𝐄𝐘𝐄𝐒 | Tara Carpenter SCREAM VI/VII

•NINE

During the walk from the gardens to the café, an oppressive silence reigned between me and Tara. Under different circumstances I wouldn't have minded it-actually, sometimes I prefer to avoid chatter-but after getting to know the younger Carpenter the silence weighs on me much more. Barely a few days have passed since our encounter at the party (though, to be honest, we had seen each other before in that very café), but what we shared practically bonded us immediately.

The same situation: Ghostface.

Even though I only met him because I joined their group.

I like being with her.

Practically, aside from last night, we've been together almost every minute. And why deny it? She's really cute and draws me in with just one look. But I can't afford to think about these things right now for many reasons: I don't know if she would mind being with a girl; I might ruin our relationship if I took a bold step... And then there's Ghostface always lurking, watching our every move.

But I have the feeling it was Mindy's comment that made her so silent.

The smell of coffee and pastries reaches my nose and I can't help but smile slightly. Tara's hand was around my waist to help me walk but her presence was elsewhere. Out of the corner of my eye I saw her staring ahead with unfocused eyes, her lips pressed into a hard line.

Okay. Enough.

I stretch out my hand toward a chair consequently stopping Tara's walk. Her brown eyes look at me questioningly and I take a deep breath before focusing my thoughts. "Can you sit down, please?" I ask gently, sitting down in my chair.

"But weren't we supposed to get..." she starts, confused.

I raise my hand to interrupt her.

"Can we talk?" I ask timidly.

Tara makes a face and sits down in front of me, her eyes looking at me with an intensity that sends shivers down my spine. The confidence I had just moments ago wavers and I find myself staring at her with nervousness. She brushes a strand of hair from her face and adjusts herself in her chair creating a gap between us.

"Why are you so quiet? You know Mindy was joking, right?" I ask trying to mask the pain in my voice.

I don't like seeing her so distant. Tara blushes at my words and bites her lower lip nervously, a gesture that makes her incredibly adorable. The silence grows heavy and I want to tear it away but the tension is palpable. Her hands grip the table, knuckles turning white.

"I know," she mumbles, embarrassment making her voice almost a whisper.

I tilt my head, trying to understand. "So why are you avoiding me?" I ask, trying to stay calm.

Disappointment is evident on my face.

"I was thinking, sorry," she justifies, her cheeks growing even redder.

Adorable, I think, as butterflies start to dance in my stomach and my gaze softens at her nervousness. A small smile creeps onto my lips; she is truly beautiful. The thought of who could ever harm a girl like her makes me furious but part of me selfishly thanks fate for bringing her into my life in New York.

I stretch out my hand across the table and take hers, gently tracing her scar with my thumb. I feel Tara's tension lessen and she smiles at me in gratitude. "It's all right" I say, smiling widely.

"And who would've thought? Tara Carpenter with a girl," I joke, trying to break the ice.

I watch her with curiosity, testing the waters to see if there's even a tiny chance of something more than just friendship. Tara's cheeks flush and a nervous smile lights up her face.

"And why not?" she murmurs, her eyes flickering between our hands and mine, illuminated by a spark of audacity.

My eyebrows raise in surprise. Tara seems to catch my reaction and smiles triumphantly, squeezing my hand before breaking the contact. "What do you want me to get you?" she asks, standing up from her chair and trying to maintain a casual demeanor.

"A cappuccino, thanks" I reply with a small smile, still shaken by her unexpected response.

As she walks away towards the counter, I take a moment to reflect. Out of the corner of my eye I see Ethan approaching and call out to him raising my hand. "Ethan!"

He stops turning toward the sound of my voice, his smile lighting up his face. "Y/N, right?" he asks, a shy but warm smile on his face.

"Yeah," I reply with a light laugh. "Shouldn't you be in class already?" I ask, curious about why he's here.

"There are still ten minutes left. Can I stay here?" he asks, a slightly awkward tone in his voice.

I nod.

In the meantime Tara arrives, glancing between me and Ethan before handing me the cappuccino. Ethan's brown eyes carefully study Tara's movements, a glimmer behind them. Something twists in my stomach at the way he's looking at her.

"Here you go," Tara mumbles. The younger Carpenter puts her hands in her pockets and turns her gaze to me. "I have class now... See you later?" she asks timidly.

"Sure... Are you coming to us or..." I ask, trailing off.

"To you guys," she replies immediately.

Tara leans in slowly and gives me a kiss on the cheek that makes me blush instantly. "See you later," she murmurs shyly, her cheeks turning pink.

Ethan and I watch as Tara walks away until she's out of sight.

"So..." Ethan begins timidly, his hands rubbing nervously against his jeans. "You and Tara..." he asks, uncertainty in his eyes. I observe him closely and realize he's waiting for my answer with anxiety and... hope? I clench my jaw, ignoring the fire burning inside me.

"We're friends," I say weakly, shrugging my shoulders with false indifference.

"So there's nothing between you? You don't like her?" he asks nervously biting his lower lip.

Of course I like her, I think.

"There's nothing," I smile bitterly, hiding my true feelings.

He grins broadly and quickly checks his watch, standing up from his chair with urgency.

"It was nice... But I have to go," he mumbles quickly, giving me a quick glance.

"Have a good class," I say with a tight smile.

He turns away and the smile fades from my face as a wave of jealousy washes over me, making me acutely aware of my feelings for Tara. The frustration of not being able to express what I feel crushes me like an unbearable weight and a profound sadness spreads within me, leaving me with a sense of helplessness that I can't endure.