Looks Can Be Deceiving

Chapter Twelve

It's 6am when Stella wakes up. She wakes up as Richard whispers her name softly, "Stella. Wake up Mamita."

She groans softly in response.

"You should head to your room before Chris comes in here like he does every morning."

Most mornings Chris was the first to wake up and he would interrupt everyone's sleep by storming into their rooms and pulling their blankets away.

"Yeah, you're probably right." She opens her eyes and rolls over.

Richard is staring at her. He looks tired. They still have an hour or so to sleep before someone comes to wake them up.

"I wish you could stay in here." He mumbles lightly.

"Thanks for last night. It really helped me sleep." She nods her head and walks off.

—

"You look better today." Chris comments as Stella makes herself breakfast.

"Hmm?" she asks, going down the food line at the hotel's breakfast.

"You look better. Last few days you've seemed tired. Did you get a good night's sleep?" He asks as he toasts his bread in the impossible conveyor belt toaster.

"Oh right." Richard smiles a little next to Chris but it goes unnoticed by Chris and Stella. "Yeah I had a better sleep." She lowers her voice; embarrassed that Richard can hear her say she had better sleep with him than previous nights.

"Did you do anything different last night?" Richard interjects teasingly. "You know like position the pillow differently, cuddle your toy or anything?" Stella can't tell if when he says 'cuddle your toy,' he's referring to Pooh Bear or him.

"Don't think so." She shrugs, her cheeks flushing red.

"You should try remembering, that way you can do it every night." Chris smiles.

"Good idea." Richard smirks and walks off.

By the time breakfast is over, Stella almost explodes with the double meanings behind every word Richard speaks. She's worried one of the boys will catch on and Chris will find out. She promises herself that tonight, she will try to sleep with Erick if she finds herself struggling. Chris and her haven't slept in the same bed since he was 16 and woke up hard. It had nothing to do with Stella but both of them were so traumatised that they never slept in the same bed again. Looking back both of them laugh remembering how ashamed they both were but it doesn't mean they will ever chance that experience again.

"Do you think he'll do anything tonight?" Zabdiel asks from the side for his cue to jump on stage.

"I have a good feeling about tonight." Stella smiles.

She knows that even if Richard does try something, one of the other boys will be there to help her. Zabdiel runs to the stage with the rest of the boys and Stella waits for her introduction.

This time when Stella and Richard dance it with as much passion as it was the very first time. Their bodies constantly move in sync but this time it's as if they are connected through more then the memory of their dance. Stella and Richard have been closer since the last time they performed. A little more flirting, some stolen kisses and after last night where they shared a bed, it's no wonder they are able to perform like this.

For the first time since rehearsals, Stella and Richard make it through the whole dance without making any mistakes and as Stella stands in her final pose, her smile is beaming almost as brightly as the stage lights. Richard turns his head and notices Chris isn't watching so he leans forward and kisses Stella's nose. "Don't say I never did anything for you." He comments referring to the performance.

Stella laughs and Erick wraps an arm around her shoulders. This time Stella stays for the chat they are meant to have one stage.

"For anyone who doesn't know," Erick starts, "Stella is my best friend."

"And my sister." Chris interrupts.

"And my girlfriend." Richard states. All eyes move to him. They had strict rules, they were not meant to confirm anything. This would make it so much harder if they had to fake break up. Fans would be confused by their ability to stay close friends. The media would make up lies that Chris and Richard hate each other because of it. It was all a big no. Chris' face burns red with anger and Zabdiel casually slings an arm around him. Everyone on stage knows Zabdiel is holding him back but to the audience there was a small amount of affection. "Well if you ask 'Who' Magazine she is." He laughs.

Stella relaxes and the tension on stage disintegrates. "According to Who magazine, we are also going to break up soon." Joel laughs.

"Rumors rumors rumors." Stella makes a little 'tsk, tsk, tsk,' noise as she walks in the middle of the stage. "Is everyone liking the new song?" she screams changing the topic.

The audience erupts in cheers. Stella is grateful that the fans are so easily distracted by the next conversation. The boys chat with Stella a little more and Chris brings up her album telling the fans to stream it. Chris has always done his best to promote Stella and her music. Stella practically skips off the stage and into Hugo's arms. "That went so well!" she gleefully jumps up and down.

"We have a few more shows left of the tour, if all of them can go that well, your music will keep growing!"

Stella waits for the boys to finish their set and they all jump on the tour bus to head to the next city. This time, the boys would share a room and Stella would have her own room.