Broken Lines || sequel • discontinued •

Chapter 5 (Everything Has Changed)

• Stella's POV •

I woke up to the loud screaming of Natalie and Hunter around the apartment. I was sleeping on the couch. Oh yeah, I fell asleep in the middle of the movie we were watching about an hour ago. I grabbed my phone from the coffee table and checked the time. It was 7:38 in the evening. It'd also be past 12 am today in LA.

Luke didn't call today, I thought. Maybe he was just too busy. I got up from the couch and headed for the kitchen to see Natalie strangling Hunter with a spatula.

"She's awake!" Natalie exclaimed, finally letting go of Hunter.

"How was your sleep, Aurora?" Hunter smirked, sitting properly on the dining chair.

"Don't call me that," I said, sitting beside him. "I am unmistakably hungry."

"We have to wait for the pizza," Natalie shrugged, placing back the spatula on its rack.

"Oh great," I said, unlocking my phone. I started to type a message to Luke. Since it was midnight in LA, he wouldn't be able read it until he wakes up. I started off with telling him about how my day went and what I was doing. Then I started telling him slightly about what I'm feeling lately. I sighed, contented and sent the message.

*

After finishing off the two boxes of pizza Natalie ordered, Hunter left, going back to his apartment. I stayed in one corner, the couch, actually. I had my phone in my hands. Natalie was having a bath this time. There were thoughts battling inside my head. I can't stop thinking about how I want to end Luke and I's relationship because I'm having a hard time myself. Even if he doesn't tell me, I know he's having a hard time as well. He's too precious to be having a hard time. I'm only adding to his stress. Whenever he has to be resting, he still calls me up and I don't want him to be looking tired the next day and things will come up.

Fuck.

I heard Natalie come out of the shower only in a towel. Her dirty blonde hair was flowing down her back and she furrowed her eyebrows as she looked at me.

"Stella," she said.

"What?" I asked.

"What's up?" she said. "You've been like this lately. You never even finish a conversation with me and Hunter anymore. Is something bothering you? Are fans bothering you again?"

I shook my head. "It's nothing, Nat," I smiled. "Go get changed. You don't wanna freeze in your towel."

She pursed her lips and nodded.

I groaned and covered my face with a pillow from the couch. I'm so unstable right now and I want to jump off the building. But of course, that wouldn't be a great idea. I still had to finish school, tell Luke everything I need to say and... I don't know what'll happen after that. Things won't really change, though. We're best friends.

But one thing came up in my mind.

You can never be just friends with someone you fell in love with.

• Luke's POV •

"We're so happy to have you guys here today," a cool looking lady with a large necklace around her neck said.

We were all sitting in a line in front of our manager, Justin and the cool looking lady. She was kinda middle aged and she looked professional so the boys and I know not to screw up. We all listened intently. I glanced at Michael who was playing with his fingers. Suddenly, he brought his hands to my thigh and rubs it. I swatted his hands away and he just chuckled. I knew he was trying to be annoying and it works all the time.