Revealed

107. Stella

Back at the house, everyone gathers outside by the beach. The sun sets and the light reflects off the calm sea.

Solane and Jeremy play inside the water like little kids splashing at each other. They're laughing. A laugh that makes you want the love they have...

Sharon and Faine take a stroll along the edge of the water barefooted. They look like they're talking about something serious. What could it be?

Melissa poses on the sand as if she's a model. She has her hands in her hair which she purposely flawlessly messes up. "Wait! Hold on," she yells before spreading sand across her legs and bum while arching her back unrealistically. "Okay, now you can take it." Nickson takes her pictures, although I'm sure it's only because he gets to see her in a bikini.

Neal joins me on the sand where I watch everyone do their thing. He crosses his legs over each other in front of me and looks up into the sky.

"How you feeling, Stella?"

I sigh. "I'm okay, I guess. Why do you ask?"

"You seem a little down, that's all." He looks over at Jeremy and Solane. "Maybe a little envious.."

I scoff before whisper-yelling at him, "They're cute and all, but I am just not ready for a relationship yet. I don't want a temporary vibe, I want the real thing." I roll my eyes and cross my arms. "You know, the type that leads to marriage."

"So you think they won't last?", Neal laughs.

"No, no, no ... that's not what I meant. I'm happy for them. I just mean that there are a lot of guys out there. And only one person is the right one for me. I don't wanna waste time and money on men who aren't gonna stick around for the whole thing."

I sit criss-cross on the warm sand and trace my name out in front of me. Neal watches while smirking.

Feeling sketchy, I say, "What??" and laugh.

"Nothing." He throws his arms in the air as if he's innocent. "You just seem way too serious for your own good, that's all." He says this and it sounds true coming from him.

I scoff for the second time. "I'm sorry I don't want to mess up the first time."

He places a hand on my shoulder. I evaluate my reaction... nothing. No sparks, no fear, no nervousness. Hmm.

"At your age, it's actually better to experiment with boys. You know, figure out what you like, what you don't like. That way you know exactly what you want in your forever man."

I ponder on this for a while. What wise words. I would never have seen this coming from a former gang member. I nod my head slowly in agreement.

"But it's all about what you like. Not anyone else."

I smile along with him and place my head on his shoulder.

"Hmm. I think we're gonna be best friends." Then, I throw sand into his hair and we both laugh at the sunset.