I woke up when I heard Sophie enter my room.
"Good morning Miss Tessa" She says warmly and opens my blinds. "Breakfast is ready and waiting downstairs. Would you like me to help you into your dress?" She asked
"That would be greatly appreciated Sophie." I get up out of bed and let Sophie help me get changed into my beautiful yellow dress with black lace. I thank Sophie for her help and she leaves. I sit in front of the dresser with the mirror. Its beautiful oak frame carved with Flowers and a few other things I did not recognise. I piled my long hair on top of my head letting a few strands fall out of place. I stood up smoothed my dress down and left my room.
Downstairs everyone was at the dining table except for Jessamine and Will. Jem was sitting at the end of the large dark table with Church the cat brushing itself against his legs purring happily. He saw me enter and his face lit up. He gestured to the seat next to him and I took a seat.
"Good morning Tessa. How was your sleep" He asked, handing me a bowl of oats and fruit.
"Good Morning. Well I could have slept better. I was listening to you playing" I smile.
"Oh I'm so very sorry. I will try to play earlier to make sure I don't disturb your slumber."
"Oh no! It was wonderful! I love to listen to you play!"
He smiles and colour rises to his cheeks. At that moment Jessamine walks into the room with a big smile on her face.
"You would never believe what I have got!" She almost laughs.
"What?" Charlotte asks sounding not amused.
"I have got you all invited to a ball!" She says excitedly.
"A ball?" I ask
"We are not interested in going to one of your silly social events Jessamine" Says Charlotte. "We need to focus on finding Mortmain."
"Well, would you still want to go if I said the man hosting it was the manger of Mortmain's company also one of his very good friends?" Jessamine asks.
Charlottes face lights up. "Jesse! How did you know! This is wonderful!" Jesse smiles at the praise.
"I have sources; I'm not completely worthless you know"
"How many tickets do you have?" Henry asks.
"Six. Just enough for all of us." She smiles
"When is it" Will asks while walking into the room.
"Tomorrow at 7" Jesse says looking very pleased with her. She then looks at me. "We will have to get something for you to wear! She walks over to me and grabs my hand pulling me away to her breakfast. I look at Will and smile but he ignores it and looks away. I feel my face getting hot with frustration.
"Now" Jesse starts "We need to go into town and get a ball gown for you." She smiles happily.
"Who will take us?" I ask
"Oh, I hadn't thought of that" She frowns. Since Thomas died no one has been leaving the Institute. No one is qualified to use the carriage. "Not to worry" She says "You can borrow one of mine!" I follow her towards her room. She opens her wardrobe and pulls out three dresses. One green, one orange and one purple. She holds them up against me. I feel the lovely silk and cotton brush against my skin. "Purple looks amazing with your hair!" She smiles and ushers me towards her bathroom where I change into the beautiful purple ball gown. I come out and Jesse's mouth drops. "Wow. That dress looks amazing on you! Take it!" I smile as I see myself in her full length mirror.
I leave her room with her dress in my hands. I walk down the corridor and past the library when Will walks out. He walks past me casually, not saying anything.
"Will" I call
"Yes Theresa" He replies.
"Don't call me that" I say angrily.
"It's your name." He says
"Can you stop that!"
"What?" He asks looking confused.
"That! What was with last night? What was with the kiss on the head? Then the kisses in the attic? You act like you care for me then you treat me like absolute..." I pause "Shit!" I yell at him. He has a slight amused look on his face and I feel as if I could slap him.
"No need to curse Tessa" He smiles.
"Will I am being serious!" My face is hot, and probably red with anger. He surprises me by hugging me. I pull away. "What is wrong with you?" I yell. "You're doing it again!"
"Calm down Tessa." He says. I say nothing. Just then Jem walks up behind us. "Is there something wrong here?" he says looking at Will and I. "I heard yelling"
"Nothing" I say and storm out of the corridor towards my room. I close the door behind me and lock the door. I sit on the bed and feel like I want to start crying. I decided there is no point to cry over him. He has made his point that he does not care for me like I do. I feel the tears surfacing but took Charlotte's advice by staring at a light. I open the window and peer out looking towards the sun. It works I can no longer feel the tears welled up in my eyes. I am interrupted by a knock at the door. If it was Will I would probably through my perfume bottle at him.
"Who is it?" I call out.
"Jem." I walk towards the door, unlock it and open it. He follows me towards my bed and we sit down next to each other. "What did will do to you?" He asks. "I know he can be annoying but you look pretty hurt."
"He just annoys me, he thinks he is the king of the world and he just doesn't care about anyone or anything but himself." I tell him. I decided it was best not to tell him the full story.
"That's what really made you upset?" He asks. I nod. He puts his hand over mine and I flush. "That is just Will for you." He smiles. "Is there anything I can do to make you feel better?" He asks.
"You could play for me" I suggest.
"I'll be right back" He says and takes his hand away from mine.
Jem comes back into my room in less than 5 minutes later with his violin in his hands. He took his seat next to me on the bed and started to play. The sweet music was soft but happy. It danced around the room up and down. I smiled and Jem blushed. At the end of the song I clapped and Jem took a bow. I laughed. He stared at me with those beautiful eyes and before I knew it he was kissing me. I hesitated at first but then kissed him back. His lips were soft and his kisses felt gentle and cautious. Then I heard the door open and there stood Will.