Chapter 48: Girlfriend?

Someone gasped.

Julie’s faced shifted into something i hadn’t seen ever–

Not on her face at least.

“You want me to eat all of it?” she scoffed trying to play it off.

Klaus didn’t answer. His silence alone said it all.

Julie glanced around and had the time to soak in the scene around her. Everyone was watching and not only that, people were recording. Klaus was really going to destroy her here and now.

Her jaw tightened.

“This is utterly ridiculous" she chuckled nervously but bent down anyway. Her hands were shaking as she picked up the bag and I was really feeling for her.

That was odd.

She stood up, clutching the bag like it  had posted an offensive video about her on tiktok. I bet she was imagining me as the bag because she tore a hole through the bag with her nails.

Klaus remained still and firm.

“Eat”

Oh fuck. He really meant it. He was really going to make Julie eat that greasy shit in front of the entire school and on social media?

I should have felt terrible but I felt like a princess.

I glanced over to Veronica and I caught her mumbling something as she almost shrunk into the locker next to her. She almost looked so grateful that she didn't lead this heist.

Julie hesitated.

She took one out– a large sized donut coated in sugar but looked too greasy to even enjoy the taste. It looked like after it was done, someone dipped it into a bowl of used oil and sprinkled sugar on it.

Was she trying to poison me?

She looked equally disgusted at the sight. She squeezed her eyes shut and took a bite. Immediately , the audience into the hall echoed an ‘urgh’ followed by an ‘eww’ then ‘gross’ as she chewed.

Klaus finally looked at me just for a second then back at julie

“And stay the fuck away from my girlfriend” he said.

Everything stopped.

Literally.

Time, movement, gravity, the world , my heart.

Everything stopped.

Julie froze, Veronica slapped a hand across her mouth, maya gave me a look and everyone in the hall looked at me like i was a naked dickless man.

The hallway burst into whispers.

“What–?”

“Did he just–”

“No freaking way–”

Maya grabbed my arms so tight it almost fell off “GIRLFRIEND?!” she whisper-screamed.

All my bodily functions must have gone on a vacation because I didn't feel alive and a ray of sunshine flashed across my face.

Was I in heaven already?

Did Nicolas Hayes' public declaration of me being his girlfriend give me a heart attack and send me to an early grave?

Or am I waking up from a dream?

Julie dropped the donuts and the remaining bag on the floor. “You’re joking right” she said her voice lacked the confidence it always had.

Klaus didn't respond.

She stared at me so hard I thought I might explode. Then she crushed the pastries under her heels and walked past.

I wanted the ground to open and swallow me whole.

Klaus turned to me and reached for my hands. I looked at him and his eyes softened “lets go” he said and without waiting for a response he gently pulled me closer as we walked down the aisle…. Oh no …. Hallway.

Tessa what the fuck are you thinking.

We finally got to an empty classroom away from the stares. The moment the door shut behind us, silence crept in.

I folded my arms trying to act like I wasn't still recovering from the amazing yet terrifying turn of events in the hallway just now.

“When exactly" i raised a brow “did i become your girlfriend?”

He blinked.

“What?”

Oh dont you dare play dumb with me nicolas hayes.

“You heard me” i said stepping closer “you just decided and announced to the school like you were dispersing a public information”

Confusion fueled his entire expression.

“You’re not?”

I stared at him in pure disbelief. Did he think this was how things worked?

“You never asked me, klaus”

He paused and realized it hit.

“Oh right”

I scoffed and turned away like an angry puppy.

“Exactly”

Then–

He stepped closer.

“Okay then” he said and i turned back “close your eyes”

“What?”

“Close your eyes”

I shot him a look.

“Just trust me tessa”

I heaved a sigh “fine but if its something stupid i swear to god–”

“Relax Tessa, trust me” his voice was softer.

I listened and shut my eyes.

“What are you doing?” I muttered trying to talk out the unholy thoughts I had with my eyes shut.

“Shushhh”

I felt him closer and my heart was beating at the speed of light in an instant. Then something cold touched my neck and I froze.

His fingers tickled my skin as he fastened it. Then–

“Open your eyes” he whispered.

My hand immediately went to my neck. A simple butterfly necklace dangled over my neck.

I immediately remembered one of our confidence lessons a few months back. He had mentioned that the butterfly symbolises how beautiful change can be even the shittiest moments

I had changed when i least expected to and the result of the change was beautiful and i loved the fact i was willing.

I didn't know when but a smile had found its way on my face.

“Tessa” I looked up and he looked serious.

“If i do this properly” he said “will you stop fighting me about it?”

“What are you–”

“Will you be my girlfriend?”

oh

My brian shut down for a second there.

“You’re unbelievable” i whispered

“Is that a yes?””

He asked like he didn't already know the answer.

“Yes”

His hands found my waist instantly pulling me so tight I was scared we might merge. Literally. He leaned in and placed a soft kiss on my lips.

My fingers gripped his shirt equally tighter and closer like if i didnt gravity might just stop working on me and I'd float away.

Then–

The bell rang