Chapter 22: Shattered glasses

I pressed my hands on his chest trying to sync our heartbeats when he let out a shaky breath and drew back.

He took at least two steps back and ran a hand through his hair nervously.

“I'm sorry” he said lowering his gaze

“It's fine”I said.

“I..I think I should go” he said heading for the window. I grabbed him by the wrist and stopped him.

“Why?... what is it” I said concerned.

“It's nothing I just think I should leave”

“No” my tone was firmer now “you can't just climbed through my window at night , confess your feelings for me me , kiss me and climb back out”

“Tessa i–”

“I am not a console to whatever game you're playing klaus” i cut him off.

“You dont understand, you dont want me” he said lowering his gaze “I'm not the better half tessa, I'm the broken one”

My expression Softened.

He took a deep breath and sat on my bed. I sat beside him.

“All my life I've only thought of myself as a failure…a mistake , everything I touch always seemed to loose it's credibility and essence and nothing ever went well for me” he paused “and I knew this because I had a twin brother, one that is a direct opposite Of me, ethan is perfect, the golden child of the family”

“I always knew I was the bad twin that could never amount to anything so I made up for it by giving whatever it was up for ethan” he paused rubbing the back of his neck “I didn't tell you about ethan because I thought you'd see me for the coward I was” he turned to me and took my hands “tessa, I've given up everything my whole life to compensate for my being a failure but this time around I found something I couldn't give up…. You”

My chest tightened. And oh those damn tingles.

“I’ve been the wrong twin all my life… but you? You’re the one thing I can’t afford to get wrong. I… I don’t want to lose you.”

“Then why are you running away?” My voice cracked

“Because as much as I want you, I don't think I am right or good enough, I just can't shake that feeling that you've got the wrong twin tessa and it hurts”

“If you feel that way then Why are you here?” I said and he averted his gaze “look at me klaus… I see you, not Ethan's twin, not the broken half , you – Nicolas Hayes and nothing will ever change that”

I Could see a flicker of hope in his eyes made that brought me more comfort than anything or anyone ever has.

I think I might be in love with this guy.

I heard loud footsteps undoubtedly heading towards my door.

My eyes widened as I turned to Klaus. “you have to hide right now”

He looked around in a panic “where?”

I stood up scanning for a space big enough to fit a ripped teenage boy in. I glanced over to my closet and I could swear a hovering light bulb turned on over my head.

“In there” I said quickly as the foot steps got closer “quickly, she's almost here”

The doorknob twisted just as I shut the closet.

“hey mom” I turned immediately as she walked in.

There was a suspicious look on her face and I could tell she'd definitely sensed something off.

“hmm” he eyes squinted a little bit as she slowly walked towards me “why are you standing by your closet”

“I…. I just.. I was checking out myself in the mirror” I said walking away and grabbing her hands, leading her to sit on the other side of my bed “by the way I need new clothes”

“Actually, I came up because I was looking for one of my jeans she said, I gave her a questioning look “you know the one with the butterfly Print at the back pocket”

I shook my head.

“I really loved those Jeans…mind I I check your closet”

Hearing that my heart started beating two times faster. She stood up and started walking to my closet. I immediately grabbed her hand and forcefully led her to the door.

“How about you check the laundry room first, I just cleaned up and there's no old mom jeans” I said already at the door now despite mom's protests “bye” I said and practically threw her out of my room.

I let out a sigh of relief, locked my door and went to release klaus from his torment.

He's probably seen my undies by now.

I walked over to the closet and slowly opened the door.

Klaus looked like a child that was forgotten in a game of hide and seek with his peers.

I crouched to his level, his hair was messy and his face looked so innocent– that's not something you see everyday.

But on his right hand was…

My bra?

He looked at it then looked back at me.

“I promise you there's a perfect explanation for this”

“Why the fuck are you holding that?” I said, rubbing my forehead.

He practically threw it away and crawled out of the closet.

“It fell right on my head and only logical option was to pick it up tessa” he dusted himself “I'm not a perv”

I scoffed “I'll be the judge of that”

“I've got to say"he said moving closer “you've got great taste In…”

“Finish that sentence and I will throw you out the window” I cut in moving an inch closer.

“Ouuuu fiesty…” he smirked “I love fiesty”

I glared and he raised his hands in mock surrender “fine, I'll stop”

I folded my arms and maintained the glare “aren't you leaving?, my Mom will be back very soon”

“Good I'll say hi”

“You will say no such thing and you will leave now” I said, casually swung my hand and it knocked over the picture frame on my desk.

Time slowed down and I slowly watched the frame tip over the edge of the desk.

Glass shattered across the floor.

My heart dropped like it'd entered an elevator and gone down to my stomach.

“No… no, no, no." I quickly crouched down. My hands were moving faster than my brain.

.

The frame had shattered completely. The photo started back at me.

Me. Maya. Stella.

My chest tightened.“I’m so stupid,” I whispered under my breath.”I'm sorry”

I started picking up the pieces without thinking. Ignoring the pain. Ignoring Klaus’s protests.

I just ruined one of the most precious things I had.

I reached for another piece but a hand closed around my wrist.

I turned.

“stop” his voice was firm and sharp. His grip tightened a bit “don't touch it”