"Jem, I just can't do this!" Tessa exclaimed, slamming her papers on the table, sending them flying around.

Jem leapt off his seat and scrambled to collect the papers, arranging them into a neat pile on top of the table that the two of them were sitting. It was Wednesday after school and the two of them were busy studying at the small Starbucks down the road from the Institute. Tessa had her maths test on Friday and her audition for Les Mis just the day before. Two things she was not looking forward to. Luckily, Jem had offered to help her out for the test, which largely relieved a huge weight off her shoulder.

"Tessa, just relax," Jem said, holding her steadily by the shoulders so that their eyes met. Jem's were dark and full of understanding. He searched Tessa's face, as if trying to see into her soul.

"Take deep breaths," he encouraged her. "Being frustrated won't help the process. Think positive thoughts and everything will be fine."

Tessa shut her eyes tight and took a deep breath in then exhaled. She attempted to clear her mind, the best she could. She took a few more breaths, and felt slightly better. She opened her eyes and glanced at Jem, her gray eyes shining.

"That's better, isn't it?" Jem asked.

Tessa nodded, giving him a small smile. "Thanks Jem." Just then, the door opened up, letting in a gust of fresh air. Two new figures emerged through the threshold, hand in hand with each other. Will and Jessamine.

"Speak of the devil," Tessa whispered to Jem. "This is absolutely perfect. The odds are definitely in my favor." Tessa turned away, attempting to position herself so she wouldn't have to see the other two. She could distantly hear them in the background ordering their drinks.

"Relax, Tessa," Jem spoke calmly, placing a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "Remember what I said. Thinking too hard and being angry won't help your cause."

"'Lo there James," Will announced boisterously.

Jem threw Tessa an apologetic look before turning around to his friend.

"Hallo, Will," Jem greeted the other boy cordially.

"Hello, Tessa," Will said politely, his voice slightly tight. Tessa had still made no attempt to talk to him since their English class on Monday, even though they had their project to worry about. She still had two weeks, and this was certainly not on her priority list yet.

Tessa painfully lifted her head to see Will staring straight at her. His blue eyes were even darker than midnight, if that was even possible. She gave him the tiniest smile possible. His expression wavered. Was it disappointment? It was gone too fast, however, and he regained composure.

"So what are you both doing here?" Will said, raising an eyebrow.

"Studying for our Calculus test," Jem answered matter-of-factly.

"That silly test," Jessamine interrupted, joining Will's side and throwing an arm around him. "We have more important things to worry about, don't we Willy?"

Willy? Tessa thought to herself. That definitely did not suit Will, and by the look on his face, he seemed to feel the same.

"Yes, we do," Will said, though he didn't sound fully into it.

"Will and I are auditioning for the roles of Marius and Cosette for Les Mis," Jessamine said, flicking her golden hair. Like we don't know that, Tessa thought, resisting the urge to roll her eyes. "Auditions are tomorrow, so obviously we're preoccupied with that." She flashed Tessa a razor-sharp grin.

"Drinks for Will and Jessie!" the barista shouted from the counter.

"It looks like our drinks are ready," Jessamine said in an annoyingly fake voice. "Well, Will and I best be going. We have some auditions to prepare for." She grabbed her drink, with Will right behind her, and together they both headed out the door without sparing a glance behind them.

The second they were gone, Tessa let out a breath she hadn't even realized she was holding.

"I swear, if those two ever get the role, then I don't know what I'll do," Tessa threatened.

"Hey, who said you won't get it with them," Jem said, trying to reassure her.

Tessa glared at him.

"Sorry, not helping here," Jem shrugged apologetically. "I know you can do this. And Jessamine is a terrible singer, if that helps your cause."

"Fine," Tessa huffed.

"And if it helps even more, just remember that Will is only like this around her," Jem continued. "Trust me, I've known Will long enough to see through him."

"I've known him too, longer than you," Tessa argued.

"That's true, but you don't know him like I did over the past few years," Jem countered. "I met him at school when I was twelve. I had just moved from Shanghai to live with my Uncle Elias here in London. Let's just say that something traumatic had happened back there, and I didn't want to face the ghosts of my past.

"I had met Will during a difficult time for my life, and his for that matter. So we helped each other. I suppose it was because I didn't pry into his past and private life, like how others did. Will used to hold everyone at arm's length, and he still does now. Though it is not as bad as it used to be.

"At the time, I was barely even recognizable and I was in and out of treatments. Will was only constant by my side at all time. And he got me this." Jem gestured to a jade pendant, nestled at his collarbone.

"I didn't even know…" Tessa said, at a loss for words. "Jem, I'm so sorry."

"What's in the past has happened, and I am fully recovered," Jem said, smiling at her. "However, my point is that Will does have a heart. He may bottle everything inside, but underneath that hard armor is a heart that beats strongly for anyone. And whatever he's doing with Jessamine, he has not revealed to me. Not yet at least. But it has to be under good intentions. I will never underestimate Will."

"This makes me feel… better," Tessa said slowly.

"Good, that's what I like to hear," Jem beamed. "And if it makes you feel even more better, Will wouldn't stop talking about you when you returned."

"Really?" Tessa said.

Jem nodded. "Now that this has eased your mind, we have a Calculus test to ace."


Thursday rolled around. Tessa was full of nerves during school, as the end of the day approached. As soon as the last bell rang, Tessa ran to the bathroom. She glanced at her face in the mirror and only then noticed how tired she looked. She quickly splashed cold water on her face, then took a peek at her watch. She still had forty-five minutes until her audition time, which was more than enough.

Tessa sauntered through the halls until she reached the auditorium. She could hear faint voices through the walls, but nothing more. Deciding to pass time, Tessa drew out her notes from maths class in preparation for the test the next day. Though she could barely focus on the notes; Tessa kept glancing down at her watch every few minutes that time seemed to slip through her fingers. Until it was 3:30.

Tessa wearily stood up, straightening her skirt and shirt. Then, taking a deep breath, she knocked on the door.

"Come in," answered a voice from within.

Tessa pushed the double doors open and entered the auditorium. It was very contemporary, with rows and rows of plush black seats and a nice wooden stage before her. The lighting seemed excellent and highlighted every part of the stage.

"You must be Tessa Gray," said a girl in the front row. It was the same girl that Tessa had met at the activities fair. With her were four other students. "My name is Annabelle and these here are the other active members of our musical theater club. We'll all be evaluating your performance today."

Tessa nodded.

"Well don't just stand there!" Annabelle laughed. "Come down here. We won't bite, I promise."

Tessa made her way down until she could see all five students properly. In the dim light of the audience, it was hard to distinguish their faces, but they all seemed to be looking encouragingly at her.

"Since you're trying out for the role of Éponine today, we'll keep it nice and simple," Annabelle started to say, "so we'll have you sing On My Own."

"Sounds easy enough," Tessa let out a nervous chuckle.

"If you would please take the stage," Annabelle gestured before her. "You can begin when you're ready."

Tessa turned without saying a word, ascending the steps that led to the stage. She walked towards the center of the stage, feeling the floorboards under her own weight. She faced the audience, though not the people scoring her. She looked out into the empty rows of chairs, imagining people in them. Sophie. Cecily. Nate. Jem. Will. And then sang.

She sang her heart out. Tessa wasn't one to sing in front of crowds, but sometimes she had to overstep her boundaries. And, Les Mis was her favorite song. She knew this particular song by heart. She began slowly but then as the tempo built up and the climax approached, she poured all her energy into it and belted the last verse at the top of her lungs.

After she was done, she turned her attention on Annabelle and the others before her. They had all been moved to tears, and some were visibly crying, much to Tessa's surprise. Then, all of a sudden, they all huddled together and began speaking in hushed voices. Tessa strained to hear, but got nothing.

"So, did you like it?" Tessa finally asked when the group split apart. She sounded lame, but she was dying to know.

"Like it?" Annabelle said. "We loved it! You got the part Tessa, so congratulations!"

"Really?" Tessa said, flabbergasted.

"Really really," Annabelle beamed at her. "We've already decided on the rest of the cast too. They're out back, so I'll go get them."

Annabelle stood up and disappeared behind the stage curtains. Tessa awkwardly waited in the corner, not knowing what exactly to do. Sooner than later, Annabelle emerged with the rest of the cast. And Tessa's jaw dropped.

"Jem?!" she gasped.

Jem grinned.

"I didn't know you were going to audition!" Tessa exclaimed.

"I decided to take a leap of faith," Jem laughed. "And look where that landed me."

"Jem here will play the role of Jean Valjean," Annabelle announced. Wow Jean Valjean. A minute ago Tessa didn't even know that Jem was keen on auditioning, never mind the biggest role in the musical.

Annabelle moved down the line to the next boy. He was tall, very tall, with dark brown hair and brilliant green eyes. He had an arrogant smirk written across his face which just read bad news.

"This is Gabriel Lightwood, and he'll be playing Javert," said Annabelle. She then went on to the next person, a girl. "This is – "

"Cecily Herondale," Tessa said.

"Surprise!" Cecily said, her dark blue eyes shimmering in the light.

"You seem to know everyone, don't you Tessa?" Annabelle laughed. "Anyway, Cecily will be playing Fantine." Annabelle continued down the line, introducing each set of characters. It sure was a big cast. Until she reached the end of the line, where Marius and Cosette were standing. And these were being played by none other than:

"Will Herondale and Jessamine Lovelace," Annabelle said proudly. Great, exactly what Tessa needed.

"Well folks, I guess that's everyone," Annabelle said, rejoining her friends down below in the first row. "Practices will be held initially once a week every Thursday right after school for the first two months. However, as we near the actual date, which will be in the beginning of December, we will have practice every day. You are now dismissed. See you all next week!"

And with that, everyone scurried out of the auditorium. Tessa caught up to Jem and Cecily.

"How come you both didn't inform me you were auditioning?" Tessa demanded.

"I literally decided right after school," Jem said. "I wanted to try something new and I heard there was still an open spot."

"I knew for a while," Cecily said guiltily. "But I knew how freaked out you were about the whole ordeal. And besides, I didn't even know if I was going to get the role. But look on the bright side. We're all in this together!"

"That's true," Tessa nodded her head.

"Theresa Gray!" shouted a voice behind them. The three of them whirled around to see Jessamine storming up to them, her face redder than a ripened tomato.

"Nice to see you too, Jessamine," Tessa said in a bored voice.

"What the hell do you think you're playing at?" Jessamine yelled.

"I'm sorry, come again," Tessa said, thoroughly confused.

"I know what you're trying to do, and I don't like the angle you're playing at," Jessamine said, crossing her arms across her chest, accentuating her unflattering bosom even more.

Tessa threw up her arms in exasperation. "Okay, now I'm confused."

"I know you're just trying to be in this play to get closer to Will."

"Am not!" Now it was Tessa's turn to cross her arms. "I was purely doing it because I love this musical. I didn't even know the pair of you were auditioning until later."

"Oh yeah?" Jessamine sneered. "Then prove it."

"Jessie, is this really necessary?" Cecily said anxiously, glancing around them. Students had begun to form a ring around Tessa and Jessamine, awaiting what would happen next.

"Leave yourself out of this, Cecily," Jessamine snapped. "This is a matter for Tessa and I solely."

"I'm telling you Jessamine," Tessa began to say, "I only did this because I like the role and I like this musical."

"Is that so?" Jessamine said, and took a step closer to Tessa so they were chest to chest. Except Tessa was much taller than Jessamine; the other girl barely reached her chin. Tessa felt her hand curl into a fist, but willed her mind to relax. Then, unprovoked, Jessamine shoved her, hard. Tessa slightly lost her footing, but regained balance so she wouldn't fall down.

"What was that for?" Tessa asked angrily.

"Because you're hiding the truth," Jessamine said. "You're in love with Will."

"What!?" Tessa yelled. "No I'm not!"

"It would explain why you keep following him around and why you won't leave him alone."

"Jessamine, quit being unreasonable," Tessa tried to argue. "We're just old friends."

"Sure, but I'm not buying it," Jessamine said. "Four words. Stay away from him."

And then, out of the blue, Tessa punched Jessamine.


Ouch. Looks like Tessa and Jessamine have some bad blood between them (hehe Taylor Swift reference). But, Jessamine should have seen that coming... She gets what she deserves, right? Or does she...?

For those of you who celebrate Christmas, I hope you all had a wonderful holiday! Consider this your gift from me :) As for the next update, expect it within the next few days. I like to say few to give myself a bigger window, but a new chappie may just pop up sooner than later.

Also I really enjoy reading your responses. They're so much fun! So, can we surpass 100 reviews and then you'll get the new chapter?

Question: If you were Tessa, would you have punched Jessamine?