood, took a deep breath, and walked to the door, opening it to find Gaston standing on the other side. His expression was full of concern and anxiety as he waited for her to speak.

As soon as Stella opened the door, Gaston pulled her into a tight embrace. Holding her close, he gently whispered, "What's wrong, baby?"

The words of concern and affection broke the dam holding back Stella's emotions, and tears began to stream down her face. She buried her face in his chest.

Between quiet sobs, Stella managed to speak, her voice choking with emotion. "I messed up," she whispered, her words barely audible against the fabric of Gaston's shirt.

Gaston, still holding Stella close, gently guided her towards her room. "We should go to your room," he said softly, his voice filled with a mixture of tenderness and concern.

Once they entered the room, Gaston motioned for Stella to sit on the bed and made his way to the door. "You go and get comfortable. I'll grab a glass of water and be right back," he reassured her, his voice warm and comforting.

As Gaston was grabbing a glass of water in the kitchen, Luna, his girlfriend's best friend, suddenly appeared, leaning against the doorframe with a surprised expression on her face.