The-Finale-Hope: No worries! Jem is the best, but yes, Wessa ftw. You'll find out about Will and Jessie later though. And I can say that your prediction may be right.. but you'll have to read this chapter to find out!
Guest: Thank you! Enjoy this chapter!
nicoleherondale: Sorry not sorry :P. Yes, Will is an ass. But an ashamed ass, so you have to feel bad for him. Of course, poor Tessa though :(. Oh no worries Wessa is like my OTP. I ship them hard core too :D. haha if Mr. Lightwood made you laugh, wait until you see what I have in store for you later. And yes, Jem is Will's bff... you'll find out soon! Thank you so much for your kind words. Again. They mean so much coming from you. I cannot express my gratitude enough :)
Hearts With Love: Thank you! You're much too sweet. Awww really? That means a lot :). Enjoy this update!
TheClockWorkGirl: Haha if only!
Morning and Eve: Awww yeah. Jem sure is a sweetie.
Faytherwafers: Awww! It's actually going to be a mix of Jessa and Wessa. Maybe even a little Heronstairs ;)
MandNwriterzz: Haha so true! Gabriel will definitely be coming soon!
lohannah09: Thank you! Here's the next one!
Guest: Thank you! Enjoy this chapter :)
Guest: here it is!
Guest: Ugh, I know right? Don't we all hate her? Enjoy this!
Jem and Tessa walked together to their next class: Calculus. Tessa was particularly dreading this class. Back in the States, math was one of her least favorite subjects. She much preferred humanities classes, English especially. She uttered her distaste to Jem.
"Don't worry about it," Jem laughed. "Maths is one of my favorites. Besides, Calculus here at the Institute is a breeze."
"That's simple for you to say," Tessa retorted. "You're probably super good at it."
"Hmmm, that may be true," Jem mused. "If you ever need help, I'd be glad to do so."
"You know, I might just take you up on that offer," Tessa smiled, and Jem beamed.
"Here we are," Jem announced. They had been walking for a while… Tessa could swear that this was in the furthest corner of the Institute.
Jem pushed the door open and Tessa could see that most of the class was full. And of course, she was immediately welcomed by Will and Jessamine cuddling together in the corner. Was there any class in this damn school that those two were not in with Tessa? Tessa couldn't seem to get a break from them.
As Jem and Tessa stepped into the room, Will broke away from Jessamine and watched Tessa. Tessa could feel the heavy weight of his eyes on her, and nervously glanced away as Jem led the way. Unfortunately, due to Tessa's accident, the pair had arrived just on time for class. Meaning, that most of the seats were taken. There were only a couple available, and they were the ones right by Will and Jessamine. Exactly where Jem was headed.
"'Lo there Will," Jem greeted Will.
"James," Will grinned. "Great to see you, as always."
"Likewise," Jem said. "Did you have a good rest of your holidays?"
"Oh yes," Will said, ignoring Jessamine's efforts to turn his attention back to her. "And you?"
"Quiet, but good as always," Jem said.
"That's nice," Will said. "And yours, Tessa?"
Tessa was startled. "Me?"
"Do stop talking to her Will," Jessamine snapped. "Class is about to start."
Will opened his mouth to protest, when the door slammed open and a stout man walked in, carrying a heavy briefcase.
"I am Mr. Wilson," the teacher drawled in the most monotonous tone ever. "And today we're going to be covering the basics from your algebra classes."
The class groaned, but Mr. Wilson pretended not to hear this. He began lecturing and writing on the board, though Tessa found it hard to focus. Beside her, Jem was industriously taking notes, not even pausing once. Will was doing the same, though not as focused as Jem. Jessamine, naturally, was not paying attention and kept nudging Will, who in turn brushed her away in slight annoyance. Jessamine seemed totally oblivious to this.
After what was forever, the bell finally rang loudly, making everyone jump in their seats.
"Don't forget to do practice problems on equations and graphs and have them ready by tomorrow," Mr. Wilson shouted above the raucous as students scrambled out the doorway. Tessa was one of the first, eager to get to her class. Before she could get too far, she felt a tug on the jacket she borrowed from Jem.
"Take this," it was Jem. He was holding out a slip of paper, and Tessa gingerly took it from him.
"What's this," Tessa said.
"My number," Jem smiled. "If you ever need me, just call and text."
"Thanks Jem," Tessa said, grateful she had already made a friend on the first day.
"I'll catch you tomorrow Tessa," Jem said, and then set off in the other direction.
Tessa pushed her way past the sea of students. English was on the opposite side of the school. The Institute was so large it was such a pain to zigzag back and forth. And the seven- minute passing times were really not that helpful.
Tessa finally made it with still four minutes to spare. She took a spot at the front of the classroom; she didn't want to waste time being in the back, for she instantly knew that this was going to be her favorite class. There were barely any students in the room, and Tessa figured there was still time before class actually started. So, she pulled out a book from her backpack and laid it on the table.
A Tale of Two Cities. A classic and one of Tessa's absolute favorites. She opened the book and the familiar words begun to fall of the page and into Tessa's mind. Tessa swore she could fully recite the book.
"'It was the best of times, it was the worst of times'," said a voice to her side. Will.
"Some book that is, wouldn't you say Tessa?" Will said. Tessa ignored him. "Though quite an awful book in the end. Men going around chopping off heads and a messy love triangle where the dissipated drunk ends up sacrificing. Quite depressing."
"I think it's quite romantic if you ask me," Tessa said, still not peeling her eyes away from her book.
"Mind if I sit here?" Will said cheerily.
"Hmm, let me think about it. No," Tessa said, still not looking at him.
"Okay, that's fine by me," Will said, happily plopping down on the seat next to him.
"I told you not to sit there," Tessa said through clenched teeth.
"Who are you saving this seat for?" Will said, glancing around. "As I recall seeing, you only know myself, Cecily, Jessamine, Sophie, and Jem. And, none of them are taking this class, so naturally you're saving this for me."
Tessa groaned.
"What was that?" Will cocked his head.
"Nothing," Tessa mumbled, trying extra hard to pay attention to her book. "So Jessamine isn't in this class?"
"Nope, she finds the subject boring," Will said nonchalantly.
"Is that so," Tessa said, finally tearing her eyes away from the book. Now that got her interested.
"Oh yes, she absolutely distastes reading. She thinks it's a waste of time," Will said, looking pleased with himself with getting Tessa's attention. "I see you've finally put away that horrid book."
"And I see that our tastes have changed since we last saw each other," Tessa snapped at him.
"I beg to differ," Will shrugged. "Once Mrs. Branwell gives us the reading list, we'll see about that."
"Mrs. Branwell?" Tessa said. "Is she related to Mr. Branwell?"
"Yes," Will nodded. "Though they are nothing alike. I guess opposites really do attract." He reached into his bag and pulled out a notebook. And dangling from the side was a locket in the shape of the book.
"Is that what I think it is?" Tessa asked curiously, her eyes widening at the sight of it.
"Um, well," Will started to see.
"I have one too," Tessa said, ruffling inside her bag and pulling out the necklace. "I still kept it, see." She opened it up and unveiled the picture of her and Will when they were seven.
Will stared at it long and hard, unfathomable. Slowly and surely, he opened up his to reveal to Tessa the same picture. Tessa smiled.
"I missed you, Tessa," Will said so quietly that Tessa had to strain to hear him. "And I am so sorry I couldn't say it before. I was just caught up in shock and Jessamine being there and all. But I say what I mean, and I am so glad that you're back. It's been far too long."
Tessa was touched and this erased the annoyance she was feeling towards Will earlier. He was still the friend that she had left behind, even if it had been ten years. Before she could say anything, someone walked through the door and the class immediately silenced themselves.
"Hello all, I am Mrs. Branwell," said the person kindly. She was short with brown hair and dark brown eyes. Despite her size, she held a powerful aura, as if she was wiser than her years. "I'm delighted to have you all in my class. I am going to pass out a book list of the novels we will be reading during this term. I advise that you all try and buy the books, as we will actively be reading them."
Mrs. Branwell moved along the aisles, passing out a single sheet of paper. Tessa glanced down and skimmed the titles on the list. Pride and Prejudice. Jane Eyre. Wuthering Heights. Great Expectations. And, last but not least, A Tale of Two Cities. All of Tessa's favorites.
"Now that you have your lists, I want you to turn to the person sitting next to you," Mrs. Branwell said, making her way back to the front of the room. "For this person will be your partner on every project and reading assignment for the rest of the term."
Will grinned at Tessa. "Well Tess. It looks like you're stuck with me."
The next couple days went by like a breeze. Tessa went to her classes, like a good girl, and returned promptly at 4 every afternoon. She spent no time dawdling around and actively studying. She had to do that to keep up her grades if she wanted to go to university, especially since she wanted to pursue a career in writing.
There was not much to her social life. She talked with Sophie, who ended up being in her French, PE, and European history classes. Jem made engaging conversations during Calculus. Cecily was evermore animated during lunch, though that was the only time Tessa interacted with her. Will studiously ignored Tessa during all periods he had with Jessamine, except for the English class he and Tessa shared. It was odd behavior, Tessa pondered to herself. He was so shut off, but during English, he acted like they were the best of friends. Just thinking of Will gave Tessa a headache.
It was Wednesday now. Tessa had loads of homework and was desperate to get home and crank it all out. No wonder Ms. Miller had said she had an intense course load. Tessa bolted around students, trying to exit the school as fast as she could.
"Tessa!" she heard someone call out.
Tessa did her best to ignore the shout and kept pushing forward.
"Tessa, wait up!" the person yelled again. Someone appeared next to her and stopped her in place. Cecily.
"Hey, Cecily," Tessa said.
"I'm glad I finally caught up with you," Cecily said, jumping up and down. Did this girl ever calm down?
"What's up?" Tessa said. "And please make this fast. I need to get back home so I can finish my work."
"Tessa you need to relax and stop to smell the roses every once and a while," Cecily said.
"Meaning?" Tessa said, cocking her head to the side.
"Meaning that Will and I are hosting a party on Friday night," Cecily informed her. "And we would if you come."
"Oh, I have plans," Tessa said hurriedly.
"Let me guess, you have a date with your homework?" Cecily smirked.
"Well, um – "
"Tessa!" Cecily chided her. "You need to stop and give yourself a break. Please come. I'm begging you! It will be tons of fun."
"Well, I dunno," Tessa sighed. "I'm not very social."
"You're friends with Jem and Will," Cecily pointed out. "They're two of the most popular people in the school. That should count for something."
"But that's different," Tessa waved her off.
"No it's not!" Cecily exclaimed. "Just please consider it. The whole school will be there, and this is something that we do every year. You could call it somewhat of an Institute tradition."
"I'll see," Tessa said.
"That's more like it," Cecily beamed.
"No it's not," said a voice. Will had snuck up on them, and had evidently been listening in on their conversation. "Tessa is coming."
"It's not nice to eavesdrop on other people's conversations," Tessa narrowed her eyes at Will.
"And it's not nice to turn down an invitation without telling one of the hosts that you're not coming," Will retorted. "And I say that you are coming. No matter what."
Tessa stared at him. He was looking at her in that intense way that sent shivers down her back. Cecily was right though, it was a good way to get out. And she couldn't stay cooped up inside at all times. Plus, she may be able to talk to Will some more, just like the old days.
"Very well," Tessa said. "I'll come."
Eh, not the best of chapters. But I did try to add some Will and Tessa, like I already planned.
But next chapter... oooh do I have some good stuff planned for you guys. So be prepared!
So could I get another 7 reviews for the next chapter? It took a while to get 10 for this, that's why it took forever for me to update this chapter. So yeah.
I'm tired hehe.
Bye!
~The Pale Red Queen