Chapter 13: He's not for you
The smoke cleared and the figure came into view – black boots stood firmly against the pavement, black baggy jeans, an oversized jacket and black tanks.
Was he coming from a funeral or something?
He swung his left leg off smoothly and steadied the motorcyce with effortless control. The engine went silent and he took off his helmet.
Klaus.
A gasp escape my lips. “Fucking hell”
His hair fell slightly out of place as he ran through it, pushing it back slowly.
There was something unfair about how good looking he looked standing there in all black like that.
His eyes lifted. First to maya then to me.
Maya and i stood there frozen for a second, his eyes never leaving mine.
My stomach flipped.
He didnt look angry. He looked rather calm… composed and thats what scared me.
He took a step forward,then another and another till he was now standing right in front of me.
“Next time you answer my calls “ he said calmly, holding my gaze “answer them yourself”
Maya stepped forward, arms folded “she was busy”
His eyes shifted to her briefly “and you are?”
It didnt sound like an insult but it sure did pissed off maya.
“Oh come on we’ve met twice or more” she said eyes widening but klaus only raised a ‘i dont know you shoulder’ she took a deep breath “i’m maya, tessa’s bestfriend”
He looked back at me “You're cancelling rehearsals now?”he asked voice still steady and calm.
Damn it really would have been easier if he walked in angry and screaming. Something about his composure made me feel like i did something wrong.
“I can” i said lifting my chin slightly “you don't own my time”
“I don’t “ he agreed.
He fucking agreed. He’s supoosed to be mad and rageful, he doesn't like waiting right ?
He took another step closer, “but if you want to be taken seriously, you don't just dissapear”
I felt a sting in my chest and lowered my gaze.
Maya scoffed lightly “she's allowed to have a life”
“She is” he maintained his tone “which is why i expect her to communicate”
Silence.
His stepped even closer this time, closing the distance between us.
Two fingers slipped beneath my chin and lifted it slighty. His eyes met mine and i totally forgot how to breath.
“This is not a game tessa” his voice was low and controlled “i’m putting my time into you” he continued “if you’re done just say it”
Done? My heart jolted
“I’m not done” it was barely a whisper. Something about the way he starred into my eyes without blinking made me loose my voice and sense of reasoning.
His eyes darkened slightly and he moved a step back “then don’t let other people speak for you” his gaze held mine a second longer “Tomorrow, after school. Dont be late”
He put the helmet back on. The engine roared and just like that he was gone.
My eyes chased after him but my body didn’t move. It couldn’t.
The bike shot forward dissapearing into the cold evening.
“Tessa” maya’s voice cut through slowly
I blinked.
Maya watched me carefully
. “You like him”
It didn’t sound like a question. I snapped out of it immediately.
“What? No”
She titled her head and raised an eyebrow.
I folded my arms “he’s just training me and that's it” i said and began walking fast.
Maya trailed hurriedly behind me. “Really? Just training”
“Yes” i responded avoiding her eyes.
“Well for just training he sure does a lot of face touching and soul gazing”
“What? Its really not how it looks like” my cheeks burned.
She did a dramatic hmmn and proceeded to block my path.
“Prove it” she said
“Prove what?”
“That you dont like him” she said “you did admit to crushing on him but you pinned it on the fact that everyone is crushing on him” she paused “but what ive seen today you definately like him”
“What should i do to make you believe me?”
“I'm glad you asked” she smiled micheavously “tomorrow at the training tell him you don't need him anymore”
My stomach flipped
“What?”
“Tell him you can handle it yourself and you don't need extra lessons anymore and that he's just a coach”
I opened my mouth but nothing came out.
“See?” her eyes softened
“I actually need his training maya” i argued already at my door step
“Then tell him you didn't like that chin thing”
My heart skipped five beats
“That was just –”
“Confidence training?” she finished for me
I swallowed and lowered my gaze
“You can't let him go, can you?”
She was right. Every word. What hurt wasn’t the fact that i could not prove her wrong , it was the fact that i couldn’t convince myself that i didn’t like him.
“tessa , i’m saying this because i love you so much” she said cupping my cheeks “klaus isn’t right for you”
I took an angry step back “excuse me?” my tone switched, i slowly dropped her hand from my cheek. “What's that supposed to mean?”
“He's intense, controlling. He talks like you're –” she stopped herself “like you belong to him”
My jaw tightened “he doesn't ”
“You froze when he showed up tessa”
“And?”
“And I don't like the way he looks at you”
Now I laughed “You don’t like the way he looks at me?”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
“Because it’s not just training,” she said. “And pretending it is doesn’t make it safer.”
Safer?
What the fuck was she on about?
“He’s not dangerous,” I snapped.
“I didn’t say he was ”
“You implied it.”
“I’m saying he’s not for you.”
“And you know what’s for me?” My voice rose before I could stop it. “You?”
She flinched slightly.
“That’s not fair.”
“No, what’s not fair is you acting like I can’t make my own decisions.”
“I’m trying to protect you.”
“I don’t need protecting.”
Silence fell hard between us.
“I'm going inside , you should leave” I said grabbing the door knob leaving her outside.
For a moment I felt like I just lost my best friend.