Tessa’s POVJoseph seemed genuinely confused by my question. It was as if it was the craziest thing he had ever heard, and I couldn’t figure out why he was so confused. It seemed like a normal question to ask, but his lips pursed, and his eyes narrowed as he choked, his head to the side.“I already assumed that was the plan,” he finally said after a long pause.Suddenly, it felt like a weight had lifted off my shoulders. I was glad that he didn’t see our relationship ending or wanting to do any long-distance type thing. But at the same time, did I really want to live in the mountains? I mean that was the point of the trial run, to see if could live with him in the mountain village. But as time went forward, I wondered if that was truly what I wanted.“Is that not what you want?” He then asked, surprising me.“I want to be with you,” I told him honestly. “I don’t care where we are. As long as we are together.”The smile that spread across his face was radiant. He wrapped me in his arms
Tessa’s POVI jumped off the couch quickly as I stared at the email.Fable Magazine wanted to offer me a full-time position for their New York branch. I couldn’t believe this was happening. This was something I’d been wanting, knowing that they had a branch in the big city. Ruby was going to lose her shit when she found out that I had a job offer in the very city she was hoping to move to after graduation.Just then, Joseph stirred on the couch.My entire body froze, and I turned to look at Joseph who was now opening his eyes and peering up at me with a timid frown.“Where did you go?” He asked, holding his arms out for me to return to him.I opened my mouth to respond to him and tell him what had happened. But just as I did, I remembered that he wanted to return to the mountains after I graduated, so I shut my mouth and put my phone on the coffee table.“Maybe we should go to the bedroom,” I suggested.He groaned but he sat up; he looked so good freshly woken. His hair was messy, and
Tessa’s POVI wasn’t sure why I was saddened by Penny’s text. I did tell them I wanted them to leave; I mean my father attacked Joseph and I almost got hurt in the process. He deserved to get his hand broken and I didn’t want him to cause anymore unnecessary drama. Especially at my graduation ceremony.But there was still a part of me that wanted my father there. I hoped we’d be able to talk and that he’d actually apologize for his behavior.Maybe it was just wishful thinking.I decided to call Penny before leaving for the apartment. I didn’t have long before I needed to be at the school.“Tessa?” Penny said as soon as she answered the phone.“Hey, Penny,” I said, almost sheepishly. “I just wanted to check in and see how Dad is.”She was quiet for a moment like she was processing what I had said.“His hand is broken, and he’s upset. But he’s fine. We are packing up right now and we'll be out of your hair soon. That is what you wanted, right?”“He tried to punch Joseph and almost punch
Tessa’s POV“Her heritage is the reason my wife is dead,” my father said through his teeth. “I don’t want my daughter associated with that any of that shit, Pen.”“You’ve been searching for a way to get rid of her powers for years with no luck, Rick. Eventually, her powers will grow, and she will be more dangerous than ever. Next time, it won’t be just your hand,” Penny said in a harsh whisper. “The coven already told you that there is no way to get rid of it. Why can’t you believe them.”“Tessa wasn’t the one who broke my hand,” my father muttered, ignoring the rest of what she had said.I heard enough. I couldn’t stay here any longer. My father was keeping more secrets from me and by the sounds of it, he knew who and where my mother’s coven was.I didn’t bother waiting for them to emerge from the kitchen room. I didn’t bother telling them I was leaving. I managed to leave the apartment without them noticing.As I walked outside the apartment building, I felt an overwhelming sense of
Joseph’s POVTessa stared at me wide-eyed when she realized I was standing behind her. I had her purse clutched in my fist and my eyes never left her as she slowly turned to face me.She got an incredible job offer this morning and she didn’t bother to tell me. It was clear to me that she was afraid to tell me out of fear that I wouldn’t want to move to New York. In reality, New York was only an hour's drive from the mountains my tribe resided in, so, I would be able to commute if necessary.“I’m going to the auditorium,” Ruby whispered to Tessa, unaware that I could hear her clearly as if she was standing right beside me. “I’ll see you in there.”She put a reassuring hand on Tessa’s shoulder before shutting her locker door and heading toward the auditorium.Tessa stood frozen.“How much of that did you hear?” Tessa finally asked, nervousness clear in her tone.“All of it,” was all I could think to say.She sighed and lowered her gaze.“I didn’t want you to find out like that…”“About
Tessa’s POV“I apologize for the interruption. Please continue,” Joseph said softly as he made his way to his seat.Dean Miller didn’t look pleased. He just scowled at Joseph and then motioned for Hannah to continue.My eyes briefly met my father's who I noticed was visibly tense now that Joseph was in view. I wasn’t surprised by that. Penny had placed a hand on his biceps to calm him.Hannah cleared her throat and then she started her speech. I wasn’t listening to what she was saying though; I was more focused on Joseph as he made his way to the faculty seating and sat beside Miss Emily.Joseph and I had been through a lot this past month, so I shouldn’t still be insecure and jealous of Miss Emily. I knew she liked him from the minute he showed up at this school, and I knew he didn’t like her in return. At least not like that. She was his friend and nothing more. But something about him sitting so close to her left an unsettled feeling in the pit of my stomach.I was not too fond of
Tessa’s POV“Tessa, can we speak in my office?” Dean Miller asked as soon as I left the auditorium.I had a bad feeling about this conversation; I wondered what he wanted to talk about it. But when his eyes found Joseph’s behind me and he said, “You too, Professor Evergreen,” it felt like my whole world was coming in around me.Ruby gave my arm a gentle squeeze and then she smiled at me.“I’ll catch you later, Tess,” she said, hugging me tightly. “I’m going to try to call my parents… again.”“Good luck,” I said, hugging her back. “I’ll see you at the after-party.”“You bet,” she said, waving.We followed Dean Miller to his office across the campus.There was still no sign of my father and Penny, and I couldn’t help but wonder if this was related.“Please, take a seat,” Dean Miller instructed, motioning for the chairs in front of his desk.“What’s this all about?” Joseph asked, furrowing his brows together as we sat.“Your relationship with Tessa has already been established. There’s n
Tessa’s POVI was unprepared for all Joseph had done to make sure this party was a huge hit. Moments after he left, a few people arrived with an entire DJ set and my mouth nearly hit the ground.“You’re Michael Allister,” I said with a gaping mouth.It wasn’t a question, but his smile grew, and he nodded.Michael Allister was one of the best DJs in the city. Everybody who was everybody was able to book him for their parties. I was never able to get him personally, but Brian has in the past. I never spoke to him though and I was starstruck seeing him standing before me.I shouldn’t have been surprised that Joseph was able to book him so easily.“Where should I set up my equipment?” He asked, looking around the huge house.“The back patio,” I said without hesitation. “I’m assuming most will spend their time outside.”It was around 90 degrees outside, and it was only getting hotter by the second. I did not doubt in my mind that most would be utilizing the pool and hot tub. That seemed to