Chapter 15: I'm not your practice ground

“You don't get to do that” I spoke the words before I could overthink it.

And for the first time, I didn't shrink , I didn't look away and I sure as hell didn't stay quiet.

He stopped and turned slowly.

I stood upright and continued.“You don’t get to walk over here, make me feel small, then blame it on training.”

His eyes sharpened but his expression remained the same.

"What?"

“Yes.” My voice steadied. “You lean in like you’re about to kiss me, then step back like it was just some stupid experiment.”

“You touch me,” I continued, heat rising in my chest, “then disappear like it didn’t mean anything.”

He adjusted his stance and watched me carefully.

“Maybe maya was right” I added.

His eyes flickered.

“Forget it” I muttered grabbing my bag roughly and turning to leave.

I took two steps then stopped. I turned back Around eyes already teary.

“If you’re going to look at me like that,” I said, voice low but steady, “then stop pretending it’s just rehearsal”

A single tear drop escaped but I didn't wipe it off instead I held his gaze.

“Because I’m not your project,” I added. “And I’m sure as hell not your practice ground.”

I turned around and didn't look back. My feet pounded against the tiled floors like it was their fault I was Heartbroken.

I turned a corner towards the stairwell and my heart stopped.

It was maya quietly leaning against the metal door like she’d been hiding.

Her eyes met mine and I could see a hint of regret in them like she wished she hadn't been right.

“Tess..” she started but I stiffened immediately, looking away and moving forward.

Whatever she wanted to say didn't matter to me – not right now, not when my heart is pounding 52 beats in 2 seconds.

I pushed open the door and the cold air hit me.

I felt relieved But also exposed

I pushed my house door open. It was quiet.

Letting out an exhausted sigh, I dropped my bag at the entrance and did a mini stretch.

“Mom?!” I called but got no response.

I stepped into the kitchen and my jaw dropped.

“Ewww” I yelled immediately “get a fucking room” I said and turned around. Mom and dad had gone full brigerton in the fucking kitchen. Thank God they still had clothes on.

They instantly pulled back arranging and dusting themselves up like teenagers caught in some immoral activities.

I turned back and ran trap my dad in a tight hug “I miss you dad”

“I miss you more princess” he said gently stroking my hair. It was calm until I stepped on his toe intentionally “Owww what was that for “

“That's for not showing up like a week or two ago like ypu promised” I said folding my arms

“I'm sorry princess I was delayed for a while but i got two months off travelling now, I'll just work virtually In the mean time”

“Really” my eyes lit up and when he nodded, I Tightened another hug around him”

“Alright enough of the father-daughter reunion” mom said “go set the table for dinner and invite maya will you?”

“Umm I'll go set up the tables,maya won't bring joining us tonight” I said casually

“Why?” Mom asked

“Yeah why? I bought her some gifts too” Dad added

“We'll she Is busy and preparing for a robotics Contest stuff so can we have dinner” I said trying to brush off the issue

“OK honey if you say so , now go freshen up ad set the table” mom said tieing Up.her apron carefully.

Dad pressed a kiss on her lips and her forehead then moved to the dinning.

I smiled,grabbed my bag and went upstairs.

I closed my door softly and leaned against it for a second

It felt different like it didn't recognise me.

I dropped my bag on the floor and walked in fully. I walked towards the window and pushed aside the curtains.

The sky was turning orange, the sun dipping lazily behind the buildings.

I took a deep breath and smiled. “It's so beautiful and peaceful”

Three weeks ago maya would be climbing through the window by now.

Three weeks ago I wouldn't have been able to look klaus in the eye. Wouldn't have been able to challenge or say what I said today.

Today,Maya and I didn't speak.

Today, I stood up to Nicolas Hayes and even walked out on him.

Today I ignored the excessive pounding In my chest and for once I felt like me again.

I stepped back from the window and muttered to myself.

“I really did change”

I opened my closet and just stared for a moment. The last time I stood here,my clothes fit differently– tighter and heavier.

Now… I walked to the mirror and studied myself, now it felt like they belonged to a huge, oversized Body guard bouncer.

But hey, I'm not complaining. I like the way I look now – healthy, strong , better.

Sure I still got some fat stuck Up in my body but at least I can see changes.

“Now I need new clothes , these are basically tents” I huffed

Dinner was loud.

Dad was telling stories about his trip to Porto Rico, something about the way he narrates these stories makes you just want to listen.

I've always loved my dad so much. Not in the casual ‘he's cool’ way but in the ‘he's the safest place in the world’ way.

He’s a travel blogger and honestly that still sounds unreal when I say it out loud.

He travels across different countries and write about his experience like it's poetry.

But it means he’s gone a lot.Airports. Time zones. Different languages.

And even when he’s halfway across the world, he’s still present.Random good-morning texts.Voice notes telling me about a market in Morocco or a beach in Thailand.Gift cards sent “just because.”

The Souvenirs he got when he came back were the absolute best. No they weren't random key chains or clocks. Thoughtful things.

And don’t even get me started on the way he loves my mom.

They met on one of his trips, She was a flight attendant back then.

The story never gets old – She handed him coffee on the plane, he forgot where he was flying to.

Mom rolls her eyes every time he tells that story.

But she smiles.

They both say it was love at first sight.

The dramatic kind.The reckless kind. the kind that only happens in movies. The kind I wanted to find me.

They went out on 2 dates and started dating officially. God were they so perfect. They got married under 2 months and honestly a lot of people said it wouldn't last. That they were young and stupid but it didn't matter. They were in love and that's what mattered.

Mom got pregnant with Stella,and she quit her job.She said she wanted to be there.

For everything.

Dad was ready to quit his job too and work at a local newspaper house but mom refused.

My phone buzzed and cut through my thoughts.