Tessa's POV
"Cole! You would hurt him!"
"We've had enough of him Tessa. Nobody talks to my girl like that," comes from Cole with anger and determination.
Cole is getting all mad and violent over Jay, for walking up to me and indirectly saying inappropriate things about me and Cole.
"You know, you really have a big heart though," he said, "to forgive Cole for all those years he bullied and harassed you."
I feel awkward about Jay talking to me like that. He's always been the good guy in my eyes. Irrespective of his words about my brother, and irrespective of his relationship with Nicole, I still feel that he's a good guy. Circumstances were may be not too suitable for him to think with his wits.
"Cole is not the nicest person, when it comes to relationship," he says.
Or may be not. Seems like I had blind folded my eyes for years to see the real Jason Stone, all coloured and grey.
"May be he is the nicest person for me Jay," I mumble.
We walk in silence in the corridor for some time, making our way towards the school gatw.
"I wish I had another chance with you Tessa, do I stand a chance at all? Do you feel I'm worthy of one last chance?"
"Jay... I'm sorry but I just can't... Cole is now a part of me and I'm now a part of him. I cannot think of leaving him for someone else, even if that someone else is you," I say bluntly.
"What has happened to you Tessa? I miss the way you looked at me. Don't you find me attractive anymore? Is Cole very good with his skills in bed?"
I freeze. Unable to believe my ears. Unable to register what just came from Jay.
He should better learn to draw his lines now. I'm not that puppy-eyed Tessa anymore, who would give in everything, just to see a smile on his face. Who would wait all day long, for him to notice me and approach me. Who was so blind folded with feelings, that I never thought this part of him even exists.
"Seems like someone's in trouble Stone," that familiar tone.
We turn around, only to see Nicole holding her Iphone with that Nicole-smirk on her face.
Did she just record our conversation?
"This clip is going to go to your step brother now Stone."
She's trying to have some fun with her ex-boyfriend. How could she even do that to Jay, after being with him for so long?
Before we could say, or do anything, Cole barges in and grabs Jay by the hem of his collar and drags him towards the lockers.
"Guess the only language you understand is this one?"
"Easy Cole, I was just trying to have a conversation with Tessa," Jay manages to speak, given the pressure applied on his throat.
"About my bedding skills?" Cole's eyes are hot red, fuming with anger, if I don't stop him, he is gonna hurt Jay bad, real bad.
"Stop it Cole. You don't wanna hurt him." I step in and put my hand on Cole's shoulder, gesturing that he should stop now.
This over-protective boyfriend of mine, is soon going to get into trouble because of me for murdering his step brother.
Cole releases his grip from the hem of Jay's shirt and Nicole is having her share of joy.
I clearly still don't understand her.
Jay puts his hands up in his defence and mumbles something, that neither of us understand, and leaves.
I turn towards Cole, "this wasn't required, you could've hurt him."
"He should've known his boundaries Tessa. How dare he talk to you like that?" Cole is still burning up with rage.
"Cole..." I sigh, "I know you feel protective towards me, but it's just not the right thing to lose your temper every time on someone and be my rescuer. Things can get sorted with healthy conversations too."
"Okay my Tessie, I'm sorry for losing it on Jay, but he clearly deserved a scrape or bruise, given the way he was talking to you."
Two things are infinite, Universe and Cole's protective instincts for me. And I'm not sure of the Universe.
I feel a little guilty for Jay, though his words were not appropriate. But Nicole's company for all these years has done wonders to him.
It's Valentine's tomorrow, and I have no clue what is it going to be like between me and Cole for the first time.
My ex-bully cum current boyfriend is going to be my Valentine tomorrow. Yep.
As Cole drops me home from school, I am still mad at him for behaving so violently in the school. What if someone registers a complaint and the school throws him behind bars?
Cassandra will be so hurt and disappointed. He needs to take these things seriously now. It's high time.
As I change into my pyjamas, I scan through my wardrobe, deciding what to wear for tomorrow's occasion, so that Cole would forgive me for today's impeccably long lecture on behaving like a grown up.
If only I knew to behave like one as well.
I shut the wardrobe and pass out on my bed, unsure of anything about wearing or doing tomorrow for Cole.
A heck of a girlfriend, yep that's me.
I wake up, only to hear some soft knocks on the door of my room. I struggle to get out of my bed and that person who's dared to wake me up in the middle of the night at (I glance at my phone next to my bed) 12 am, is going to have to face the consequences once I get hold of that person, whoever it is.
I unlock the knob of the door in my dizziness, hoping to punch the person right in the middle of the nose as I open the door.
Before I realize or try to figure out who it is in the darkness, the person enters into my room, shuts the door and locks it again.
I'm wide awake now, my conscious hitting me hard.
I'm about to scream and a palm quicly shuts my mouth before I could say anything. This palm is familiar, this touch is familiar. This is definitely a dream, I wonder.
Cole removes his palm from my mouth and places something on the table right next to him with the other hand and lights up a candle.
It's only then I realize in the light of the candle that it's a heart shaped cake with 'Happy Valentine's Day Shortcake' written on it.
I melt right there.
"Just a surprise for my girlfriend on our first Valentine together, also an apology for being such a stupid boyfriend."
"Oh Cole..." I'm almost in tears, when he grabs me from my waist and kisses me lightly on my eyes when tears are about to role down.
I feel a sudden twitch in my stomach, feeling guilty and hurt. I shouldn't have been so harsh on him about the entire Jay episode.
"Don't shed them for anyone Shortcake, nobody in the world is worth it." He kisses me gently on my lips, and then deeply, passionately, savouring the moment and completing his apology.
"Thank you Cole. Thank you for being my heart, my home and my happy place."
And he carries me to my bed, kisses me good night and starts to leave.
"Have a good night Shortcake, I love you always."
And I hear the door shuts.
