vulnerable

81.

Stella found the girls in Hannah's room. Hunter was no where to be seen, which was the correct form on a wedding day. Devyn was leaning against the wall near the clear, sliding doors to the deck. Her mirrored eyes met Stella's, and the younger Pulisic immeadietly knew that Christian hadn't given up any information. Stella clenched her jaw, silently cursing the fates as she made her way over to the bride-to-be.

"Morning, Han." Stella threw a loose arm around her neck, since she was sitting in a portable lounge chair. If it had been a good morning, Hannah wouldn't be getting married to Hunter. And Stella wouldn't have broken up with Gio... even if it was just a break. "How'd you sleep?"

"You know me." She chewed her bottom lip, not just because her skin was dry, but because Stella did know her. She knew her like the back of her hand. She knew that she'd probably been up all night thinking about the outcome of today. "I can never sleep when I'm excited about something."

"I'd sure say this is something to be excited for." Marie chuckled, side-stepping around Stella to take a few candid pictures on her Nikon camera. "When is hair and make-up arriving? You look a little tired in these..."

"Marie!" Hannah gasped, smacking her friend on the shoulder. Marie just laughed because that was their friendship- the teaser and the teased. "Shut up! I look flawless as always."

"That's not what these wrinkles are saying..." Marie joked, sticking out her tongue.

"Don't listen to her, Han." Lauren rolled her bright blue eyes.

Hannah deadpanned, crossing her arms swiftly. "I wasn't."

Stella listened as the girls started a back-and-forth bickering contest. She retracted her arm and moved towards her sister, hoping to get another moment alone with her. She wanted to ask if there was anything else they could do... if there was any way to stop this madness. And she wanted Devyn to know about Gio.

She couldn't tell Hannah today. That would have to wait. Stella glanced at her sister, giving her an unmistakable command without words. She opened the sliding doors and slipped onto the deck, checking over her shoulder to make sure Devyn followed and to make sure the others didn't notice.

Devyn quietly slid the door shut behind her and the two of them stood out of view. "Christian didn't tell me anything. Said everything was under control."

"Bullshit." Stella groaned, running a hand through her hair. "Why won't he talk to us? Did you ask him about objecting?"

"Duah." Devyn shook her head. "He said that things wouldn't get that far."

"What?" Stella furrowed her brows. "What is he on!? Things are definitely going to get that far!"

"Stell, I don't know. Maybe he's giving up. I don't know what to do."

"There has to be something!"

"Maybe there's not, Stella. Maybe Hannah has to marry Hunter... maybe it's the only way to get her to leave. It has to be her choice."

"No! She can't marry him! Everything is falling apart! Nothing makes sense!" Stella fell into one of the outside chairs.

Devyn cocked her head to the side, frowning. "What else is wrong, sis?"

Stella twirled her lips around in thought. "I broke up with Gio."

Devyn's eyes fell to the ground for a moment, in almost a mourning moment of silence. Stella felt it too... all the memories rushing to her mind as the silence grew louder. Her sister glanced out at the pool, where some adults were already starting their binge drinking. Even if it was just after seven a.m. now. "Is it final?"