Chapter 30: Back to where it began

Klaus’s pov

Somehow, I always knew there was something more to the girl who always hid behind her oversized hoodie and sweatpants.

And that picture confirmed it.

Lets go back to where my story began– dont worry i wont stay there for long.

My family moved back to Redwood valley right when I was about to start high school. They were a little low on funds and decided to move back to the local neighbourhood after pulling me away from the absolute love of my life as a kid.

My first day of school was loud– too loud.

Almost every single person was either squeaking or squealing loud enough to make my ears ring.

People laughing from every direction, a lot of talking… everything was happening all at once and it was overwhelming.

I just wanted some peace and quiet

So I walked– just walked, no destination or plan.

And somehow, I found it.

A huge room with rows of carefully arranged chairs and a stage standing proudly at the front like it was the most important thing in the room.

I moved closer, careful in my steps, subconsciously heading towards the stage.

Then I heard sniffles – soft and uneven.

On instinct, I dropped into the nearest chair and crouched, trying to hide

I slowly lifted my head and spotted where the sound came from.

A girl in a blue hoodie and white sweatpants. Her hood was pulled over her head, face down like she wanted to disappear.

She climbed to the stage and sank at the edge.she sat slowly and brought out a small notebook, opened it and began reading;

“O, I am fortune’s fool!!”

She didn't just read the lines, she lived it. She stumbled, paused, wiped her eyes, swallowed and continued

I just sat there and watched. And without caution, a single tar drop escaped my eyes.

I didn't know if it was the stage, the way she read those lines, the sincerity behind the lines or even the way she sat on the edge like she wanted the ground to swallow her.

Whatever it was built this curiosity in me. I didn't just want to be around her, I wanted to know who she was.

And just like when I was a kid, I couldn't talk to her.

She kept on reading for a while, her voice breaking at certain lines and steadying at others.

“Tessa!” a voice echoed from the entrance and I sank into my chair further.

The girl on the stage froze.

“Ive looked everywhere for you,class is about to start” she appeared at the door arms folded in clear arms folded clearly annoyed.

The girl on the stage–tessa–quickliy wiped her face and shut her notebook and stood up.

“Are you rehearsing for your imaginary role in Romeo and Juliet for the hundredth time?” she raised a brow.

“No” the girl replied lowering her gaze “ok fine… but i will audition one of these days when i dont look like a sack of potatoes.

“You realise talent overshadows looks right” she said as they started leaving the theatre.

“Tessa” I repeated under my breath.

The name lingered.

I wanted to lay low as a freshman and I honestly had it all planned out. Ethan and I already agreed to pretend like total strangers in order to avoid;

“Omgg you're twins that's so freaking cool, who's smarter?” yeah we had that a lot where we were coming from and i didn’t want that here.

I wanted to stay out of unnecessary attention and quietly observe the girl from the theatre.

Yeah… that didn't last.

Turns out I became the centre of attention without even trying.

And it was exhausting. So much so that I forgot Ethan existed and I loved that feeling so I went with the flow.

Girls hovered around me like ants chasing sugar, always looking for excuses to touch my hair, feel my jacket or even hold my hands.

It was exhausting and acting like I didn't care made things worse.

Even guys wanted me to join their football team. Something about my amazing physique.

And before I could blink twice, I was the most popular freshman

And lowkey?

I loved it.

Not the attention

The power.

The fact that my presence alone commanded respect – that was one thing Ethan didn't have and would never have.

But all that didn't matter when it came to her.

It felt like I could touch anything and everything but her and it bothered me.

I saw her in class later that day.

She sat at the back by the window seat, hoodie up just like before.

I wanted to say hi but her face was fixed on the floor like she was praying to get to her seat without drawing any attention but that didn't work.

“Why does she always dress like that?”

A girl two seats ahead of me whispered, not even trying to be quiet.

“Maybe she’s hiding something,” another replied, snickering.

“Yeah… like a whole bakery.”

They laughed.

My jaw tightened.

She didn't look up. She didn't react, just sat there like she was used to it.

Her friend tried defending her but it was pointless.

During lunch I noticed she didn't sit with the crowd. She sat by the corner with her friend– maya.

Another thing I noticed was the way she ate.

That one stuck with me.

She was fast , messy like she was trying to fill something that couldn't be filled.

A lot of people made fun of her.

“Doesn't she have food at home”

“No wonder the cafeteria has to cook extra”

“I just lost my appetite by looking at her”

The comments became brutal but I couldn't say anything.

For some reason I knew that it hurt in her eyes when she stuffed some fries in her mouth.

It looked familiar.

Too familiar.

I just wanted to go over there and pull her into a tight hug but I just watched.

I kept on noticing Tessa but she never looked my way, probably because I was always around Julie and Veronica.

I could never figure out why they didn't like tessa and I never really defended her because I was stupidly into the cool kid stuff.

I liked the power. The standards.

It was like I had switched places with ethan– he was the nerd and I was cool.

Everyone loved me and I loved that but I couldn't phantom why I still looked at tessa.

Yeah. That's when it began.

I know Tessa thinks I started to have feelings for her after she got the lead role but it's been way before that.

Just don't tell her