Tosser~ a James Cook fanfic~

Thomas~2

THE UNDERGROUND

The day of this party had arrived and Tess scrambled as per usual to find an outfit. She ended up raiding Michelle's closet instead and stole a pair of flares and a top with white cuts of fabric flowing down the sides. Hopefully Michelle was out tonight.

She grabbed an apple on the way out the door and gave nothing but a quick "I'm going out!" and a door slam to her hopeless mother. She plugged her headphones in as she walked to Katie and Emilys. Tess had developed a method for walking alone at night—a tactic she'd perfected over time to ward off the male gaze. She adopted a look of complete nonchalance, blending in by exuding an air of disinterest and a touch of psychopathy, like she was unfazed by anything. It worked—usually, she didn't get approached.

She knocked on the door, only to have it flung open by James, Katie and Emily's younger brother. He stood there, his face twisted into an expression of smug superiority. He was an irritating little brat

"What do you want?" James sneered, blocking the doorway.

"Nice to see you too, James," Tess replied dryly, already exasperated. She didn't have time for his nonsense.

James crossed his arms. "You here to mooch off my sisters again?"

Tess rolled her eyes. "Oh, piss off. Where's Katie?"

He stepped aside with a mockingly exaggerated sigh, making it clear he didn't care to entertain her further. "Upstairs. Not that I care."

"Yeah, well, thanks for the warm welcome," Tess muttered sarcastically as she passed him. She really couldn't stand the kid, and from the look on his face, the feeling was mutual.

Before she could even reach the stairs, Mrs. Fitch called out from the kitchen. "Tess, darling, is that you?"

Tess winced internally but turned toward the voice, already bracing herself for an awkward conversation. "Hi, Mrs. Fitch."

The woman smiled warmly as she came into view. "How's your mum? And your sister? I haven't heard from her in ages. Is she still with... what was his name Marcus?"

"Malcolm" Tess resisted the urge to groan. Her mum's latest string of failed marriages wasn't exactly her favourite topic of conversation. "No he was... let me see- About two husbands ago. It's Paul now"

Mrs. Fitch nodded, looking concerned but not surprised. "Ah, I see. Well, that's the way it goes sometimes."

Tess was about to mumble something in reply when Emily appeared at the top of the stairs, looking slightly frazzled but clearly relieved to see her. "Tess! Come on up. Katie's still getting ready."

Saved. Tess flashed Mrs. Fitch a quick smile. "Thanks, Mrs. Fitch," she said before bolting up the stairs to escape any further questions.

Once she reached the twins' room, Tess closed the door behind her, leaning against it with a sigh. Emily was fiddling with some makeup on the dresser, and Tess immediately pulled her hair into a loose bun, trying to tame the chaotic strands that had fallen out during her walk.

"You alright?" Emily asked, glancing at her through the mirror.

"I got interrogated by your mother and that little shit" Tess replied, rolling her eyes. "Is Katie almost ready, or are we in for a wait?"

Emily snickered. "Yeah, he's gotten worse, actually. It's impressive, really."

When they entered, Katie was mid-panic, holding up two different tops. "Okay, which one? This or this? I'm having a crisis here!"