TessaI jolted awake, my heart racing and my body drenched in sweat. The remnants of the vivid dream clung to me like a heavy fog. I felt disbelief wash over me as I recalled how my mum had caught me with Mr. Carter. "Please, let it end in just being a dream," I whispered to myself, hoping it was just my mind processing the argument between my mum and Mr. Carter the day before. The tension in the house had been palpable, and I knew it had seeped into my subconscious.With a deep breath, I swung my legs over the side of the bed and rubbed my temples, trying to shake off the lingering anxiety. I hurriedly got dressed, my mind racing with different thoughts. I splashed cold water on my face, I caught a glimpse of myself in the mirror. "You can handle this," I reassured myself, though uncertainty gnawed at my insides.I got a bath quickly and went inside the room to change into something flexible. Finally ready, I stepped outside, my heart pounding with a mix of excitement and drea
TessaMr. Carter's hand settled on my waist, his fingers tracing small circles against my back. I could feel his warmth, the closeness that had become so familiar between us. He leaned down to kiss me, it felt like returning to something that was ours, something we both knew well.I leaned into him, my hand sliding up to his shoulder as I felt the gentle pull of his hand at the small of my back. The feeling was exhilarating, a rush of excitement tempered with the comfort of familiarity, my heart thumping fast. His lips deeply brushed over mine, soft at first, and then more insistent, deepening as his hand moved to cradle the back of my neck. I sighed, letting the tension of the day melt away in his arms."You're beautiful, you know that?" he murmured, his voice low, his usual way of charming me, it sends a shiver down my spine.I smiled, tilting my head to meet his gaze. "You tell me that every time," I teased, "I guess that's your way of alluring me," my eyes stained with him, a smi
TessaI sit at the breakfast table, my mind drifts, but I'm pulled back into focus by my mom's excited expression. She's been on this topic for weeks, and I know she's just waiting for me to give her something. Across the table, Jasmine is focused on her phone, occasionally scrolling, completely absorbed."So, Tessa," my mom says, her voice brimming with optimism. "Did you think any more about the school trip? You know, I think it'd be so good for you to go. You're always saying you want to get out and see more things." She's hopeful, and I can't help but feel a tug of guilt for brushing her off before.I glance over at Jasmine, half wondering if she'll chime in with her usual sarcastic comment, but she seems more interested in her screen. Taking a deep breath, I decided to give my mom the answer she was looking for."I've been thinking about it," I say casually, shrugging like it's no big deal. "I'm a little interested in going." I finally revealed For a second, she just stares at m
Tessa I finally decided to call Jasmine, and my heart feels like it's going to leap out of my chest. I took a few steps and to her but she kept moving further making it hard to get to her easily. "Jasmine!!" I screamed at the button of my voice and she stared back, astonishment written across her face. "Can you spare a few minutes?" I ask, trying to keep my voice steady."Why should I spare you minutes of my time? The last time I checked we are not on good terms or are we?" she replies coldly, her hand folded on her chest. "I just want to talk about something," my fingers gripping my phone tightly as I make my way over to her.My heart skips as I finally walk toward her, glancing around to make sure no one's watching us too closely. "What is a dick haunted have to say?" She asked and I frowned my brows. "Can you keep your voice low?" I shush with my fingers on my lips but she only smirks. "Why should I do that?" She asked nonchalantly. I stared around noticing an older woman n
TessaJasmine's snide remark echoed in my mind long after she turned and sauntered away. I clutched my phone tighter than I meant to, the cool metal digging into my palm as I struggled to keep my frustration under control. Her words, her tone—it all replayed in my head as if I could somehow go back and rewrite the conversation, maybe give her a piece of my mind this time. But, of course, that would have only given her more satisfaction.I unlocked my phone, still annoyed, and nearly jumped when it immediately rang. The screen lit up with Liam's name. For a second, I considered not answering. But that would only lead to more questions later, and I didn't have the energy for that. So, with a deep breath, I pressed "accept" and brought the phone to my ear."Hey, Tessa," Liam's voice was calm, almost cautious, and I wondered if he could hear the tension in the way I'd picked up the call."Hey," I replied, keeping my tone as neutral as possible.There was a pause. "I was wondering... do
TessaAfter leaving Mr. Carter's office, I made my way back to the office but on my way, My ear couldn't fail to catch up with the murmuring from the students, they were practically vibrating with excitement about the upcoming trip. Everywhere I passed through, it was all anyone could talk about—who was going, what they were bringing, and, of course, who they hoped to hang out with.I let out a smirk before increasing my pace, when I got to the department my eyes fixed on Leah who was busy talking with a group of people. "Leah!" I screamed gaining the attention of Everton. She smiles largely before rubbing to me and grabbing my hand playfully. "What are you talking about early in the morning?" I asked. "The trip!" She replied with a sharp tone. "The trip?" I couldn't help but ask again. "Yes! So are you prepping for it?" she asked, nudging my arm with a mischievous grin. "Got your snacks, clothes... all that good stuff?"I laughed, trying to match her enthusiasm. "Yeah, I thin
CarterHer back pressed against the door, she looked up at me, her cheeks flushed, her breath coming a little faster than usual. I couldn't help but smile. She had that mixture of hesitation and excitement that made her even more irresistible."So, where were we?" I murmured, leaning in, close enough to feel her warmth but leaving just enough space to let her feel the tension. She glanced away, biting her lip, and I raised an eyebrow. "What's wrong?"She hesitated, then looked up at me, her expression a bit guarded. "It's just... something..." her voice trailed off and u destroyed my hand from her body. "What's wrong?" I asked worriedly but her gaze was only moving from one edge to another. "What if we get caught again?" she finally parted her lips, her eyes glued on my body. "Why would you think like that?" I asked. "Jasmine said......She thinks..." She trailed off, struggling to find the words."Jasmine!" I sighed, rolling my eyes. "Don't let her get in your head. She doesn't kn
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
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