Eclipsed Love

SILENT FRACTURES

COLES' POV :

Class ended sooner than I expected. Tessa was already packing up her books, her white dress falling just mid-thigh, looking flawless. A delicate pendant hung from her neck, completing her look. As she stood, she glanced up from her books and met my gaze, but her eyes were shaded, unreadable. She quickly looked down, hastening her pace, almost as if my stare made her uneasy. I mirrored her movements, shoving my books into my bag without a second glance, and immediately pushed through the crowd, determined to catch up with her.

Navigating the sea of students leaving the building, I kept my eyes locked on Tessa. She slipped through the exit and stood at the edge of the sidewalk, waiting for a gap in the traffic to cross the road. The moment she stepped forward, a speeding bike zoomed past, forcing her to stagger back to the curb. Watching her struggle from a distance, I couldn't help but wonder-who doesn't know how to cross a road?

Taking it upon myself, I moved ahead, stepping in front of her and raising my hand to halt the traffic. I waited, expecting her to follow. When she didn't, I glanced back, catching her in my peripheral vision. She stood there, clutching her books tightly to her chest. Without a word, we crossed the road together, her silence weighing heavily between us.

She didn't thank me, not even a simple nod of acknowledgment. Before I could leave, something else caught my eye. A guy rushed over and embraced Tessa, who awkwardly returned the hug.

"Tessa, hey! How was your first day?" he asked, stepping back but keeping his focus on her.

A genuine smile lit up her face, a sight that irked me to my core. What was so special about this guy? Was it just because he bothered to ask her about her classes?

"It was nice, Wyatt. The professor is amazing. How about yours?" Tessa replied, her voice filled with an enthusiasm I had never heard before.

"Oh, it was great! Our professor said we'd be visiting an actual studio mid-semester," Wyatt responded with excitement. His enthusiasm grated on me.

"And who are you?" Wyatt finally turned his attention to me.

"He's my roommate, Wyatt," Tessa answered before I could.

His English accent grew more annoying with each word, and I was one sentence away from losing my cool.

"Temporary," I added, making sure to inject enough sarcasm to convey my displeasure. I glanced at Tessa, who seemed relieved by my comment. "I plan on getting private accommodation after the winter break. Until then, we have no choice but to share the same room."

"Oh, alright, man." Wyatt placed a hand on my shoulder as if to show empathy. I glared at his hand until he removed it and checked his watch. "Tessa, I'm sorry, but I've got to run. I have class in five minutes." He gave her another quick hug, promising, "I'll see you at dinner," to which she nodded.

"Your English boyfriend is kind of annoying," I said nonchalantly after Wyatt left.

"He's not my boyfriend," Tessa replied softly, adjusting her bag on her shoulder and starting to walk away.

I grabbed her elbow before she could slip out of reach. "Whoa, where are you going? We don't have any more classes."

She jerked her arm free, her eyes flashing with anger. "Why the fuck do you care where I'm going or what I'm doing? And why are you following me anyway? Just because we're roommates doesn't mean you have to be on my tail every second. We can have separate lives, you understand?"

I had no response, just a simmering anger that matched hers. She tried to walk away again, but I grabbed her elbow, this time in a rage-fueled grip, and dragged her between the buildings, away from prying eyes. We ended up in a narrow alley with brick walls on either side. I pushed her against one, her bag and books tumbling to the ground as she struggled to regain her balance. She was trembling, her forehead dotted with sweat, her breathing ragged. She was angry, but I could see the fear in her eyes.

No one, and I mean no one, talks to me like that.

I stepped closer, trapping her between me and the wall.

"Cole... please..." she begged, her voice trembling, but her pleas fell on deaf ears. "Cole, let me go." A tear rolled down her cheek, but I ignored it, pressing my hand against the brick wall beside her face.

Something in her snapped. Her breathing became erratic, her chest heaving as she turned her face away, mumbling something under her breath. She sank to the ground, curling into herself, rocking back and forth as if trying to calm her racing heart.

My rage evaporated, replaced by a sinking feeling of dread. I watched her from a foot away, her eyes closed, tears streaming down her cheeks as she pressed herself against the wall, as if wanting to merge with it.

Did I do this? Had I finally become the monster my father always said I was?

"Tessa..." I knelt beside her, reaching out to touch her hands, but she pushed me away, refusing to open her eyes. Her white dress, now dusted with dirt, was a stark contrast to the darkness that had overtaken her.

Unable to do anything else, I sat with her, waiting for her to calm down. I watched as her breathing slowed, her trembling ceased, and her fingers regained their strength. Slowly, her eyes opened, just a sliver.

I didn't know what to say. I was afraid to touch her, terrified that if I did, I might break her. So, I stayed silent, waiting for her to compose herself. This was all my fault. I had forced her into this state. I was the monster.

Finally, Tessa opened her eyes and looked at me. She wasn't angry or afraid. She just wanted to leave. I didn't stop her as she struggled to her feet, gathered her things, and ran away as fast as she could.

I stayed there, sitting on the ground, replaying everything that had just happened. I had done this to her. I was the monster my father always warned me I'd become. I thought about my mother, her words echoing in my mind: "Those who find pleasure in hurting others are monsters."

I was that monster. I had hurt Tessa. And as I swore to myself never to go near her again, the weight of what I had done settled heavily on my shoulders.