Afterwards: An "After" Fanfiction

Ch. 25 & Tessa's Diary Pt 5: History

I saw everything from afar, as if I wasn't in my own body.

Molly walked arm in arm with Hardin. They approached Logan and I, but neither seemed to know who I was. My boyfriend looked vacant; the lights were on but nobody was home. His pupils were the size of a full moon. I would deal with him later.

"Logan, what is she doing here?" The breath was stripped from my lungs and tears prickled at my eyes. This couldn't be happening.

"I...I'm sorry Tessa." The drummer could hardly finish his sentence before the other two stopped right next to us.

At the mention of my name, Hardin snapped out of whatever stupor he was previously in. His nostrils flared and his spine stood rigid. Still confused, he looked back and forth between Logan and I. The wig threw him for only a split second before he realized. "Tessa...?" Terror washed over his face and rendered him speechless.

Since he obviously wouldn't give me any answers, I turned to Molly, venom seeping from my words. "What are you doing here with him?"

Her eyes flickered to Hardin and back to me. She seemed to recognize me faster than my own boyfriend had. "What are you doing here?"

"I'm surprising my boyfriend!"

"Oh really?!" Molly's red lips twisted into a wicked grin. "If he's your boyfriend, then why did he fuck me last night?"

I lost it there.

With strength I never knew I had, I shoved Hardin aside, lunging at Molly while taking swings at her smug face. She screeched as I grabbed a fistful of her hair. I felt nails scratching at my cheek, but I kicked as hard as I could before delivering a hefty punch to her jaw. I ignored Hardin's efforts to separate us, and instead began to hit the other girl harder.

The fight soon garnered attention from all the other people around the venue, including the bouncer. "Alright ladies, take it off the property." He pointed to the parking lot, and we all reluctantly stormed out. This wasn't over.

Zed tended to Molly in one corner of the parking lot while Nate, Logan, and Hardin followed me. Tears flowed freely from my eyes and an insatiable ache burned in my chest. "What the FUCK, HARDIN?" I cried. When he reached towards me to wipe my tears, I swatted his hand away. "Logan...Nate...why...?"

Nate closed his eyes and hung his head low. "I'm sorry Tessa." Everyone was apologizing, but their words held no meaning.

"I thought we were FRIENDS!" I screamed. I felt utterly betrayed. Hardin was one thing, but to know that the boys had just watched Molly steal my boyfriend without saying a single word in my defense left me feeling sick.

No one could look me in the eye. Hardin tried again to calm me, but I couldn't stand to touch him. "It's not what it looks like Tessa." That's all he could say, and honestly it made me despise him.

"You can fuck right off. Do you know how FAR I came? Just for you and your stupid fucking band?" I grasped at my wig and threw it aside as I sobbed. "And THIS is what I find when I arrive?"

"I'm telling you! It's not what you think. I'm sorry. Just talk to me, okay? Let me explain."

I bit my lip as the others dispersed to give Hardin and I room to speak. "You're sorry?" I asked, my blood boiling. "Well you should be. Because you just lost the best fucking thing in your whole life." I ripped the beloved bracelet from my wrist, tossing it into the dirt before him.

"Tessa! Wait, I swear to you I didn't do anything! I love you..."

"Don't you DARE fucking follow me or I'll call the cops!" I yelled at Hardin before stumbling away. The others pulled him hesitantly into the venue as a voice called for their band over the loud speaker. He kicked and protested, but it seemed like they were able to convince him to leave me alone. The worst part of it all was that Molly, bleeding lip and all, followed them back into the venue to watch the show.