Stella’s P. O. V.
The music pounds around me, and Selena and Zoe are dancing, trying to pull me into the moment, but I can’t.
It’s been a week since I caught my boyfriend cheating on me, and since then, I’ve been trying hard to move on, but nothing is helping me out. I’m also trying to keep my distance from Alex as much as possible because I know that if I talk to him, I’ll end up begging him again to make me feel better.
I’m yearning for the way Alex made me forget all my pain like magic that night, but I just can’t let him do that again. It’s so wrong.
Seated on the corner seat, I sip the drink in my hand, but the alcohol does little to numb the pain. It’s like I’m trapped in my mind, no matter how much I try to distract myself.
I watch as people laugh, drink, and let loose, wishing I could do the same. But all I can think about is the betrayal, the image of Jade and Leah haunting me.
Selena comes back to the table. “Stella, try to let it go. Come and try to dance.”
“I’m not really feeling like doing anything. You enjoy.”
Zoe also comes to me. “You don’t have to stay if you don’t want to, Stella. We thought coming to the club would distract you.”
I feel guilty because they both have been trying so hard to help me move on this past week-taking me shopping, bringing me to this club, and doing everything they can to make me feel better. But no matter what they do, nothing seems to work.
I stare into my glass, my mind drifting to the one person who, a week ago, somehow made me forget the pain, even if only for a moment-Alex. He’s the only one who distracted me from the heartbreak, making me feel something other than this crushing sadness.
I know I shouldn’t think about him like this-he’s my stepbrother, after all.
But now, I don’t care. I don’t care about the labels, about what society says is right or wrong. I just want to feel something other than this heartache, and Alex… Alex can make that happen.
“I need to leave,” I say abruptly, standing up and grabbing my purse.
Zoe and Selena exchange worried glances. “Are you sure? You can go alone.”
“Yes. Don’t worry.” I reassure them.
Zoe nods. “Okay. If you’re sure, we won’t stop you. Just… be careful, alright?”
“I will. Thanks for bringing me out and being there for me.” I lean in and hug them both quickly before I turn and walk away.
Tonight, I’m done caring about what’s right or wrong. I just want to feel whole again, and if that means going to Alex, then that’s exactly what I’m going to do.
I seriously don’t care about the consequences. I just need Alex. And nothing else matters.
***
“Alex,” I call out, entering the house as I see him heading upstairs.
I know I’m about to ask my stepbrother once again to make me feel better, to help me forget everything. But I need him. I don’t care that he’s my stepbrother-I just want him to help me erase Jade’s cruel words from my mind. I can’t stop replaying the scene of Jade with Leah, their malicious voices echoing in my head, driving me insane for the past week.
And I can’t take it anymore. I need Alex.
“Stella…” he turns toward me, his eyes filled with concern as he walks over to me.
I wonder why he cares for me. But right now, getting the answer to this question isn’t important.
“I can’t handle this. I can’t forget what Jade said, no matter how hard I try. Please, help me.” I burst into tears. “I know that night I stopped you. But now I’ve realised that only you can make me feel worthy again. I need a distraction. I need you.”
Why am I becoming so emotional and weak? It’s breaking me.
“Stella, you’re drunk. In the morning, you’ll regret this,” he warns in a gentle tone, wiping my tears.
“Jade was right about my body, wasn’t he? You don’t want me either, do you?” As I ask, my voice trembles.
Alex suddenly grabs my arms and pulls me closer. “Don’t ever say that.” He looks deep into my eyes. “Did you forget how I made you feel that night? How I told you how beautiful your body is and what it does to me?”
“Then why are you denying it tonight if my body turns you on?”
I know he is denying it because we’re step-siblings, but I can’t stop thinking that he doesn’t find me attractive.
“It’s not about your body, Flower. You’re drunk and hurting. I don’t want to do something you’ll regret tomorrow.” His hand brushes a tear from my cheek, and I can see the internal struggle in his eyes. He’s fighting this, but I don’t want him to.
“I won’t regret it, I promise. Just help me, Alex. Please.” I beg him, desperate for the comfort only he can provide.
He stares at me for a long moment before finally speaking. “If we do this, Stella… there’s no turning back. You can’t push me away tomorrow and pretend this didn’t happen.”
“I won’t push you away,” I reply. “I’m giving you my words, Alex.”
“Come with me.” He takes my hand and leads me upstairs to his bedroom.
When we enter inside, he closes the door. He turns toward me, his eyes locked on mine. In this moment, nothing else matters. It’s just him and me. Nothing is wrong. Nothing is right.