And With A Twist Of Fate...

Chapter 3

Everything since Stella's first day had been a blur. The sudden recognition her looks were offering, her new found confidence around other girls and her unexpected run-ins with Keith Waters weren't so much of a bad thing either. Other than the disappointing fact that he was ALWAYS with Aiden. It was like they were attached at the hip. the only time they were apart was when it was necessary during school hours, seeming that Keith was in a grade about Aiden and Stella.

After their little run in to Stella's misfortune, and Keith's amusement, she found out that there was only one class she was going to seize to see Aiden in and that was Pre calc, something she could actually use him for.

He seemed to be in every other class though, and she was also forced to eat Lunch with him. At first she'd tried to steer clear of the both of them, but Keith had a way of finding people. whether it was waiting at her locker and physically steering her toward their table at lunch, or pulling her up from her seat and dragging her across the room so she could take her "rightful" spot in between him and Aiden, he found a way. And for a couple days Stella had convince herself that he had to like her. But she didn't want it to be like that because she was starting to enjoy his company too.

She was almost frightened, but then the were talking casually one day waiting for Aiden to exit the bathroom and the topic of love interests came up. She wasn't the best at reading people but somehow she could tell that he was hung up on someone then, and it wasn't her. And to her surprise, it was a relief. He was like her big brother already and it'd only been a week and a half after they met. She didn't want any weird love issues coming between the obvious chemistry they shared. No matter how platonic.

Now they were all sitting out in the courtyard under a tree, one boy on either side of her; her book open in her lap and the breeze blowing her hair sideways lightly.

"You hardly eat anything Stella." Keith said putting his sandwich down on a napkin before in blew about.

Aiden scuffed his nose stuck in a notebook and pen poised behind his left ear, "Her scrawny limbs weren't enough to show for it?"

Stella scowled his way before defensively turning to Keith, "I eat lots!"

"Your cankles would beg to differ." he mumble still engrossed in whatever he ever wrote in those open notebooks.

"Shut up, nerd." Stella hissed.

He waved her off dismissively. but still mumbled, "Toad." under his breath.

Crossing her arms and turning her nose up to the sky she ignored his last insult.

"Ladies, ladies." Keith said. Aiden scowled at his best friend. Stella chuckled lowly. "You both seem a bit on edge today."

"I don't like him." Stella stated at the exact same time Aiden said very matter of factly, "I don't like her." They constantly reminded Keith of this little problem and he constantly over looked it.

"I know i know guys." He said waving his arms in a way that meant that silliness doesn't even matter right now.' He looked at them both waiting to get their attention. Finally he managed to catch both their eyes. "We have to hang out tonight." He stated simply.

"No." Stella started instantaneously. "Not even going to happen. Statistics show that this is a very crucial point in our high school careers and i cannot be getting distracted--." She had more to say but Aiden had stuck a silencing hand in front of her face.

"Cool it Einstein." He said turning back to Keith. "Not going to happen man. Soccer, parents, school night."

Well at least we agree on something.