The Bad Boy and I

Chapter 36

Will's POV

I sat in the cafeteria that day, beside Jace and Alec, and across from Tessa. Clary was telling a story about her and Tessa when they had been twelve. I watched how Jace looked at her as if she was the only person in the world, and no one else mattered. I knew that I looked at Tessa like that, and wondered if anyone noticed.

"And once there was this time where Tessa had the biggest crush on this boy when we were eleven, and she would follow him around every recess." Clary laughed.

Tessa blushed embarrassedly. "It wasn't every recess, and his name was Liam and he had nice eyes."

I looked at her amusedly. Her brown hair was falling down her shoulders, and her gray eyes were warm. She was wearing tight jeans, and white t-shirt. It was something so simple, but she looked beautiful. God, I was so in love with her. Just the sight of her made my heart jump, and I was smiling almost instantly.

I knew that I should tell her, but I just didn't know how. I was also scared that she didn't feel the same thing as I did. Jace then nudged my arm.

"Dude, stop staring at her." He whispered.

I immediately snapped out of my trance, and averted my eyes. Just then my least favourite person (besides Gabriel) walked up to our table. Jonathan. His eyes immediately went to Tessa, and I fought the urge to roll my eyes. Tessa looked back up at him and blushed a bit, and I felt a bit sick. Ugh, why did she like him? He was so annoying.

"Hey." Tessa smiled at him. "Here, sit with us."

No no no, I thought as Jonathan smiled and took a seat beside Tessa. I gritted my teeth, and tried not to punch Jonathan in the face for sitting so close to her.

"Oh, I'm having a party on Friday. You should all come." Jonathan said casually.

Everyone agreed, except me.

"I don't think I can." I lied.

Tessa's gray eyes turned to me, filled with disappointment.

"Why not?" She said.

I shrugged. "I'm just not in the party mood."

"Will, just come. It'll be fun." Tessa urged.

She gave me a pouty look, and I sighed in defeat. I could never say no to her.

"Fine. I'll go." I said finally.

Tessa's face lit up, and smiled. I smiled slightly at her happiness, and soon we were both smiling at each other like idiots. Isabelle cleared her throat, and we quickly snapped out of it. I felt my face heat up, and I looked at the floor. God, this was getting bad.

Jonathan started talking again, and I watched Tessa. She looked completely drawn to everything he said. There was a slight blush to her cheeks, and her gray eyes were warm. I clenched my jaw, and wished that she would look at me like that. Jonathan then cracked a joke, and Tessa burst out laughing. He seemed to brighten a bit, and smiled at her. That's it, I couldn't take this anymore.

"I need air." I muttered, and I stood up and walked away.

I walked out of that cafeteria, ignoring all of the girls stares. I walked down an empty hallway, when I heard a voice call me.

"Will." It said.

I turned around to see Tessa standing only a bit in front of me. She was looking at me a bit worriedly, and walked closer to me. It was taking everything in me to not push her up against a wall, and kiss her.

"Are you okay?" She asked.

"I'm fine." I mumbled.

Tessa moved forward, and touched my arm. I immediately felt electricity go through me. Could she feel that to? I looked up at her, to see her biting her lip.

"Do you feel that?" I asked quietly.

Her gray eyes met with my blue ones, and she nodded her head. My heart jumped. I hadn't imagined it. I moved closer to her, and put my hand on her cheek. I saw her tense, and close her eyes for a moment.

"Why can't we stay away from each other?" Tessa whispered, opening her eyes.

"I don't know." I whispered, and shook my head.

I remembered Jonathan, and dropped my hand. Tessa looked surprised.

"Do you love Jonathan?" I found myself asking.

Tessa looked more surprised. "No. Why?"

"It seems like it." I muttered. "Look Tessa, I can't do this if you still like him."

"What even is this?" She said, tiredly.

"I-I don't know." I stuttered. "But I can't keep doing it if you like him."

Tessa sighed. "I do still like him."

I felt my heart fall to the ground, and I felt myself go weak for a moment.

"Then I don't think we should continue with this." I choked out.

"Are we really saying goodbye again?" Tessa raised her voice. "When did that benefit anyone?"

"Well I can't do this when I see you looking at him like that." I exclaimed.

"Why do you care?" She said frustratedly.

"I don't." I said.

"Yes you do. I see you watching us, Will. You care." Tessa said stubbornly.

I turned away from her frustratedly, and swore under my breath. I should tell her that I love her. But I couldn't. I wasn't sure what was holding me back, but I just couldn't. I turned back around to face her.

"I care, because you could do so much better than him." I said finally.

Tessa didn't say anything, and neither did I. The bell then rang, and since we both had English next, we started to walk together. We got our books, and walked into the classroom. We took our seats, and were silent.

"Why do you hate him?" Tessa asked suddenly.

"Hate who?" I echoed.

"Jonathan. Why do you hate him?" She inquired.

I shrugged. "I just don't like him. He's too much of a suck up."

"To who?" She narrowed her eyes.

"You." I replied simply. "He's always trying to make you laugh and smile."

"So? What does that have to do with you?" Tessa questioned.

I shrugged again. "It doesn't. It just bothers me."

She scoffed, and looked away annoyedly. "You know, you're always trying to make everyone laugh, too."

I smirked. "Yes, but I actually succeed."

Tessa tried to suppress a smile, but failed, and I felt my heart jump a bit.

"See? I'm just too charming." I winked.

She laughed. "Let's not get too carried away, here."

I laughed as well, and sighed a bit. I really needed to tell her soon.