Two

Present

Stella,

“I have to work at the restaurant tonight, so I won't be able to go to the movies with you," I explain to David. However, he doesn't seem to understand.

“Well, can't we go after you finish work? It's Friday night, so you don't have to wake up early for school tomorrow," he suggests.

His point is valid, and I eventually give in. Although I really like David, he's not Kai. It's not that Kai has shown any romantic interest in me, but I've always wanted to spend more time with him than with David. Tonight, I think I'll gently let David know how I feel.

Kai: Hey there, what are your plans for tonight?

Stella: I'll be working at the restaurant, and then I promised David that I would go to a movie with him.

Kai: When are you going to stop hanging out with that guy, Stell? You deserve someone better than him.

Stella: Oh really? And who do you think I deserve?

Kai: Me.

I'm feeling a bit overwhelmed right now. Should I talk to him about my intention to break up with David, or should I just leave it alone? Kai has always teased me about this, but he never actually makes a move to show that he wants to be with me. So, I don't understand why he keeps making those remarks.

Feeling confused, I walk into Dakoda's room and sit on her bed while she gets ready for school. As expected, the guys are also there, waiting for my sister.

"Penny for your thoughts?" Gage asks.

I immediately unleash my frustration. "You know, your brother is the most confusing person I've ever met. First, he tells me to break up with David, then he says he wants to be with me. Why can't he just be clear about what he wants?"

“Well, okay, this is not the direction I expected this conversation to go this morning... but Stella, have you ever just observed my brother's behavior around you?" Gage asks.

“No, why would I?" I reply, puzzled.

“Maybe you should, sis," Dakoda interjects as she emerges from the bathroom.

“Maybe I should? Am I missing something, ugh?" I exclaim in frustration.

After Dakoda finishes kissing her boyfriends, we all head to school. Today, I'm driving the car because I have to work tonight, and Dakoda is practicing for her upcoming tournament. I'm so glad she's back to surfing with the guys after her terrible accident.

"Do you plan on going straight home after you finish work tonight?" Dakoda asks me.

“No, I actually told David that I would go to a movie with him tonight, but I think we need to have a conversation. I like him as a friend, but I'm not feeling the connection I should have with him."

“Everything will work itself out, Stella. It always does."

I know she's right. I just don't want to hurt David. He's really a good guy. And who's to say anything will ever happen with Kai?

I should tell David how I feel during lunch, and if he still wants to go to the movies after I finish work, then we can go.

As I make my way down the hall to my locker, I see Mac standing there. She's crying when I approach her.

“Hey, what's wrong, Mac?"

“Brad broke up with me. He said he wasn't into me anymore and that we should see other people."

“That jerk."

I never liked Brad. He always gave off negative energy, but Mac was completely infatuated with him and it's heartbreaking to see how he hurt her.

“Do you want to come to my place after work tonight? We can pick a movie and indulge in ice cream all night."

“I thought you had a date with David tonight?"

“That can wait."

“Then yes, I would love to come over and devour ice cream until I can't move."

“I'll see you later then," I tell her.

“Later."

Stella: Brad ended his relationship with Mac today. Would you be able to end practice early tonight and join us for ice cream and movies?

Dakoda: Of course, I wouldn't want to miss it. Does that mean you'll talk to David today at school?

Stella: I'm not sure yet. I think I might have to wait.

Dakoda: Do whatever you need to do, care Bear.

What should I do? I enter my first class of the day and see David talking to the cheerleader. They seem quite close. Maybe he asked me out to let me down gently?

“Hey Stella," David greets me as he sees me walking past him. I greet him back and attempt to say hello to the girl he was talking to, but she turns her back on me and starts talking to another girl. So forget her.

"Hey David, can I talk to you for a minute?" I ask him.

“Of course. Hey Kim, I will be right back," he tells her.

“Sure," she says, eyeing me speculatively.

Once we are over at my seat away from the girl, I let David know that I can't make the movie tonight. Something came up with Mac, but he should totally take the Kim girl.

“Are you sure, Stella? I know we aren't dating officially, but I don't want you to think I'm making moves on other girls."

“Really, David, I think we are fantastic friends and if you want to date another girl, then you should go for it. I just want us to stay friends like we have been. I hope we can do that when you date Kim."

“How did you know I liked Kim... Probably the same way I guessed you liked that other guy you have been hanging around, huh?"

“So, friends still?" I ask him.

"Hell yes, you are like one of my best friends, and nothing will change how I feel about you," I exclaimed. "Same," I told him. He walked back up to where he was sitting with Kim, and I felt so much lighter. But now, what do I do with Kai? I guess my best bet is to let him come to me. That way, I'll know his true feelings.

I met Dakoda and Mac for lunch and filled them in on David. "Well, hell... looks like he made your decision easy, didn't he?" Gage said. I just stuck my tongue out at him.

Since I've come home, I've always had this connection with Gage that I don't have with the other two. I guess it's because of his brother.

“So, I hear you're stealing our girl a little early from practice," Korey asked.

"Yes, we are, and you won't complain about it," Mac tells him firmly.

“Okay boss, I was just asking," Korey says, raising his hands in surrender.

I can't help but chuckle at the two of them. They're always arguing about something.

We finish our lunch and as I'm walking to my next class, my phone buzzes with a message from

Kai. My heart races for some reason and I find myself smiling.

Kai: Hey girl, I heard the movie with David is canceled. How about a movie with me?

Stella: Rain check. Mac just broke up with that jerk and I promised her we'd have a night of ice cream and movies.

Kai: Fine, I'll let you off the hook this time since it's a breakup. We won't be able to hang out and indulge in popcorn like we usually do.

Stella: Haha, talk to you later.

Maybe I'm just too damaged for guys to see me as anything more than a friend. Sometimes guys can see right through girls, and both Kai and David can see how broken I am. They probably don't want to deal with that kind of challenge. Remember when David tried to kiss me a few months ago? I completely freaked out and ran home. Or when Kai and the guys played that prank on us? I got so angry at Kai and didn't speak to him for weeks.

"Hey Stella... are you okay?" Dakoda asked. "You were smiling while texting someone, but now you look upset and you're holding onto your phone tightly. What's going on?"

I waited until we were in our seats before answering Dakoda's question. "Do you think there's something wrong with me? Is that why both guys I've been talking to only want to be friends?"

“What? No, you're not damaged goods," Dakoda reassured me. "And honestly, Stella, if you would just open your eyes, you would see that Kai wants more than just friendship. David could see that too, and he could see that you want more than just friendship with Kai. That's why he backed off. Sometimes, the girl needs to make the first move because the guy just doesn't know when it's okay."

"I'm not sure if I should tell Kai how I feel. It feels like a big risk to open up like that."

Reflecting on our first meeting, I remember when Kai and Gage came over to the house. Gage needed to talk to Dakoda because they had gotten into trouble and Dakoda was furious with them. Gage went straight to Dakoda's room, while Kai came to my door. He looked adorable with his fingers in the Star Wars pose and said the famous line, "Luke, I'm your father." It was a bit puzzling, but it made me smile, and we ended up talking about Star Wars for ever it felt like.

Then there was that time when they kidnapped us. Kai seemed like he wanted to kiss me, but he never acted on it. Instead, he apologized for scaring me and gave me a warm, friendly hug. We walked back downstairs together, and he made sure that Mac and I got home safely.

"I'm betting it won't," Dakoda whispers back, offering me a reassuring smile. "You deserve happiness, Stella. Don't let fear hold you back from finding it."

I take a deep breath, trying to calm the racing thoughts in my mind. Dakoda is right. I can't let my past define me or dictate my future. Kai has shown me nothing but kindness and understanding since we met, and it's time for me to take a leap of faith.

“Okay," I say, determination filling my voice. "I'll go on the movie date with him tomorrow. I'll talk to him and see where he stands."

Dakoda's smile widens, and she gives me a supportive pat on the back. "That's the spirit, Stella. Remember, you are so much more than what happened to you. You are strong, resilient, and deserving of love."

I nod, feeling a glimmer of hope ignite within me. Maybe, just maybe, I can find happiness again. And if Kai truly cares about me, he will understand and support me through my healing process.

With Dakoda by my side, I know I can face whatever comes my way. Together, we will navigate the uncertainties of love and life, and I will learn to believe in myself once again.

🙈🙉🙊

Later that day, after school, Mac and I go to the grocery store to buy our favorite ice cream. We then go back to the house and decide to watch a movie. Our first choice is "10 Things I Hate About You," followed by "She's All That." Before Dakoda arrives, we are in the middle of watching "Never Been Kissed," which happens to be one of Mac's favorite movies. Makenzie is enjoying her ice cream a little too much and starts jokingly talking about her ex-boyfriend, Brad.

“You have no idea what it's like to be with a guy who's lacking in certain areas, Stella. You can't even get any satisfaction. You have to wait until he leaves and then rely on your toys to finish the job."

“But you were with him for two years, so he must have made you happy," I say to her.

"Oh, sweetheart, you still have a lot to learn about dating. Sometimes we stay with someone because we become comfortable and don't want to start over. I probably would have married that person just to avoid starting over. But you know what? I'm actually glad they broke up with me because it gives me a chance to start fresh and be more selective about the next person I let into my life."

Dakoda asks Mac, "What if Charlie Dane approached you tomorrow and told you he wanted to be with you? What would you do?"

Mac responds, "Charlie Dane is way too cool for someone like me, Dakoda. So the chances of something like that happening are very slim."

"Alright, if you insist, Mac, but let's change the topic from Kai to something else."

“Please, Dakoda, don't give me false hope about something that will never happen."

“How about we avoid discussing guys for the rest of the night? Let's finish watching the movie and then move on to doing our nails and getting ourselves dolled up. Dakoda and I used to do that when we were younger, and it was always so much fun."

“That sounds like a great idea," Mac agrees.

We finish watching the movie and head to my bedroom. I take out my nail polish while Dakoda grabs her curling iron. I start painting Mac's nails while Dakoda works on her hair. Once we're done with Mac, she looks absolutely stunning. She's so beautiful. I can't understand why anyone would want to break up with her, but that's his loss and another guy's gain.

The girls approach me and I hear my phone vibrate just as Mac finishes doing my nails. I pick up my phone to check the message and it's from Kai.

Kai: Are you girls going out somewhere looking like that?

Stella: Do we look bad?

Kai: Quite the opposite, actually. And if you were my girl, you wouldn't be getting very far out of my sight.

OMG!

Stella: You really shouldn't say things like that to a girl who's just your friend.

Kai: I plan on changing that soon.

Holy crap, did he really just say that? Wait, how does he know what we look like?

Stella: Kai Kahale, are you spying on us?

Kai: Why yes, Stella Savage, we are.

We?

Stella: You guys are hopeless. You might as well come on in.

"The guys are outside. I informed the girls that they might as well come in," I say.

“How do you know they are outside?" Dakoda asks.

“Kai is with them."

“Oh!" Dakoda exclaims.

“Stop it," I tell Dakoda and Mac.

“We just need Charlie," Dakoda says, taking out her phone and texting someone.

“What are you doing?" Mac whispers.

“Texting Charlie to come over."

“Don't you dare, Dakoda Savage."

“What is it that Mac doesn't want Dakoda to do?" Kai whispers in my ear. Oh man, he's so close, I have goosebumps all over. Why did I let Dakoda and Makenzie put that idea in my head?

“Dakoda is texting Charlie to come over and hang out with us," I say breathlessly.

Calm down, Stella.

“Why are you blushing, Stell?" Kai whispers again, this time placing his hand on my waist.

"Oh, my goodness. It's finally happened, Mac. He's coming over," Dakoda says triumphantly.

“Oh, Dakoda, what have you done?" Mac whines.

“Something you would never have had the courage to do, Makenzie, and you know it."

“I might have, eventually."

I laugh at her. "No, you wouldn't. You didn't think you were worthy of him."

“Oh, really? And what about you, miss lady?" Mac asks, raising her eyebrows in surprise.

"We're not talking about me," I plead with her, hoping she'll drop the subject. Thankfully, she gets the hint and sits down on the bed, shooting Dakoda a hateful look.

“You guys really can't stay away from Dakoda for half the night, can you?" Mac asks them.

“Actually, Mac, it wasn't us this time. Kai wanted to come and see Stella," I say, looking over at Kai, expecting him to deny it. But instead, he smirks down at me.

“I didn't want you to have all the fun without me," he says.

“Right, because dissing boys is so much fun for guys to do, right?"

“It is when it's another boy we're dissing," Kai says simply, causing me to blush again.

“Stell, why are you suddenly so nervous around me?"

“I don't know what you're talking about, Kai," I say, moving over to where Mac is sitting.

    "Mac whispered in my ear, urging me to go and express my feelings to that boy, Stella. I couldn't help but wonder if he felt the same way about me. I asked Dakoda about Charlie's arrival time while suggesting to Kai that we should go and get drinks for everyone. Dakoda informed me that Charlie should be here any minute. I instructed Dakoda to tell Charlie to come to the front door so I could let him in. Kai and I hurried downstairs just in time to answer the door when someone knocked. After letting Charlie know that everyone was upstairs, Kai and I went to the kitchen to prepare the drinks. Before heading back upstairs, I stopped Kai and planted a kiss on his lips."

At first, I believed I had made a mistake, but then Kai held me tightly and kissed me passionately. "Stella, you have no idea how long I've wanted to do this," Kai whispers. I don't know why I froze. Now he'll think I'm strange. I pull away. "I'm so sorry, Kai. I didn't mean to do that. Please forgive me." "Whoa, Stella, you did nothing wrong. I've wanted to kiss you since the moment I first saw you, but I knew we had to go at your pace," Kai whispers so close to my mouth that I get goosebumps.

"I feel like I'm always holding myself back because I'm scared and insecure. I don't think any guy would actually want someone like me. I'll always be stuck in the friend zone, just the person to kiss when there's no one else around.

“Hey Stella baby... where did you go?" Kai asks me.

I clear my throat before responding. "It's time to distribute these sodas to the rest of the group," I tell Kai.

“Right... sure thing," Kai says, then storms up the stairs.

I walk over to where Mac is sitting alone in the corner and hand her the soda I brought for her. "Why aren't you taking this opportunity to talk to Charlie?" I ask her.

“If you talk to Kai, I'll do it. Stella, that boy is head over heels for you. Why can't you see that?"

“Because I'm too afraid to. I'm scared that once he sees the real me, he'll run away and never look back."

“Girl, you're not giving yourself or that boy enough credit. So, once again, take a chance. I'll take the leap and take a chance."

"Alright, I'll talk to Kai, but you need to go to Charlie first," I reluctantly agree. Stella Rose Savage, always finding a way to manipulate the situation.

She sticks her tongue out at me, and I can't help but shake my head at her childish behavior. Despite her antics, she walks over to where Charlie is engaged in conversation with Kai. I take a moment to sip my soda, and when I look up, I catch Kai's gaze. I motion for him to come over to me.

“Set... take a load off," I say, offering him a seat.

“Why thank you, my lady," he responds with a playful smile.

“So, do you want to talk about what happened in the kitchen?" he asks, his eyes filled with curiosity.

Do I really want to confess my feelings to this incredibly attractive man standing in front of me? The thought terrifies me. I've never felt this way about anyone before, and after what happened with that teacher, I struggle to trust anyone. But deep down, I know I can trust Kai. But how do I let go of my fears?

“I like you, Kai, and it scares me," I blurt out, unable to hold it in any longer.

"You like... like me, or are we just friends?"

“I actually really like you. Kissing you earlier was amazing, and I would love to do it again. But I understand if you only want to be friends. I respect your boundaries and I don't want to pressure you into anything. I know I can be a lot to handle."

“Stella,"

“Yeah?"

“Stop talking and just kiss me already."

“What?"

“You heard me. I've been waiting for months for you to realize that we're meant to be together. I never wanted to push you or hurt you. I let you set the pace and boundaries. It's great that you finally see it too. I thought I might have to get rid of David to make you see our feelings for each other."

"And how did you know that I had feelings for you, sir?" I asked.

“Because every time I got close to you, your breath would catch in your throat just like now, and you would get goosebumps everywhere. But until today, you never turned red-faced around me," he replied.

“You are a very cocky boy," I said, slightly annoyed.

“No, not cocky, just can read you," he confidently responded.

“Oh, yeah? And what am I saying right now?" I challenged.

“That you want to kiss me again?" he guessed.

“Wrong," I said, feeling frustrated. I got up and walked out the door. He was being too cocky, so I decided to teach him a lesson.

“That's okay, girl. You keep playing hard to get... it will just make it even funnier when I catch you," he called after me.