Tessa’s POVMy talk with Brian earlier left a chill down my spine. I could hardly concentrate on studying in the library and I was practically a drone in my next class.Only one more class and it would be Joseph’s evening class. I had a knot in my stomach thinking about it. We had a nice conversation in the lunchroom and I’m hoping things don’t have to be weird between us. But now everybody was talking about it.Once I got to Joseph’s class, he was talking to a few teachers outside his classroom, including Emily.She gave me a smile as I walked by, though it seemed strained and she stepped closer to Joseph, almost protectively. I tried my best to return her smile as I walked into the classroom.I felt Joseph’s eyes on the back of my head.Ruby was sitting at our usual desks in the back of the room, speaking to some girls as I sat down.“They are fake rumors, so, stop talking about it,” Ruby hissed to the others who only gave one another knowing before turning away.I knew they were ta
Tessa’s POV“Do you like tomato and basil soup?” I asked from the kitchen, peering over at Joseph sitting on the couch.“Sounds good,” he answered.I was surprised when he agreed to come inside, even more shocked that I invited him. But now that he was here, I needed to prepare dinner for us both. I was pleased that he was here. Despite our many differences and the fact that I hardly saw him during the day, I missed hanging out with him in the evenings.It was like a part of me was missing these last few days and now that he’s in my living room, sitting on my couch, waiting for me to return with food, it felt like that missing part has been filled.I felt good about our friendship. I’m glad we talked a little bit earlier and cleared some of that negative energy away. But there was still stuff I wanted to say to him. There were still things I needed to tell him.I was so lost in thought, that I hadn’t even noticed that he was now in the kitchen.“Do you need help with anything?” He ask
Tessa’s POV“Tess—”“I’m serious, Joseph,” I said, cutting off whatever he was about to say. “Are you seriously going to sit there and tell me you didn’t feel anything when we kissed? Was it that meaningless to you?”“We’ve both had a little too much to drink,” he said, shaking his head as he stared down at the wine glass. “It’s probably better if we—”“I will never have the courage to say any of this sober,” I told him, keeping my eyes locked on the side of his face. “Do you regret that kiss?”“Yes,” he said meeting my eyes.It felt like someone had stabbed me in the heart. I couldn’t stop the tears from filling my eyes. I looked away from him so he wouldn’t see them as well.“But not for the reason you are thinking,” he continued. “The life that I live is a dangerous one. It’s not for a human. Especially a young human girl with an entire future ahead of her. You deserve better than a vampire like me. It’s a dark and lonely world I live in. It’s no place for you.”I found myself reac
Tessa’s POVHe’s gone.I woke up this morning and he was no longer in my bed. I knew before I even got out of bed and into the living room that he wouldn’t be there either. He wasn’t in my apartment. I could feel it.He left.It must have been in the middle of the night. Maybe he waited until he was sober enough to drive home. Or maybe it was immediately after I fell asleep.This was nothing more than I mental game that I was falling victim to. How was I so easily tricked all the time? First Brian and now Joseph.I knew it wasn’t fair to compare Joseph to Brian. But I felt used.I was still naked when I woke up. I don’t really remember falling asleep, but I woke up covered by my blanket. I remember him kissing my forehead and telling me to go to sleep. I remember feeling like everything was going to be okay and that things were going to be different going forward.Now I was feeling like a fool.I pressed my knees to my chest and allowed a few tears to let loose. That was all I was goi
Tessa’s POV“What do you mean love? You think you love him after he ghosted you?” I asked, trying to hold back my second round of laughter.However, the sadness in her eyes made things less humorous and jabbed painfully at my heart.“No,” she admitted, looking down at her hands. “But I thought maybe I could love him someday. I don’t know why I feel so sad over this one guy. I only knew him for one night and had sex with him once. I’ve had sex with guys before and never felt this attached afterward. At least not since, Todd,” she said, naming her ex-boyfriend.I sighed and took another swig of wine while pouring her another glass. Once I put the wine bottle down, I pressed my knees to my chest and took a sip of the wine in my glass.“I don’t know much about love myself,” I admitted. “But I know it’s a feeling like no other. A connection between the heart, mind, and soul. When you kiss, it’s like you’re the only two people in the room. His eyes pouring into you will keep you in a trance
Joseph’s POVFuck!She was falling in love with me.My heart nearly stopped. I knew I shouldn’t be listening to this conversation. I knew I should have left. But my feet remained planted, and I couldn’t seem to bring myself to walk away. Not yet at least. I needed to hear more of what she had to say.“I know it’s crazy, but I can’t bring myself to let him go,” Tessa said, and I knew, from the muffled sound in her voice, that she was burying her face in her hands. “He has this mysterious side to him that leaves me starstruck. It’s exciting and makes me want more of him.”She liked the side of me that was a vampire. She enjoyed the potential danger that I brought her.The knot in my stomach tightened.“You want to be dominated by Professor Evergreen,” Ruby teased her.I didn’t like that another student of mine was talking about me like this. They shouldn’t be talking about me like this.Tessa only laughed in response.Now was not the time to talk to her. I needed to before she figured o
Third Person POV“Brian?! Where the hell have you been? You barely spoke to me all week and I haven’t been able to find you,” Amanda seethed storming over to the computer Brian was sitting at.Without looking up at her, he responded with, “Here.”He was in the library, and he had been for most of the week. Amanda and he don’t share any classes together. The only time they really see each other now is between classes and lunch, which he’s been AWOL for both.He understood why she was frustrated with him, but at the same time, she didn’t really have a right to be upset. They weren’t dating. They were nothing more than friends and he’s made that painfully clear to her.“All week?” She asked, folding her arms across her chest. “You never come to the library. Is it because that slut’s been here?”Brian snapped her a look, a wave of fury washing over him.“Don’t call her that,” he hissed.Her frown deepened and the anger that was once written on her face was replaced with genuine hurt.He s
Joseph’s POVTessa remained in my mind for the rest of the day. I was having trouble concentrating on my work, which was exactly what I didn’t want.The painful expression on her face, when Emily walked into my office, was engraved in my mind. I wanted to explain to Tessa that nothing was going on between Emily and me. I wanted to wrap her in my arms and comfort her more than anything. Her scent lingered in my office, relaxing my entire body.I wanted to feel her, to touch her, and to kiss her. I wanted to bend her over my desk and have my way with her. But I had to restrain myself. Especially while we were at school.I struggled to brush that thought out of my head, but eventually, I did and was able to finish my work before class time.Emily stood outside her classroom as she often did so she could greet her students as they walked in. She too had a night class, claiming that it was easier for her because she didn’t like waking up early. She didn’t meet my eyes or greet me as she of