TessaThe morning of the trip was a whirlwind of last-minute packing and nerves. My mom was running around the house, making sure I had everything I needed. Her voice was a constant stream of reminders: "Did you pack enough socks? Do you have snacks? Don't forget to call me if you need anything!" I could barely keep up with her fussing, but I was grateful for it. She was always the one making sure everything was just right, no matter how big or small the occasion.Just as I was about to reassure her for the hundredth time that I had everything, Mr. Carter walked in, his usual calm presence cutting through the hectic energy in the room. "You don't have to worry," he said, his voice steady and reassuring. "Tessa is in safe hands. I'll make sure she's taken care of." There was a promise in his words, one that made my heart skip. He looked at me with a small, knowing smile, and I had to fight the blush creeping up my cheeks.My mom looked at him and nodded, finally relaxing a bit. "Thank
TessaThe student were all laughing and chatting as we made our way to the bus, their excitement infectious. Leah linked her arm with mine, practically bouncing on her feet. "Come on, Tessa! This is going to be the best trip ever!"I managed a smile, but my mind was somewhere else, or, rather, on someone else. I glanced back over my shoulder one last time, my eyes landing on Mr. Carter, who stood near his car, smirking. He was perfectly composed, his expression unreadable to everyone else, but I knew that look. The memory of his kiss in the car, and his whispered promise to make this trip "memorable," lingered in my mind, sending a thrill through me.On the bus, the teachers organized us into groups. To my surprise, and a little to my dismay, I was grouped with Mr. Carter and Miss Rebecca. Her face twisted slightly when she saw me, and I could sense her unease. She'd always been a bit strange around me, her comments just a bit too pointed, her attitude dismissive."Didn't you check
CarterThe teachers' lounge is buzzing with laughter and casual chatter as I take a seat at the back, trying to let the noise fade into the background. My mind, though, is far from here. Tessa's flushed face, her glances, and that slight smirk on her lips keep replaying in my head. I glance at my watch for the tenth time in the past five minutes, willing it to move faster. The end of the day couldn't come soon enough."What's got you checking your watch so much, Carter?" Rebecca's voice grates on my nerves as she slides into the seat beside me, eyebrows raised with that hint of her trademark smirk."Got a hot date, or are you just eager to start vacation early?" another lectures jokes, overhearing Rebecca's question. I force a smile, brushing it off with a casual laugh."Maybe both," I reply lightly, keeping my voice neutral. The lecturers pick up on the joke, and soon there's a round of playful banter flying around the room. Rebecca plays right along, laughing a bit too loud and thro
CarterI closed the door behind me and turn around, still trying to shake off the shock of finding Rebecca at my door, let alone with the kind of intentions she'd been hinting at. It's unbelievable. I've always kept things professional, never given her any reason to think there was something more between us. And yet, there she was, throwing herself at me as if it were the most natural thing in the world.I heard another knock and my irritation spikes. If she's back, still hoping to turn this into something, I'm going to have to make myself even clearer. I yank open the door, already gearing up to lay down the boundaries, but it's her, the last person I'd expected but the only one I wanted to see tonight."Tessa," I breathe, feeling a wave of relief wash over me. She's standing there, looking a little flustered, cheeks flushed and her hair slightly tousled."Sorry for being late, I don't plan to be," she says, giving me a small, apologetic smile. "I couldn't find my keys, and then—wel
TessaI open my eyes to the morning light streaming in through the thin hotel curtains, feeling a warm sense of comfort I haven't felt in a long time. I blink, taking in my surroundings with my eyes that still felt huge to close again for sleep, the soft sheets embraced my body tightly, and the smell of fresh coffee occupied my nostrils, I wonder where the smell is coming from. Mr Carter suddenly emerged from the kitchen, a tray in hand with breakfast and a cup of coffee beside it. Heading straight for the bed, a smile tugged at the corner of his lips."Good morning, sleepyhead," he greets me with a smile, setting the tray down carefully beside me. His voice is warm, a gentle hum that makes the whole moment feel surreal, like a scene from a movie.I sit up slowly, my muscles still pleasantly sore, and I glance at the breakfast he's prepared. Toast, fresh fruit, a small croissant, and a steaming cup of coffee. It's thoughtful, almost absurdly so, and I feel a tug in my chest as I take
TessaThe bus ride back from the almost-trip was filled with annoyed voices and a lot of muttered complaints. Everyone was disappointed that the trip was canceled, and plenty of people blamed Rebecca, which only made things worse. I tried to stay neutral about it, even though part of me was just as frustrated as the rest of them. It had been a nightmare watching her drunken scene, and now we had to deal with the fallout.I kept quiet, letting the grumbling of the other students blend into the background as I stared out the window. Leah, who'd been sitting next to me, nudged my shoulder. "Too bad, huh?" she said, her eyes sympathetic. "Especially since you couldn't get back to your 'hottie.'" She winked, nudging me again.I gave her a tight smile, trying to play along without giving too much away. "Yeah, it's too bad," I murmured, glancing down at my phone to find a new message from him. Mr. Carter had sent an entire text ranting about Rebecca, and the thought of him pacing around a
Tessa Leah's voice rang out on the other end of the line, carrying that familiar edge of excitement she always had when she got her hands on a juicy piece of gossip. But today, her words were enough to make my stomach churn."Tessa, don't you think it's weird?" she asked, her voice dropping as if someone else might be listening in. "I mean, people are saying that one of us...one of the students on this trip...was seen sneaking into Carter's room."I could feel my heart beating faster, a dull thud echoing in my chest as I tried to keep my voice steady. "Leah, that's... come on, that's absurd. Don't tell me you believe that.""Why not?" she countered, almost gleeful. "There's a post about it on the school platform, Tessa. Someone said they saw a young woman going into his room. And everyone's in a frenzy trying to figure out who it was. Can you imagine if we find out? The gossip would be insane," she giggled. I closed my eyes, pressing a hand to my forehead as my pulse raced. She was
Tessa I couldn't sleep. I kept tossing and turning, replaying the rumors in my head, wondering who knew what and if anyone had pieced it all together yet. The fact that Mr. Carter doesn't care about the rumors ignited the fire flame in my body, how could he think it was kind of a rumor when it was clear to two of us that it wasn't a rumor and someone might have seen us as the rumors claimed. I inhaled loudly, slipped off the duvet from my body, and left the room hoping to fetch something to put on in the kitchen. When I stumbled into the kitchen, I was surprised to find Jasmine there. She was leaning against the counter, scrolling through her phone with an expression of complete disinterest, and barely looked up as I entered. I wanted to greet her, maybe even make small talk if only to distract myself from my thoughts, but I know that'd be the greatest mistake of my life. A sudden sound snapped me out of my daze. Jasmine was waving her hand in front of my face, her expression on
Tessa Epilogue. Two years had passed. I could hardly believe it, but here I was, standing in my cozy living room, arranging the last of the decorations for Jasper's 5th birthday party. The house smelled of freshly baked cookies, the faint scent of balloons, and the light hum of excitement in the air.I was nervously running through the checklist in my head as I put the finishing touches on the birthday setup. Balloons? Check. Cake? Check. Presents? Check. Family and friends? A little of both. I glanced at the clock, realizing the guests would be arriving soon. Everything was in order. Well, as much as it could be. Jasper had been babbling all morning, excited for his big day, even though he had no full idea what was truly happening. To him, it was just another day of love and laughter.My mind wandered for a moment, drifting back to the years that had passed. Life had changed so much, and yet, some things remained constant. Jasper's little laugh, his giggles as he played with his to
Tessa The past week has been a blur. After everything that happened, life has felt like one long, surreal dream, a strange mixture of relief, reconciliation, and nervous anticipation. I still can't quite believe it's real.Jasmine had come to me almost the day after I reconnected with Carter. I hadn't been sure how I'd react, but the moment she started to apologize, I could feel my defenses starting to crack. She poured her heart out, tears in her eyes, confessing all the things I'd never known she felt. She admitted her insecurities, her jealousy, her regrets. And for the first time, I saw the human underneath all that bitterness. It was hard, but I forgave her. I didn't want to carry that anger anymore.Then there was my mom. She hadn't just given Carter her blessing, she insisted I finish my education, too. I'd always wondered if she'd think I was weak for leaving, for not holding myself together. But her love and support had been unwavering. She understood me in ways I didn't ev
CarterI glanced out the car window at the small, quiet town as we pulled in. It was the kind of place I'd never imagine myself setting foot in, a town so small it was almost hidden on the map, tucked away like an afterthought. But here I was, waiting for Mila, parked outside a diner that looked like it hadn't changed since the seventies. It didn't make any sense why we were here, and frankly, I was too tired to argue."You're still not going to tell me why we're here, are you?" I said as Mila climbed out of the driver's seat.She shot me a look over her shoulder, her lips pursed in disapproval. "You don't get to complain," she said bluntly. "Not after everything."I felt a pang of guilt, one I'd been feeling more often than I liked lately. I knew she was still angry with me, but I was trying to make up for my mistakes. "I'm sorry," I murmured, not for the first time. "I just... I thought maybe this was about Tessa. I thought you'd heard something."Her expression softened just a litt
TessaMy mum didn't waste a second. Her expression hardened, and before I could open my mouth, she stepped forward and, with a sharp crack, slapped me across the face. My cheek stung, but the shock was worse than the pain. I could barely comprehend what was happening before, in the next breath, her arms wrapped around me, pulling me into a fierce embrace. She held me so tightly, and it felt like she was holding onto all the lost years, all the words we'd never said.I felt the weight of it all pressing down on me, and I couldn't stop the tears that came. They poured down my face as I buried myself in her shoulder. Her breath hitched as she sobbed against me. It was strange, to feel her strength and her sorrow all at once. "I'm sorry," I managed to whisper, my voice barely audible. I didn't even know where to start. There was so much between us, so much hurt and misunderstanding.She pulled back just enough to look at me, her face streaked with tears. "Why didn't you come to me, Tes
TessaThe warm, familiar scent of coffee and freshly baked pastries filled the air as I poured a hot cup for the man at the counter, a regular who'd become a comforting presence in my little world. "Here you go, Mr. Davis. Extra sugar, just the way you like it.""Thank you, Tessa." He gave me a smile, his eyes crinkling in that friendly way that made me forget, if only for a moment, about the mountain of worries I kept carefully tucked behind my smile. "Can't find coffee like this anywhere else, you know."I chuckled softly, appreciating his words. "Glad to hear it. Keeps me in business, anyway."He laughed, but as he turned and left, the cheerful facade slipped just a bit. In the quiet that followed, I let out a sigh. Keeping this place running had been harder than I'd ever imagined.When I first arrived in this town, I was barely holding on. Lost, alone, and with no idea how I was going to make it on my own, I'd been saved by the kindness of a woman I'd met by chance. She'd offered
Carter POV It had been 3 years. An entire 3 years, and still, nothing.I set the phone down, and exhaled, forcing the frustration from my chest, but it was no use. It never seemed to leave me. Jasmine's concerned eyes met mine, asking me for answers I didn't have."Was that...?" she started, her voice quiet, uncertain. She didn't need to finish the question. I knew what she wanted to hear, even if I'd stopped letting myself hope for that answer."No," I replied, managing a small, empty smile. "Nothing yet. Still no word on Tessa. They're following up on the last few leads, but..." I trailed off, feeling the weight of the words I couldn't say.The police had already declared her a runaway. As if it were that simple as if it explained why she'd vanished without a trace. They had ruled it a voluntary disappearance, a choice she had every right to make as an adult. I'd used every bit of influence I had to keep it out of the press, to keep her name clean, to make sure her image remained
Carter The weight of what I'm seeing settles like lead in my chest. The grainy video plays on the screen in front of me, though every word feels like a scream. Tessa, slipping through my office door, alone. I look up at the board members. Their faces are impassive, judging, waiting for me to explain. But the truth is simple, and I refuse to give them the satisfaction of seeing me squirm."What you're implying," I say, my voice rougher than I intended, "is absurd. Nothing inappropriate happened between Tessa and me. She came to talk to me about her grades, and her future. I was offering her advice, mentorship."They exchange skeptical glances as if the word "mentorship" was just another excuse, another way to cover my tracks. The bitter reality of it sinks in, I've already been tried and convicted in their minds."Mr. Carter," the chairman finally says, voice laced with condescension, "regardless of your intentions, it's clear that certain boundaries were crossed. Even the appearanc
TessaThe sharp, sterile light stings my eyes as I blink myself awake. Everything feels hazy, muffled, as if my senses are wrapped in cotton. My head throbs, and when I try to sit up, a wave of dizziness forces me to sink back onto the stiff hospital bed."You're awake. Good." A voice cuts through the haze, gentle but firm.I turn my head to find a nurse standing at my bedside, clipboard in hand and an expression that's equal parts concern and disapproval. I try to speak, but my throat is so dry that only a croak comes out. She hands me a cup of water, and I sip it gratefully, letting the cool liquid soothe my throat."Where...?" I manage to mumble, but she's already anticipating the question."You're in the hospital," she says, matter-of-factly. "Some good Samaritans brought you in. You were unconscious on the sidewalk."The memory floods back, a blur of exhaustion, of pushing myself until I couldn't anymore, the ache in my chest from everything that's happened recently, everything t
Carter I've barely had a moment to breathe since Tessa laid everything out for me, I think of everything I might have done for her but was unable to lay hands on a particular reason. It all felt like a nightmare. I walk through the corridor leading to my office my mind raising with the thought of Tessa, what I can do to change her perspective? No matter how hard I tried to reason it nothing seemed to come up, if only I knew what I did in offending her maybe I would apologize but nothing, the last I remember, we were on good terms and everything was going perfectly well. I raised my head only to find that the Students were smirking as I passed them, something that usually wouldn't bother me, but today it feels different. Something's off. A couple of the professors cast me looks that are anything but neutral. Disapproval, disdain. I don't know what they are looking at that made them press their gaze on me but I know it's nothing worthy of my time. I brushed them off thinking I had