Western Waves (Compass 3)

“Yes, well, we believe in safe places. This is Stella’s space,” Kevin mentioned. “Dessert is ready.”

We all headed to the dining room and sat down at the table. In front of me was a slice of my favorite apple crumble pie and vanilla ice cream. Kevin and Rosalina dived right in. I pushed the pie around and didn’t eat much. I couldn’t stop thinking about how Rosalina called me chunky and said I shouldn’t be eating dessert.

Rosalina cleared her throat and shot me a look. She then sat up straighter and rolled her shoulders back, echoing how I should’ve been sitting. I sat up straighter and moved my elbows off the table. She smiled, pleased.

“Stella, aren’t you going to eat?” Kevin asked.

“Not really hungry,” I muttered.

“Hmm? Speak up, sweetheart,” Rosalina said. She said it in a sweet way, but it seemed mean, still.

“Not really hungry,” I repeated, louder.

“It’s probably for the best. You ate a lot of supper,” she commented, going back to her dessert.

“Can I go to my room?” I asked Kevin.

“Sure, of course. It’s been a long day. I’ll stop in to say good night soon, okay?”

“Okay.” I pushed myself from the table and started dashing toward my bedroom.

“No running in the house, sweet Stella,” Rosalina said. “Walk like a lady.”

I slowed down my speed and began tiptoeing, afraid to get a strike from Rosalina.

A little while later, there was a knock on my door. “Stella, can I come in?” Kevin asked.

“Yeah.”

I was already under my blankets, and my night-light was on as Kevin walked in. He smiled over to me and pulled up a chair beside my bed.

“Today was a big day,” he mentioned.

I shrugged, not sure what to say.

He frowned. He still looked sad, even though Rosalina was supposed to make him feel better.

“I feel like I haven’t been the best for you, Stella. Like, I’m not enough for you,” he confessed.

I felt like crying. It sounded like he was going to give me away, like Rosalina said. “You’re my best friend,” I said. His eyes got watery, and he leaned forward and gave me more ocean kisses.

“You’re my best friend, too, kiddo.”

“Why are you sad, Kevin?” I asked.

He tilted his head. “What do you mean?”

“You’re crying.”

He touched his cheeks as if he didn’t even notice his emotions. “Oh? I don’t know. Just a crazy day. I think things are going to get better, though. You like Rosalina, right, Stella? She said you two had a good talk.”

I tugged on the blanket and thought about our talk. I wanted to tell him how I really felt, but I didn’t want him to get rid of me. I also didn’t want him to be sad anymore, and maybe Rosalina could make him happy again. So, I did what I was told, and said, “Yes.”

Kevin smiled a little and patted his hand on top of mine. “Okay. Good. I like her, too. But you?” More ocean kisses. “You are my universal blessing.”

16

Stella

Present Day

* * *

When Damian came home from his night out with Rosalina, he appeared disdained. I couldn’t blame him. She wasn’t the easiest one to spend a day with. I remembered what it was like being around her. It was as if she sucked everyone’s energy away.

“Hi there,” I said, offering him a smile as I paused my romantic comedy of the night.

“Hello,” he replied, with a bag in his hand.

“Are you okay?”

He grimaced and lowered his brows. He looked down at the bag in his hand. “I got some mint chocolate chip ice cream if you want some.”

My eyes widened as my hands landed against my chest. “Mint chocolate chip is my favorite ice cream!”

“Yeah?”

“Yeah. When I was a kid, I used to eat it all the time.”

“I can scoop some in a bowl for you.”

“Um, I’m not going to turn down that offer. You can join me for a movie tonight, too, if you want. Seeing how our last one didn’t work out.”

“No, thank you.”

I felt a bit disappointed as if I messed up the chance of us building a friendship of some kind. “Okay.”

He went and got me a bowl of ice cream, and I smiled when I saw he even added rainbow sprinkles. “I love sprinkles!” I remarked. He almost smiled. He stared at me as if his mind was overthinking something. “What is it?” I asked.

“Nothing. You just…” He muttered something and shifted around nervously. “You look nice today.”

My cheeks flushed as I looked down at my sweatshirt and sweatpants. I also had zit cream sitting against my chin. “I do?”

“Yes. You do. You look beautiful.”

Where was this coming from?

“Thank you, Damian.”

“Maybe a rain check. On the romantic comedy?”

“Oh, yes, of course. I’d love that.”

“Good night, Cinderstella.”

“Good night, Beast.”

He left me with a whirl of butterflies that were interrupted when Jeff texted me.