Levelling the Playing Field (HD&D Sequel)

Chapter 22 - The Possibility of You

Arya took her drink and sat in front of Tessa. The redhead looked up from her phone and raised a brow.

"It's been a while since we've really sat down and talked, don't you think?" Arya started.

Tessa turned off her phone and leaned forward, holding her head in her hands. "And, what did you have in mind?"

Arya sighed and then decided to open up. "A lot has happened since we've moved here. I don't think I really took the time to process all of it. The biggest change obviously being-"

"-The unbelievably adorable/ ruggedly handsome guys who've come crashing into our lives," Tessa interrupted.

Arya laughed lightly. "Yeah, them," She stopped to look down at her drink before beginning. "Do you feel like Declan is the one for you?"

Tessa looked at her friend for a long time. "Yes." She answered simply.

Arya looked at her friend. "How do you know for sure?"

"When I'm with him, there is nothing but comfort," She answered.

Arya continued to look at Tessa, wanting her to elaborate on her answer, but she looked back at Arya with an expectant gaze.

"What do you mean by that?" Arya asked, leaning forward.

Tessa sat back and sighed contently. She looked lost in her own world, a small smile playing on her lips as if she had forgotten where she was.

"It's strange, I met him in a typical biology class, but everything about him was extraordinary. Of course, I wasn't blind, and he was there looking as good as ever," She chuckled. "But it was his sense of identity that first intrigued me."

"Sense of Identity?"

"He knows exactly who he is and what he wants. There are no halves when it comes to Declan, and knowing that if I were fortunate enough to be loved by him, he would love me with everything he had," Tessa explained.

Arya nodded, knowing this much was true.

"It only got better from there. There was that one English class where he spoke openly about love and soulmates and how he looked at me, Arya. I swear it was like he knew he and I were supposed to be," Tessa continued, smiling bashfully.

Arya wasn't going to stop her now.

"He's everything I have ever wanted in a partner and more. He radiates security and warmth that invokes this calmness within me. He completely engulfs me in his flame, and you know that's exactly where I feel the safest." The smile on her face completely illuminated the room around them.

"There is simply no one else for me," She finished.

Arya looked at her for the longest time.

Davina came in and sat with them. She looked between her two friends and raised an eyebrow. "What are we girls talking about?"

Arya snapped back into focus and turned her attention toward Davina. "Boys,"

"Ahh," Davina replied, immediately standing up. "Well, I should be going-"

Tessa pulled her back down. "Not so fast,"

"Yeah, we wanna know the details. What's the deal with you and Bennett?"

Both girls leaned in with the same smile while waiting for Davina's reply.

"There's really not much to tell," She began, scratching the back of her neck. "I don't know. It's going okay,"

"Okay?" Tessa repeated.

"Yeah, okay," Davina shrugged. "You know, I'm not worried about us because I feel like I have the rest of my life to get to know him,"