Because We Fell

09. Late Night Calls

A/N: Hey guys! New chapter. This chapter doesn't have a lot of interaction with Jake + Tessa, but don't worry, next chapters will be a whole lot more focus on the two of them. So hold tight, it's coming up soon!

Don't forget to rate, comment, and enjoy! :)

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Tessa's POV:

"Tess, I'm so sorry, god I'm so sorry," Luke groaned as he buried his face in his hands. "I didn't think Derek was gonna pull such a douchebag move."

"I am going to give that boy a piece of my mind," Megan fumed, her face colored with rage and guilt. "Just you wait, Tessa, I'm going to kill that ugly boy--"

I sighed as I plopped myself onto my bed, lying down next to Zach who was looking at me with the same guilty expression the rest of them had on their faces. Even Simon was huddled up in the corner, rocking himself back and forth as he muttered the words "bubble-headed booby" over and over again quietly.

It was Monday night and we were all in my room, trying to figure out our math homework and recounting our stories of our weekends to each other. Megan told us about the romantic weekend she had with Jesse, who had gone back to California just last night; Luke and Zach told us about their dates at Drake's party from Friday night; and Simon kept rambling on about how "oh so pretty" Sarah was and how scary yet wonderful his date was. When it was my turn to tell the story of the disastrous date I had with Derek, well, their reactions were all the same: angry, sympathetic, and of course, guilty.

"It's okay, you guys," I repeated for what felt like the thousandth time. At this point I didn't sound convincing to even myself. "I'm fine, I am. It just wasn't a good idea to try dating again, that's all."

Luke shook his head furiously. "Dating isn't bad, Derek is. Zach and I should've known he'd turn out to be a jerk."

"Douche Derek," I said, fighting a smile as I thought of the nickname Jake had given him.

"Speaking of which," Zach said, "where was he today? I didn't see him at school."

Luke snorted. "Apparently he was too embarrassed to come to school. Some dude beat him up so bad that his whole face is all messed up."

Simon pumped his fist at that. "Bubble-headed booby got beat up?"

"Seriously, why are you quoting Lost in Space, Simon?" Megan blew out an exasperated breath as she laughed a little. She walked over to his corner and ruffled his hair up a bit. "Yes, Derek got beat up." She looked up at Luke. "Do you know who the person was though?"

Luke shook his head, looking disappointed. "I wish I did. I really wanna thank the guy."

Simon nodded. "Me too. Mister know-nothing-numbskull deserves it after hurting Tessa."

I laughed. "Aw, no need to be nasty, Simon. I wonder why Derek got beat up, though."

Zach shrugged from beside me. "Karma, I guess. You sure you're okay, though, Tiger?"

"Yeah," I assured him, smiling. "I'm good."

"Good, then I can do this," Zach smiled back mischievously as he grabbed my waist swiftly and started to tickle me, catching me completely off guard.

"Ohmygod, stop," I squealed as I giggled, trying to push him off of me as he tickled me. "Zach! Stop," I laughed as I wrestled him. I heard Simon chanting the words "know-nothing-numbskull" in the background, still reprimanding Derek, and Megan and Luke laughing as they watched me and Zach tackle each other.