*PLEASE READ THE AUTHOR'S NOTE! THANKS!*

“Stella! We need to leave!” my mom’s constant nagging continues.
“I’m coming!”
“Hurry up!”
I grabbed my bag and slung it over my shoulder before looking at myself once more in the mirror. My short purple skirt layered on my black leotard created a flowing dress. I descended the stairs and was surprised to see Harry talking to my father.
“What are you doing here?” I asked him. I realized I sounded a bit rude, but I was curious.
“You invited me to attend your figure skating competition, remember?”
“Well, yeah bu-“ I was interrupted by my mom’s hand pushing me out the door.
“Let’s go! We’re going to be late!”
Harry opened the back door for me and I swiftly slid in. He glided in after me and shut the door abruptly. I glared at him and he smirked back.
“Why are you here?” I hissed at him.
“Like I said, love. You invited me.” His grin made me want to punch him in the face with a chair or something. Rather than cause a scene in front of my parents, I just roll my eyes and look out the window.
I glanced back at my parents and Harry sitting on the bleachers. My nerves were starting to ignite, and I wasn’t very happy about it. I mean, the only reason I still skate is because my mother wants me to.
“STELLA PHILLIPS IS UP NEXT WITH HER ROUTINE ‘LOST IN THE MOMENT’,” the announcer’s voice booms.
I step out onto the ice and the familiar wave of security and heaven washes over my body. I begin to skate and I vanish into the medium between heaven and earth. I see the glimmer of light in the distance and I urge myself to go towards it. The light begins to evaporate, causing me to run faster. Just as I’m about to let the light take me away, the illumination disappears completely. I land my final leap, and people cheer as I skate to the exit of the rink.
I unlaced my skates and placed them safely in my bag before walking to my parents’ spot on the bleachers. I see those piercing green eyes studying me and tearing my insides apart. How does he do that? I’m pulled out of my thoughts when I’m spun around and I see a very familiar face.
“Alex!” I squealed. He hugged me and I felt my feet lift off the ground when he picked me up and spun me around.
“Stella Bella! How have you been?” Alex asked when he put me down. I look over his shoulder to see my parents watching the next competitor and a pair of penetrating green orbs glaring at us. I advert my eyes back to Alex.
“I’ve been good. What about you? Have you found a new skating partner? I mean, I was the best partner you’ve ever had but, uh…” I say jokingly as I brush my hands on my shoulders.
“Of course you were,” he grins. “But, uh, I have found a new partner. She’s nowhere near as good as you though,” he says winking. I playfully punch his arm.
“Shut up, I’m sure she’s great.”
“Well, I didn’t bring her to this competition. I kinda decided to just do a solo routine. Well, that was before I saw that you were here. You know what would be great?”
“What?” I asked cautiously.
“Why don’t we enter our duet routine that won nationals last year?” he asks excitedly.
“You know, that’s not a bad idea. Let me go talk to my parents and I’ll be right back,” I tell him. He nods and I walk over to my parents and Harry. My mom and dad congratulated and hugged me. When I look at Harry, he’s still glaring at Alex.
“Dude, what’s your deal?” I asked him with a confused smile.
“Who’s that?” he asked harshly.
“Alex. My old skating partner. Why?” I warily asked.
“He gives me a bad vibe,” Harry responds.
“Does he now?” I ask, unamused.
“Yeah, he does.”
“Okay, well while you try to determine your feelings towards my friend, I’m gonna go.” As I begin to stand up to leave, I feel Harry’s hand on my arm.
“Where are you going?” I rolled my eyes at him.
“To go sign up for a duet with Alex.” He glares at me and then at Alex. I tugged my arm away from his grasp and walked over to Alex.
“Ready?” he asked.
“Yep,” I replied.
Alex and I headed towards the rink as our names were announced. We glanced at each other and his large hand grasped mine. We stepped out onto the ice and skated to the center. The music began to play and I lost myself in the movements.
Reuniting with Alex is an amazing feeling. To have to put all of your trust in another person is a difficult thing, but Alex makes it easier for me. Over the past eight years, we’ve created a bond that makes us strong as partners. We moved fluidly and I got stuck in the heaven-earth medium. Alex grabbed my right ankle and began to spin. I crossed my arms across my chest and closed as my left foot levitated off the ground. I instinctively place my left foot over my right and I let myself fly free. My body felt limp and numb, but in an angelic way. I leaned my head back further to catch a whiff of freedom. I opened my eyes to see a sea of eyes, but two green ones caught my gaze. Alex released me from his grip and I turned in the air. I landed on my feet gracefully with my toepick in the ground. I could hear cheers and claps while Alex and I rejoined hands and exited the rink. I unlaced my skates and abandoned my bag as I walked to my parents with Alex following.
“That was beautiful, Stella!” my mom cried.
“You and Alex really stole the show!” My dad hugged me and patted Alex on the back.
I looked at Harry, waiting for a ‘good job’, or ‘congratulations’. Nothing. He nodded at me and looked down as he kept his hands in his pocket.
What's up with him?
I looked up at him with a confused look.
"It was great," he said in a nonchalant tone.
"Um, thanks." Harry kept looking over my shoulder at something, and when I realized it was Alex, I pushed his arm.
"Why do you keep looking at him like that?" I asked with a small smile.
"He's bugging me," he tells me while he continues to look at Alex.
"He hasn't even talked to you," I say with a raised eyebrow. Harry doesn't break his stare.
"I know, but still..."
I place my hand on his face and turn it to me so our eyes meet. "Be nice." I said.
Looking into his glimmering green orbs so close caused me a feeling that's indescribable. It's a good feeling, but at the same time, one that makes me vulnerable. He instantly connects with my insides and causes turmoil. He starts a riot and my soul turns on me. He sees right through me with those piercing eyes. Those glistening, all-seeing, exploiting green eyes.
"Stella?" Alex called, bringing me out of Harry's trance. Harry scowled at him and I glared at Harry warningly. He looked back down on me. I stood with my arms crossed and my eyebrows raised, waiting for his response.
"Fine," he groaned, looking back up. I smiled and turned to face Alex.
"I'm going to sit with the rest of the competitors for the Awards. Do you want to join me?" He smiled sweetly and I could feel Harry growl behind me.
"Sure." I turned back to Harry. "Would you like to come sit with us?"
His response was cut off by Alex.
"Uh, I don’t think non-competitors are allowed in the ‘competitors only’ sitting area,” he said with a hint of sass as he glared at Harry.
I was going to say ‘It’s a free country, Alex,” but then I remembered that we’re in England. Oops.
“Calm it Alex,” I told him. “You’re welcome to come sit with us.” Harry nodded and followed to the seats that were reserved for us.
I sat down in my chair, but when I looked over, there was only one other chair. I looked up to see the two boys bickering.
“No, you take it,” Alex said while he glared at Harry.
“No, you take it,” Harry growled back.
“No, you take it.”
“No, you take it.”
I rolled my eyes at them and groaned.
“No, you take it. I’m fine standing,” Alex said in a low voice.
“Well I’m fine standing, too,” Harry replied bitterly.
“Great. I’m glad we’re all fine standing,” I said, now standing in between them. Their shocked faces told me I achieved my goal.
So we watched the Awards Ceremonies. Standing. Because two boys were too arrogant to just sit down.
HARRY'S POV
When their names were called for 'Best Duet', I felt my muscles tense up. I saw him lift her off the ground and spin her, just like when they reunited the first time. They walked up to the podium and linked arms while they received their medals. I don't know why I let him get to me. Stella would never fall for a guy like him. Right?
My thinking was interrupted by Stella and Alex returning. I briefly glared at Alex before I decided to go buy some roses for Stella to congratulate her.
As I returned to the seating area, I spotted Stella and Alex talking. I rolled my eyes and continued walking toward them. When I heard what they were talking about, I felt my jaw stiffen.
"So that's a yes?" Alex asked her hopefully. Don't say yes. Don't say yes.
"Yes," Stella giggled.
"Great, so I'll pick you up around seven." I debated turning around and walking away, but I wasn't going to let him win. I walked over to her and gave her the roses. I saw Alex glowering at me, and I returned the gesture.
"Congratulations," I say, not breaking my stare with Alex.
"Thanks." She pulled the roses out of my hand aggressively. My gaze shifted to her storming away.
Alex started to follow her, but I shoved him back.
"Leave her alone. She's mine," I growled. I left him standing there with his mouth agape as I went after Stella. I found her in one of the hallways. I half expected her to be crying like most girls would, but then again, she isn't like most girls.
I touched her shoulder lightly and she snapped her head toward me.
"You promised you'd be nice!" she shouted.
"I said I would try," I replied, trying to control my anger.
"Well you didn't try hard enough! Couldn't you have just pulled your head out of your selfish ass for five minutes!?" Her tone and volume surprised me.
"Well could you tell your admirer to admire from a distance!? I don't want him touching what's mine!" I lost control and my voice boomed.
"I'm not yours! You don't own me! I'm not just something you can claim or possess, so stop objectifying me!" I'm taken aback by the force in her voice.
"You aren't going on a date with him," I demanded.
"Watch me." She began to walk away.
"Stella! Stella, don't walk away from me!" I ran after her and stood in front of her.

STELLA'S POV

I heard him running behind me and he stood directly in front of me. I rolled my eyes at him.
"Move out of my way Harry," I told him calmly. I knew I didn't stand a chance against him physically, seeing as he towers over me. Rationalizing with him is the only thing I can do at this point.
"Not until you talk to me."
"I already talked to you. And to be quite honest, I don't want to talk to you right now. So please move."
"Not until you talk to me." I raised my eyebrows at him challengingly and turned around to walk away. He picked me up and threw me over his shoulder.
"Are you serious?" I asked him. "Just because you're bigger than me doesn't give you the right to just pick me up whenever you want."
"Actually, it does." I could just feel his smirk. I couldn't see it, but I knew it was there.
"Where are we going?" I groaned.
"Where do you want to go?" he asked.
"Put me down."
"Nope," He said defiantly.
I rolled my eyes. "I will talk to you."
He stopped and considered it. "Fine." He gently put me down on my feet. I immediately dashed toward the double doors but he caught my wrist. "Stella," he warned.
"Fine." I walked back over to him and he looked down on me. "What do you want to talk about?" I asked nonchalantly.
"How about that weather," he joked. I was in no mood to laugh, and he could tell. "Look, I just don't want you to go out with him."
"And why is that?" I asked.
"I... I just don't like him," he told me.
"So this has nothing to do with you being jealous?" I challenged. He glared at me.
"Ok, yes. I'm jealous. But who wouldn't be?" he said as he bit his lip and walked toward me. I backed up and eventually found the wall. He put his hand against the wall and leaned forward so that our heads were almost touching. I rolled my eyes and pushed his chest away.
"Stop doing that!" I tell him.
"Stop doing what, babe?" he said with a smirk.
"Stop being all flirty and stuff. I barely even know you!" I claim.
"Well, your parents don't seem to mind. They were perfectly content when I told them we're dating," he said with that damn smirk.
"We're not dating. And stop with the smirk!”
“You’re cute when you’re mad,” he grinned.
“So I’ve been told.”
“Please don’t go out with him,” he begged with puppy-dog eyes.
“Look, we are going out as friends. Just friends. Nothing more,” I assure him.
“Whatever,” he said before storming away.

Notes

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