Behind the mask

Chapter 8

Oliver's POV

It seems like Stella and Sophia don't get along, yet I never saw them fighting or arguing. Or maybe they do bicker, but somewhere more private? The look on Sophia's face was like murder when I said Stella's name. Well, I shouldn't be sticking my nose into other people's business.

I was thinking about when I'm around Sophia. When I touched her warm, smooth skin. I feel, comfortable around her and I feel like I could trust her and spill all of my deepest secrets. She makes me feel warm and safe. Protected.

I got ready for my 'surprise' for Stella. Somehow, I don't feel either excited or happy. At first glance, Stella looks beautiful, healthy, happy and wonderful. When you just realised that the girl isn't right for you... I guess well, all of this work just turned out to nothing.

I searched for the girl from the dance. I thought I was sure that Stella is the one. Their voices were the same. You can't possibly change your voice from one person to another, right? Yet, I feel like it wasn't Stella. It couldn't be. I decided to let Stella sing for me, making sure she's the one. And if she really is... then, I guess it's just her voice I find beautiful. If she's not... I guess I'll need to solve this case to find the girl. My girl.

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I rang the doorbell to the Maxwell's residence. After a few seconds of shuffling noises behind the door, Stella soon came over and open the door for me to come in. I looked around, surprised to only see her around. I was about to ask where is everyone else, or more specifically, Sophia but I decided to keep it shut.
"Oliver! What are you doing here?" Stella smiled. I don't find it as attractive as Sophia's.
I shrugged, " I want to come over to surprise you. Maybe we could hang out?"
"Oh, of course. I thought you were here for someone else." She said as she walked back to let me into their house. After she closed the door behind me, Stella led me to the living room, which was next to the kitchen. As I sat on the bean bag with Stella, I turned around to face the kitchen and thought of what happened there last time.

We just talked about the usual things: school, homework and the concert coming up. The concert coming up... that would be a great way to find out if Stella really has this incredible voice. Unless whoever she's dealing with have another great plan.

I decided to let the topic go and ask her about her family. "Hey, do you have any sisters or brothers? So far, I've only seen you, your mom and Sophia."
"You met Sophia?" Stella seemed shocked and her face looked like she was... disgusted.
"Yeah, a few time. Just saw her along the hallway in school. You know," I said casually, "Hey, what's up with you and Sophia?"
"Oh, Sophia... she's just... Sophia, you know? I don't know. We just don't get along easily. Actually, I don't like her. And if you're confused how she came to live with us, her dad married my mom. Then when her dad dies... well, let's just say Sophia and I don't talk a lot."
"But you're living in the same house." I thought for a moment, "Anyway, you don't have any other family members?"
"Oh, I have Bella, my younger sister. We talked a lot and get along. She's normally out shopping with her friends, actually." She leaned in closer to me. I thought she was going to kiss me.

I kissed other girls before; I know that sounds weird, but I couldn't help it, okay? I mean, lots of people know me from my youtube videos and I guess they think I'm... cute? Good-looking? Handsome? In the corner of my eyes, I saw a girl with brown hair that flows down to her shoulder in the kitchen. I saw Stella looking at me so I turned to her and she smiled.
"So what do you want to do?" She asked.
"I don't know. Hey, I missed your voice, can you sing a song for me?" I was determined to find out the truth. I know she can't be faking sick, we talked for like half an hour already.
Instead of agreeing to that, she decided to flirt with me, "Hey, let's do something else... like this," Suddenly her lips were on mine and she kissed me hungrily. She was a sloppy kisser and trust me; out of all the girl I kissed in my life, Stella could possibly be the worst. I heard the refrigerator door slapped shut from the kitchen and I know Sophia could see me. Finally, I got her off me but I knew it was too late. Sophia already went upstair.

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I N S T A G R A M : @marquiseire