Here's chapter 8. I'm glad that you all enjoyed the last chapter; it was a lot of fun to write. It's probably my favorite chapter so far. Enjoy, because I don't know when I'm going to get to update next. Starting from the middle of this week, my life is going to get exponentially busier, with school starting soon and all this prep work I have to do. And I have to work on my college applications. =/ I'm going to try to update at least once a week, though.

Tesa's POV

Having a boyfriend was something Tessa was not used to. Before she came to London, she hardly had friends, let alone admirers. But Will never let her feel awkward. He was full of surprises, and he wasn't the type of boy to parade his love. He showed it to Tessa in the little things. A rose to start her day, or a piece of cheesecake from a New-York style bakery that she loves for her late nights. She was content, and he was filling her life with everything that he could give her.

For the moment, they were keeping their relationship a secret. Tessa didn't really understand why, but she didn't mind it. She thought it was romantic, all the sneaking around. They usually arranged to eat meals together, and of course, European Literature and Creative Writing provided more time for the two of them. But outside of class, they were busy with their own activities. Tessa had joined the school newspaper committee, and had quickly risen to the chief editor of The Institute Gazette. She had spent several Thursday nights up in the computer lab, fixing the paper for the weekly edition that was released on Friday mornings. Will was on the swimming team, and with his scattered meets and practice times, they sometimes wound up spending days without talking.

But they found the time. One Saturday, both of them had separately escaped to the library, and they found each other in their corner. They were squeezed onto a bench, Tessa's head on his shoulder and his arm wrapped around hers. They were playing with each other's hands, talking as the snow fell outside the window, decorating the quad.

"Tess, did you know that Institute hosts a winter ball every year?"

"No, I didn't know that."

"Well, they usually host one the weekend after Christmas holidays. It can be lame, but I was wondering if you would like to go with me?"

Tessa looked up into his eyes, and grinned. "Of course I would. But the only thing on the back of my mind is if we go together, what are people going to think? We haven't told anyone about our relationship, and I don't think shocking them at the ball is a good idea."

Will pondered this for a second before he replied "We can tell our friends before the 're the only ones who matter. But we should start with Jem and Tori though. It might be easier to start with our roommates and work our way from there." Tessa nodded and rose to her feet. She held her hand out to him. "Let's go back to my room. Tori's out working on a economics presentation with Leo from Charlemagne house. She might be out for a while." He nodded and took her hand.

Once inside the room, they settled side by side onto Tessa's bed. Tessa picked up a A Tale of Two Cities from her bedside and handed it to Will. "Could you read it out loud? We have to read this for European Lit anyways. " He smiled and took the book from her, opening up to where they had left off. "I have had the weakness and have still the weakness to wish you to know what a sudden mastery you kindled me-heap of ashes that I am..." and he read on, his voice rising and falling with the words of Sydney and Lucie. Tessa loved his voice. The night at the Underground had been different, his singing loud and playful. But his reading voice was where Tessa found peace. When he finished the chapter, Tessa leaned over and kissed him.

She didn't draw away quickly, kissing him more and more. He closed the book and set it carefully onto the bedside table. Tessa rolled over and crawled into his lap, and sat up, wrapping her legs around his waist. He leaned back on his hands and peered at her through his black locks. She let fingers trace his eyes, and those graceful cheekbones, finally letting them come to a rest on his lips. He couldn't take it anymore, and he leaned into kissed her, nearly devouring her mouth. He raised his arms to wrap them around her waist, but a moment of imbalance had them both crashing backwards against the pillows. Tessa rolled over again so that Will was propped over her, and she was under him, gazing into the marvels known as his eyes.

She set her hands under his shirt, tracing the edge of his spine and hardened muscles. He traced his hands down her sides, resting them at her waist, slowly tracing circles on her hip. Each kiss was filled with passion, and they were so absorbed in each other that they didn't hear the door opening.

They broke apart when they heard laughing. Tessa glanced over Will's shoulder and saw Tori, holding her computer and a stack of textbooks and Jem, holding the door open for her. She looked at them and turned to Jem. "Jem, it seems like I missed something when I was with Leo." By then he had come into the room, and was grinning at the heap of limbs on Tessa's bed. Tessa and Will both flushed, quickly sitting upright and straightening their clothes, all the while moving away from each other on the bed. Tori set her work on her desk and took a seat beside Will on the bed, and Jem followed suit, sitting next to Tessa. Tori wrapped an arm around Will's shoulders and leaned forward to look at Jem. "Aww, look James, they're blushing." He grinned, and nudged Tessa, wiggling his eyebrows at her. "Could you imagine the mental images that we'll have to deal with for the rest of our lives? replied Jem, as Victoria laughed again and gave him a high five under Will's and Tessa's lowered heads. . She spoke to them. "Is there something you guys would like to tell us?" Neither of them answered, staring at the floor in embarrassment. Tori leaned back on her hands, raising an eyebrow at the two of them.

"Honestly, guys, it's fine. But when I walk into my dorm and find two of my best friends making out, I would like an explanation for it."

Tessa looked up at her. "We're dating."

"For how long?"

"Since the break in November." Tori's mouth dropped open at that.

"You've been dating for a month and you didn't bother to tell anyone?"

"We didn't really know what to say" said Will, meeting Tori's gaze. She stood up and pursed her lips, trying not to laugh. "Well, I'm glad you two are finally together. But Tessa, next time you have Will in here, send me a text or something so I know not to come in." Tessa flushed even harder at this as Jem turned to Will and said "You too, mate. I still need my eyes to play the violin." Will threw a pillow at him. Jem ducked it and ran out of the room, laughing while an angry WIll chased him.

Tessa shut the door behind them. She turned and leaned against the door, looking at Tori.

"I thought you were in Charlemagne with Leo."

"I was. It turns out Leo did a lot of the research already, so we mostly had to put together the presentation. Jem saw me coming back with the books and computer in my hands, so he decided to help me."

"That explains it. I brought Will here because I thought you were going to be out for a while."

Tori nodded and Tessa sat next to her again.

"Well, embarrassments set aside, I'm really glad that you and Will are together. Truth be told, there's no one else I'd rather have him be with. Especially after his past disastrous relationships."

Tessa raised an eyebrow at this. Tori laughed.

"It's nothing you need to worry about. Those girls were truly awful, I don't know why Will dated them in the first place. Anyways, speaking of dates, has he asked you to the winter ball yet?" Tessa smiled. "Yeah, he actually asked me this afternoon." "That's excellent! We should go dress shopping next weekend. The ball may not be until after the holiday, but there won't be enough time to go shopping then." Tessa nodded and opened her math textbook. "Alright, sounds good to me."

Gideon's POV

He was sitting in the library, the reading lamp at his table flicked on. Sophie was sitting across from him, chewing on the end of her pencil as she worked through a physics calculation. GIdeon was supposed to be plowing through a reading on international relations, but having Sophie in the seat across from him was distracting. He was glad that his laptop covered most of his face, so he could observe Sophie quietly from his seat.

She had come into the library earlier that afternoon, looking to get some work done. She had found Gideon working on some calculus homework, and had come join him. They hadn't really spoken much, except when they took a twenty minute break to go grab some coffee. They had come back and absorbed themselves in their work. Well, at least Sophie dha. Gideon had spent the better part of his time looking at her.

She was dressed in an oversized sweatshirt and yoga pants. For once, she had tied her hair up into a messy bun, revealing the scar that ran across her forehead and temple. He had come to see Sophie as one with that scar. He had only known her for a short while before she got it. It had been strange, seeing her with it at first, but over the past few semesters, he gotten used to it. It always drew his attention to her eyes, which were green like his. God. She's so pretty. And sweet. And gentle. And loving. Sophie looked up from her problem and saw him staring at her. She turned a deep shade of red, causing him to flush in return. I don't blush. Ever. This is so embarrassing. "Gideon, do I have something in my teeth? Because I swear, you've been looking at me for the past two hours. Don't tell me otherwise."

He smiled and shoved his laptop to the side, causing his papers to shift too. He leaned back in his seat, staring at her. "I could lie and tell you that I haven't been looking at you, but what can I say? You've been occupying my mental capacity for the better part of today." She smiled and rolled her eyes, closing her physics book. "Oh stop it." He rolled his eyes in return. "Sophie, I was wondering... Would you be interested in going to the winter ball with me?" Her eyes widened at this, and Gideon started spluttering, hoping to remedy his mistake before he could cause anymore damage.

"I..uhhh... it's cool if you don't want to go with me, or if you're already going with somebody else... I …" "Gideon, shut up." He did as he was told, staring down at his hands. Sophie shook her head and reached her hand across the table, lifting his chin up with her fingers. She looked him in the face. "I didn't say I wouldn't go with you. I would love to accompany you to the ball." His mouth slowly spread into a smile and he took Sophie's hand from under his chin, gently kissing it. "Sophie, I..." "Gideon, let's go get dinner. I'm famished." He nodded and stood up, leaving his work at the table. They stepped out into the cool winter air. Neither of them really felt the chill though as they made their way to the dining hall.

Cecy's POV

She was eating dinner in the main hall, all by herself. For absolutely no reason, she was completely drained of energy. She hadn't even been productive that day, neglecting all her homework and watching Doctor Who on her computer. It was just one of those days when even getting out of bed was a chore. She picked at chicken parmesan. It was good, as was all Institute food, but she just wasn't hungry. She looked up when a tray appeared in the seat beside, and a body settled into the chair.

It was Mark. Mark was the pretty boy of the group, with blond hair and blue eyes, like a stereotypical German. She had never been attracted to him, but rather found a companion in him. Mark was Gideon's best friend, and was always up for a good prank or joke. Cecily herself being a wild one was glad for some company on this end.

She smiled at him. "Hey Mark. What's up?" "Nothing much. I just finished this nasty paper for my psychology class. I swear, I have got to start doing more schoolwork during the weekdays. These marathon homework sessions will be the death of me. I haven't eaten anything since breakfast." Which explains why he has nearly a whole meat loaf on his plate. He shoveled into his dinner, eating it with fervor. "And then I have to go finish this paper on the history of the Nile for Monday's Civilizations class. It's times like these where I wish I went to any school besides Institute."

Cecy understood. She had had some awful nights with the workload, but in the end, she wouldn't trade Institute for any school in the world.

"Anyways, Cecy, I wanted to ask you something" said Mark, working his way through potatoes. "Chew and swallow Mark. I'm not going anywhere" she said. He followed her instructions and downed half a glass of water. "I wanted to ask you to come with me to the winter ball. I know you went with Jem last year, but I'm not dating Elizabeth anymore, and I would like to go with you, as a friend." Cecily thought this over. I may have gone with Jem last year, but I'm almost sure he wouldn't mind if I went with Mark instead. Besides, I think he wasn't planning on going this year. Anyways, what's the harm in going with him as a friend? "Sure, I'll go with you." She smiled at him, and he grinned around his dessert fork. "Excellent! I'm glad that went over well. Anyways, I better go finish that Nile paper. I wouldn't want to be tossed into the Thames because it's late." He stood to leave, tossing out his empty tray and leaving a bewildered Cecily behind.

Jem's POV

Jem was in the music room, hounding away at the violin. There was an international music competition coming up, and he really wanted to compete and win. The grand prize winner would get a chance to play in Carnegie Hall, and Jem dreamed of playing there one day. It was 11pm on a Saturday night, and his fingers had started to ache after three hours of continuous practice. He set the violin down, and drank some water from his water bottle. He went over the piano bench and sat down on it, lifting up the lid of the piano.

Whenever he needed a break from the violin, he came to the piano, and played something lightly until he felt he could concentrate on the violin again. Institute required that students learn to play at least two instruments for those planning to graduate with an Arts diploma and a concentration in music. Jem had decided to play the piano along with the violin, and he was glad he had, because he got a chance to play another beloved instrument. He was so focused on playing the piano that he didn't even realize when the door opened.

"I think that was supposed to be a F#, not a F." Jem looked up to find Sophia Chang smiling at him from across the room. Sophia was Chinese, like he was. She was pretty tall, and had thin black hair that reached past her shoulders. Her mother was British, as was Jem's father, so instead of inheriting the almond shaped eyes characteristic of many chinese, she had large brown ones, which suited her. He grinned at her. They had many classes together because they were both enrolled Arts/Music diploma program. She was a good friend; Sophia was dedicated to her work and he had even played a duet with her in last year's talent show.

"Hey Sophia. Thanks for the tip. What are you doing up so late anyways?" he asked, peering at her from around the piano. She was dressed in sweats and a tank top, a sweater thrown over it. "I wanted to grab some hot chocolate from the beverage bar. My room is so cold." She crossed the room as she spoke, coming to one side of the piano and setting her hot cocoa mug on the piano. She rested her elbows on the instrument. "What were you trying to play?" He picked up the sheet music and showed her. She smiled. 'Beethoven's Moonlight Sonata. It's one of my favorites. Mind if I show you?" He scooted over, patting the seat beside him. "Not at all. Play away."

He loved her music. No matter what piece she played, she put her whole heart into it, and music showed it. He watched her fingers as they scaled the piano, awe in his face. When she was done, she looked up at him. "This was one of the first pieces I learned to play. It still takes my heart away." "I know what you mean. I feel like that about this Chopin piece that my father adopted for the violin. It's one of the most beautiful things I've ever heard." "James, can I ask you something?" "Of course, Sophia." "I was wondering... would you be interested in going to the winter ball with me?" She whispered the words, staring at the piano keys while she spoke. Jem looked at his hands in lap. Well this is an unexpected development. I hadn't even been planning on going.

Sophia looked up, disappointment spreading across her face. "It's alright if you're already going with someone, I can go..."

"Sophia, I will most definitely go to the ball with you."

She looked up at him in surprise. "Really?"

"Would I lie about something like this?"

"I didn't know you were capable of lying."

"All the more reason to trust me."

She patted his arm as she stood to go. "Thank you, Jem."

"Why are you thanking me? I really would like to go with you, don't think of it as a favor." She opened her mouth slightly, and flushed. "I should probably be going to bed. I have an early morning practice session with Ms. Schuyler ." Jem nodded in understanding. Their music teacher, Ms. Schuyler, was a great teacher, but she expected nothing but the best from her students, and being tired would not help Sophia's case at all.

"Alright, good night Sophia."

"Good night Jem." She walked out of the room, closing the door behind her.

Jem spent a better portion of his night learning to play the Moonlight Sonata on the piano, committing it to memory.