"Tess,wake up. We're gonna be late for school," my best friend, Ivy Martinez shook me.
"Nu-uh. Just a little more of it," I murmured with my eyes still closed.
We had a sleepover the previous night and we slept at about 2.am even though we knew that we had school the following morning which was now.
"Come on Tessy," she nudged me.
I squirmed in my bed like a worm and muttered some swear words away from the hearing of Ivy. That girl really hated swear words.
"I'm set already," I heard her say.
"What!"
I rose up with a startled look. I scanned the room frantically before resting my eyes on the black beauty.
I assessed my friend and she was right.
She was already dressed up in a white camisole with a leather jacket and short black skirt with knee high boots.Her hair was nicely put in a bun.
"You devil," I raced to the bathroom as she let out a high throaty laugh.After a quick shower, I came out fully refreshed and slipped on a v-neck D&G shirt with a huge brown hoodie over it.
I scrambled over to my closet and fished out a black jeans that was ripped at the knee.
I sat down in front of my dresser as Ivy arrived with a plate of pancakes and maple syrup.
"You're such a darling, I was getting hungry."I took a pancake and squeezed it into my mouth before grabbing my hairbrush.
"Shouldn't you do something about this thing?" She murmured, pointing to my hair.
"It's my hair, not a thing." I picked a rubber band from the table and put my hair in a high ponytail.
"I was gonna curl the edges but we're almost late."We walked down the spiral staircase and Ivy rolled her eyes."One could spend minutes on your stairs."
"Let the credit go to rich mommy and daddy."I said, still stretching a bit. She giggled and a phone beeped.
"Mine or yours?" I strolled to the kitchen and grabbed a chocolate bar from the counter.
"Mine, it's Scott. He's outside."
I grabbed my bag and slung it over my shoulder."Lover boy's early, isn't he?"I grinned and that earned me a smack behind my neck.
She opened the door for us to walk out and I closed the door
I looked over and saw Ivy kissing Scott in the passenger seat.How did she get there so fast?
I shrugged and walked to the car. I entered into the backseat and they disengaged their morning romance,both faces flushed.
I smiled at Scott. We've all been together since seventh grade and understand each other.
When, a month ago, Scott had revealed that he had feelings for Ivy, I couldn't have been happier. He didn't mind her skin color like most pricks do.
Even though I hated it when they start making out in front of me, I would say to myself,"They're just teens with hormones that are hard to control."
"Morning Tess," Scott greeted as he turned swiftly at me.
"Hey blondie,"I replied back , ripping off the protection on the chocolate bar.
I plugged in my earphones and Drake's God's plan blared into my ears. I could see Scott and Ivy whisper into each other's ear.
They looked really happy unlike me, my life sucks.
Scott pulled over when he found a spot to park in. I got out of the car and Scott said to us,"In case you haven't noticed, he's coming back today."
"Who?" I raised an eyebrow at him."Luke."
Luke Henderson, biggest jerk of all time. He had the looks anyone would want to die for.
Looks that could kill. He's been arrested many times and last week was one of those many times.
Behind every successful jerk, there is always a successful bitchass.
His cousin,side kick and best friend,Lucas Henderson.
They had things in common. If Luke's going to jail,so is Lucas. They were both arrested last week and now, they're coming back."Great. More troubles." I muttered.
We walked in towards our lockers. Mine opposite Ivy's and Scott's. I groaned as I heard some chattering behind me.
Some people, for some reason, can't learn to keep their mouth shut.
I strained my ears and heard a high-pitched voice you wouldn't wanna hear early in the morning.
I turned on my heels and saw Alessia,the biggest slut at Preston high.
She was facing Ivy with her minions behind her. Long lashes (fake) with a very heavy make-up.
She batted them at her and my friend looked really scared. Where the hell was Scott?
I was going to ignore them until I heard,"I don't even know why they allow blacks in this school."
That's it. She has gone past her line. I lunged forward at her with a full fist and she hit the ground with a heavy thud. Ivy was on the verge of tears as she tried pulling me back.
That didn't stop me from rambling.
"What? Blacks? You're lucky to have been born white and let me tell you something, that color doesn't suit you,bitch."
Her eyes widened."What? Bitch?" She tried to get up but her stupid heels prevented her.
I pulled her up with her hair and slammed her back against a locker. A crowd had already formed around us. "Don't make me mad." I growled. The bitch tried to spit at me and she earned a slap.
"What is going on here?" Mr. Philips,our principal,scowled at us and people scurried to their classes except Alessia,Ivy and I.
"Ms. Harvey,to my office now." He walked off and I trailed after him.
"She was being damn racist!" I banged a fist on his table and he flinched.
"Ms. Harvey, I'm going to let you off the hook because of your anger issues but there won't be a next time,are we clear?"
His glasses perched on his nose. I stared at him blankly.
I actually felt like punching him for not allowing me to beat the hell out of Alessia.
"Are we clear?" He barked again.
"Yeah, whatever," I muttered, looking around everywhere but him."You can leave," He pointed to the door.
I swung my bag and opened the door. I got out,closed my eyes and breathed in deeply.
"Really? Anger issues?"
I opened my eyes at the sound and a figure stood beside the principal's office, gazing intently at me."You'll be fine, Theresa," he mumbled to me as I started bugging him.
"Dad, that allowance ran out a few weeks ago."
"You spent it all?"he asked,wide- eyed."Yeah,duh," I grimaced at his question. A hand hit me across the face."That money was supposed to be for three weeks and you spent it in five days?"
I could see his grey eyes turning darker by the second.How is a father supposed to be mad at his daughter because she spent her allowance? Well, that was the shitty life I live.
My parents got mad at the smallest things. I received beatings day and night.
I mean,it was like I was unwanted in this world.Bruises and cuts every now and then.
Our house was a mansion. Sure, because my parents never joked about their job.
The one who calls himself a father is the heir to a family company while his wife was a designer.They were always on a business trip every now and then, away from home. One day, they decided to relocate to Canada.
His office was opening a new branch there and like the doggy in A.R Rehman's jingle,she followed.
I was forced to make a decision on that day. Leave or stay? If I left, it meant more suffering for me. But if I stayed,I could be on my own with nobody bossing me around.
So there you have it, they left me stranded in NY. Well it was my choice to stay but I bet anyone in my shoes would do the same.They never really bothered to look back. At least they sent me huge amounts of money every month.
Leaving a young teenage girl alone was pretty harsh. I learnt to move forward through the help of those two besties.
They were there for me whenever I needed them.
They were the only ones who knew how to make me calm down when I was mad.
I don't deserve their friendship.
Especially Scott.
The only emotions I've ever felt in my life are hate,revenge,and lust.
Have I ever loved someone?
Yeah,I have. Once.
Parents suck.
Well mine did."Theresa, people from my book club want to meet you. Make yourself presentable."
"Theresa,I need you to dress up. My business partner is almost here and he's bringing his son. Make yourself presentable."
I'm always presentable!
They just never seem to be satisfied.Theresa do this, Theresa do that.
I have my own life to live.I wasn't born to please them.After everything they've put me through, they still think I'm not fit to be 'a successor '.
I'm cold. I know.
Circumstances made me that way.It was him. That devil that just returned from hell. I didn't even know that son of a gun.I rolled my eyes at him and started walking to class. I was already late because of that stunt Alessia pulled.He walked by my side and tried to wrap his arms around me but I shook it off."You're pretty,"he smirked at me."Thanks,it means a lot." I snickered at him as I walked to my locker to pick my note.I kept walking as he also kept tugging at my hoodie."Can you move?" He was standing in front of me."You're different," he smiled and I think I melted."Again, thanks," I brushed past him but he pulled me back by my wrist.He pulled me close to him that our noses were touching. He smelled like roses and his breath, like milk.My hand was poking his abs and I looked down."Checking me out?"He grinned widely at me.
"Hey baby." Luke said into my ears. "What do you want,ass?""Theresa Octavia Harvey, didn't I ask you not to swear?" Ivy smacked me."Sorry Mom," I smiled at her."Your real name is Theresa?" Luke said to me."Shut up." I glared at him."You guys look cute together," Scott said, making goo- goo eyes at me."I know, right?" Luke agreed."Theresa, Luke, your ship name could be Thuke." Ivy opined."Sounds like puke," I grimaced."Or Leresa?" She said dreamily."In your dreams.""You're in my dreams," Luke said and I groaned."What do you want?" I faced him. He was really getting on my nerves by being around me."Great question,Theresa," he said, looking straight at me."Could you please not call me that?""Be my date to Lucas's pool party this saturday," he dropped.I sat s
I woke up with the sunlight resting on my face. A pair of large arms was wrapped around my waist.It was very comforting and secure. I couldn't even remember when I fell asleep last night.Luke continued his riddles and I.... Wait, Luke? I tried to stand up but I was held back by his arms.I turned,still in his embrace, to look at him.He was sleeping peacefully and his brown hair covered his forehead.His lips suddenly curved into a smile."Enjoy it while it lasts." His brown eyes peeled into mine. "I know I'm hard to resist but you've been staring at me for a while." I scoffed at him as I pulled up."I'm gonna go take a shower." I told him."Lock the door when you leave.""I'm not leaving, we're going to school together."He walked into the kitchen and I walked after him."Aren't you gonna change your clothes?" "It's
That freaking day finally arrived.The day where I got to stand in front of Luke in a bikini.Actually, it's not a big deal because I've been in front of a lot of guys, half naked.But, it's not just any guy we're talking about here.It was Luke, asshole, playboy and dick of the century.I sighed for the hundredth time as I stood in front of my closet, scattered.I couldn't find a perfect bikini. They were either too flashy or too dull, too tight or too loose."Just choose one, woman!"Ivy yelled at me. She was already in a blue bikini.It has lines and made it look like it was tied to her body. She wore a shirt and shorts as cover up."The boys are ready." She announced.We were all getting dressed in my house. It was Luke's idea since my house was obviously the biggest. Then after dressing up, we would leave fo
I was about to come out of the water when Luke pushed me back in. I raised an eyebrow at him."We're not done yet." He chuckled. I watched as he slipped his shirt off his body.Great abs, I thought. This must be why he's so full of himself. He stood there in the sun, shining in his tanned glory."Checking me out?" He swirled around like a girl."You wish." I settled back in the pool.He jumped in with a splash that startled me. People cheered, most especially girls.I watched as he swam around in the pool, greeting people, fist bumping some and high fiving the others.The guy was really popular. He's not a bad guy afterall. He's just a teenager who likes to date multiple girls at the same time."Stop staring, you'll give him sunburn with your eyes ." That high-pitched voice chirped behind m
I just really miss Ryder. He's the only one that understands me apart from Ivy and Scott. He sympathizes with me when I'm sad, cheers me up and loves me even with my issues.There's also someone who loved me the way he does."Wow, you've got your own gym. You're really surprising me."Luke remarked as he walked backwards into the gym with the friendship manual.I activated the treadmill and started running.He sat down on a rocking chair that grandma left in there and started reading the manual.I really didn't expect him to be serious about that stuff. After running for a bit, I sprawled out on the floor and drank hurriedly from the bottle of water.I sniffed my hair and it smelt really bad. Shower time, Tess. Tatiana Manaois' Helplessly blared out of the speakers of my phone.I brought my phone out and Ryder was on the screen. I smiled to my
Geek day, tomorrow.I screamed my head off and the pizza box dropped from my hand. "You just ruined our food!" Luke whined again."Geek emergency!" Scott burst through the door."Yeah, I saw the text," I raised my phone to him."I had no idea that it was tomorrow," he sprawled out on the couch cross-legged."You guys are still having this childish tradition?" Ryder said, pursing his lips."It's not childish," I snapped. "By the way, why did you come back?" I turned to Scott."My bike's here. I left it in your garage the last time I brought it. I'll get it and leave."I nodded and he walked out."So
I couldn't remember how I fell asleep last night but I opened my eyes to the smell of bacon.Stupid Theresa. Thinking about food when you injured someone.I wanted to get up but a pair of large arms prevented me from doing so.I turned around to face Scott who was still asleep. His bangs fell on his forehead. A tear slipped down my face and I wiped it off immediately.I struggled free and covered him with the duvet. I took a quick shower and helped myself to his clothes.I brought out a pair of black sweatpants and threw it on. I walked downstairs and saw Tanya making breakfast."Good morning," I walked to the kitchen. "Morning dear, how was your night?"I smiled at her. "Is Noah up?" "He went to school two hours ago."Two hours ago? How long did you sleep Theresa?"Can I get..""S
The doctor pointed a little light into her eyes as she blinked."I'm really happy for you," he said to Jason who was full of smiles. Grandma, Barb, Alessia, Johnson and Lucas were all there."Can you walk?" He asked her.She tried to stand up as Jason helped her up. Her legs were a bit wobbly but she could stand."You'll need therapy," he advised. "I'll sign you up for our therapy class. It's just one week. It'll realign your muscles."After the doctor left, everyone expressed their happiness. How glad they were that she woke up. They filled her in on what she had missed. She was most especially glad to see Lucas. After hanging out for a while, they all left, leaving Tess and Jason alone."You know, you really scared me," Jason said as he stroked her hair. They were lying beside each other on the hospital bed. "Why didn't you wear a vest?""Because I never thought he would shoot me," she said weakly."He's a psycho, I'm glad he's
One month later..."You're here," Barb greeted Jason and his grandma as they walked in.It was Tess's hospital room. She laid on the bed with an oxygen mask covering her nose."Sorry I'm late,I had some issues to settle," he hugged her."Let's go," Jason's grandma called Barb."See you later," she took her bag and left with her.Jason took a seat beside her and brought out his papers.One month ago...The night of the incident..."Here's the cure," Lucas ran to Jason's hospital room."Who are you?" The doctor asked."Lucas Henderson, Tess sent me here," he gave the vial to him but the doctor looked at him weirdly with all the blood on him."It's safe, I made it," he persuaded him and he injected Jason."Doctor," Luke walked in but stopped when he saw Lucas."Luke," Lucas called slowly.Luke was confused for a while. He was trying to recognize him."It's me, Lucas." He hugged him fiercel
"Search them," one of the guards said to the other one who searched Tess and Tae-ho. They took away all their weapons."Follow me," he said and they did. They walked into a toilet and Tess saw that bird sculpture that was at his house. The man touched it and a wall opened."Why am I not surprised?" Tess said sarcastically and it earned her a glare from the guard. They went down through an elevator and the doors opened. Mr. Harvey was sitting on a chair with Jack and James beside him. Lucas and a woman were on their knees too.That must be Fei, Tess's subconsciousness filled in for her."Fei!" Tae-ho whisper-yelled. "Well look who finally showed up," He cackled."Hey Dad," Tess greeted."Theresa," he called gently. "Why do you keep interfering with my business?""You interfered with my business first,old man," she hissed. "You took Lucas, injected Jason and still have the audac
"You knew he was going to betray us?" Mitch asked as he pulled a blanket over Diana."Yes, Max came by earlier."'''"Let's talk," he called her over. "I'm sorry about what my team did when they were with you. I never knew they were under orders.""Whose orders?""Cap.""That old fart," she muttered."I know you tapped his office. He knows.""That's why we haven't been hearing anything lately," she wondered."He has someone on your team.""What? No, he doesn't have anyone on my team.""I'm sure of it. They were talking to each other this morning. I don't know what you're planning but someone is working for Cap." "Jack," Tess murmured."He is acquainted with your father too. I've seen him frequent him office recently.""You still recognise my dad?""Of course,I can't forget his face when Aunt Monica walked in on the wedding day.""Why are you helping me?" Tess aske
"Don't worry mom," Tess said on the phone. "I'll be back in two days. Alright, I won't skip my meals." They were all getting ready for the infiltration. "Where's the smoke bomb?" Caleb asked Tess. "Uh, it's right next to the darts," she answered as she typed a message. °im going somewhere, I'll see you when I arrive. Be healthy for me š° She sent it to Jason and her phone was placed on vibration."All phones on vibration please," she said to everyone and they obeyed. "Alright," she called their attention. "You all know we may die right?" They nodded."And our bodies may never be found?" They nodded again."If you wanna opt out, this is the time to do so. I won't hold any hard feelings against you, I promise." "We're not leav
Tess was scooping down the soup her mother made before she left that morning. Everyone else was sprawled out on the living room floor. The couples were all cuddling except for Luke and Jack. Jason let out a yawn as he walked down the stairs."Good morning," Tess greeted and waved her hand. He scoffed. "I'm surprised to see you like this," he pecked her. "No hangover?""Nah, just a little headache," she smiled."Your recovery ability is great." Jack stood up hurriedly and ran outside."You better not puke in my compound!" She yelled after him."He's gonna be in a very bad shape," Jason chuckled. "What are you eating?""Chicken soup.""I want some," he bent down and she fed him."It's too early for all this," Luke walked into the kitchen, straight to the fridge."Good morning," Jason greeted and he nodded as he drank his water."I can't believe you're s
"You're a legend!" Mitch exclaimed."What do you mean?" Tess said. "Jason Gerard's mystery woman is the real deal. The clothes she wore on his latest Instagram update has been sold out," he read out."Really?" She exclaimed."You're on your way to becoming a celebrity," Eva snickered."Seriously guys, " Caleb called them together. "How are we gonna get the cure for Jason? The warrant's taking too long to be approved." "How about a sting operation?" Tess suggested."What's that?" Diana asked."A deceptive operation. We deceive him into revealing his crimes.""Sounds good." "No,it does not," Jack objected."You're still here?" David sighed."According to the report you gave me, he recognizes all of you. How will you carry out a sting operation? And by the way,I'm the boss here," he folded his arms across his chest. "Yeah and it annoys us so much!"
"I don't like him," Eva groaned."Me neither," Caleb stood up."Can't we just do something about it? Like can't we write to the headquarters and demand a new leader?" David inquired."Even if that's gonna happen, he has to spend two weeks training us before he leaves," Caleb told them."Well, that sucks," Mitch muttered. "It seemed like he has history with Boss.""I felt the tension too," David agreed. Tess drove in and walked into the house."Jason?" She called out as she entered."I'm right here!" He said from the couch."How are you feeling?" She sat beside him. "Any changes?""No," he sighed."Whatever you need, I'm here." He turned to her with a smile."There is something I want.""What?" She asked."A date," he replied. She kept looking at him."A date?" She repeated."Yeah, I mean, I might die anytime soon and I want to do what I've always w
"So,your request has been processed?" Diana said."Seems like it," Tess sighed."What are we going to do?" "First,we have to know who's coming," Tess said. "Let's go." They all stood outside the station, waiting for the new team leader."What's taking him so long?" Mitch complained."He should be here by now," Caleb said, wiping his sweat."I think he's here," Tess motioned to the car that drove in. They watched as he parked his car and got off."His back looks familiar," she muttered. He grabbed a bag from the backseat and walked towards them. As he approached, Tess swallowed hard. "Tess," he said out.There was something about the way he called her name."You're the new team leader?" She questioned."I guess I am," he chuckled. "I offered to fill in for you.""Why would you do that?" She asked."Because we have unfinished business."~~~