Unbreak our hearts

7:Have you ever been in love?

Narrator's POV
"Tell me Stella, have you ever been in love" Asks Tristan as though it is his right to know.
Stella freezes as soon as Tristan spells those words. She just stares at him.
With all the confidence she can muster in that moment she says, "No, are you crazy? I don't believe in love!" She tries to free herself from his hold but he wouldn't budge.
"Are you lying to me Stella?" Tristan asks.
"Why would I lie to you about this Tristan! It doesn't even concern you anyway." She retorts.
"It does concern me." Tristan says holding Stella closer than before. The confused look on Stella's face makes him realise what he's said. He leaves her and walks away.
As Jayson and Noah stare at both of them in shock Stella passes them a smile before walking to her new room.
What was that?
What did Tristan mean?
"Is there something going on between them?" Asks a confused Noah while turning to Jayson.
"I hope not." Replies Jayson.
"Why not? I'm kinda rooting for them. I think she can tame the player without getting her heart broken." Says Noah.
"Are you crazy? They can't be together." Says Jayson who is unusually irritable at the moment.
"Who said they can't be together? Look at them, there's tension in the air already." Replies Noah.
"You're delusional dammit" screams Jayson and walks out banging the door behind him.
"What happened here?" Asks Tristan who just came back from the kitchen.
"Why would I know." Is Noah's reply.
"Why did Jayson walk out like that? What on Earth did you say to him?"
"I didn't say anything to him directly. All I said was that you and Stella would look good together."
"And that made him behave like that?"
"Yeah man. Do you think he likes Stella?"
"Maybe, it does seem so. Does Stella know?"
"No, just look at her. She's clueless."
"I guess so. So you staying here tonight or.."
"No, I'm just going to leave buddy. See you tomorrow. Goodnight"
"Goodnight Noah."
And with that Noah walks away to his own dorm and Tristan sits in the lounge holding his head.
What has the quarterback so disturbed?
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Tristan's POV

Is she lying? Is she telling the truth? Why was Jason so upset? Why did she not meet my eyes if she's not lying? Why does she remind of things I don't want to remember. Why does she make me feel things I don't want to feel.
Most importantly why do I care so much? Isn't she just another girl I'm not supposed to care about? Then why does everything she say hit a nerve? Does Jayson like her? Does she like Jayson? No of course she doesn't. Does she like Zach? Why am I still thinking about her?
I really need to do something about this. I can't hate her.
Something about her doesn't make me want to hate her. I should make her hate me. I need to protect my heart. From her. The only way to not get my heart broken is to pretend I don't have one. I need her to loathe me, despise me.
But what can I do? I need to do stuff which wouldn't hurt her though.

And with that I think; let's scare you a little Stella Salvatore. I go to the kitchen and make a huge bowl of popcorn with extra butter.
With that done, I walk towards her room and am about to knock at the door. Wait, when am I so gentle? Fuck knocking. I barge into the room.
"What the hell Tristan?" She screams at the top of her voice, though it's her back that faces me.
I lean agains the bed and casually reply, "I'm bored sugar. Let's watch a movie."
"And you had to enter like that?" She says without turning over still.
"Obviously, is there any way?" I say that knowing it's enough to get on her nerves.
She turns and hits me on the arm, with a slight smile playing on her lips.
But that isn't all that notice, her eyes seem puffy. I decide not to question her on that though.
"Now now violet woman, do you mind if we watch a movie?"
"I don't but you couldn't have watched one in your own room?"
"Where's the fun in that sugar?"
"Whatever just play something good."
"Oh I will, and I'm sure you'll love it."
I switch on the television and play The Exorcist thinking that it'll be more than enough to not let her sleep for a week. I'm sorry Stella, but I have to do this.
She's lying comfortably under the covers so I decide to join her.
She tenses for a second as soon as I lay down next to her. Though I'm not sure it It's because of me or the name of the movie being displayed.
"Don't worry Stella, I'll protect you with my life." I say to her in a teasing tone but then why do I feel like I mean it.
"Oh you will? Why do I find it so hard to believe that?" She replies in the same tone as me.
"I cross my heart and I hope to die. That's enough?"
"It'll work, I guess." She pretends to be thinking.
"Try not to cry Sugar." I smirk at her as I say that.
"I'm scared already." she fakes a shudder.
Be as sarcastic as you can Stella, you're going to be scared after this.
Throughout the movie, whenever anything happens, I look at her to see if she's hiding her face or any sign of fear, instead she's laughing her ass off.
What is with this girl? She's so much like..forget it. Not the right time. Suddenly I feel a weight on my shoulder.
I look to my right to see that Stella has fallen asleep and is now leaning on my shoulder.
I stare at her face for a full minute, not wanting this moment to end. I gently lift her head and place it on the pillow and pull the comforter so that it reaches her neck.
As I look at her I feel a sudden urge to protect her, from anything that could harm her, make her stay safe from anything that could hurt her.
This feeling that I know too well. This feeling, which left me two years ago is now coming back. And heaven knows, it's enough to scare the shit out of me.
I try to move away, to get out of her room but am not able to. Her beauty captives me, not just that, there's something about her.
It's like she's right here with me, yet she's so distant.
Her exuberant eyes hide secrets her mouth will never reveal. I know it, because I know that look too well, I know that pained smile too well. I see it every single day, every time I look into the mirror. I've lived with it for the last two years.
She's damaged, just like me. But that isn't wrong.
Damaged people are strong because they know how to survive.

Just as I move to leave Stella starts moving in the bed. It's like she's having a bad dream. I don't know whether to wake her up or to just let her be.
I decide to just sit next to her and hold her hand, maybe it helps.
I sit on the bed very carefully, making sure to not disturb her at all.
I take her hand in mine very gently and as soon as I hold it tightly, all signs of trouble from her face are gone. She's at peace again.

What the actual fuck? Why does it feel like this has happened earlier? That annoying voice at the back of my head says,'because it has.'

What if, just what if, what would have happened is she was her.
And with that thought, I fell asleep with Stella's hand securely placed in mine.

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