Will said nothing as he stood in the entry way, simply waited.
Tessa hastily jumped up and straightened her skirts and kept her eyes to the ground.
Jem layed back on the bed, looking rather relaxed and calm.
A small smile played on his lips as he watched Tessa's embarrassment.
Blushing furiously, Tessa pushed passed Will into the hall way.
Yes, yesterday had been a good day until that moment.
Tessa hated that Will's face had been unreadable. She wanted to know how he felt, what he thought about what he witnessed between Jem and her and vainly, she wanted him to be jealous.
But he remained stoic, unfeeling, his eyes never landing on her even as she shoved him to escape the room.
But today was a new day, filled most likely with new horrors and disappointments. A knock on the door finally roused Tessa from her perch by the window.
The new maid Wendy, come to straighten her room, and her indicator that it was now time for her to visit with Jem.
Feeling slightly nervous about today's meeting, Tessa made her way through the labyrinth of hallways to Jem's quarters.
She wondered what Will and Jem spoke of after she fled yesterday.
Did they talk of her?
Was Will upset?
Again, she hoped so.
Tessa was lost in her thoughts and arrived quicker than she expected, but instead of knocking as she always did before she entered she paused and noted that the door was already cracked.
Tepidly Tessa pushed it open an inch and peeked in. She could hear distinct arguing.
Will paced the room back and forth as Jem sat in the large armchair motioning angrily with his arms.
A fraction of an inch more and she could hear what they were arguing about.
Her.
"Jem, you are too trusting!" Will seethed.
"Too trusting? Where as you trust no one? I like her, end of story." Jem said plainly.
Will shook his head in annoyance.
"Besides, why do you care Will? You never speak to her anymore. You don't even look at her. What is the problem?" Jem asked with genuine curiosity.
"She's not one of us is all." Will offered lamely. Jem wasn't buying it.
"I'm sure it didn't bother you before, what changed? I know you upset her but she wouldn't tell me the whole thing." Said Jem
"Nothing happened, she simply didn't like what I had to offer." Will said smiling wryly.
Jem wasn't smiling.
He looked unbelieving at Will, his eyes narrowing.
"Will, she is my one distraction these days aside from you. I know I don't have long. I am enjoying what little moments I have." Jem said
"Don't say things like that Jem, you know I don't like you talking like that." Will said frowning.
"Well its true. I just don't understand the deal with you two." Admitted Jem.
Will said nothing.
"Do you hate her so much that you couldn't put it aside for a few hours together with me?" Jem asked
Will's jaw set at Jem's words, they upset him.
"I don't hate her, that's the problem. I like her too." Will confessed.
Jem looked sympathetically to his friend. He knew how hard it was for Will to open up and let anyone in.
"Then why don't you stay today when she comes? We can all spend the afternoon together." Jem said brightening up.
"I don't know. I don't think she will like that very much either." Will said wearily.
"I am sure she'll be fine with it." Jem said
The rest of the conversation failed to compute to Tessa as they went into talk about demons and runes and such. She decided it was about time she made her entrance.
She knocked lightly as she always did and the door nudged open.
Jem's face lit up a bit when he saw her.
She tried to pretend she had no idea why Will was seated in the room during her Jem time.
"Tessa, I know this is your time, but do you think you would mind terribly if Will joined us? I miss being with both of you." Jem explained
Tessa tried to wipe her face of emotion before she spoke.
"Oh Jem it's no bother at all." She said dismissively, but her voice was a note higher than normal.
Jem smiled and looked to Will as if to say 'See, I told you'.
"So tea as usual then boys?" Tessa asked grinning mischievously at Jem.
"Yes, yes. Tea it is!" Jem announced springing from the bed smiling broadly.
Will's mouth was trying to suppress a small smile.
Jem went to the tea cart that the Wendy must have delivered right before she roused Tessa a while ago.
Jem busied himself pouring the tea, while Tessa turned her back, pretending that she was unaware of the brandy that Jem always slipped into their tea.
A cup was placed into her hand and the three of them sat quietly for a moment sipping the laced tea.
"Well, this tea is marvelous I must say." Will exclaimed jokingly and Jem laughed.
Suddenly thirsty, Tessa drained her cup.
"Can I get you another? Will asked, speaking to her for the first time in weeks.
"Yes please." Tessa managed only to add,
"And do make sure you add a little uh, extra sugar if you don't mind." Tessa said knowing he would know she meant brandy. He nodded and for a second she was gifted with one of his old smiles.
If she was going to spend the day with both Will and Jem, she would have to have a little assistance.
Jem Smiled at her request, but said nothing.
Will handed her the cup and there fingers touched momentarily. Her body reacted of its own accord, heating and aching for more than the innocent graze.
Will averted his eyes and went back to ignoring her.
After the third cup of tea Tessa was feeling quite liberated. After some coaxing she convinced Jem to play a bit of music for them.
Bravely, Tessa took Will's hand and made him join her in a dance.
He looked for a moment as if he would resist, but then he caved and swayed drunkenly with Tessa, letting the magic of Jem's music take over them both.
Thank you again for reading and please take moment to let me know what you thought.