Tessa and Will push each other away in surprise and shock. Tessa ends up falling off the window's edge and onto the library floor with a thump. They both look up to see Jem leaning against a bookshelf. "But that's just my opinion," he says. Tessa looks at Jem with wide, scared eyes.

She turns to look at Will and he catches her gaze, they both want to ask the same question: How much did you hear? "I was looking for you. When you weren't in your room I asked if anyone had seen you, Charlotte said you were in here. I was going to ask if you would join me on a walk," Jem goes on.

"We weren't doing anything wrong," Tessa blurts out.

"I never said you were," Jem replies. His tone is soft and even, but almost too calm. "But," he goes on, "Might I ask what I walked in on? Hhmm?"

"I recommended a book to Tess and let her borrow it. I came to ask her how she liked it, maybe tease her a bit, you know how I am," Will says. "One of the characters in the book died and Tessa started crying. I hate to see my friends cry, and I know how terrible it is when your favorite character dies. I was just trying to be a good friend and comfort her," he goes on.

Jem stares at Will and Tessa for a moment longer before nodding his head. "Of course," he says, Tessa, dear, would you like to come with me on a walk?" Tessa nods as Will offers her his hand, she takes it and he helps her up.

"I'd love to. I just need to go get my shoes, if you don't mind," she says, smiling at Jem. Jem smiles back and nods his head.

"Yes, of course. I'll meet you back here when you're ready. I wish to speak to Will for a moment."

Tessa nods her head once again before turning to go. Before she leaves the library she turns back to Will, who is now the only boy in the room still looking at her. "Thank you," she mouths to him. He simply smiles and nods his head towards the door, telling her to go.

Tessa met Sophie in her room. "I'm just tiding it up a bit," she said when Tessa walked in.

"It's quite alright, thank you," Tessa replies. "Have you seen my black flats?" Tessa asks after a moment.

"Oh yes, they're by the bed, dear," Sophie replies, looking over from where she was. Tessa walks over to her bed and sees her shoes at the end of it. "Are you going out?" Sophie asks. Tessa knows that's not a question most maids can ask, but Tessa still thinks of Sophie as a friend so she nods.

"Yes. Jem and I are going for a walk," Tessa says, turning to Sophie with a smile. Sophie smiles back and Tessa is reminded of her request. She almost feels guilty when she remembers her conversation with Will. Tessa turns to go then. She walks to the library quietly, lost in her own thoughts.

"Tessa," Tessa turns at the sound of her name being called. She finds Cecily walking after her, wearing a smile that looks much like her brothers.

"Hello, Cecily. Can I help you with something?" Tessa says, smiling back, although it's hard to really smile at Cecily. She looks so much like her brother and Tessa still has Will's words playing over and over in her head.

"I was wondering if you knew where Will is. I was talking to him a few hours ago and he said he was going to speak with you for a few minutes, but never came back. And here you are, but, he's not with you," Cecily says. Tessa notices that she is just as confident as her brother.

"Of course, dear, oh, do you mind if I call you that? Some people don't like it, they think I'm talking down to them. And I'm not talking down to you I mean you're only a year – it is a year, right? – younger than me and-" Cecily cuts Tessa off with a laugh.

"It's fine, love. I don't mind at all," she says with a smile.

Tessa smiles back, blushing in embarrassment. "I'll take you to him, if you'd like. He's just with Jem in the library." Cecily smiles again and nods, motioning for Tessa to lead the way. As they walk to the library Cecily talks quietly to Tessa about how she likes the Institute and how she can't wait to train with Will and meet everyone. When they reach the library, the door is still closed and the girls can only just hear Jem and Will speaking.

"I don't know if it's okay to just go in. Jem said he wished to speak to Will alone," Tessa says quietly, turning to face Cecily. Cecily doesn't seem to be paying attention, though. She leans in close to the door, her ear against the door slightly. Tessa realizes she's trying to eavesdrop. "Oh I don't think that's a good idea," Tessa starts to say but Cecily cuts her off, once again, turning to look at her with a mischievous smile, once again looking like her brother.

"They're speaking about you, I think. I just heard Will say 'Tess', I think," Cecily says. Tessa bites her lip as Cecily continues to smile at her, still listening. Tessa gives in after a moment and rushes quietly to the door, feeling guilty about the whole thing but wanting to know what they're saying.

Tessa can only hear bits and pieces of the conversation, "Wedding," and, "Not fair," and, "You've never loved someone," and then the strong reply of, "Have too."

Cecily looks over at Tessa then, and whispers, "Is Will seeing someone?"

"No," Tessa says quietly. Cecily backs away from the door and Tessa follows.

"Shame," Cecily says sadly. "I thought maybe he was seeing you."

Tessa feels her cheeks flush as Cecily goes on. "I just figured, I mean, the way he talks about you. And we were talking the other day and he was so distracted so I said, "Oh, Tessa's here!" and he turned his head quickly and said, "Where?" When he figure out I was kidding he got a little upset, but changed the subject quickly," she goes on. "Plus, I might not know you very well, but you seem nice. I want my brother to have someone nice, you know? From what Will's said about you, I thought you guys would be perfect for each other."

Tessa turns away from Cecily for a moment to settle, then turns back. "I'm engaged to Jem," she says. It's Cecily's turn to blush, "I-I'm sorry. I didn't know. Sorry if I made you uncomfortable or anything I just-"

Tessa cuts Cecily off with a small smile and, "Really, it is okay. We're…we're friends, I think. It's all really complicated." Just then the library door opens and Will and Jem step out. They look surprised for a moment to see the two girls, and then smile. "Sister," Will greets Cecily, kissing her forehead. "Tessa," he says, nodding at her.

"Hello, Will, Jem," Cecily and Tessa say at the same time. They turn to each other and smile, giggling a little. Tessa forgot that she missed having a girl her age. Well, there had been Jassamine, but that never worked out. Now that Cecily was here, she started to hope that maybe she could have a real friend.

"Since you're both here," Jem says after a minute to Will. "Why don't you and Cecily come with us?"

Cecily looks like she's about to protest, but Will just links his arm in hers and smiles, "Sounds lovely to me."

All of this lovely feedback! I can't believe it! I'm so glad you guys are enjoying the story! I was afraid no one would like it. Hope you enjoyed this chapter(: Xx