Afterwards: An "After" Fanfiction

Chapter 16: Same Mistakes

It was a four hour flight from LAX back to Pullman. Between Tessa and Hardin, the negative energy radiating from their bodies could sink a ship. While Hardin stared wordlessly out the window into the blackness that encompassed the plane, Tessa sat still with her eyes closed and her head in her hands.

After the atrocious Thanksgiving dinner, Tessa and Hardin had gone into the house, hand in hand, with Noah following behind them. Naturally, an argument ensued between Carol and her daughter. Tessa had been the first to speak, telling her mother unflinchingly that she and Hardin would be leaving on the first flight out.

At first, the mother had begged her child not to leave. "I'm just trying to do what's best for you." She had claimed, the wine glass empty in her hand. Tessa fought back, raising her voice as she defended Hardin unconditionally. As tensions rose, the Porters finally realized it was time for them to leave, and they slipped away much more quietly than they came.

When the screaming began, Hardin had tried his best to hold Tessa back. The girl had been kicking and yelling, crying and flailing at her mother. She had blamed Carol for making her father turn to drugs. She blamed her for his death.

Carol had been struck dumb by the accusation. As her only child spat years of built up hatred at her, she settled back in her chair and took a sip of wine straight from the bottle. Her mind was elsewhere.

This had angered Tessa beyond reason. "You're turning to alcohol now? After all the shit you gave me about dad and Hardin?" She had taken another step towards her mother and Hardin held her back, his mouth pressed into a hard line. She had shaken his hand off of her shoulder, only to turn back to her mother in distaste. "This is the last time you'll see me, Carol. I hope you're satisfied."

They had gathered their bags in silence then, and had stormed quickly out of the house. In the wake of the destruction Tessa had left behind, her mother still sat in the chair with the empty glass in her hand, her mind still far away.

Tessa ruminated on her last few minutes in Malibu as the plane landed. Part of her was filled with regret; though she couldn't stand Carol, the woman was still her mother. She figured she'd reach out in a few days to make amends, but for now, she was just glad to be out of California.

Hardin had no comforting words to offer. It destroyed him to see the woman he cared so much about in pain. Part of him wanted to wrap his arms around her and tell her that everything would be alright. The other part heard the words that Carol said about him and believed them. Maybe he was a delinquent. Maybe Tessa was better off with someone safe and boring like Noah. The thoughts haunted him enough to ensure his mouth stayed shut. He wouldn't dare risk saying the wrong thing, so he said nothing at all.

When at last the plane landed, Tessa rolled her bags across the tarmac and waited for the car she called. It was only when Hardin cleared his throat behind her that she remembered she wasn't alone. "Oh! Sorry...do you need a ride home? I've just been so caught up in everything I forgot to ask."

He looked up at her with a sullen smile. "I'll be fine. Nate is picking me up in a few minutes." Hardin adjusted the backpack on his arm before taking Tessa's chin on his finger.

She looked back at him innocently, her eyes shining in the dim light of the street lamps.

"I love you."

The words made her brow crease. Had she heard him correctly? Why would he love her now, after she had made a complete fool of herself? After her only living relative had publicly scorned him? After she had caused him to spend a happy holiday with her train wreck of a family?

Before she had time to respond, Hardin leaned down and kissed her gently. Though the kiss was soft, there was unbridled passion passing through his lips to hers. He only broke away when a car rolled up beside them.