Between The Lies

Chapter 5: The Girl From Before

STELLA

Things have been good for three days.

Three whole days of Luca actually talking to me. Eating breakfast together. Driving to school together. Acting like the brother I remember instead of the stranger he became.

It's not perfect—there are still moments where he looks at me with that pain in his eyes, moments where he pulls back when we get too close—but it's something. It's progress.

I'm at my locker between classes, texting Mia (who's still a little hurt but coming around), when I hear it.

"Luca Harrison. Oh my god, is that really you?"

The voice is female. Confident. Sultry in a way that makes something uncomfortable twist in my stomach.

I look up.

She's walking down the hallway like she owns it. Long dark hair that cascades perfectly down her back, designer clothes that probably cost more than my entire wardrobe, and legs that go on forever in her short skirt and heels. She's beautiful in that intimidating, polished way that makes other girls shrink back.

And she's heading straight for my brother.

Luca's at his locker twenty feet away. He turns at the sound of his name, and I watch his expression shift through several emotions—surprise, recognition, confusion.

"Vanessa?"

Vanessa. The name hits me like cold water.

I know that name. I know that face.

Vanessa Cole. From middle school, before we moved to this district. Before everything changed.

The girl Luca used to follow around like a puppy. The girl who had him writing her notes and carrying her books and doing anything she asked just for a smile.

The girl who chose Ethan Blackwood instead.

Ethan. The name alone makes my chest tight with old anxiety. The boy who made my life hell for two years because of my eyes. "Bug eyes," he used to call me. "Freak eyes." He'd make buzzing sounds when I walked past, tell everyone I looked like an alien.

Until we moved away and I never had to see him again.

"Oh my god, it IS you!" Vanessa reaches Luca and—I watch in slow motion horror—throws her arms around his neck. Hugs him. Presses her body against his in a way that makes my hands clench into fists.

Luca hugs her back.

My stomach drops.

"What are you doing here?" Luca asks when she finally lets go.

"Transferring! Isn't that exciting?" She keeps her hand on his arm, her perfectly manicured nails bright red against his grey t-shirt. "Daddy got a new job here, so we're moving back. I start officially next semester."

"Wow. That's... that's great."

Does he sound happy? He sounds happy.

"I know, right? It's like fate." She tilts her head, giving him this smile that's probably made a thousand guys stupid. "I've missed you, Luca. We should catch up. Are you free after school?"

Say no. Say you're busy. Say anything but yes.

"Uh, I have rehearsal for the showcase, but—"

"I'll come watch! I'd love to hear you play. You were always so talented." Her hand slides down his arm slowly. Too slowly. "Remember that song you wrote for me in eighth grade?"

My vision goes red.

I don't even realize I'm moving until I'm standing right next to them.

"Luca," I say, and my voice comes out sharper than I intend. "We need to go. Now."

Both of them turn to look at me. Luca looks relieved. Vanessa looks... annoyed.

Then recognition dawns on her face.

"Oh my god. Stella?" She looks me up and down, and I can see her cataloging every detail. "Wow. You look so... different."

There's something in her tone. Something that makes me feel like I'm thirteen again, standing in the cafeteria while Ethan makes bug noises behind me.

"Different how?" I keep my voice level.

"Just... grown up. Your eyes—they actually look good now. You really grew into them."

The compliment feels like an insult.

"Thanks," I say flatly. Then to Luca: "We're going to be late."

"Late for what?" Luca looks confused. "You have study hall next period."

Damn it. He's right.

"Study group," I improvise. "I told you about it this morning."

"You did?"

"Yes." I grab his arm—the same arm Vanessa was just touching—and start pulling him away. "We need to go."

"Wait!" Vanessa calls after us. "Luca, about after school—"

"He's busy," I say before he can answer. "He has plans."

"Stella—" Luca starts, but I'm already walking, dragging him with me.

We turn the corner, away from Vanessa's perfectly surprised expression, and I finally let go of his arm.

"What was that?" Luca asks.

"What was what?"

"You just—you practically ran away from her."

"I didn't run. I walked. Briskly." I'm breathing hard, and I don't know why. Why am I so upset? "We have class."

"You have study hall. I have calculus." He's studying my face now, and I hate that he can read me so well. "What's going on?"

"Nothing."

"Stella."

"I just don't like her, okay?"

"You don't even know her."

"Yes, I do!" The words burst out louder than I mean them to. Several students look over, and I lower my voice. "Vanessa Cole. From Westridge Middle School. Before we moved here."

Understanding dawns on his face. "Oh. Right. I forgot you were in the same school."

"She dated Ethan Blackwood."

Luca's expression darkens. "I remember."

Of course he remembers. He was the one who came home and found me crying in my room after Ethan's worst day. The one who wanted to fight him. The one who told Mom and Dad we needed to switch schools.

"She's the reason we moved," I say quietly. "Her and Ethan and all of that."

"That wasn't her fault. That was Ethan being an asshole."

"She chose him. She knew what he was doing to me and she still chose him." My chest feels tight. "And now she's just... she's back. Touching you. Flirting with you."

"She wasn't flirting."

"Are you blind? She was all over you!"

Luca blinks, surprised by my vehemence. "Stella, we were just talking."

"She had her hands on you."

"So? We're old friends."

"Friends don't look at friends like that."

"Like what?"

Like she wants to eat you alive. Like she's staking a claim. Like you're hers.

But I can't say that. Because that would reveal something I don't understand myself.

"Forget it," I mutter. "Just... be careful around her."

"Careful of what? She's just—"

"She hurt you!" The words explode out of me. "In eighth grade, you were so into her, and she completely crushed you when she chose Ethan. You were miserable for months. I had to watch my brother fall apart over some girl who didn't deserve him, and now she's back and acting like nothing happened?"

Luca stares at me. "I didn't know you remembered that."

"Of course I remember. You're my brother." My voice cracks. "I remember everything that hurts you."

Something shifts in his expression. Softens. "Stel—"

"Just promise me you won't fall for her again. Please."

"I won't." His voice is firm. Certain. "I don't have feelings for Vanessa anymore. That was a long time ago."

"Promise?"

"I promise." He reaches out like he's going to touch my face, then seems to think better of it and drops his hand. "You don't have to worry about Vanessa."

But I am worried. I'm terrified, actually, and I don't even know why.

The bell rings, breaking the moment.

"I should get to class," Luca says.

"Yeah. Me too."

But neither of us moves. We just stand there in the emptying hallway, looking at each other, and I can feel something shifting between us. Something I can't name.

"See you at lunch?" he asks.

"Yeah. Lunch."

He walks away, and I watch him go, my heart still pounding.

What is wrong with me? Why do I care so much about Vanessa touching him? Why does the thought of them together make me want to scream?

She's just some girl from his past. Just someone he used to like.

So why does it feel like she's a threat?

LUCA

I can't focus in calculus.

All I can think about is the look on Stella's face when Vanessa hugged me. The way she practically dragged me away. The anger in her voice when she talked about Vanessa flirting with me.

She was jealous.

My little sister was jealous.

The thought should make me feel guilty. Should remind me of all the reasons I need to keep my distance. Should reinforce every wall I've been trying to rebuild.

Instead, it makes something dangerous bloom in my chest.

Hope.

No. Don't go there. Don't even think it.

She's just being protective. That's what siblings do. They protect each other from people who hurt them. It doesn't mean anything.

Except I saw her face. I heard her voice.

That wasn't just protection.

"Mr. Harrison."

I look up to find my calculus teacher, Mr. Peterson, staring at me expectantly.

"Yes?"

"The answer to number seven?"

I haven't even looked at number seven. Haven't looked at anything except the memory of Stella's eyes flashing with anger.

"I don't know, sir."

He sighs. "Perhaps if you spent less time staring into space and more time paying attention, you would know."

Several students snicker. I don't care.

All I care about is figuring out what the hell just happened in that hallway.

After class, I head to my locker and find Vanessa waiting there.

"Hey," she says with that smile. "Sorry if I caught you off guard earlier. I just got so excited seeing you."

"It's fine. It was good seeing you too."

"Your sister seemed... intense."

Something protective flares in my chest. "She's just looking out for me."

"From me?" Vanessa laughs. "That's sweet. But I'm not here to hurt you, Luca. What happened in middle school—that was kid stuff. We were children."

"I know."

"Good." She steps closer. "Because I was actually hoping we could reconnect. Properly this time. Maybe go out sometime?"

There was a time when hearing Vanessa Cole ask me out would have been a dream come true. When I would have said yes without hesitation.

But now all I can think about is Stella's face. The way she looked at Vanessa like she was a threat. The way her hand felt on my arm when she pulled me away.

"I don't think that's a good idea," I say carefully.

Vanessa's smile falters. "Why not?"

"I'm just... I'm dealing with some stuff right now. It's not a good time."

"Is this about your sister? Did she tell you not to?"

"No. This is my decision." I soften my voice. "You're great, Vanessa. But I'm not interested in dating right now."

She looks disappointed but nods. "Okay. I get it. But the offer stands if you change your mind."

"Thanks."

She walks away, and I lean back against my locker, closing my eyes.

I just turned down Vanessa Cole.

The girl I spent two years pining after.

And all I can think about is my sister's jealous eyes and what it might mean.

What it can't mean.

What it can never mean.

But god, for just a second, when she grabbed my arm and pulled me away from Vanessa—when she demanded I promise not to fall for her again—

For just a second, it felt like maybe I wasn't alone in this impossible feeling.

My phone buzzes.

Stella: Sorry for being weird earlier. I just don't trust her.

Me: You weren't weird. And I don't blame you.

Stella: Did she ask you out?

My fingers hover over the keyboard. Should I tell her the truth?

Me: Yeah.

Three dots appear. Disappear. Appear again.

Stella: What did you say?

Me: I said no.

The dots stop. Start again. Stop.

Finally: Stella: Good.

Just that one word. Good.

But something about it makes my heart race.

I shouldn't read into it. Shouldn't hope. Shouldn't let myself imagine what that "good" might mean.

But I do.

God help me, I do.