My Possessive Neighbor

Chapter 7 - First Date

Chapter 7 - First Date

Ring. Ring.

What the hell is that noise? I'm trying to sleep in for my last day before school is back. Can't people respect that? Whatever, I'll just ignore it. It'll eventually go away, right?

Ring. Ring.
Ring. Ring.
Ring. Ring.
Ring. Ring.

Ok. Maybe not. Well, fuck me.

I squint my eyes open and grab my phone to pick it up. 848-525-4262? Who is this? I pick it up. "Hello?" I answer hesitantly.

"Stella? Is this you?" a very familiar sexy voice sounds through my phone's speaker.

"Asshole? Is that you?" I mimic him.

He chuckles. "Alex. Call me Alex, babe."

"You. Call me Stella or even Ella. Not babe." I am annoyed at the fact that he is trying to claim me without even taking me out on a date. He can't possibly think I'm that easy.

"Whatever, babe. I just called you-"

"How did you get my number?" I ponder.

It is quiet for a second before he responds. "I have my ways."

Probably beating some poor kid up. That reminds me, I am now sporting two bruises from him. Should I even engage with him because of that? I don't want to ignore him. I don't want to judge him before getting to know him. It's weird. I was never one to take chances until now.

"I bet you do."

There was a slight pause or hesitation. "I was wondering if I could take you out for lunch. You know, as a way of saying sorry for what happened. I promise I'm not generally like that." He sounds... nervous? Weird.

"Is it a date?" It doesn't hurt to be forward. It's the way I am.

He stutters. Like actually stutters. "I mean if you- I mean if I- I mean whatever- I mean it's up to you." Awwww. Ok. I'm sorry. Psycho or not. That was extremely adorable. I just want to pinch his cheeks. I can see his face turning red right now. Awwww.

I mean I'm not the type of person to kill someone's self-esteem or hurt their feelings, so one date wouldn't hurt too bad... right? "Sure, I'll go on a date with you, Axel."

"It's Alex." he breathes out sounding like he's in shock. Wow, this is weird. Such a weird conversation.

"My bad, Alex. I'm really not good with names."

"It's fine. Look, our date is going to be on Saturday. Is that ok with you?"

I think about and nod, before I realize I'm on the phone. "Yeah, that's cool."

There's something very familiar about the name Alex. Am I forgetting something? Hmmm.. I'll just think about it later.

"So, what's up?" Alex asks rather uncomfortably after a pause.

I clear my throat. "Nothing much. Look Alex, can I call you back later? I have lots to do today. See you at school tomorrow?" I don't want to be rude, but I want to remember what it is about his name and get my laundry done. Sunday is laundry day.

He clears his throat. "Yes." Another clearing of the throat from him. "Of course."

"K bye."

"Bye." I hang up.

As soon as I hang up, I get busy doing my laundry. I grab my hamper full of dirty clothes and make my way to the washer machine. I put the water setting on cold, then set it to medium set, then I put the laundry detergent inside after dumping the clothes in there. I close the lid and press start. I almost forgot to put the washing setting on regular, so I do it last minute. I immediately hear the whooshing sound as the water starts to fill the washing machine to begin its job.

I smile and whistle my way out as I make it to the kitchen to wash the dishes. I wash the dishes squeaky clean from when I was cooking and gently set them in the dish washer for an extra shine. When I get to the coffee cups, it reminds me of Alex.

Why is his name so familiar? Think, Stellarina. Think. When I remember, it's like I get the lightbulb on top of my head dinging.

"That bitch, Christy or something." I grumble out loud.

I look down to see that the cups are washed and I set them inside the dish wash. I close the door and turn on the dish washer. I put one of those pods in there. I then go to my room to lay down like a starfish, while staring at the ceiling.

She told me to stay away from Alex and that he is hers. Is she being truthful? Is this even the same Alex that we're talking about? I have a pretty good feeling that it is and my instincts are almost never wrong. Is he with another girl while asking me out? What are his intentions. I didn't get the vibe from him that he was taken though... I really didn't. He held me and he was closer to me than anyone ever was. I really hope that he isn't using me.

Oh, look at me. I'm obsessing over a guy that probably doesn't even like me. I probably sound really stupid right now. I just thought that he was being genuine though because he looks like the type of person that doesn't give a shit about what anyone thinks or says and just does his own thing. I was hoping he was like that. I don't know. Maybe I should just stop thinking about him. I haven't talked to my dad in a while, so I should call him.

732-684-5690. I dial his number from heart. I have called my father so many times. His number is the only one that I memorize.

"Hello?" I sigh in relief hearing his voice even though he sounds a little stressed and shaky.

"Hi daddy!" I chirp and beam at my phone. Gosh, I miss him. This is my one and only best friend. I can always trust him.

"Hello, sweetheart. I was just about to call you. I swear sometimes you are a mind-reader." He jokes.

I giggle. "Why were you about to call me? Miss your little daughter-waughter alweady?" I coo in a baby voice teasing him.

He sighs. "I will always miss you, sweetie. You're my baby girl. I just have something to tell you." He sounds really sad. I don't think I'm going to like what I'm about to hear.

I swallow. "It's ok, dad. You can tell me whatever it is."

There was a few seconds of silence. I thought he hung up on me until he eventually started talking again. "Your mother and I are getting a divorce."

My eyes blow open. "Why?" I whisper out. I was so used to having both of them together. It's just how it's always been and I thought it was always gonna be. It's something that's going to take me awhile to swallow. I just wanted to cry. What's going to happen to our family?

He hesitates for a moment. "Well, I found out your mother was having an affair." I was about to speak, but he cut me off as he continued to speak. "And.... I'm gay, Stellarina."

I don't know why, but I want really that surprised. I hung out with him all the time, maybe I picked up the signs but denied that they were there subconsciously. "So, what's going to happen?"

"Well, I'm moving my business near you and I'm going to move by you. I might be living with you for a bit. Your mother and I will have to fight for custody over your little brother." I gasp.

"Dad. You know if he had to choose, he would want to be with you. Hands down." I say.

He sighs. "I know, but that's not how the legal system works sweetie. You can't just send them with who they like more. It's about who is best-fitted to take care of them."

"I love you, daddy."

"I love you too, sweetie."

"Is this going to ruin our family?" I whisper, scared.

"Oh no, sweetie. Of course not. What doesn't kill us makes us stronger."

I know he's wrong. I know it. This divorce isn't just going to kill us, it's going to murder us by hacking us into little tiny pieces.

.

Thank you for reading!

Stella's a strong girl. She's holding back those tears.

XoXo :)

P.S. My birthday's a week from today!