We have calcium in our bones, iron in our veins, carbon in our souls, and nitrogen in our brains. 93 percent stardust, with souls made of flames, we are all just stars that have people names. - Nikita Gill
Stella Conklin-Dunne has an unusual family. Daughter of John Conklin and Camilla Dunne, she was also adopted by Billy Dunne, the rockstar, when she was eleven years old. That means she has three siblings: Belly, Steven and Julia.
Star, as some people call her, spends most of the year with her mom, dad and little sister. In the summer, she goes to Cousins with Belly and Steven. For Stella, the things that matter happen over the year and summer is always the same. The beach. The house. The Fisher's. The 4th of July barbecue. The huge crush Belly has on Conrad. Same shit, different day.
Conrad and Stella never got along for more than five minutes. Until one night when they accidentally got drunk and liked each other a bit too much.
For the last 3 years, they pretend nothing happened. Out of sight, out of mind. Belly can't find out.
But things are not the same anymore. This summer is different. And Conrad is done hiding his feelings.
A story that alternates between past and present, with dual POV, a forbidden romance trope and lots of love, music, drama and a pitbull called Freddie that wears a duck onesie.
Trigger warnings:
Sexual assault (in the past, mentioned)
Anxiety/panic attacks
Drug use (in the past, mentioned)
A secondary character with cancer
Author's note: Stella is a songwriter, but I'm not, so I'll be using real songs as her songs for the sake of the story. Every lyric used will be properly credited at the end of each chapter. Hope you enjoy it :)
"It's alright." He says. "Just act like you're in love with me."
Let me get my shit together first, I think to myself.
The small voice in my head makes me cringe and I have to remind myself to pull it together.
"It's all about the mask."
I bite my lip hard. My heart is pounding in my chest and I can feel it beating in my ear.
"Sure." I mumble.
"Alright, then." He takes my hand in his and smoothly intertwines his fingers through mine. My stomach twists into a knot as we prepare to step outside of the car.
You can do this, Savannah. You can nail this. You have to.
Just before we get out, I hear him whisper.
"Lights.. Camera.. PDA."