Gifted Children

Chapter 13

While Isabelle and Nick had their little conversation in their room, Stella and Markus were in their room, not talking. Finally, by surprise, Markus was the one to speak up first.

"So, where did you guys go to school before......" he cut off at the last part.

Stella smiled as she explained, "We went to Jaxon High. Izzy and Colin never really liked school, but they were both still good at it. Jake liked it, but his favorite period was still Lunch. The twins were both super into science. Nick, he really liked math, but Izzy never got why. She always hated it so Nick would help her. And I....... well I was in it for the Art and and Music."

Markus smiled at her as she explained the works of the friend group. Stella noticed, and blushed.

"Oh, uh, I didn't mean to stare at you," Markus apologized. He had no confidence to tell her, but he liked her. Whenever he saw her, she made his heart leap out of his chest. It was somewhat strange to him, as he had never had anyone that he felt that way about. It made him happy.

"No, no you're fine. Not a lot of people look at me is all," Stella explained it to him

"Well you look beautiful," Markus mumbled under his breath.

"What?" Stella asked.

"I- uh....... I said, um, that you- well-" Markus tried to stutter out a response.

"Whoa, are alright?" Stella asked with a laugh at the end.

Stella stood up and looked at the tall mirror that was across her bed. She smiled at her reflection, but then saw that Markus was standing right behind her.

"JESUS CHRIST!" Stella yelled as she turned around, startled by Markus.

"Sorry, I- uh, just wanted to stand up for a little bit and saw you looking in the mirror," Markus choked out, rubbing his neck in embarrassment.

Stella just then realized how much taller Markus was to her. She wasn't short, she was 5' 7", but Markus had to be at least 6' 5". Markus noticed Stella looking at him.

"What? Is there something on my shirt?" Markus pulled his shirt up, exposing his abs. Stella blushed and then laughed.

"No, there's nothing on your shirt."

"So, what, you were just checking me out then?" Markus asked Stella with a smirk.

Stella blushed even more, but had a comeback at the ready.

"Nice try lover-boy, you were the one checking me out first."

"Is that so?" Markus asked her with a laugh.

"Yeah, it is."

Markus laughed again, then added, "What's with that nickname? Lover-boy?"

Stella blushed again, then looked down, embarrassed. 

Markus walked over to her, and looked down at her.

"Hey, I didn't mean to make fun of you. Really, I wasn't annoyed by the nickname at all."

Stella looked up and smiled, and then walked back over to the mirror.

"Markus?" Stella said with a small voice.

Markus turned to her, but didn't walk over there.

"I don't know if you could tell, but, I- um, act different around you than the rest of the group."

Markus' eyes perked up, but he didn't say anything besides a small, "Yeah, I guess so."

Stella looked at him and smiled. 

"I guess it's because I-," Stella took a long pause and sighed. "It's because I like you."

Markus' face lit up even more when she finished her sentence. But Stella's face grew unhappy when he didn't respond right away.

She finally told him, "But, i-if you don't feel the same way then-" Stella was cut off by Markus.

"Stella, you have no idea how long I've wanted to tell you. But I guess I just froze up from being excited that I didn't talk right away."

Markus walked over to her, and then told her, "Wow, I never realized how short you were."

They both laughed, and then Stella asked him, "So, you really do like me?"
"Well more than that if that's okay," Markus said as he gently lifted her chin to look a him.

"That's more than okay," Stella said as she smiled and wrapped her arms around his neck. She had to stand on the tips of her toes to do so.

Markus held her jaw gently as he kissed her. Stella smiled into the kiss, and they just there and smiled as they pulled away. Stella began to move away, but Markus then held her with his arms around her back. He hugged her and dug his nose into the crook of her neck. 

He then said softly, "I'm so glad you said it so I didn't have to. It would've taken years to get the courage to tell you."

Stella laughed, and the two went to bed. They were excited for the days to come.