WICKED ✓

3

Stella

Payton wasn't happy at all about the fact that I had forgotten to call him once I'd gotten home from the hospital. I ended up falling asleep in my old bed immediately once I entered my bedroom and didn't wake up until eight o'clock the next morning, which is considered sleeping in for me. I felt more at home here than in our apartment.

I check my phone to see two missed calls, one text from Payton, and six missed texts from Dominic. I open Payton's text first to get it over with.

So much for "see you tomorrow"...

I don't bother calling Payton back yet, not wanting my mood to plummet after having the chance to sleep so well for the first time in a long time. I open Dominic's texts eagerly.

Did you get home okay?

Do you remember what I said would happen if you didn't reply?

I'm giving you one more chance out of pure generosity.

The next text was a picture of a movie warning that said "R Rated for being really fucking awesome".

You were warned.

Goodnight Stella, sweet dreams x

I burst out laughing at the "r-rated" picture that Dominic sent me. Texting back immediately.

I'm sorry, I got home and fell asleep from all the action yesterday.

Thanks for the laugh!

I try my best not to wait for a reply from Dominic as I debate whether or not to text or call Payton. I don't want to leave him waiting now that I'm awake and fresh out of excuses, so I call him.

"Who's this?" Payton answers bitterly, making me pout. I had hoped he would be more understanding about the whole situation, but I know that he probably feels neglected.

"Payton, I'm sorry. After volunteering I came home and fell asleep as soon as I got here. I didn't even look at my phone until I woke up," I say, leaving out the part about waking up a while ago and not just before this phone call.

"Whatever, turns out I had better things to do," He says, sounding so blasé, as if he's bored with this conversation already.

"Oh. okay,"

"Yeah. Anyways, I'll text you later, I'm busy today. You can make it up to me next weekend if nothing comes up," He says, hanging up and leaving me feeling empty. I smile, trying to convince myself that everything is okay, but as I look in the mirror above my dresser I can see the visible evidence going against my story in the form of sunken eyes, and pale skin.

I haven't been as happy as I was yesterday for a really long time. I love spending time with my family, but the time that I dedicate to them, my job, and school, takes away all other time that I could spend doing things that make me truly happy. But I forgot about all of that yesterday.

Dominic made me forget.

I close my eyes and shake my head, ridding myself of these thoughts. I have a boyfriend, which means that I cannot entertain thoughts about another guy, even if they are purely platonic. Payton would probably lose his temper if Dominic and I were to become friends, but maybe it won't hurt to ask him?

All week, while Payton was distant, Dominic and I grew closer despite only conversing over text. I'd started to anticipate his text messages, and they would always come. He was very rarely too busy to talk to me, which was convenient considering just how busy I tended to be during the week.

The man was a flirt, but I didn't mind. I wasn't sure if my indifference was because of Payton's isolation from me, my craving for attention, or Dominic's charming words. All three was the likely answer. He would say things like "Hey! Stop thinking about me so much!" or "I had a dream about you last night" and I would get butterflies in my stomach as I read his words.

Can I call you?

His most recent text reads and my eyes widen. Our conversations had been strictly over text, and I hadn't heard his voice since we parted ways in the hospital parking lot. I found myself quickly agreeing though, eager to listen to him speak. I felt as though Dominic heard me in a way that others didn't, or didn't care to.

Yes. I'm just on my way home.

I reply and his name immediately pops up on my phone, now changed to 'Dominic'. "Stella." He breathes, his voice sounding happy and I can't stop my smile. My heart is pounding.

"Dom. Hi. How are you?" I ask nervously. I put my phone on the passenger seat as I start my car and pay attention to the road. It does well to calm my nerves.

"Stella Stella Stella. So good to hear your voice." He sighs. I smile. "Want to know what I've been doing all day?"

"What have you been doing all day, Dom?"

"I've been thinking about you. And working. But mostly thinking about you. I want to take you out tomorrow." He says so assuredly. I want to, but I know that would be crossing a line.

"Dom..."

"I know. You have a boyfriend. This would be a purely platonic outing, I promise. I'm crossing my hand over my chest right now. You can't see it, but I am." I laugh, shaking my head.

"I might be busy this weekend, but can I let you know later?" I ask, hoping that I am not busy this weekend.

"Stella, you can let me know at six in the morning and it wouldn't change my mind. Just let me know." I purse my lips, heart fluttering. We chat about our days as I drive, and I pout when I see the street where my apartment is located.

"Give me one second, I'm taking the stairs," I tell Dominic as I pull my bag out from my car, desperate to get out of my wrinkled clothing and into something more comfortable.

"I like talking to you even when we aren't talking," Dominic says and I feel my heartbeat kick up a few notches. I laugh to myself and pull out my keys, keeping Dominic on the line for as long as possible.

I unlock my door and put my keys back into my bag to have one hand to hold my phone and the other to situate my bag. "Dominic, I'm gonna have to..." I trail off as I take in the picture in front of me. My lip wobbles as my mind catches up, trying to blink away the image of Payton being ridden by my polar opposite. The girl bouncing on my boyfriend is long and lithe, curly blonde hair swaying down her back. I can vaguely hear Dominic's voice through the phone over the girl's high pitched moans.

I clear my throat and both pairs of eyes dart to me, standing in the doorway with one foot in, one foot out. I stay strangely calm as Payton pushes the girl off his lap and pulls on his pants. The blonde scurries around to find her clothing with wide, sorry eyes repeating over and over: "I'm sorry" and "I didn't know".

I smile at her when she walks past me to get out of the apartment and I stare apathetically at my boyfriend. Before he can speak I cut him off. "No Payton. Don't even try. I don't care enough to hear any excuses. You have never had any respect for me, and you disrespected that girl by not telling her about me. You are not a man. You're just a boy. I'll come back tomorrow for my things. Don't be here." I say, getting all of it out in a calm voice, surprising even myself. I feel like a steel rod has been implanted in my spine and I stand up confidently as I walk away.

"Stella?"