Chapter 36: That bold step

\[ Back to Tessa’s pov \]

I pushed my door open and stepped in like my body weighed twice as much. My bags slipped from my shoulder and dropped to the floor.

I buried my face into my bed and let out a loud tired sigh.

Literally two seconds later I heard a loud thud from the window and I didn't even flinch. I turned around sluggishly and Maya looked at me like I had used dirt instead of foundation on my face.

“What” i said without standing up, my voice sounded like a sluggish mutter– like i just woke up from a ten hours long sleep “why are you looking at me like that”

She folded her arms and came to sit beside me “what happened?”

“What?” i sat up straight “what do you mean?”

“You look like someone ran you over with emotions, checked if you survived and ran you over the second time” she paused “you look like literal shit, what happened”

A moment of loud silence then a sigh.

“I…i’m confused” i faced my head down as i spoke “i don’t know… i”

She placed her hands on mine and i finally looked up

“Come on tessa you do know you can tell me anything, i’m your best friend”

I sighed.

“I had a great date” i started “well it started like shit, honestly everything felt so wrong and forced” i was getting comfortable now “but then i reminded myself i promised to give ethan fair chance and i wasn’t doing it right so we had a tiny argument but later reconciled and went to finish our date at the ice cream shop”

I paused and Maya seemed to be so invested.

“Then Klaus came and they started fighting over me like they were fighting over candy” i ran a hand over my face “i was so disgusted at first” i paused “i broke down and ran out then…”

“I realised…. Klaus had fought for me that day in the hallway”

Maya looked at me like she felt guilty about stealing the last slice of cake on my birthday. She rubbed a hand on her head and finally spoke prior to my piercing stares.

“I knew Klaus fought for you that day” she finally said.

“Wait what” i raised my voice and stood up from my bed "you knew and you didn’t think to tell me”

“Calm the fuck down tessa, i didn’t know immediately” she said “klaus came to meet me himself when you ignored him for days, he said he tried talking to you but you just stayed away”

“Of course I did, I was hurt” I was now pacing around the room.

“And that's exactly what I told him, your side of the story and then he told me his side” maya stood up and steadied me “tessa… he beat up three really built guys for you”

“Oh my God” i gasped “and i’ve been a total bitch without hearing from him”

“Exactly”

“Wait” i glared at maya “why didn’t you tell me earlier”

“I tried but you didn’t want to hear his name so i told klaus you were going on a date with ethan”

“So you’re the reason the entire ice cream shop looks at me like i’m a k pop idol”

She laughed nervously.

“Not cool maya”

So Klaus wasn’t a jerk afterall, he loved me. Oh my god i have to tell him.

“Maya i know it’s late but i have to go see klaus” i said holding both her shoulders “i need to tell him i love him too”

“What?!” she almost screamed and i held a hand over her mouth “hold on we are not making bad decisions like this at night”

“I have to maya”

She looked away and pouted her lips like a jealous puppy “no, i am not in suppport” she said without looking “firstly, you just got out of the hospital”

“It was a minor set back”

“Secondly its dangerous to move out by this time”

“I’m eighteen therefore i’m an adult that can handle this and i also have pepper spray”

“Lastly, your mom would kill you”

“Only if she finds out”

Maya ran out of excuses and I let out a mocking grin.I held both her hands and looked into her eyes with those puppy eyes.

“I have to go maya, cover for me and i promise i will make it up to you” she remained quiet “please”

She sighed “fine”

I jumped up and did a ten minute celebratory dance before calming down.

“I am not going to die,” I said as I climbed out the window.

“This is exactly how people die tess”

I ignored her and jumped out like a literal thief.

The air outside was cold and surprisingly violent– like it was telling me how bad of an idea this was but I ignored and kept on moving.

I’d always complained about how Klaus confused me and played with my feelings like it was a game but I had never for once told him exactly how I felt about him. I did it indirectly but tonight. I was going to tell him I loved him. I was going to take that bold step.

I carefully walked up to my neighbour’s yard and pulled the bicycle from the fence. “I will bring it back, I promise,” I whispered.’

I hopped on and rode away slightly surprised I still knew how to work this thing. The street was empty and I was a hundred percent sure it would have been pitch black if not for the street lights.the only sounds i heard were the horns blaring from cars and trucks, sirens, babies crying and the violent paddling of the bicycle i rode.

What was I even going to say?

Thank you for fighting for me?

I’m in love with you?

We should fuck to piss off your brother. Okay I laughed at that last suggestion.

Klaus had always been the one coming to me, I think it's time I take this leap of faith and run to him. No guy had ever said he loved me or wanted to help build my confidence or fought for me.

I swear if he breaks my heart I don't know if I'll survive the shock.

By the time I got to his house, my hands were shaking partially from the cold but mostly because I was so nervous I might shit my pants.

I dropped the bicycle by the side and moved to the porch. I stood there, starring – hesitating.

I could just go back and pretend I never came, right? That was safe.

Or leave a note?

I stepped back and glanced up at his window. “Maybe I should climb” I thought about it for a second but I would definitely fall and break my leg.

I am not planning on using a cast on opening night.

After about fifteen minutes of pacing around and over thinking about my literal existence, I decided to knock on the door like a proper human. Before my hands could reach the door….

The door swung open.