Don't Blame Me: Genius

Something

~Tess pov~
Around Seven Months Ago

"Are you calling her a liar?!," my mother exclaims. She was speaking to the sheriff. I'm listening to their argument from my room, I can't see the reactions.
"SHE SAW YOU!," she shouts. My mom instantly clears her throat. "She saw you," she lowers her voice. She doesn't like to yell or be yelled at. She likes to say the tone and the way you say something matters.

"Explain yourself, now" she asks sternly.

"The anonymous tips we got were by phone. I had to relay them to the detective." He speaks slowly and carefully. "Duh. I know that. Fast forward." Mom interrupted. She is so funny.
"Okay well, that night I had walked out to see something or someone behind Peyton's car. They told me useful information involving the girls. And of course, I told the detective," he explained. I let out a huge gasp.

"Are you telling me, you knew it was him and didn't say anything until a later date?," I heard mom struggling with tears.

"Tina...you can't tell me that you didn't suspect her?," sheriff accused. My mom hadn't said anything. I inch closer out my bedroom door and down a few steps. I had a clear view of them, but I was hidden.

Mom sniffed, "I don't need to explain my thoughts to you," she turned her back to him facing the kitchen sink. He steps up behind her. "Tina, I am so sorry".

I walked back into my room, I didn't want to see anything after. My mom had a reputation for forgiving easily.

When my parents separated over the summer, I thought I'd never see my mom smile again. They were in love. Even though dad traveled, it was like he never left in her eyes. She was so happy with him. Everytime he came back home I could tell there was a little less love in his eyes. She never could though. I guess he would rather have someone to travel the world with him. It hurts to see her hurt again.

——
Present
Monday Morning
I flip flop into the kitchen to see my mother putting the finishing touches on breakfast. Aaahnnn. I opened my mouth wide, breathing in more air than usual. My mother looked at me with a goofy expression. "What? I'm still sleepy," I slightly smiled.
"Yes, I see that," mom giggles. "But. Ihavepancakes," she runs her words together in a giddy fashion. "And you. have . school.".

I quickly chomped down my breakfast, got dressed upstairs and darted out the door for school.
I was walking to school this morning. My moms shit brown station wagon was still down and I guess Hope and I were in an unspoken argument.
I haven't talked to her the whole weekend so I didn't tell her any of my thoughts. I guess she really was giving me time to figure it out.

The walk to school was nice. The warm air, hint of breeze, it hit just right. It reminded me of old times, when Hope and I would walk together. If I could just go back. If I had a worldly clock, I would turn it back and stop it at every dumbass decision, every hardship and heartbreak. That's not how it works though.

I walked through the front doors of the school. I scanned the hallway, searching for; I don't know yet. Hope? Maybe. It was a habit, after all.

I walk through the hall with my head tilted to the floor. Oceans of high school students part at the coming of my presence. I see multiple shoes turn left. Turn right. They backed out of my way, until a pair of clean white converse didn't. I ran smack into a short and slim body figure. My eyes looked up straight into pretty brown eyes.

"Watch where you're going, sweetness. I could've been a locker," she giggled. My eyes brightened up with joy. "Hey baby, I haven't talked to you all weekend,". I cheek kissed her then we intertwined hands, heading through the halls. "Yeah, my mom took me to look at a college this weekend. I would have taken you but I knew you were figuring things out,". I abruptly stopped and let go of her hand. She stepped up and turned to face me.

"I don't need to figure out if I want to be with you, Hope. I love you, but college isn't for everyone and your ultimatum isn't fair," I stated firmly. "What happens if I don't go? Are you going to break up with me? Because there's no cheating involved this time,".

I felt a hallway full of people start to crowd us, listening to the tea. I didn't pay much attention to the whispers. Hope sirens her eyes, "Right. There's no cheating. Just holding cells and investigation rooms," she said viciously.

I knew it. She's upset. She hates me.

I looked to my left to see that we were surrounded by a group of people. I couldn't say anything back to that so I took it lightly.

"Did you and your posse need something Emily?," I smarted off.

She giggles and grins, "oh relax, we were just enjoying the show between the two lovebirds," she motioned her finger. "Or is it hatebirds, we can't tell," she smiles sarcastically.

Hope locks my hand in hers. "There's no hate here. Just you wishing you were us," Hope pulls me into her person giving me an enchanting kiss.
It felt like it lasted a long time. It had passion, fire, and was endearing. Even though it was just to piss someone off, it was like she meant it. Like she was telling me you're never going anywhere.

The bell rings. I heard a scoff escape from the bullies mouth and all the footsteps scattering.
Hope pulled away from the kiss, "I hate those bitches," she confirms. I stare waiting for her to reassure that she meant that kiss. "You ready to go?,". I nodded in agreement.
——

After School
Although the rest of the school day was a breeze, Hope and I went through a stage of an unspoken language of confusion. I rode home with Hope where she walked me to my front door. "I see your mommy left," I glanced over to her driveway, seeing Liz car gone. I twist the knob cracking the door a bit expecting her to follow. "You coming?," Hope shrugs her shoulders, taking a step back. I turn around, slamming the door back shut.

I blew out a calming breath. "Hope, I don't get it. When we found out that they took care of Christian, you were so hellbent on getting us back. Even with Ren, you wanted me. Now you don't , because I don't have my whole life planned out like you?," my eyebrows dance. She stares at me waiting for my rant to end. "Seriously, what gives?"

"I just want you to have something! I want you to get away from everything that's happening here!," she exclaims. "Look at our parents, look at our troubles. I don't want to be a bitch, but let's be realistic here. If we don't work out, if we don't get our fairytale, then we need something!," she flailed her arms. "You may be okay with nothing and being stuck wishing, but I refuse,".

Tears start to form in my eyes and fall short. "You don't think we'll work out?,".

Hope steps to me, cupping my face and starts to wipe the tears away with her thumbs. "Hey, no. Come on. Stop. Stop. Don't do that," she says softly. "Tess, you've always been a part of my plan. But It's getting serious and scarier now, and I need you with me." she kisses my forehead. "Do you want it or not?".

AN; eeeppp! We have a few more chapters left! Keep tuning in to the end:) love you much.