✓ | A TID Cinderella Story

Chapter 12

"Oh my god. Oh my god. Oh my god."  I found my self saying.

I kissed William freaking Herondale.

Though not full on the lips, just in his cheek. Again, I didn't know what drove me to do it.

And I didn't turn back to see what his reaction was. Whether he was disgusted or whatnot. And after that, literally ran towards my house.

Just when my hand grabbed the door knob, my phone rang. There was no caller ID.

"Hello." I said. But the signal was cracking, like fire crackers bursting. There was a voice heard. I looked at the number. It was the same person who called at Bane's Boutique, the day of the Masquerade Ball.

"You have poor connection." I said again.

I was able to make out a few words. Tessa.....Here....Where....coming. It made no sense. But it has to be a male's voice.

I opened the door. The drawing room was bustling with people. Which added more fuel to my headache.

"Call me when the signal isn't breaking." And I ended the call. I removed my jacket and hung it . But was still fiddling with my phone, trying to figure out who it was. The voice seemed familiar, but I can't point out who it is.

"Tessa." Someone said. My head shot up and I turned to the direction from which it came from.

My eyes first met Isabelle. She was somehow squeezed into a armchair with Simon. "Glad you came. Where were you?"

I was surprised by her greeting, though I gave her a smile. "Went for a walk." There was a chorus of heys and hi's. 

My eyes then landed on Sophie. It felt like ages since I've talked to her. She and Gideon were sitting on the rug on the floor since the couch was overflowing. She gave a big smile while Gideon inclined his head politely. Classy.

Clary, sitting in the L shaped couch with her legs hanging over Jace's shoulder as he sat below her on the floor. He smirked and gave me a mock salute.

Cecily and Gabriel were sitting next to each other. She smiled brightly. It was hard for me to think how she would've felt as a nine year old, her parents broken over her big sister's death and her brother who blamed himself.

Jessie nudged me playfully as she carried a bowl of popcorn and whispered, "Mom has returned and warning, her hair is on fire."

I sighed. "Thanks. Saviour as always." 

She gave a small smile and sat at the couch, talking with Simon.

Magnus was sitting in another armchair with Alec seated in the arm. He winked. Alec was arguing with Jace even if they were far apart.

And that's when I noticed my stepmother sitting in the counter in the kitchen. The she devil's greeting was as usual. Her lips curled into a scowl, as if she just saw a week old burrito. Which would be me.

"Why don't you join us." Cecily asked.

"I think Tessa has work to do. Scribbling in her notebook or her nose stuck in a book." Miranda emerged from the kitchen and sat next to Jessie.

"I'm pretty sure she would join us." Izzy said.

"The more the merrier." Jace added.

"Before that, I would like a word with you Theresa." My step mom interrupted.

"I'll be back." I went into the kitchen, away from the bustling drawing room.

"Where were you?" She asked.