Stay Courageous

Chapter 6

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Zoe's POV
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September rolled right into October and Stella and I were highly anticipating our concert. Not to mention 5 Seconds of Summer was coming out with another album on the 23rd so even Kat had something to look forward to. Stella had good days and bad days but most days we just carried on. The best Kat and I could do was keep Ian away from her. I tried to give her ideas to change her dad's mind sometimes but it didn't seem to help much.

"You could tell him everyone in California is a hippie that smokes weed," I tried one time. I knew my parents hate to hear about drugs or alcohol or sex or anything like that. 

"Tried it," she responded with a frown. "I told him that if he made me move I'd start smoking and become a pot head. He just told me the same thing could happen here in Sandhills and if I started smoking in California at least it wouldn't be in the middle of a crap hole."

"Some fatherly advice. Stell, if I were you, I'd take that as a cue to start smoking," I said with a wink.

"But I'm not you. Plus, I was bluffing. I'm not going to start smoking, Zoe," she slammed her locker and speed walked to her next class.

"C'mon Stell, I was joking!" I called after her. Now I felt really bad. I was jst trying to cheer her up a bit but I just made it worse.
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Stella's POV
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Zoe's been really bent on trying to cheer me up lately. I can't even say that I don't like it, it actually works sometimes. Maybe it's not just the actual things she does but the fact that she takes the time to acknowledge how stressed I am. I really really really don't want to move away from Sandhills.

I sat down in history, getting ready for another long lecture and lots of notes. School was stressing me out as well. It was all just too much. I jut needed to get home and relax today.
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Stella's Apartment
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"Oh! I had such a bad day at work today baby, I'm so glad to see you," said my dad as I walked through the door.

"Sorry you had a bad day, dad. I was stressed too. We have so much homework," I said before going to put my book bag in my room and then coming back in the living room with the rest of my family.

"Yeah," said my dad. "The business ain't doin' so well. I put it on the market today."

I looked at Nancy and my brothers. They shrugged their shoulders and had the same helpless look that I did. This is not how I thought our nice little conversation was going to go. He seems to be bringing it up every chance he gets.

"I don't really want to move either," Max spoke up. "All my friends are here in Sandhills and I don't see a reason to move to California all of a sudden."

"Well... That's fine. I guess if you kids don't want  to move I can't force that," he said before getting up and going to him and Nancy's room and slamming the door behind him.

"That reaction was quite different than yesterday," sighed Nick. He basically just read my mind. My family and I sat there in silence for awhile. And, as a tear rolled down my cheek, I realized that my dad never said he wouldn't force us to move. He just wouldn't force us to want to move.
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Zoe's POV
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I was sitting at home on my computer, just fooling around on Wattpad before I went to sleep. It was about eleven o'clock and I was just about to turn out the light when I got a text from Stella.

Stella: I think we're moving.

Zoe: ???

Stella: My dad won't stop talking about it. He says he hates it here in Sandhills.

Zoe: He's being all talk and no action. I wouldn't worry.

Stella: He's selling his buisness. He just put Ridley Motors on the market.

She hadn't told Kat and I this yet. I felt my stomach lurch again just like the first time she mentioned moving. I tried to think of how to respond.

Zoe: did he say the reason he was selling it was because y'all are moving?

Stella: he won't admit it but yeah that's the reason. He made some comment today about how he can't force us to want to move. He never said he wouldn't force us to move though.

There was a pause while I processed this. Another message came in.

Stella: I can't move. It's going to tear me apart.
Zoe: is there any way you could stay here with your mom?

Stella: probably but I'm not going to do that. My dad is my world. I need him in my life.

Zoe: then what's the problem?

There was no answer for awhile. I looked at the clock and realized it was half past eleven now. I really didn't care. I returned to Wattpad but when midnight rolled around and I hadn't heard from Stella I just decided to call her. She answered after three rings.

"Hello?" She squeaked into the receiver. Her voice was high pitched and crackly and I could tell she'd been crying.

"Stella if you just want to be with your dad then what's the problem? I really want to know, it's not a mocking question." It was a few seconds before she responded to me.

"I've just finally made friends here and now I have to leave. I don't know what I'm going to do without you guys."

"That's really sweet and everything but don't worry about us. We'll still be your friends even if you're three thousand miles away. At least I know I will."

"You're always so supportive Zoe. Lots of people underestimate you. Thanks ."

"Oh no problem. It's the truth. You know, you're so strong. I know your life isn't as easy as mine but you still manage to be one of the happiest people I know. Stay courageous, Stella."

We hung up and I laid in the dark awhile, wondering what Stella did to deserve all this stress. More specifically, what's causing really causing it. I couldn't come up with any answers. Just short term excuses. A long term problem with short term fixes. I'd never be able to fix her depression for good.

That's it, I thought to myself. I'll just come up with a whole bunch of short term fixes. And I fell asleep with this thought in my head.
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The Next Night
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This morning, I met Stella at the front door of the school and gave her a quick hug like usual. Except, this time, I slipped a little note of encouragement that I wrote into her bookbag.

I knew it was worth it when just a few minuets ago she texted me and said Thank you so much Zoe <3. Tonight I went to bed with a bit more peace. Maybe I'll do this more often.
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Kat's POV
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Lately Stella and Zoe have been so depressed. I don't really understand what's wrong with them. Sure, Stella's dad is talking about moving to California. So what? It's not like she's absolutely moving three thousand miles away. Besides, who gets this upset about moving anyway? Is there something I'm missing here?

I'm really just upset that I have to miss my 5sos concert. At least Zoe and Stella get to have fun. I'm really not upset at Stella, just the whole situation is so unfair. My parents completely screw me just because I made two little mistakes. At least I have Sounds Good Feels Good to look forward to.
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End of part 6

Thanks for reading!

Comment and vote if you liked it!

Have a good day :)

-SJ
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