Looks Can Be Deceiving

Chapter Three

Stella had her own room but after staying up late with Erick she didn't have the energy to walk back to her room so they shared a bed. It wasn't the first time they had shared a bed and every time they did, there was never anything romantic. To her, it was like sharing a bed with Chris. The first time they shared a bed during the filming of La Banda, Chris threw a fit. He thought they were doing something shady together and Chris thought that Stella was too young to have sex with someone, especially a boy that was his friend.

Stella woke up stretching all her limbs and rolling over to see if Erick was still asleep. She saw him peacefully sleeping and noticed it was still early. They didn't have to be at rehearsals until 11am and it was only 8. Just as she was close to drifting off again, she heard someone knocking on the door. She quickly but quietly tried to get out of bed so that whoever was knocking wouldn't wake Erick up. Stella just hoped it wouldn't be Chris at the door. She slept in one of Erick's t-shirts and even though Chris was more comfortable with their friendship he still wouldn't be comfortable with her sleeping without pants in his bed.

Stella pulled the door open, hiding the bottom half of her boy behind the door. She thought seeing Chris this early would be a problem but she never considered that Richard would be knocking on the door.

"What's up?" she asked trying to hide her frustration.

Stella understood that Richard and Chris were friends and tried her best to not create any arguments between them. That's why she did all she could to not start a fight with him no matter how much he annoys her. When Richard and Stella first met, she had a crush on him. Her heart would swell every time he entered the room and she thought he was shy. After a few weeks Richard started picking fights with her and doing his best to anger her. Their relationship quickly turned sour.

"Where's Erick? Why are you here?" he asks confused and almost angry. Richard pushes his way into the house and Stella feels like she is almost naked in front of him.

"Do you mind?" she argues looking down at her body.

"You're not wearing pants? Wait did you stay here last night?" he asks almost like an older brother being protective but Stella assumed he was being protective over Erick. "Fuck. Erick told me nothing was going on with the two of you. I guess he lied huh?"

"I just slept here last night and wore this. Not that it's any of your business."

"You stayed the night?"

"Am I not allowed to hang out with my best friend?" Stella bites back.

"Whatever." He rolls his eyes. "Where is he?"

"Who?" Erick questions walking into the room.

"Sorry I tried not to wake you." Stella looks at him apologetically.

"It's okay." Erick walks over kissing her cheek hello. "Look at you in my t-shirt. Sexy." He winks jokingly.

"You two are meant to have a meeting with Hugo and Ali at 8:30." Richard interrupts.

"For what?" Stella asks as Erick wraps an arm around her shoulder.

"Something about the video and the two of you. Listen, I just came to make sure you're both up, which you are so I'm leaving."

—

"You want us to what?" Stella laughs out.

Ali and Hugo just proposed an idea to her and Erick. They wanted them to start fake dating to create some buzz around the song. They would dance a little closer than normal in the music video and would never confirm anything to the press. Just the questioning of Stella and Erick dating would be enough to create some excitement around the single.