Stella Starlet

Artist

After the date, I kicked Jack to the curb. He was arrogant, too arrogant for his own good. 

During class, Carter and I never acknowledged each other. This went on for two months.

I gave curt answers when he called on me, he knew I was not friendly with him anymore. It was a shame, I really liked him. 

Life in Washington State, for me, was incredibly uneventful. I absolutely loved it. I loved the routine, the fact that everyone knew each other's names and smiled when you passed. 

I found solace in the slow lane of life for once.

It was a Friday night, I wandered around main street, which was teeming with people. Young couples on dates and older people with their kids going to restaurants.

I had heard that there was an exhibit in one of the galleries on the street for art and some written pieces. 

When I had finally reached the gallery, the glass walls showcased how busy it was. Men dressed in tuxedos and women in fine gowns. It looked like one of those that Enzo always took me to. 

I laughed to myself as I walked in. The atmosphere was inviting, flutes of champagne were served to guests and everyone was talking amongst themselves. 

I looked at some of the art. They were beautiful pieces, some were landscapes and some were of a beautiful woman. There was one piece in particular that stuck out to me. As I walked over to it, I studied it. 

Short black hair, sad eyes, lips in a pout. It was beautifully painted. 

I continued through the gallery and walked into another room where the written pieces were. Each page was framed in glass, elegant writing inked across each one. 

I read one and was enchanted by it. This artist's muse was a girl filled with great melancholy and pain. 

I got to the pieces showcased in the middle, I presumed the one that is the magnum opus of the gallery. 

When I read through, I gasped. My heart felt like it was being gripped by two hands, being crushed and pulled apart. 

A tear dripped down my cheek, followed by another one.

This was about me. I knew it was. 

A poem written about a mysterious girl with no past, a love for dark things like cocaine and alcohol, who slept after taking too much. A girl that the writer said he had feelings for. 

"Ladies and gentlemen, the artist and writer of this exhibit . . . Carter Adams!" The announcer spoke into the microphone, positioned on a pedestal. Then I saw him there, smiling at everyone. 

This couldn't be real. 

He didn't see me, I was in the back of the crowd, tears dripping down my cheeks.

"Thank you all for coming out tonight. I am especially proud of the pieces I present here tonight because they are mostly based on a very special person to me." Carter paused and looked down, taking a deep breath. "Anyway, I hope you all enjoy and thank you so much." He gave a grin and stepped down. 

I was frozen in spot, emotions cascading over me, contradicting each other in a heap of confusion and shock.

Carter stopped to talk to an older couple but when he looked up, his eyes met mine. 

I gasped, I couldn't be here anymore. I bolted, I past everyone in the gallery in a very hurried walk, and when I was finally outside, I ran. I ran in my heels and dress, the frigid air hitting my bare skin. I didn't care, I had to get away from him. 

"Stella!" I heard being called from behind me. I heard hurried footsteps as well but I kept going. People passed me, looking at me like I was a lunatic. I ducked into an alley, hoping he didn't see. I wanted to lose him, run home, and cry. 

As I reached the dead end of the alley, I leaned on the worn brick wall and cried. 

I heard footsteps getting louder and I knew he followed me. 

Once he was two yards away from me, he stopped and panted, out of breath in his tuxedo. 

"Stella," he said once he regained his composure. 

I looked up. "Did you mean anything you wrote in those poems?" I asked, hurt and confused. 

He nodded. "Of course I did."

He slowly walked over to me and our feet touched. "I meant every word."

I looked into his eyes, hearing his voice that I so desperately missed. 

"God, I was so . . . so mad that we weren't talking. It was because I was a tremendous ass and I missed you and Jesus, you looked so beautiful tonight and-"

Before he could finish his sentence, I pressed my lips to his. At first he was shocked but then melted into it. 

"Stella, I'm so sorry," he apologized once I leaned away and rested my head on his shoulder.

"Take me home, Adams." I looked into his eyes, wanting to be off the street and under a cozy blanket by the fireplace. 

He smiled quickly and then picked me up and threw me over his shoulder. 

I squealed and laughed. "Put me down!" 

He laughed. "Never."

-

"Your pieces were great, by the way." I smiled while taking a sip of my wine. 

He chuckled, I could see a slight blush creeping in on his cheeks. "Thank you. I found my muse rather . . . spectacular."

"I find you quite spectacular, as well."

Leaning on the granite counters in the kitchen, I walked over to where him. His eyes danced with mischief. 

"Do you only see me that way? As the sad girl who's beyond fucked up?" I asked while he took hold of both my hands and swung them back and forth gently. 

"Of course not. I see so much more. I see cunning intelligence, I mean, your grades are phenomenal." He leaned in to the crook of my neck, placing a soft kiss on my skin. "I see beauty. Not porcelain, smooth beauty; no, that's too fake, too orchestrated." 

I bit my lip as he trailed a line of kisses up my neck. "I see so much potential in you."

"You think too much of me," I breathed out as he slightly sucked on the skin. 

"You think too little of yourself."

Just as his lips reached my jaw, I wanted him so badly to kiss me. My desire was granted as his lips met mine, slow and hesitant. 

With each second, desire grew evident between us for the other. I wanted him. He was the most special man I had ever known. 

As he lifted me up and carried me to his bedroom where he laid me down on the soft duvet.

We smiled and shared a laugh through all the awkward moments, kissed through all the passionate moments, and felt bliss in each other's arms. 

________

Hey guys!

So just for clarification, yup, her and Carter did it. Yup. 

Anyway, how are you guys doing? I hope all is well :)

Thanks for reading,

 Victoria    xoxox