Belonging Season

14

As the night grew late, Stella heard a notification on her phone. Picking it up, she saw a message from Gaston: "I'm outside." She quickly stood up, and hurried to the servants' door.

Stella opened the door to find Gaston standing there, a soft smile on his face. Without a word, he embraced her in a tight hug.

Gaston gently took Stella's hand and suggested, "We should go to your room. We don't want Luna catching me here again." His voice was soft, yet there was a hint of urgency in his tone.

Once they reached the refuge of Stella's room, they settled into their respective spots. Gaston perched on the edge of the bed, while Stella took a seat on her piano bench, the quiet room filled with the hum of anticipation.

In the ensuing silence, Stella fidgeted with the hem of her shirt, avoiding his gaze as she mustered the courage to speak. Finally, gathering her thoughts, she looked up at him, her voice soft. "Gaston, can I ask you something?"

Gaston tensed up, sensing the seriousness in her tone. He leaned forward slightly and replied, "Of course."

Stella leaned in, her curiosity piqued. "What you said before practice today, what did you mean?" she asked. Gaston shifted, his gaze fixed on her, and responded, "That's actually what I wanted to talk to you about."

Gaston's expression turned serious as he dropped the bombshell. "There's a possibility I'll be going to Oxford in the fall," he confessed, his tone laced with a mix of anticipation and trepidation.

Stella's eyes lit up at the news, her excitement radiating from her voice. "That's huge! I'm so happy for you," she exclaimed. However, noticing the melancholy on Gaston's face, she queried, "Why do you seem so down about it?"

Stella's confusion deepened as Gaston revealed, "I thought I didn't want to go, so I never submitted the application. But apparently, Nina did it behind my back." Stella's eyes widened, her bewilderment evident. "But how?"

Gaston shook his head, his expression a mix of frustration and disappointment. "I don't even think that's legal," he muttered. He paused for a moment before continuing, "I think I'm going to break up with her. I can't be with someone who makes decisions like this behind my back, even if she had good intentions."

Stella's confusion still etched on her face, she asked Gaston to clarify, "How did you guys get to the point where she thought it was a good idea to secretly submit your application?"

Gaston sighed and began to explain, "Before the school year started, Matteo and I planned to go to Oxford together. However, his father started pressuring him mercilessly, until he eventually gave up. As for me, I told Nina that I changed my mind and would just study locally and work for my uncle's company instead." Gaston's voice grew somber as he continued, "She believed I changed my mind because of her, and she didn't want me to regret staying because of her. That's why she secretly submitted my application without my consent."

Stella nodded, understanding the situation. "I see," she said softly. "It seems like she had good intentions, but that doesn't justify what she did. She shouldn't have gone behind your back like that."

Gaston's irritability towards the situation and Nina intensified. He expressed his frustration, saying, "That's the thing! I've told her countless times that I'm not making this decision because of her, but she wouldn't listen. She always thinks she knows what's better for me, even if I do regret it, or even if I make mistakes, it's my life, and I have the right to make them and learn from them."

Unable to contain his restlessness, Gaston stood up from the bed and began pacing the room, his frustration manifesting in his restless movements.

Gaston clenched his fists as he walked, his voice tinged with anger. "And the worst part is, she always claims to be supportive, but the second I make a decision on my own, she's telling me I don't know what's good for me. It's suffocating."

Stella regarded him sympathetically, her voice gentle and understanding. "It's okay to feel frustrated, you know," she offered, her tone a soothing balm to his agitation.

Gaston, his frustration momentarily subsiding, settled onto the piano bench beside Stella.

Sensing the weight of the moment, Stella shifted the conversation, gently inquiring, "So, what are you going to do now?" She leaned on the piano, awaiting his response, hoping to steer the discussion to more practical matters.

After a brief pause, Gaston confessed, "I think it's best if I break up with Nina." His voice held a mixture of sadness and determination. "It's clear we have different ideas about what I should do with my future."

Stella shifted slightly, a hint of curiosity in her voice as she asked, "Have you talked to Matteo about any of this? About Oxford or Nina and everything?"

Gaston's irritation flared once again, his expression hardening as he retorted, "Why are you always bringing him up? This has nothing to do with him."

Sensing the tension in his voice, Stella quickly apologized, her tone gentle. "I'm sorry," she said softly, "I just thought that since Matteo is your best friend, you might have spoken to him about all of this."

Gaston's frustration bubbled to the surface as he scoffed, his voice tinged with resentment. "Like he'd care," he said gruffly. "I'm telling you, that guy only cares about himself. So stop thinking so highly of him."

Stella, aware of Gastons discomfort regarding Matteo, decided to drop the topic. She looked at him with concern and asked, "Alright, forgetting about Matteo for a moment, how are you feeling about all of this?"

Gaston sighed, his expression reflecting a mix of weariness and concern. "To be honest," he confessed, "Being with Nina is exhausting. She's a nice girl, but she's constantly overthinking everything and being insecure about the smallest things, even though I've never given her a reason to doubt me. All I've ever tried to do is support her and be there for her, and yes, I admit I tried to push her out of her comfort zone sometimes, but I never had any ill intentions. I feel like this breakup might be good for both of us in the long run."

Stella nodded in agreement, her voice soft and understanding. "I get it," she affirmed. "Love can be so complicated. It's full of ups and down, and sometimes we have to make tough choices for the best."

The conversation shifted as Gaston turned his gaze to Stella, curiosity in his eyes. "Have you ever been in love?" he inquired, his voice laced with a hint of hesitation, as if unsure whether this question might cross a boundary.

A myriad of thoughts and memories rushed through Stella's mind - the time spent in Italy, last summer, her childhood, and countless moments shared with her childhood sweetheart. Yet, as she pondered the question, she replied, her voice tinged with a note of resignation, "Being in love shouldn't make you feel sad, right? So, no, I suppose I haven't been in love."

The hours slipped away as their conversation carried on into the late hours of the night. Finally, as it was time for him to leave, Gaston turned to Stella and asked, "Same time tomorrow?" A smile played on Stella's lips as she nodded in agreement.