They had been on their walk for only fifteen minutes and Tessa was already starting to get annoyed. In the short time frame of their walk, they have walked in incredibly public places. They've passed a lot of people, a lot of girls. And almost every one of those girls stared at Will as they walked past. That was not what made Tessa as mad as she was. What did, though, was Will winking and grinning at them as they passed. He was encouraging them.
Of course, Tessa had no right to be upset over that. Will's just her friend. She's engaged to Jem. She doesn't even have the right to be upset over it. That's what makes her angrier, the fact that she has no right to be angry but is anyways. If anyone noticed that Tessa was upset or wasn't completely in the conversation, they didn't say anything.
Maybe she's better at faking than she thought. Tessa only actually starts paying attention when Cecily runs off toward a shop and Jem follows behind with a laugh. Will still stands at Tessa's side. "He's showing her a little sweet shop I showed him last year," he says. He must have known Tessa hadn't been paying attention.
"Oh," is all Tessa says in reply.
"Are you okay?" Will asks a moment later, turning to face her. "You seem a little out of it." Even as Will speaks, another group of girls turn to look at him and giggle, though they look away and stop when they notice Tessa's watching them.
"I'm fine," Tessa says. She figured Will didn't believe her, because he sighs and looks away before turning back to her.
"You're lying," he says softly. "I found that I can notice when you're lying now. You always fidget with her hands when you lie."
Tessa looks up at him. "I don't want to talk about it."
Will rolls his eyes, "That's too bad. What's wrong, Tess?" He says Tess softly, as if the word is a secret shared between the two of them. She stares into his blue eyes, wondering what she looks like to him.
"It's silly, really. You'll think it's silly," she says finally. Will shakes his head and grabs Tessa's hand. She knows this is a bad idea, especially with Jem only a little bit away. But when Tessa looks over at Jem and Cecily, they're not even facing her and Will and they're lost in their conversation, laughing at something. Tessa feels a pang of jealousy and lets out a frustrated sigh.
"If it matters even to affect you it's probably not silly," Will says. Tessa laughs, looking up before turning back to him.
"Girls are staring at you. They giggle when you walk past. Whisper to their friends," she says, laughing a laugh that has no humor in it. Will looks confused for a moment, but then his eyes light up like it all suddenly makes sense, it probably does now. But before he can continue, Tessa's speaking again. She doesn't know why, but suddenly she's telling Will everything.
"And your sister and Jem and off in their own little world, laughing at God knows what. And she does this thing where she giggles after everything he says and smiles at the ground!" Tessa looks over at Cecily and Jem again for a moment. "It's all driving me insane. And then I'm upset with myself because why should I be angry with girls flirting with you? We're friends, I get no say in anything you choose to do! And then I'm also jealous of your sister for some reason when I know I shouldn't be and I – " Tessa throws her hands up in frustration.
"Hey now," Will says, stepping closer to her and running his hands up and down her arms, attempting to calm her down. "It's fine. I find it amusing that you're jealous of girls just giggling when I walk by and smiling at me. And you're engaged to Jem, it is okay to be jealous when someone flirts with him, Tess."
Tessa looks up at Will, whose smiling brightly at her. She can't help but smile too, because how often has she seen Will smile like that? "Thank you, Will. I'm sorry for that," she says, tilting her head as she looks up at him. He was still running his hands up and down her arms, but now they're still. He stares down at her, their eyes locked.
"I told you I'll always be here for you." Will speaks softly his eyes still on Tessa. For a moment Tessa thinks of moving away as her eyes fall on Will's lips, but she's selfish. She doesn't want to move away because she loves being like this with Will and she has no idea when she'll be able to be this close to him again.
"Will!" Cecily screams, making Tessa and Will jump apart. They both turn towards them quickly to see Jem with his hand over his mouth and Cecily looking pale and scared. They both seem to understand what's happened at the same time because they both take off running towards Jem and Cecily.
"Can you take care of Cece? She looks terrified, I can handle Jem," Will says to Tessa. He doesn't even look at Tessa as he speaks; his full attention is on Jem. Tessa nods, "Of course." She turns to Cecily then, who still looks pale and is shaking.
"H-he's fine," Tessa stutters as she speaks to Cecily. "It's part of the illness. Once we get him back to The Institute, he'll be fine." Will is already helping Jem towards The Institute so Cecily grabs Tessa's arm and they hurry after the boys. "He'll be fine," Tessa mutters again. She says it quietly, under her breath, the words meant simply for her. By the time they reach The Institute Tessa feels sick.
Not just sick with worry over Jem, but sick over the fact that she let herself forget about him. She forgot all about Jem while she was with Will, Will of all people. Will rushes Jem away as soon as they enter The Institute, Charlotte following behind him. Tessa debates whether or not she should follow, but then decides she should. She shouldn't have to think that over. Soon Jem will be Tessa's husband; she should be there for him. Cecily gives Tessa an understanding look as Tessa rushes after them.