Chapter 37: Just say it

The door swung open.

I froze and almost forgot how to breathe. I took two steps back and Ethan stepped out.

For a moment, I saw a certain kind of relief that flashed across his face as if something was finally confirmed– like when you order pizza and the app says your pizza is at your doorstep but it is not there, you give up and it arrives five minutes later? Yeah, that kind of relief.

“Tessa?” a smile flashed across his face and something about that smile made my chest tighten.

Oh poor ethan.

“Hey” was all I could say.

He fully stepped outside and scanned me properly, analysing and probably over thinking my reason for coming here at this time. All the while there was this flicker of hope in his eyes. Hope I was clearly about to shatter.

“you … you came back?” a half smile crawled on his face and i could only manage an apologetic one “tessa… i..”

“Were you the one that took me to the hospital after I passed out?” I cut through his sentence before he could finish.

He blinked twice, his shoulders dropped followed by his half smile and I could already tell his answer from the shift in his aura.

“No” he couldn’t say that looking at me.

That’s what I thought. Something in my chest dipped. I opened my mouth to respond….

“Klaus… he left,” Ethan added.

My brows pulled together

“Where?” I asked desperation clear in my tone

“I don't know, he hasn't been back since the argument and he never tells where he goes to”

“Oh”  I felt like I was shot straight at the heart. But it had to be tonight. It just has to. “Guess I'll just umm…”

“Wait” ethan stopped me as i turned “if you came all the way to see him i can as well call him…. Its the least i can do”

I shook my head. “Its okay I'll talk to him tomorrow"

Ethan nodded and went back inside. I hopped on the bicycle ready to leave but I had this stubborn itch to wait.

So I went back and quietly sat on the front porch.

Just ten minutes. Just until my head cleared.

Just…

My eyes grew heavy and before I realised it, I had drifted asleep on the cold porch. For what seemed to be like an hour, it felt like all my worries had melted as I drifted into a cold ass sleep which is ironic because I wasn't comfortable enough to feel relaxed but I was.

Is that stupid?

I didn't realise how long I stayed before I felt something warm carefully draped over my body. I shifted and brows furrowed.

Honestly, I also didn't realise how cold it was till I felt something hovering over my shoulder.

I blinked slowly, my vision still blurry from unexpected sleep. I touched the fabric over me and my eyes shot open.

It was a leather jacket. I turned and there he was standing right in front of me, looking dangerously gorgeous.

Klaus

I might say lets fuck to piss of your brother at this point. His eyes looked tired and his gaze – expressionless.

I caught a glimpse of worry in his eyes as I sat up properly. He looked away before I could say anything and sat beside me.

I was… quiet.

I had planned an entire speech and even practised for when he arrived and I couldn't say a word as he sat so close to me.

I opened my mouth to speak but he shifted and reached for my hand. I didn’t pull back or argue, just watched.

He buried my hands in his palm, brought them closer to his lips and blew warm air. I instantly felt warmer and relaxed.

“It’s cold out, you shouldn’t be here” he said.

“i … I ummm… I needed to talk to you "I finally spoke and I couldn't hide the shiver in my voice.

It really was cold out.

“I can basically see your breath as you speak tessa” he said and turned towards me “lets go inside”

I stood up to argue  and my legs felt like they had been trapped in ice for  a thousand years so I stumbled a bit but before I could hit the floor and potentially lose my memory, Klaus caught me and I could swear he smiled a little.

“I have a fireplace in my room, come on” he said and i agreed to go to his room, not like i had a choice.

When I walked into his room, it felt like I went a hundred years back in time. There were movie posters and frames everywhere and no not your regular boy next door movies or entergalactic.

These were old classics – movies you would have only heard about if you actually cared about it.

On another side of the room, there was an entire section dedicated to music. There was an entire collection of vinyl records and a record player too. A guitar rested by the wall beside it with scattered sheets of music on the tiny table.

“You play?” I asked

He shrugged "occasionally"

Right opposite his questionably large bed was the fireplace. The flames were low and calm and it kind of looked like the fire was dancing to an orchestral music playing in the background of their world,

I leaned in, smiled and stood straight “you have a really nice room” i said

“My dad hates it” he replied and I let out a soft laugh.

My eyes wandered once more and I spotted a sketch pad on the table right by his bed. I walked over and noticed it was half opened. I was instantly intrigued.

I reached for it but his hand caught mine before I could even feel it.

“Don’t”

I froze. That was insanely fast.

I looked up at him and his expression has shifted. I let go and raised my hands in mock surrender.

“Come sit”he said with a smile “you look like the ice queen puked all over you”

“That was rude,” I said as I walked over to the fireplace.

We both sat by the fireplace. Klaus went to get a blanket and wrapped it around me. I felt warmer and way better. Although this would have been way better if he didn't  sit a hundred metres away from me.

Like hello, I do not have covid.

Seconds passed and neither of us spoke.

I stared at the flames watching like it was a live performance.

While he stared at nothing, I occasionally caught him stealing glances at me but i didnt mind. I wish I had the confidence to just say those three words and cuddle him to sleep right here, right now.

I finally turned to speak.

“Umm klaus i….” I froze and instantly forgot how to speak.

Just say it Tessa!!

Just say the three most simple words in the English language, you asshole.