All There Is

Chapter 14-Hardin

            After a lot of arguing with one Theresa Young, she finally came back to the room.The only reason I even asked her was because the dorm manager checked on us to see how everything was going and she seemed to be familiar with Tessa and how much of a trouble maker she was.Jesus, only about a week in and the girl has already managed to make an impression, a bad impression.

Despite the fact that I was kind of relieved to have her in the room again where I know for a fact she isn't out there doing drugs.I might not have the best relationship with her but it's kind of annoying to constantly come 'home' to nobody there.

Speaking of home and relationships I finally got Steph home.I don't know what happened to us,I used to consider leaving for college such a sad thing but now I think of it as a breathe of fresh air.I'm free from Steph.I almost feel bad,Steph has been in my life and despite the fact that she has a ton of toxic traits I do too.We don't really care for each other but for some reason we're still staying together.

I normally never cheat on anyone but when it comes to Tessa, I seem to have different morals compared to her.Tessa could not feel the same at all because despite the fact that she comes to the apartment every night at exactly 10:05 after her normally 4 hour nap due to her late night ,it's always 10:05 because she snoozer her alarm once.Am I starting to sound kind of obsessed because I'm not,I'm just observant?

What I have also noticed being observant is Tessa and I have a class together, the class I happen to be sitting in right now is that exact class.It's literature and we're talking about the Jane Austen classic 'Pride and Prejudice'.I have always wanted someone like Elizabeth, because easy's getting boring.

Tessa comes into the classroom and even in the sweatpants and tight shirt she's wearing and the messy bun her blond hair lays in on her head.She makes eye contract with me and scoffs, rolling her eyes before taking a seat behind me.I shift a little in my sit, uncomfortably feeling her eyes on me.

The teacher claps her hands calling for our attention."Okay young learns.Today's subject is something that will take a little longer.Every day you grow up a little and change.Whether it be when you decide to wear you're hair differently or if you decide to have tea instead of coffee today.You're changing and you're growing up, with growing up opinions change.That being said, today we're going to have a little discussion about the book than towards the end of the semester, you will read the book again and see if you're opinion has changed."

I raise my hand."Don't you think this exercise is kind of anti-climactic?I don't think our opinion on a classic can change that much within the course of 6 months."

Tessa scoffs from behind me and lets out a long sigh.The teacher arches a brow at her."Tessa, do you have a different opinion?"

"Well yea."Tessa says from behind me.I sit up straight in my sit, what in the hell is she trying to do?

"Care to share.I mean just because you literally never have anything to say in this class so I would really like to hear your input on this."She smiles and takes a seat in her chair.

Tessa scoffs and I can already see her rolling her eyes."Well I think opinions can change and this assignment could do a lot for us.Maybe one day I'll actually find Elizabeth Bennet a bearable person but that day isn't today."

What?"Elizabeth is the best female literary character ever written."I murmur.

"What was that Mr.Scott?"The teacher asks me, she has a smile on her face and is leaning intently.

I scratch the back of my neck, looking down."N-No.Just some thought Miss."

I feel something kick the back of my chair and turn to find Tessa, slouching with a lazy smile on her face."Come on Scott.If you're gonna say something at least say it loud."

"Tessa.This is inappropriate."I lean in whispering to her.

Her mouth opens slightly as she sighs.She leans forward her lips so close to mine that I can smell the alcohol on her breath, really Tessa?"We've done a lot of inappropriate things Hardin."She looks down at my lips.I can't help the way my head tilts up gravitating toward her.

Before my lips can touch hers, she pulls away."Well besides that I think Elizabeth Bennet is an ungrateful bitch who doesn't realize all that she has.Like yea, her mom might suck but at least she has a mom and a dad.Some of us don't have that."She says the last part a little sadly.Everyone is staring at her and when she looks up, she takes notice of it."Miss may I be excused from class?"She asks the teachers.

"Yes.Of course Tessa."

She slings her bag over her shoulder and nods her head."O-Okay.Thank you."She wipes under her eyes and walks out of the room, my eyes never leaving her until she is out of the room.

"There you have it."The teacher smiles, standing up from her chair."That's the power of a good book.Now about you're reports..."I should be listening to what she's saying, taking notes like I usually would but I can't help the way, my body turns to face the back door and eyes glare at it.What the hell just happened?

***

Sitting in the dorm and reading Pride and Prejudice,I can't help the way my thoughts keep going back to Tessa.When I read this book I used to think about Steph and how she reminds me so much of Mrs.Bennet ,a stuck up...you know what.But now I just can't help but see Tessa every time I read about Elizabeth...Maybe that's why Tessa doesn't like her because she sees herself in her and maybe Tessa doesn't like herself that much.

The door burst open with Tessa rushing in and reaching toward her mirror.She goes through the drawer and the way she just throws some jewelry on her desk is kind of stressing me out.Tessa is so unorganized and I consider myself very organized.I can't help the way I begin to scratch at my pants at the sight of her messiness."Oh hey Hardin."She greets me as she puts on her earrings.

"Where are you going?"

"Out."She reaches for a brush thingy and puts stuff on her place.

I put my book to the side and lean up, sitting on the side of the bed my feet hanging off of it."Why?You've gone out every night."

"Because I can."She smiles at me sarcastically before moving to her closet and pulling down a dress."Do you want to come too, pretty boy?"She smiles going into the bathroom."I'm only asking to be polite."She calls from the bathroom.

"Since when do you care about being polite Tessa?"I arch a brow.She struts out of the bathroom and my mouth drops at how amazing she looks, her body is perfect.She looks amazing.But she is showing way to much skin and looks like every other girl that I've seen goes to these parties."Tessa, that's a lot of skin you're showing there."

"And?"

"Tessa.Do you like your self?"I ask.I need to know if this girl likes herself or even considers herself anything less then beautiful, she is crazier than I already think she is.

"Sure Hardin."She dismisses with the roll of her eyes.She slides on her heels and dismissively just heads toward the door."Don't both come to the party, you fucking dork.Bye."

She walks out the door, leaving me with my mouth open.It seems like every time we talk one of us ends up crying, walking away, or just left in shock.Gotta work on that...