Before He Lied

Tessa Chapter 19

And just like that his moods changes, it's like all the air is sucked out of the room. He starts stabbing his food with his chopsticks, his smile from before fades.

"Hardin?"

"I don't wanna talk about it."

"But I...."

"I don't wanna talk about it, I'm trying my best to control my anger and I really don't wanna snap at you so please just drop it."

"Ok."

I didn't know something so simple like his mom would upset him this much, it was just a simple question but it bothered him so much. I wanna know him, I want to know everything about him. I wanna help him but it's hard to get rid of a wall when five more appear once the first is broken down, I don't even have his phone number. The silence between us for the next few minutes is loud, he just plays with his food while I try to figure out what is going on in that beautiful brain of him.

"What song was that?" He asks.

"What?"

"The song you were singing, when I came into the room. What song was it."

"It was a song from a musical."

I look down at my now empty food container and poke at the grains of rice left behind.

"What musical?" He questions innocently.

"It's called Waitress, the song I was singing is called When He Sees Me. It's my favorite musical."

"I hate musicals."

"Oh."

"You're one of those theater freaks aren't you?" He asks jokingly.

"Freak? No, well maybe a little bit. I just really love theater a lot, I wanted to be an actress but................that didn't work out." She nervously giggles.

"Why didn't it work?"
He moves closer to me.

"Well my family was supportive but we couldn't afford the classes I wanted to take for this summer program............whenever I sing in front of people I get super nervous..........I audition for the school musical and the director told me that I would never be anything in the theater industry.........and plus psychology will actually give me a job......going to school for the arts is pointless, at least that's what Nick told me." She lightly laughs.

He doesn't say anything, we both just awkwardly stare at each other.

"Enough about me, what do you major in?"

"You know you could audition for the musical here.........auditions are next week."

"Yeah no, NYU is know for its arts program which means that all the crazy talented students are gonna audition so there's really no point in me auditioning."

"You need to have more confidence in yourself, you care too much about what people think." He says bluntly.

Ouch, I mean he's right.

"Yeah, I guess I do."

I quickly stand and start putting the empty containers back into the bag.

"I was gonna do that."He says.

"It's fine, I got it."

I quickly grab the bag and walk out into the hallway, I walk to the end of the hallways and throw the trash away before I walk back inside the room I see my notes have been moved and see Hardin laying on my bed. I lock the door.

"I'm sorry about what I said before, I didn't mean to offend you." He says softly.

"You didn't offend me, I'm ok."