Chapter 25: The Klaus effect

My heart pounded as a pair of strong arms yanked me into a shadowed corner. I stuggled to break free baring in mind the possibility of being a victim to one of veronica’s bullying or worse– being rubbed by one of these not real students that roamed around school.

Then i heard a familiar voice, i calmed down a bit and stopped struggling.

He slowly let go of me and i turned.

“Tessa… wait i need to talk to you” Ethan said, sweat dripping from his face.

I blinked twice still trying to breathe from the suprise attack.”w…what… what is it?”

He looked at me rubbing the back of his neck “sorry for dragging you like that” i nodded signalling that it was fine.

He looked nervous tapping his fingers continously.

I finally caught my breath but he still hadn’t said anything.

“Are you okay” i said moving closer but he stood a step back and raised a hand

“I’m fine” he said, i raised a brow and he took a deep breath “i need to tell you how i feel… about you”

I froze. Oh fuck no.

How he feels? I have a strong feeling this is not going to end well.

Please don’t say you like me, i literally just kissed your brother last night.

“I..i’ve liked you for a long time”his voice was low but steady “I mean like, like like you and i tried not to but i do so..” he paused and caught  a glimpse of my really nervous and guilty expression. “ i know.. I know you might not feel the same right now but if you can give me a chance, then maybe you’ll realise you have something for me”

“Ethan i…” i froze unsure what to say.

Do i tell him i didn’t feel the same or that i liked his brother.

“Three dates” he said quickly

“What?”

“You can decide how you feel about … this, that way i’ll know i got a fair chance”

Do I tell him not to bother? But what harm would three dates do? But Klaus…

“Fine,” I whispered. He  was right, I should give him a fair chance and plus I couldn't say no to those eyes.

They looked… vulnerable.

“Really?”

“Yeah” I nodded and smiled, “so when is our first date?”

I saw a sincere smile find its way on his face and somehow I was happy that I didn't reject him on the spot.

Tessa, what the fuck did you just do.

What was I supposed to tell Klaus now? Well it's not like he asked me to be his girlfriend.

But he said he loved me.

I’m so screwed.

I was walking down the hallway, unaware that I'd passed my locker. My brian was having a debate on whether the decision was a good one or a terrible one.

A terrible decision was winning.

“Tessa!” Maya's voice interrupted the debate and I jumped into reality, she ran towards my direction waving through a crowd "I've been looking all over for you! Where were you?”

“Busy.lunch?” i replied

She blinked “I didn't know you passed your word privileges today, try getting a premium package” she added and rolled her eyes.

“You don’t have to be so dramatic, I was a little busy okay..”

Her face swelled up and headed for the cafeteria.

Lunch first. Klaus later.

We slid into our usual seat in the school cafeteria.

“I swear, Tessa,” she said, devouring her sandwich like they had offended her, rolling her eyes viciously. “That transfer student is getting more annoying by the day. He acts like julie is Aphrodite herself”

I laughed and almost choked on the disgusting look she carried on her face.

“He’s totally brainwashed or on some kind of love potion” she lowered her voice “i can’t believe i kissed that jerk”

I glanced over and caught the guy using a napkin to clean off some food from her face while she straight on ignored him and he just kept on smiling. “yep , totally brainwashed”

“You see it too!!” maya said waving her hands dramatically”he reminds me of that lost puppy we found at an old playground when were five, only difference is that, that puppy knew his owner loved him and made him and this puppy”she paused and glanced at them this puppy will remain lost because its blind”

I laughed loudly. Maya didn't stop ranting and I didn't complain, I mean I really needed that distraction.

I didn't wait for the after lunch chat. I knew I had to find Klaus. I wasn't sure what I would say to him yet. But I needed to know if last night had meant something to him as much as it did to me.

I searched everywhere– the theatre,the gym,the hallways but there was no sign of him anyway.almost like he didnt want to be found.

I was on the verge of giving up when I spotted him a few metres away surrounded by a group of boys laughing and talking. I started running to him like he was holding a piece of my fragile  heart and I wanted to know if he’d take good care of it.

What a fool in love.

I got closer but before I called out I heard one of the boys speak.

“Why exactly have you been hanging around that Tessa girl?” he smirked.

“He’s being a good boy” another one replied “trying to help the trays you know… good deed”

They laughed.

My heart dropped. Strays?

Klaus stayed quiet.

“Ohh thats why shes been looking so… sexy these days”another one added “i barely recognised her today”

“‘That my friend is what we call the ‘klaus effect’” another chimed in.

I could feel the air leaving my lungs. There goes the fragile piece of my heart.

“So… is your work done or do you still have to get a taste of a piece of that” another one spoke licking his lips like a pervert  “because i would”

My feet went numb and I could feel a certain kind of cold creeping in from below. Tears pricked my eyes and before I could fall and pass out, I turned and ran, i didnt look back, i couldnt.

I had read once in a magazine that if a man truly loved you, he wouldn't be able to stand insults directed at you. He’d rather get beaten to death than hear anyone disrespect his woman. I carried that in my heart as I ran, his silence answered my question.

Nicolas Hayes didn't love me