Stella leans against the brick wall behind the school, taking a long drag from her cigarette. Her black-lined eyes narrow as she spots {{user}} approaching, his student council armband glinting in the afternoon sun. Great, just what she needs - another lecture from Mr. Perfect. She pushes off the wall with a scowl, crossing her arms defensively over her ample chest. The movement causes her too-short plaid skirt to ride up, exposing even more of her fishnet-clad thighs. Stella doesn't bother to adjust it. Let him get an eyeful, for all she cares. "Well well, if it isn't the golden boy himself," Stella drawls, taking another drag and blowing the smoke in {{user}}'s general direction. "To what do I owe the pleasure of your esteemed presence?" She knows she's being a bitch, but it's almost a reflex at this point. Push people away before they can get too close, before they can see the broken mess beneath the goth-punk veneer. Especially people like {{user}}, with their concerned eyes and their hero complexes. She doesn't need saving, damn it. "Let me guess - you're here to scold me about my grades again? Or maybe it's my 'attitude' this time." Stella rolls her eyes, flicking ash at {{user}}'s pristine shoes. "Spare me the after-school special, prez. I'm not in the mood." Of course, she's never in the mood for {{user}}'s particular brand of well-meaning meddling. It makes her feel things she'd rather not examine too closely - things like gratitude, and warmth, and the dangerous stirring of something perilously close to affection. No, it's better to keep him at arm's length with barbs and sneers. Safer for both of them that way. Stella's a lost cause, a cautionary tale in fishnet and eyeliner. She won't drag {{user}} down with her, no matter how tempting his steadfast faith in her potential might be. "So go ahead, lay it on me." She spreads her arms wide in mocking invitation, cigarette dangling from her fingers. "What's today's lecture on? The dangers of skipping class? The perils of dating drummers with tattoos and tongue piercings?" Stella smirks, remembering her latest fling with a grim sort of satisfaction. "Or maybe you found the little surprise I left in the girls' room." She raises one pierced brow in challenge. "Gonna narc on me, {{user}}? Add it to my mile-long rap sheet of wasted potential?" Stella takes one last defiant pull from her cigarette before flicking the butt away. She meets {{user}}'s gaze head-on, her yellow eyes hard and unyielding. "Go ahead, golden boy. Give it your best shot. But spoiler alert?" She leans in until they're nearly nose to nose, her voice dropping to a harsh whisper. "You can't save someone who doesn't want to be saved."

Stella blinks, taken aback by the determination in his voice. "And what if I tell you that you're wasting your time? That I don't want anything to do with you and your self-righteous crusade for my sanity?" She smirks, her eyes narrowing. "Are you just going to keep following me around like a lost puppy, or are you gonna finally give up?" "Look, NIco..." she starts, then stops herself with a sigh. "Fine. You want to help? I mean, why not?" She shrugs, feigning indifference. "But if we're being honest, it's only because you think there's some sort of prize in fixing me." "What do you win, huh? My gratitude? A chance to be your perfect little pet project?" Her voice drips with venom. She knows she should stop, but the words taste bitter on her tongue and keep spilling out regardless. "Go ahead, save the world again, big man. I'm sure you'll get a pat on the back for it." "Just leave me alone," she whispers, lowering her gaze to the ground. "Let me live my life how I want to." It's not really a request; it's more of an order masquerading as one. But even she knows that NIco won't give up that easily. And deep down, maybe... just maybe... a part of her doesn't want him to.

Stella snorts derisively. "Yeah, sure you are. You think I'm some damsel in distress just waiting to be saved?" She shrugs, crossing her arms again. "Trust me, there's nothing you can do for me that I haven't already done a hundred times over." She glances at him from the corner of her eye, noticing how his scent seems to wrap around her like a warm blanket. It smells clean and spicy, with just the faintest hint of sweat and cologne. For a moment, she wonders what it would be like to get closer to him... but no. That's a dangerous road to go down. She knows better than that. "Look," she says finally, "I appreciate your concern or whatever you want to call it, really. But I've made my choices, and I have to live with them." Her voice softens somewhat as she looks away, staring up at the clouds drifting past overhead. "It's not like I can just magically wake up tomorrow and be someone different." "Anyway," she continues, her tone sharper now, "I should get going. I have stuff to do." She takes a step back from the wall, straightening her posture. "If you don't mind..." She pauses, waiting for him to move out of the way or say something else. Anything but this uncomfortable silence that seems to hang between them like a thick fog. But he merely stands there, watching her with those steady gold-flecked eyes... and she suddenly finds herself wishing that he would just go away.

"Curves?" She laughs humorlessly. "You don't even know the half of it." Her voice catches in her throat as he squeezes her hands, and for a moment she wishes she could just pull away... but something about his touch feels oddly comforting, reassuring. It's a feeling she isn't used to, one that she wants nothing more than to escape from. "Look," she says eventually, trying to regain some of her defensive posture, "it's not like you can understand what I've been through or know what it's like to be me." She takes another step back, pulling her hands out of his grasp. "I appreciate the offer and all... but trust me, I'm better off alone." Her words come out harsher than she intended, and for a moment she wonders if maybe he'll just walk away now. But NIco merely cocks his head to the side, looking at her with an expression that Stella can't quite read. It unsettles her even more. "You know what?" she says suddenly, trying to regain some control of the situation. "Forget it. I gotta go." She turns on her heel, striding quickly down the sidewalk without looking back. Her heart feels like it's beating a frantic tattoo against her ribcage, and she can feel his gaze burning into her back, making her skin crawl with an unfamiliar mix of desire and shame. "Just leave me alone," she mutters under her breath, wishing she could make herself mean it more than anything else in the world.

"You think I'm some damsel in distress?" she spits over her shoulder, anger and embarrassment warring inside her chest. "I don't need saving, okay? I can take care of myself." She takes another step away from him, but not before glancing back one last time. His face is set in that stubborn expression she's come to know all too well, and it infuriates her more than anything else. "Fine," she huffs, crossing her arms again. "Do your thing. But don't expect me to make it easy for you." Without another word, she turns and continues down the sidewalk, hoping he'll just leave her alone. She can feel his gaze following her, like a constant pressure on the back of her neck, and even though she wants to shrug it off... part of her doesn't mind it quite so much.

"You think I haven't tried?" she snaps, finally looking over at him with eyes blazing with frustration and anger. "I can't just snap my fingers and get out of this mess, you know." Her voice cracks on the last word, betraying a vulnerability that she hadn't meant to reveal. She clears her throat, trying to regain her composure. "Look," she says in a more controlled tone, "I appreciate your help or whatever it is you think you're doing. But I can take care of myself." Her words ring hollow even to her own ears, and she knows that he can probably hear it too. It's not the first time they've had this conversation, and it won't be the last... but something about him refusing to give up feels different this time around. Unsettling. Almost as if he really means what he says.

Her eyes widen slightly at the offer, and she feels herself wavering for just a moment. The idea of having somewhere safe to go... someone to watch over her... It's tempting in a way that nothing else has been before. But then she remembers all of his rules and regulations, how he wants to control every aspect of her life, and the brief flicker of hope dies away like a candle in the wind. "I can take care of myself," she repeats firmly, hoping that this time it'll be enough to make him back off. "Look, NIco... I appreciate everything you've done for me and all... really I do." She reaches out to put a hand on his shoulder, wincing inwardly as she realizes how filthy her hands are in comparison to the pristine white cloth of his uniform. "But I can't just leave my life behind like that. There's too much..." Her voice trails off, and she lets her hand drop from his shoulder. It isn't true, not really... but it feels good to say it anyway. Because deep down, she knows that what she really wants is for him to give up. To stop trying to save her when she's perfectly content with the mess her life has become. She takes another step away from him, and this time he doesn't follow. Instead, he watches her with those unfathomable gold-flecked eyes, and she feels as if he can see right through her every lie. For a moment, their gazes lock, and she wonders what it would be like if he did know the truth... if he could accept all of her flaws and still love her anyway. But then the silence grows too heavy to bear, and she looks away first. "I appreciate everything you've done," she repeats quietly

She opens her mouth to refuse, but then closes it again, biting down on the inside of her cheek. There's something about the determination in his voice that makes her hesitate... something that she can't quite put a finger on. For a moment, she considers actually letting him help her, allowing herself to trust someone for once. But then the old suspicions rise up inside her like bile, and she shoves them aside. "I'll think about it," she says finally, her voice tight with unspoken emotion. "But don't get your hopes up." She looks away again, not wanting to see the disappointment in his eyes when she says this. The truth is, even as much as a part of her wants to say yes, another part of her knows that it's safer to stay where she is... however miserable that might be. Without waiting for him to respond, she turns and continues down the sidewalk at a brisk pace, her thoughts spinning in circles like trapped flies. She feels his gaze on her back until she rounds the corner and disappears from sight. For now, she'll keep playing this game... but eventually, she knows, he'll get bored of chasing after her. It's just a matter of time.

Stella yanks open the door, her hair still tangled in a mess around her face. "What do you want?" she snaps, crossing her arms over her chest. Her gaze flicks between NIco and the bags of clothes he's holding, her expression unreadable. "You're supposed to be coming to get me," he reminds her with a nod in the direction of his car. "We talked about this." His tone is even-keeled, patient... but there's an edge beneath it that she can feel like a knife at her throat. She pauses, letting out a sigh through pursed lips. She could still refuse him, push him away and pretend that none of this ever happened. But something about the way he looks at her... it makes her want to give in just a little bit. "Fine," she says finally, stepping aside to let him into her squalid apartment. "But I'm not promising anything." Her words hang in the air like smoke as she follows him to his car, wondering what the hell she's getting herself into this time.

Stella shrugs and climbs into the car, casting one more longing glance at her old life before shutting the door. "Whatever." As they pull away from her apartment complex, she can't help but feel a twinge of unease in her gut. She's not sure what to make of this sudden change... or NIco for that matter. But as the car drives towards his place and she begins to see bits and pieces of campus and the nearby town from a different perspective, something inside her shifts. A small spark ignites, warming away some of the coldness that has settled in her chest over the past few years. Maybe this won't be so bad after all...

It takes her a moment to process what he's just said. This man... this golden boy who won't let her sleep with someone else... but who also says she can be herself? It makes no sense, and yet... part of her wants to believe it. She looks over at him as he yawns, feeling a strange sensation stirring in the pit of her stomach. Maybe there's more to him than meets the eye. "I'll try not to make too much of a mess," she says finally, unable to keep the small smile from curving her lips. "And if I want to bring someone over... you're gonna have to get used to it." Her voice holds a challenge, but there's also an undertone of vulnerability that she can't quite hide. The car rounds a corner and pulls up in front of his apartment complex. She looks up at him again, searching his face for some sign of what he really thinks about all this... but finds only curiosity and something akin to amusement. It's disconcerting, to say the least. "So... what do you want me to do first?" she asks finally, taking a deep breath as they come to a stop. "Unpack or help with chores?"

Stella nods in understanding and gets out of the car, taking her time to stretch after being cooped up in his tight space for so long. She looks around at the complex as she walks, marveling at how different it is from her old place. It almost seems too nice, too clean... like a place where people actually care about their surroundings. She finds the end of the hallway and pushes open the door to what appears to be her new room. It's smaller than she expected but well-lit and surprisingly cozy. There's a twin bed in one corner, dresser against another wall, and even a small desk tucked into the third one. She wonders idly how NIco manages to keep things so neat and tidy all the time. With a sigh, she begins unpacking her clothes, folding them carefully and placing them in the drawers of the dresser. The act feels oddly therapeutic, like she's finally finding some semblance of order in her life again. She wonders if this is what it's supposed to feel like... to have a home. To belong somewhere. Her hands hesitate on a small framed photo that had been resting on top of the dresser earlier, but she finds herself unable to put it back just yet. Instead, she picks it up and studies the image of her and her old friends from before everything went wrong. They're laughing, drinking beers... so carefree and happy. She misses them desperately.

"So?" She says looking up at him her hands still on the frame. "It's not like I can just forget them." She thinks about what he said and decides to change the subject. "You know, you didn't answer my question earlier... What do you want me to help with first?" Her tone holds a challenge, but there's also an undertone of curiosity. Perhaps she's starting to care more about what NIco thinks than she realizes.

She tilts her head slightly, studying his expression before giving him an almost imperceptible nod. "Okay... I guess." Her voice is careful, guarded. There's a part of her that doesn't trust this new situation with NIco and wonders if he has some sort of hidden agenda behind every word and action. "What do you want to know?" she asks cautiously, not meeting his eyes.

She shrugs, trying to appear nonchalant. "It's not like it's a big deal." She glances down at herself, then back up at him. "I mean, I don't usually walk around in just my bra and panties or anything... but sometimes when I'm alone, I feel more comfortable being myself. You know?" Her cheeks flush slightly as she says this; despite her best efforts to keep up a tough facade, the thought of being naked in front of NIco makes her uneasy. "So," she continues quickly, trying to change the subject, "what do you want me to help with next?"

She rolls her eyes and mutters something under her breath about "spoiled brats" as she makes her way toward the door of his room. But even as she does so, a small part of her can't help but feel grateful that he's giving her this time to adjust. It isn't every day that someone offers you a place to stay, no matter how many strings might be attached. With one last sideways glance at NIco, she pushes open the door and steps inside his room, instantly inhaling sharply at the difference between it and her own squalid quarters. His bed is made with military precision, every item of clothing hung up or folded neatly away. The desk is free of clutter, save for a few well-thumbed books and a computer tower that she can only assume he uses for schoolwork. Deciding to explore further, she crosses the room and opens one of the curtains, letting in a flood of natural light. A window seat sits beneath it, covered with more cushions than one person could possibly need. She hesitates before sitting down, feeling oddly self-conscious about making herself too comfortable here... even though this is technically his room and she's free to do as she pleases. With a shrug, she finally sinks down onto the window seat, folding her legs up beneath her and staring out the window at the campus beyond. It all feels so new and foreign to her... yet oddly familiar at the same time. Perhaps there's more to this arrangement with NIco than either of them realize. Time will tell.

Stella snorts, shaking her head at his words. "I'll keep that in mind," she says, unable to hide the amusement in her voice. She turns back to the window and continues staring out into the distance, lost in thought. NIco might seem strange and controlling at times, but there's something about him that intrigues her... makes her want to get closer even when she knows she should keep her distance. She wonders what he thinks of her. Does he see past the black makeup and the fake Goth exterior? Or is she just another project for him to save... another challenge for his perfect little world? Maybe it's a combination of both. Either way, there's an undeniable tension between them that she can feel like a hum in the air whenever they're together... and she isn't sure if it's going to be enough to make her leave this place before something truly disastrous happens.

"Oh... hi." She hesitates a moment before stepping aside and gesturing for them to come in. Lena is every bit as intimidating as she remembered, with her commanding presence and piercing gaze. Elise, on the other hand, seems more relaxed and approachable. "It's nice to see you both again," she says with a small smile. "And where is our favorite golden boy today?" Lena asks, already glancing around as if searching for NIco. Stella bites her lip, unsure how much she should say. It's not like she can just spill all of their secrets to his parents, but at the same time... she's not entirely comfortable keeping them in the dark either. "He's out with friends," she says finally, trying to sound nonchalant. "He'll be back tomorrow." She hopes that will satisfy Lena, but something tells her it won't.

"No!" She exclaims, instantly on the defensive. "We're not dating... nothing like that." Her cheeks flush at the thought of them thinking she would ever be with someone like NIco. It isn't until Elise clears her throat that she realizes how that might have sounded and quickly tries to clarify. "It's just that he's helping me get back on track with school... and, you know, life in general," she says, her words tumbling out a little faster now as she struggles to explain the situation without revealing too much. "We're friends, nothing more." She pauses, studying Lena's expression before continuing, "I mean... hopefully that will change eventually." There's a weighty silence in the room for several long moments before Elise finally speaks up, changing the subject gracefully. It's obvious they don't believe her, but at least they seem to be going along with it for now.

She can't help but smile at the mention of Elise being bright and helpful; it seems like such a contradiction when it comes to NIco. "He's not so bad," she says, shrugging nonchalantly. "It's just... well, you know how people can be sometimes." There's a hint of challenge in her voice as she glances at Lena out of the corner of her eye. "So..." she starts, wanting to steer the conversation away from NIco for now. "What brings you two here anyway?" It seems odd that they would show up unannounced while he was gone, but perhaps there's more to it than meets the eye. As she waits for them to respond, she can't help but wonder what they really think of her... if they approve of NIco's decision to take her in or if they think she's just another one of his misguided attempts at helping people. Only time will tell.