Chapter 1

▫️Stella’s POV...

“Jess, I really don’t want to go to that party,” I groaned, tugging at her grip on my wrist. “I’m not even close with Jack.”

Jess, with her perfectly winged eyeliner and her gorgeous blue dress clinging to her figure, pouted at me. “But we have to! It’s his birthday, Stella. And you know I like him.”

I raised an eyebrow. “Don’t you think I’ll just be a third wheel? You can confess your feelings to him without me tagging along.”

“No, you won’t be a third wheel! Now, please, get dressed.” She clasped her hands together, giving me those doe eyes she knows I can’t resist.

I sighed in defeat and grabbed the nearest pair of jeans and a tank top. No one to impress, right? Sneakers on, hair in a loose wave—mission mismatch accomplished.

When we arrived at the club, Jess immediately hugged Jack, whispering, “Happy birthday, Handsome,” in a voice so sugary it made me cringe.

Jack, tall and confident, smiled. “Thanks, Jessica.”

I did the formality, "Happy birthday dude."

He turned to me, offering a polite smile. “Thank you stella , also thanks for coming.”

“Sure,” I muttered, shaking his hand.

The party was exactly what I expected—loud music, sweaty people dancing, and laughter coming from every corner. I nudged Jess and whispered, “Go for it. Tell him how you feel.”

She blushed, her cheeks glowing. “You think so?”

“Absolutely.”

She grabbed a bouquet of roses from her car and marched toward Jack with newfound determination. I watched her approach him, my fingers crossed, silently cheering her on.

But then, it happened.

Jack turned around, saw the bouquet, and smiled—thanks Jess he spoke and before Jess could say anything he took the bouquet from her hand and marched towards....me?

“Stella,” he said, dropping to one knee. “I like you. I’ve never felt this way about love before I met you. You’re kind , lovable, and I—”

“Stop,” I interrupted, my heart racing. “Jack, I’m sorry, but NO. ”

The room fell silent. My chestnut brown eyes darted toward Jess, who stood frozen.  Without another word, I bolted out of the club.

____

▫️Jessica’s POV

Then a girl arrived with bouquet, "Sorry Jake I couldn't find the car so..."

Jake nodded at her.

I stood there, humiliated. My hands trembled as Jack handed the bouquet back to me. “Sorry,” he mumbled. “I thought it was mine.”

Tears pricked my eyes as I stumbled out of the club, where Stella was waiting. She looked at me, guilt written all over her face. “Jess, I swear I didn’t know—”

“Did you already know he liked you?” I demanded, my voice shaking.

She hesitated, then said, “Let’s go home and talk about this.”

____

▫️Stella’s POV...

We reached home, and I could sense Jess fuming in silence as she parked the car. The moment we stepped inside, she slammed the door shut, spinning on her heel to face me. Her green eyes were blazing with anger.

“You ruined everything, Stella!” she shouted, her voice trembling with frustration.

I froze, shocked. “Jess, what are you even talking about? I did nothing.”

“Don’t play dumb!” she snapped, her voice cracking. “You knew he liked you, didn’t you? You must have known, and you still came to the party looking like some—some—attention-seeking bitch! You just couldn’t let me have this, could you?”

Her words hit like a slap. “Excuse me?!” My eyes widened as my anger started to rise. “First of all, I didn’t know anything! And second, how is this my fault? Jack proposed me , I didn't. ”

She let out a bitter laugh. “Oh, please, Stella. Don’t act innocent. This always happens. Guys always notice you, and I’m the one left behind. I’m sick of being in your shadow!”

My blood boiled. “In my shadow? Are you serious right now? I didn’t ask for this, Jess! I didn’t even want to go to that stupid party!”

“You didn’t want to go, but you went, and as usual, everything revolved around you!” she spat. “You’re a curse to me, Stella! A selfish, lying curse!”

Tears pricked my eyes, but I refused to let them fall. “You’re being ridiculous, Jess. I came to the party for you. I stood by you, encouraged you to confess, and now I’m the villain? You’re just blaming me for your own insecurities!”

She took a step closer, her face contorted with rage. “You always steal what’s mine. Every single time. And you have the nerve to call yourself my best friend?”

I crossed my arms, my voice trembling but firm. “Steal what’s yours? I don’t want anything that belongs to you, Jess. Maybe you should stop looking for someone to blame and take responsibility for your own life!”

Jess’s hands balled into fists. “You’re unbelievable, Stella. Get out of my house!”

I stared at her in disbelief. “What? You can’t be serious.”

She stormed off to my room, and before I could stop her, she came back dragging my suitcase. She threw it near the door, the sound echoing in the small apartment.

“I don’t want you here anymore,” she said coldly, her voice barely above a whisper. “Pack your things and leave.”

“Jess,” I said, my voice breaking, “Don’t do this. We’ve been through so much together. Don’t throw it all away because of one stupid misunderstanding.”

She shook her head, tears streaming down her face. “Get out, Stella. I never want to see you again.”

My heart shattered. Without another word, I grabbed my suitcase, my chest tightening as I walked out the door.

The cab ride to the hotel was a blur. I checked into a small, dimly lit room and collapsed onto the bed. For a moment, I just stared at the ceiling, my chest heaving as I tried to hold back the tears.

But I couldn’t.

The first tear slid down my cheek, followed by another, and before I knew it, I was sobbing uncontrollably.

“Why does this keep happening to me?” I whispered to the empty room.

Jess wasn’t just my roommate. She was my only friend, my family in this big, unforgiving city. And now, she was gone. I had lost her too, just like I seemed to lose everyone I cared about.

What was wrong with me? Was I cursed? Why was I always the one left behind?But this isn't my mistake. Right?

I buried my face in the pillow, my eyes swollen from crying. For the first time in a long time, I felt truly alone.

It wasn’t fair. All I ever wanted was to be kind, to support the people I cared about. But no one ever showed me the same kindness.

Through my tears, I reached for my laptop. My mood affects my writing and that affects my readers. I started typing, pouring every ounce of my sadness into a chapter. The words came easily, flowing straight from my shattered heart.

By the time I finished, I was emotionally drained. I closed the laptop, curled up on the bed, and let the silence consume me.

I wasn’t just unlucky. I was alone. And that hurt more than anything else.