I Can't Keep Pretending

Chapter 1

Chapter 1

6 years since freshmen year in high school...

Tessa

"Hay Tess how has your transfer from Florida State to Cambridge been so far?" Christian the most stable person in my life asked.

"Oh as good as it can be when I am away from you! I am so happy here, but I hate that you can't be here with me!" Even though Christian and I aren't dating, we have been inseparable since high school. It's funny we used to fight like cats and dogs from kindergarten till middle school.

"I know I hate being apart too, but we will see each other at Thanksgiving right?"

"Yeah about that..."

"Tessa" Uh oh Christian only calls me Tessa when he isn't happy with me. When I think about it, he calls me that a lot. Oh well what can you do? "I thought you said you were coming home."

"Well I was but this professor offered me this really great opportunity at a hospital, but it's during Thanksgiving. I just had to take it. You know how much I want to be a doctor, and this will be a great experience for me. I will defiantly be home for Christmas though!"

"I don't think I can go six months without seeing your face."

"Why don't you come up here with me? It could be really fun! I could show you all my favorite places in Europe! Please say you will try!"

"I'll see what I can do but I need to go Jill is calling me. Talk to you soon Tessa I love you."

"I love you too Christian." And with that I hung up and went back to my newest romance novel.

Christian

"I swear Jill, Tess is killing me!"

"What's the problem now little brother?"

"She isn't coming home for Thanksgiving!"

"And that is a problem because...?"

"Well we have never been apart that long and I was you know, going to tell her how I feel about her. I had it all set up and everything, and what does she do! She goes and does something like this and ruins everything." Jill thought for a moment on what she should say. She knew how Christian felt about Tessa, how he had always felt about her.

"Christian I think you should wait."

"Wait! Wait! What do you mean I should wait? Don't you think I have waited long enough to tell her how I feel about her? I have loved Tess since we were in kindergarten, and you're telling me to wait?" Again there was a pause on the line from Jill.

"Christian I just think that you should wait till she comes back from Cambridge. Do you really want to have a long distance relationship right out of the gate? I just think if you have waited this long you can wait another year or so. She will be back in a year or so right?"

"Yes I guess so. Why do you have to be so logical all the time?" Jill laughed from the line.

"I thought you would be used to it by now little brother. It is just the wisdom of your smart goddess of a sister." This time it was Christians turn to laugh.

"Whatever you say sis, I love you thanks for listening."

"Anytime you know that."

"Alright bye Jill"

"Bye Christian."

After I hung up the phone with Jill I thought for a while. I just needed to think what the next step should be with Tessa. I had always liked her. I remember that day freshmen year. I had never seen Tess cry, I don't think anyone had. Tessa never cried, never let her guard down. Right then and there I knew I would much rather have as friend rather than enemy. I just couldn't take it anymore. I had always wanted to be more than a friend to her, but I really screwed that up in kindergarten. So I walked over there I did the only thing I could. I took her in my arms. Boy, was it the best feeling in the world. Just having her there in my arms, me protecting her from whatever pain she was going through. Then when she opened up to me about what she was going through at home. I felt so honored that she would share something so difficult to deal with to me. After that I promised myself no matter what I would always be there for her. I would always be stable in her life. I also know that I can't keep being just a friend to her. I want; no I need to be something more to her. I don't know how much longer I can keep pretending.