More Than Friends

Part 31 (Tessa)

I wake up to Hardin lightly snoring in my ear, but I smile at how it's the best sound I've ever heard. I can't believe how open he was about his feelings last night. I can't believe how much I do for him. I can't believe how much I love him. I can't help myself as I reach up to move the hair off his forehead and admire how at peace he looks in his sleep. The last thing I want to do is wake him.

"Tess?"

"Yes, Hardin?"

"Shouldn't you be getting ready for school?"

"Yes... but I love watching you sleep." I blush.

"Not as much as I love seeing you in my shirt," he says as he kisses me good morning.

"I could really get used to waking up like this," I say as I caress his cheek.

"Me, too. I could never go back to the way it was before we finally got together."

"You won't have to," I say as I give him a light peck on the cheek and climb out of bed.

"Are you nervous about your interview?"

"A little, but I'm more nervous about how people are going to still be talking about me." I frown.

"Hey! Don't you frown," Hardin says as he gets out of bed and walks over to me. He takes my hands in his and says, "We got through yesterday together and we'll do the same everyday until this is all over. And it will be over someday, Tess."

"You're so good to me. I don't know what I did to deserve you."

"Hey! I think that's my line. I'm the lucky one who doesn't deserve you."

"Hardin, you're such a good person. You should give yourself more credit. I hope one day you can see in yourself what I see in you."

"Aw, Tess..." he trails off as he places his hands on my face and pulls me into a kiss.

"I'm going to go get ready now. I don't want to be late."

"Tess?"

"Yes?"

"I love you." He smiles.

"I love you, too-" I correct myself, "I love you, Hardin."

I get ready and collect my things while Hardin finishes getting ready and we leave for school.

Hardin and I walk to Literature together and I feel good knowing he's here with me. Class goes well, but I know it's only because Hardin is with me and people are scared of him.

When Literature is over, Hardin walks me to my next class and this time I have to endure whispers and laughs at my expense. I think of telling them off like Hardin told me to, but instead I try to ignore them.

After class I make a stop at the bathroom before meeting up with Hardin. As I'm making my way back down the hall to our meeting spot, I see Neil walking toward me. I hold my breath hoping Hardin scared him enough to stay away from me, but I have no such luck.

"Hey, sweetheart. Where are you off to in such a hurry?"

"To meet my boyfriend," I try to say in my most stern voice.

"He can wait," Neil says as he rests his arm against the hallway wall, blocking me from leaving.

"Move your arm. I mean it, Neil!"

"I just want to have a little chat with you. I need to ask you where I can find these videos of you I've been hearing about."

This creep is getting on my last nerve. "Fuck off, Neil!" I shout and try to move past him.

"I'd rather fuck you," he says as he moves closer toward me.

Suddenly, Neil is pulled back from me and slammed into the wall. Hardin has a tight grip on his collar as he pins him against the wall. "What did I tell you about staying away from my girlfriend?" Hardin says through bared teeth.

"What do you care if I stay away from her or not? It's not like every guy can't watch her doing the nasty whenever he wants," Neil spits.

"Don't you fucking push me. I won't hesitate to send you to the hospital."

I wish I could do something, but I feel like I can't move. This habit of being harassed and Hardin having to rescue me is getting old.

"You get turned on by all those guys watching you, don't you? You're such a dirty girl," Neil cackles.

I watch in horror as Hardin follows through on his threat and slams his fist right into Neil's jaw. I have to stop him before he does anything else. I don't need him getting arrested, especially because of me. "Hardin! Hardin, you have to stop!"

"No, Tess! This fucking pervert needs to learn a lesson."

"Hardin..." I try to say calmly as Hardin is threatening to hit Neil again. "Remember what we talked about before? I can't lose you. I love you," I say, hoping it pulls him back from his anger.

"Okay, Tess," he says calmer than I imagined him being in this moment. He lets Neil go. "This is my last warning. You better stay the fuck away from her from now on, or next time I won't stop myself from putting you in the hospital."

I hope Neil listens to him because I know he's serious.

"Fuck you, Scott!" Neil says as he wipes his bloody mouth and walks away.

"Please don't lecture me, Theresa."

"I won't. Thank you for listening to me. "

"That fucker is more irritating than Zed. Zed's disappeared somewhere, but that guy just keeps popping up."

"I know." I frown. "I don't even feel like going to my interview now."

"Don't let him ruin anything, Tess. We better leave or else you'll be late." He hugs me and kisses the top of my head before taking my hand and walking me to his car.

Hardin drives me to the book store and wishes me good luck before I climb out of the car and head inside.

I'm welcomed by a very friendly and bubbly blonde woman about ten years older than me. She introduces herself as Kimberly and makes me feel at ease during the interview. We talk a lot about books and she gets me laughing on more than one occasion. The interview flies by. She hires me right on the spot. I thank her and excitedly run to the car to meet Hardin.

Hardin is leaning against his car waiting for me.

"I got the job!" I scream as I jump into his arms and he twirls me around.

"I knew you would." He smiles brightly at me.

"Thanks again for bringing me and supporting me!"

"Of course! Now, what should we do for the rest of the day? Do you want to go back to what's left of your classes?"

"No. I want to spend it with you." I smile up at him.