Me: So... I hope you guys enjoyed the last chapter. And want more.
Will: Of me!
Gabriel: Of you? Not a chance! The idea is laughable. You know what... I am laughing! A lot.
Cecily: Really? You don't look like it. You two need to get over it.
Jem: It gets annoying. Sometimes. Other-
Cecily: Times it's just hilarious.
Tessa: I thought we were introducing a story.
Sophie: Why does this always end up as an argument?
Jem: *sighs* I will do the reviews then.
Me: Thank you, but I want to do this...
Laurenathalasa: Thank you! You are so sweet! I am glad everything is better!
Skts73: Thank you so much! Here it is...
Marie E. Brooke: Oh my gosh. Your review is so awesome. Thank you so much! I would say I'm sorry for the cliffhanger, but I'm not. :)
SilverJem5: Wow! Thank you! Here it is...
Me: Thank you! So much. You reviewers make made my day.
Sophie: She doesn't own the Infernal Devices. Only the idea. Not the idea for the Infernal Devices, of course. The plotline. For this story.
Me: I wish I owned the idea for The Infernal Devices. Then I would be Cassandra Clare. Who is awesome! Here is the story...
Chapter 4
Tessa's POV
"There is nothing so patient, in this world or any other,
as a virus searching for a host."
~Anonymous
The light, or lack of, was very helpful. Who doesn't want to run into a wall? There is nothing so enjoyable in life as banging your knee on the object in front of you.
"Cecy, Soph, are you alright?" She ran her hands up the wall in front of her. It tensed. Wait what? The wall tensed? She squeaked in surprise, yanking her hands off. She heard a deep chuckle.
"Aah! The wall laughed!" The wall laughed again.
One she recognized from years of staying at Cecily's house. Will. Oh no. No, no, no! She was feeling up Will. She was glad for the darkness of the caboose, it hid her burning cheeks very well.
"I'm so sorry! I, honestly, thought that you were a wall!" She practically squeaked, her voice several octaves higher than usual. She backed up quickly.
Obviously, not quick enough. Will, grabbed and held onto her hands for a moment. The fire in her cheeks intensified as he pressed his hand against her cheek. It lingered, before dropping. She was mortified.
That was, surely, some sort of violation. Granted Will hadn't seemed to mind, but she did! She basically hand-raped him! She shook, and lowered, her head in shame.
Just as Tessa scooted away from Will, and hopefully this awkward situation, the light switched back on, blinding her. She raised her hand, the one that assaulted Will, and then dropped it. She switched hands, one covering her scorched eyes the other, cursed, one wiping itself on her jeans.
The red-haired man that informed them of their waiting meal stared at them. He blinked once. Then twice. "Did Lottie send you in here?"
From behind her Sophie answered the man's question, "no sir. You did. You said that 'Lottie' wanted us to go eat."
The man nodded his head. "Yes, yes I did, didn't I? My name, have I told you it already?"
This time Cecily answered, "no you have not."
The wild red-haired man looked slightly bashful, " oh. Oh, it must have slipped my mind. I am Henry Branwell."
"Well Henry," Will was still shielding his eyes along with the rest of the group, with the exception of Henry who was squinting, "if you've gone and blinded me I'm not going to be pleased at all."
"Will-" Jem's reprimand was cut of by Will.
"Well, it is true."
Tessa shook her head, and walked over to the food-filled tables lining the wall. She picked up a porcelain plate, and started piling food onto it. Almost immediately the rest of the group followed her lead.
The dining car's door swung open, and hit the wall next to it, jostling Tessa's food. The sound of high pitched wailing filled the caboose. Tatiana Lightwood, when did she get here, she wasn't called, was clinging to the arms of her, extremely, annoyed looking older brothers. Gabriel bent down and whispered something in her ear. Her dull green eyes snapped up and locked onto something past Tessa's head.
She spun around to see what Tatiana was looking at. Will, of course. Tatiana broke away from her willing brothers, and walked sobbing to Will. She latched her arms around Will's waist, burying her head in his chest.
Will mouthed help to Tessa. She shrugged and walked over to the sandy brown-haired girl. "Tatiana, Tatiana what is it? What is wrong? Come, you can tell me while we get you something to eat." She pried the girl's arms off Will's tense waist, and tugged her towards the food tables. She placed a plate in her hands. Tatiana, evidently realizing that her sobs were accomplishing nothing, stopped crying.
"Thank you," Will, Gabriel, and Gideon replied. They turned, and glared at each other.
"Heronfail." Gabriel glared at Will.
"Lightworm!" Will answered back. Jem sighed. He walked over to Will, who was raising his fists while walking towards Gabriel, and pulled him to the booth that Tessa had just sat down at. Jem shoved Will onto the bench that Cecily was sitting at. Cecily turned her head, looking everywhere but at Will. Jem slid onto the bench right next to Tessa.
Something flashed in Will's eyes. But, no sooner had it come it was gone. She couldn't identify it. Something told her she didn't want to. she turned to Sophie, who was sitting by her on the long, cold, wood bench.
Sophie was watching someone. Tessa turned her head. What could Sophie be looking at. the only thing she saw was Gideon, who was serving himself a plate of food, dejectedly, and covertly, watching Sophie. Wait… was her friend looking at Gideon LIghtwood? was GIdeon LIghtwood watching Sophie?
A mischievous smile appeared on Tessa's face. she knew she probably shouldn't be playing matchmaker, but she couldn't help it.
"Hey… Gideon, Magnus, Camille, Jessamine…" She said, addressing not only Gideon, she didn't want to seem suspicious, but the three people who just walked in… "Come sit over here with us!" Gideon shrugged, and walked over to their table. Him and Magnus dragged another table, and it's chairs, over to theirs. They pushed it up against Tessa's table.
Tessa looked around, desperately trying to find an excuse to get Gideon and Sophie to sit together. She stood up, and Jem got up, allowing her to pass. "I... um... forgot to get drink. I be right back."
Jem stood up, "me too!" He followed her.
Will jumped up. "I'm so thirsty!" Cecily looked between them, and jumped up as well. Sophie looked like she wanted to get up, but she was blocked by Gideon, who was sitting next to her in Tessa's vacant spot. Tessa grinned. Phase one of her not fully planned plan... complete!
"Okay. Tessa what are you up to? Spill," Cecily placed her hands on her hips. Her eyes bore into Tessa's, as if trying to extract an explanation. Tessa grinned and chuckled. Jem grinned. Cecily and Will raised an eyebrow. The expression that was etched both sibling's faces was so comical. She burst into laughter. This elicited several confused stares. Only Jem laughed with her. He pointed at their faces. Humor was scrawled across his pale face.
"Okay, Tessa." Cecily was glaring at her. Tessa's grin widened. "What are you trying to do with Sophie and Gideon?"
Tessa gaped at her. Were her actions really that apparent? Whoops. Hopefully Sophie wouldn't be mad at her meddling. "Sophie and Gideon look so cute together! And they were both 'secretly' watching each other! Come on Cecy, you would have done it too!"
Cecily shrugged, "I was gonna do it. You beat me to it." Jem and Will gaped at the two girls.
"You two were scheming, all along, to get Gideon Lightworm with your friend?" Will looked at them, but mostly at Tessa. It made her skin crawl. How uncomfortable and... awkward.
Will shook his head, and walked back towards their elongated table. Tessa swept past him, sliding herself all the way to the wall. Cecily slid in next to her. Jem's face fell. He sat next to Will, who was seated next to Gideon.
Gabriel slid in next Cecily. A low growl was emitted from Will's throat. "Get. Away. From. My. Sister. You stupid Lightworm! Don't make me hit you!" Will glared at Gabriel. His fists were clenched.
Cecily huffed, "Will! You are only a year older than me! I am sixteen!" She turned towards Tessa. Uh oh. She was about to be involved in this. That look was on her best friend's face. "Tessa is the same age as me! She is sixteen too! You wouldn't tell her who to date!"
"What? You're dating Lightworm! And yes! I would tell Tessa who she can date and who she can't date!" Will paled.
"What was that William? You can't tell me who to date! You're not my brother! You're not even related to me! You are barely older than me! Who put you in charge of me? Why do you get to tell me what to do?" Tessa and Cecily were both standing, furiously glaring at Will.
"I did not-" Will paled at the sight the both of them.
"Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned." Gabriel grinned at his proper quotation. Looks like he finally got something right.
At the other table across the dining caboose, Magnus, Camille, Jessamine, and Tatiana were staring at them open-mouthed. Oh boy. Tessa stood up. "I'm leaving. Don't follow me!" She marched out, making sure to slam the door extra hard.
…
Just as Tessa slamming the door to her compartment closed, a leather-clad foot jammed itself in, keeping it open. She sighed. Tessa pulled the door open the rest of the way to see... Jem standing in her doorway.
"I know you told us not to follow you," the guilty grin on his face was infectious, "but I was rather hoping you meant just Will. Can I join you?"
"I did, and yes you may." He grinned, and walked in, closing the door behind him. She patted the spot next to her. He moved and sat there.
Ever since fifth grade, Jem had been a major figure in her life. His presence always calmed her. He always helped her. Tessa rested her head on his shoulder. They talked quietly to each other. She was on the brink of sleep, tipping farther and farther over the edge. "Jem, please don't leave. Stay with me."
She barely heard his reply, "I will always stay with you. Always." She smiled and drifted into her dreams.
…
Will's POV
Will watched Tessa walk away with a sinking feeling in his stomach. He watched Jem run after her with worried expression on his face, the sinking feeling grew. He was the one who was supposed to comfort Tessa. That was his job. Granted, he was the one who had made to leave.
But, he had a valid reason. He simply couldn't handle the thought of his Tessa dating some other guy. Nobody else should be dating Tessa.
Tessa was... well Tessa. But, he belonged with her. And vice versa. She made his blood pound. His heart raced when she walked in. He stopped breathing when she touched him. He was hers, whether or not she knew it. She was Tessa. Tessa, well describing her was no good to anyone.
He paused for a split second, just a second, then ran out of the room, Cecily yelling after him. "Will wait!" He ignored her, and kept going. Pausing outside the door of Tessa's compartment, he heard murmuring. Tessa? He slowly pulled the door open as the whispering stopped.
Tessa lay across Jem's lap, her dark-haired head resting on his shoulder. He acknowledged a sense of hurt before remembering that he was the reason her feelings were hurt. He hurt people. He was no good for anyone. He hurt his family and sister.
"Are you just going to stand there in the doorway forever?" Shoot. Jem had noticed him. He was losing his touch. Shuffling in, he slipped the door closed behind him. "Don't worry. I think she was especially mad because she hasn't had the best of days. She won't hate you." Jem looked over to Will, reassurance clear in his eyes. Gosh, how did he do it? How did he always know what Will was worried about?
"Will, to be honest I don't blame you either. I would have said the same thing. "Jem's voice dropped, leaving Will to strain his ears for the rest of Jem's statement, "frankly, I don't think anyone is worth Tessa."
Will's jaw dropped. Jem never opined his thoughts on this sort of subject. When Will had gone and dated girls left and right, Jem never said a thing. Jem never responded when Will asked him questions about girls. "You think she's pretty?"
Jem grinned, "yes, and so do you."
"What?" Will could feel colour rising to his face. What? William Herondale, blushing? "I hadn't noticed, really."
"Oh, yes you have. And I've noticed you noticing."
Will was definitely blushing now. He hoped it wasn't that apparent. "Well... did you know that Cecily was dating Lightworm?" Feeble. He knew Jem would know he was changing the subject.
Jem facepalmed. "Will, she is not dating Gabriel. You just wouldn't listen. And shouldn't you know better than to tell her who she can, and can't date?"
Will glared at him. But mostly, his mind was on the fact that if Cecily started dating Lightworm, she would leave. And if Cecily left Tessa would leave. He couldn't let Tessa leave him. He couldn't stand by, and let her fall in love with someone else. He would never be able to do it. He knew his limits.
"Shouldn't she know better than to 'possibly' date a Lightworm?" Will raised his voice from a tiny whisper to a normal pitch.
Jem widened his eyes at Will. "William Owen, leave sister alone! Also... be quiet. You'll wake Tessa up." Will nodded, he sat down on the bench across from Jem. Jem was playing with Tessa's hair.
The train car door burst open, Cecily and Sophie ran in. Will was used to Cecily's dramatic entrances. He did, after all, live with her. Or rather... he used to. Well, that dampened his dark thoughts.
"Will! Will, the train is on fire!" She stood in the doorway, while Sophie calmly walked over to the bench he was sitting on. She sat down as far away from him as possible. Why? Was he losing his looks too? Wow, today was just not his day.
Tessa woke up at the same time as Will sprang off his bench. "What? Where's the fire?" They both called in unison.
"Oh, sorry Tessa. I didn't mean to wake you up." Cecily looked over at Will, and glared.
"Wait, Cecy. So is there a fire?" Tessa's brow was raised with a quizzical expression that he found adorable.
"No. I said that... Will is such a liar. And a bully." She turned away from Will towards Cecily.
"That's okay Cecy. It was probably time for me to get up anyway." Tessa nodded, her eyes still drooping from sleep.
"Wait, but Tessa, you just left around ten to fifteen minutes ago." Cecily had a look of confusion etched on her face.
"Cecy, I am being generous, and not killing you. Take it or leave it. Don't push me." The whole car burst into laughter.
…
Eventually they settled down. The girls, Tessa, Cecly, and Sophie, sat down together on one side. Will, and Jem sat on the other. The cabin grew quiet as they fell asleep.
…
The sun drifted through the window, blinding Will. Was it already morning? He looked around the compartment, everyone lay asleep. They looked so much younger with no worried eyes ,or tight-lipped mouths. Youth. They could have been their worry free childhood selves again.
Bang!
What was that? Will stood up.
Bang!
He stepped towards the cabin door, and yanked it open.
Me: So... did you guys enjoy it? Review, and let me know. Oh, I also looked at all my other chapters, and when they were posted. Everyone was on a Sunday. So, sunday will be my official posting day! Thanks...
Cecily: Those people who review... you rock. And a shout out to the awesome people who have been with us every chapter...
-Laurenathalasa
-Marie E. Brooke
-Skts73
-SilverJem5
Me: Thank you guys so much!
Jem: Don't forget to review. (Even guests can!)
Me: Until next Sunday...
~Krissa