Maybe, Probably [previously TARON]

CHAPTER SEVEN

TAYLOR BENNETT, 16
The next morning

Beep! Beep! Beep!

I groan as I hear my alarm beeping and I rub my eyes until they adjust to the light shining into my bedroom.
I proceed to start my daily routine of getting ready before school, but today, I feel a little bit more like myself.

I actually feel happy and like I can do whatever I want.

I skip the full face of makeup for today and just apply some lip balm. I skip the heeled shoes and put on some flats.
I smile at myself in the mirror - this is me.

I skip down the marble stairs, gliding my fingers along the gold railing to the atrium, before heading to the kitchen to see our cook, Maria.
I peak my head through the door of the staff kitchen as the smell of breakfast fills my nostrils.
"Mmm, that smells delightfully good." I say cheerfully as Maria turns her head to face me.

She smiles,
"Good morning, Miss Bennett.
You're looking bright today."

"I'm feeling bright, Maria." I add, happily.

"Stella is already setting the table for you, dear." Maria says with a raise of the eyebrows and a large smiles across her lips.

I quickly run to the table to see her.
I must tell her that I took on her advice and managed to make a friend. A boy, at that.
I laugh shyly to myself as mother would never approve of this unless it was Anders.

I spot Stella setting the table for me but she doesn't notice that I'm here yet.
I approach her and snake my arms around her waist, pulling her into a gentle hug.

She puts down the cutlery and hugs me back,
"Good morning, sweety." She says softly as she rests her chin on my shoulder.

"Morning, Stella." I reply warmly.

She pushes me back to take a good look at me, before she finishes setting up the table and sits down across from my spot.

"Tell me dear, what's the reason for your extra cheerfulness this morning?" She says with a grin as she rests her elbows on the table and places her chin on her hands.

I sit down and smile slyly, "You know how you to told me to try and befriend someone who's honest? Well I found someone who's not only honest but he doesn't want anything from me; he doesn't want my grades, he doesn't want our wealth, at first, he didn't even want to be my friend but I won him over in the end."

Her brows raise as she lifts her head up from her hands, "He?"

I shy away, "Yes, he."

"Are you sure this boy doesn't want you for ...your body?" She asks as she leans forward with genuine concern.

I smile confidently as I believe in Taron.
Not a doubt in my mind.
"I'm sure, Stella." I answer.

She smiles at my response, "Is he also the reason why you're not wearing any makeup today?"

"I'm not wearing heels either." I say as I wriggle my feet.
"Yeah, he is. I don't know why, but he makes me feel like I can be myself, we exchange a lot of banter but I don't feel like he judges me the same way everyone else does, the same way... Estelle and Miya did." I explain to her.

Suddenly, we hear the door click and we both turn.
My eyes widen at the sight and my smile quickly disappears.

It's mother.

She makes her way to the table we sit at before she faces Stella, "You're dismissed, Ms. Evans." She says coldly as Stella gets up, bows and leaves quickly as she briefly glances at me with worry.
We hear the door close behind her.