[center] [h3]The budding relationship post[/h3] [color=cd9575][h1]Tessa Gray[/h1][/color] [i][u]Location[/u][/i]: Home -> Simone's cafe [i]Interacting with[/i]: Grant [@Altered Tundra] and Austin [@Wade Wilson] [/center] [hr] [hr] Part way through the second round of Splatoon Tess received the first text from Austin. That caused her to almost lose the round. [color=cd9575]“Sorry,”[/color] Tessa told Grant after the game was over. [color=cd9575]“I’m going to go to the cafe.”[/color] How to get him to go to school without making him feel like she was ditching him? Tessa gave herself a mental slap and decided to be honest. [color=cd9575]“So Austin is meeting me for coffee.”[/color] She felt her ears light on fire almost and was glad they were covered by her hair and beanie. [color=cd9575]“You can stay here or go back to school if you want. My gran shouldn’t come over since she doesn’t know anyone’s home.”[/color] [color=884dff][b]”I think I’ll go to school. I think I’m ready now. Tell Austin I said hi, by the way.”[/b][/color] Grant said, waving bye to Tess. Not long after she left, Grant himself would go back to school. He probably missed first period, but he just wanted to go to school. Maybe seeing Olivia would change his mood about his father and what the fear did to him earlier. Tessa made her way to the cafe, she hadn’t been there in ages. Of course that had been by choice because she did that to avoid Nina. She didn’t have to worry about Nina being there right now, because Nina would be at school, and Tessa wasn’t avoiding her anymore. Well a part of Tess was still pissed at Nina, and jealous of course, not that she wished Petyr dead, nothing of the sort, but she couldn’t get that feeling of sadness to leave her alone whenever she was around Nina. After the time with Grant and Nina, she realized that more people relied on her than she realized. That didn’t make any sense of course. Why would someone take strength from her? She was falling apart at the seams. Then to get the texts from Austin, the cute, and silly British guy she had liked almost since he had moved to town. He was just checking on her, right? Really, he just knew that she was a wreck right now, reasonably so, and was making sure all was well. Who was she to deny meeting him so he could see she’d be okay, especially since she was happily avoiding the damn service. It’d just be rude to not invite him for coffee, she had been briefly tempted to invite him over to her house to play splatoon since he enjoyed it too. That seemed too... well just too anything and if her Gran had decided she wanted a glass of water and rather than get it from her own fridge inexplicably made her way over to the Gray house because the water tasted better there (wouldn’t be the first time). Then she’d walk in on them sitting there playing splatoon and the proverbial shit would have hit the fan. No it was much safer to go for coffee while everyone was at the service, now that she thought about it would Simone’s even be open? God how stupid was it that a bunch of people getting murdered made a holiday in the town. At least she had stopped going to the dinner. Tessa paused outside the cafe, for a moment frozen, the whole world was just too weird these last couple of days. With a deep breath she entered, and found Austin almost immediately. [color=cd9575]”Hello Austin.”[/color] Tessa said, she gave a small smile, more than she was known to do in her normal day-to-day life. Austin flashed Tessa a big grin as she walked him, paired with a cute little wave. [color=D79100]”Hey, Tess! Was just about to order coffee.”[/color] [color=cd9575]”What do you like? I usually get a cappuccino.”[/color] [color=D79100]”What? I totally like cappuccinos too! I mean, if I’m forced to have something else, I’ll go with a latte, but cappuccinos are like, number one to me.”[/color] He waved his arms about in an exaggerated fashion of surprise. [color=cd9575]”Really?”[/color] Tessa raised an eyebrow, her small smile grew a bit. [color=cd9575]”I think my second favorite is mocha’s especially the one’s with peppermint.”[/color] [color=D79100]”Totally love a peppermint mocha in winter. I mean, I order them all the time in the countdown to Christmas.”[/color] He grinned even wider, which until now seemed like an impossible task to accomplish. Tessa stepped up to the counter and ordered her cappuccino dry. Austin ordered the same, with his signature grin ever growing wider. [color=cd9575]”The foam is the best part.”[/color] Tessa pronounced when he ordered his dry as well. [color=D79100]”Totally. You should come ‘round one day for when my mum-”[/color] He cleared his throat, correcting himself. [color=D79100]”-[i]mom[/i] makes them. She sprinkles sugar and chocolate powder on top, and it all melts into the foam.[/color] [color=cd9575]”That sounds amazing! Normally I just put nutmeg on it.”[/color] Tessa tilted her head. [color=cd9575]”You know you don’t have to correct yourself like that. I don’t mind if you say mum.”[/color] [color=D79100]”Really?”[/color] His grin became a soft, surprised smile. [color=D79100]”Normally I get all the strange looks on the earth when I say words like they do in England. Also, what’s nutmeg? I’ve lived in America for two years and actually have no idea what it is.”[/color] [color=cd9575]”It’s fine I swear. It reminds me that there is life and a world outside of this town.”[/color] Tessa looked sad for a brief moment. [color=cd9575]”Nutmeg though is basically the best nut on the planet. They have some here, so you should totally add it to your coffee to try it.”[/color] She pointed to the small counter with the assorted coffee additives. [color=D79100]”Okay then.”[/color] He grabbed his cup, taking it over to the counter and hesitantly adding a few sprinkles of nutmeg on the foam. He turned back to Tessa, showing her the cup. [color=D79100]”Like this?”[/color] Tessa nodded, and added nutmeg to her own drink, considerably more than Austin had. [color=cd9575]“That’s good for trying it.”[/color] When they got back to their seat, Tess looked around the empty coffee shop, everyone was at the memorial service except the poor employee and them. Though Tess celebrated that. [color=cd9575]”How are things going with that new thing?”[/color] [i]God that’s painfully vague.[/i] Austin got what she was getting at, however, and gave a quick ‘oh’ before filling her in. [color=D79100]”Yeah, it’s been going okay. My nose bled around, I dunno, thirteen, fourteen times? But other than that, it’s been pretty cool. Nice to know I don’t have to get up an hour early to make sure I get to school on time.”[/color] His grin returned, before he slowly sipped his coffee. His eyes lit up in awe, and he stared at the cup like it was made out of gold. [color=D79100]”Where have I been all my life? Nutmeg is amazing![/color] Tessa laughed, a real and genuine laugh. [color=cd9575]”You can understand now why I always add it to my coffee. Yeah, I haven’t had any nosebleeds, but man did I have one killer migraine yesterday. Haven’t done anything today so the headache I’ve been nursing since Sunday is mostly gone now, which is lovely. Hope it doesn’t turn out that I’ve got the power because I have a brain tumor or something like that.”[/color] Tessa shivered at the thought. Austin let out a chuckle himself. [color=D79100]”I don’t think having a brain tumour can give you powers. It’s not as easy as getting bit by a spider, y’know.”[/color] He joked, hoping to god Tess would get the Spiderman reference. [color=cd9575]”Well John Travolta is no Spiderman, but I am pretty certain he was in a film about having a brain tumor and getting super powers. Not that I remember the name of the movie.”[/color] He raised his hands in confusion. [color=D79100]”Don’t ask me; I haven’t seen a single John Travolta movie since Hairspray and Grease.”[/color] He laughed. [color=D79100]”And that plot sounds [i]pretty[/i] weird, I wouldn’t be surprised if it didn’t turn out a big success.[/color] [color=cd9575]”Yeah I don’t think it was that big of a film. It was from the nineties, my parents watched it once. I only remember it because the ending was really dramatic. He’s like ‘I sense an earthquake’ and then he died and everyone was safe from the earthquake or something like that. Needless to say I do not recommend it unless you like cheesy nineties films.”[/color] She gave a shrug. [color=D79100]”Trust me - I would pick that over non-stop ‘Brooklyn Nine-Nine’ episodes any day. My dad used to watch that, like, [i]all the time![/i]”[/color] He groaned dramatically. [color=cd9575]”My turn to say I’ve never heard of it.”[/color] Tessa said. [color=D79100]”Lucky you.”[/color] He chuckled. [color=D79100]”It’s basically an annoying American ‘comedy’ that was on E4 back in England. I don’t think you’ll have heard of the channel, either. They did show some good stuff, though, like Supernatural and The Big Bang Theory.”[/color] [color=cd9575]”I like Supernatural, never got that into The Big Bang Theory. I always felt like it was over the top.”[/color] She gave a small shrug. [color=D79100]”Well, it can be a bit much, but I enjoy it anyway. I’ve tried to keep up with Supernatural, but my time of watching CW is too busy being spent watching The Flash and Arrow.”[/color] He chuckled. [color=D79100]”I’m enjoying what episodes of Season 10 I can catch, though.”[/color] [color=cd9575]”I didn’t even see all of season 10.”[/color] Tessa facepalmed. [color=cd9575]”I’m a terrible nerd. I also haven’t caught up with Doctor Who. It’s just been too painful lately. I can’t do it.”[/color] [color=D79100]”Ah, I’m just waiting for Season 9 to start! I can’t believe-”[/color] He stopped himself. [color=D79100]”Wait, which was the most recent episode of it you watched? Doctor Who, that is.”[/color] [color=cd9575]”The Christmas special.”[/color] [color=D79100]”Wait, last year’s?”[/color] He chuckled. [color=D79100]”You’re [i]that[/i] far behind on it?”[/color] Tess gave a sad nod. Austin hugged her. [color=D79100]”Don’t you worry - I’ll get you caught up.”[/color] Tessa hugged Austin back, and was thankful he couldn’t see her face, because she was certain it was beet red from how hot it felt. [color=cd9575]”Thank you.”[/color] She said leaning back from the hug. [color=cd9575]”I need someone to watch it with.”[/color] [color=D79100]”Don’t you worry, my fellow nerd. You shall be saved from this terrible isolation of non-Doctor Who!”[/color] He proclaimed in a jokingly triumphant way. He burst into laughter afterwards, garnering a strange look from the barista in the process. Once he’d calmed down, he looked into Tessa’s eyes and smiled. [color=D79100]”You know, I don’t think I’ve ever felt this genuinely happy in a long time.”[/color] [color=cd9575]”I have to say, same here. It’s weird, but since the eclipse things have seemed to be a bit brighter. I mean all day I haven’t once wished to disappear and normally by this time I’ve done it at least a dozen times. And this is nice. I haven't talked to people much lately, especially about the extra nerdy things.”[/color] Tessa paused, [color=cd9575]“Have you ever seen any of my art?”[/color] [color=D79100]”To be honest, I didn’t actually know that you did art. Would you be willing to show me some?”[/color] He smiled, adding, [color=D79100]”And yeah. This is nice. Just don’t go disappearing on me, okay?”[/color] He laughed. [color=cd9575]”Yeah of course I’d be willing. And don’t worry it’s hard for me to do that when people are actually looking.”[/color] Tessa said, smiling. [color=cd9575]”Pictures or the real thing?”[/color] [color=D79100]”The real thing would be awesome. If that’s okay with you, of course. I don’t know what your gran would think if she came over to yours and you’ve got a random guy there. A [i]British one[/i], at that.”[/color] He finished off his coffee, taking out his phone and looking in the reflection. He carefully messed around with the foam on his lip, making a twirly mustache out of it, donning a posh accent. [color=D79100]”I presume that is where you keep your art.”[/color] Tessa had watched Austin with a bemused smile, and then she snorted when he spoke with the posh accent. [color=cd9575]”I’m glad I wasn’t drinking anything just now.”[/color] She shook her head, still smiling. [color=cd9575]”Yeah that’s where it is. I have a woodshop in the back yard that used to be my dad’s. Gran might come over, she’s been known to show up randomly. I’ll show you pictures for now, then the real thing later okay.”[/color] Tessa took out her own phone and pulled up the file that was of her art. [color=cd9575]”There everything in that file is my work.”[/color] Most of it was partially finished wood statues, some with paint, most without. Austin flicked through the pictures, all the while with a look of awe and admiration on his face. [color=D79100]”This is amazing, Tess! I just wish I could do stuff like this. The best I can do is draw a crappy cartoon dog.”[/color] He chuckled, pretending to twirl his mustache, and re-donning the accent (making sure Tess wasn’t drinking first, of course). [color=D79100]”And a charming gentleman, on occasion.”[/color] Tessa laughed. [color=cd9575]”My drawing isn’t that great. I can just do sketches of what I want to do with the wood. Wood though, that speaks to me. When I was little we’d go to the beach and I’d collect driftwood and make things out of that. For my thirteenth birthday my dad gave me a key to his wood shop and I’ve used it almost every day since. That’s what art is, really, just doing it.”[/color] [color=D79100]”That’s amazing, Tess, honestly.”[/color] He handed the phone back, smiling. [color=D79100]”Though, just a word of advice? Don’t tell my brother that. Otherwise he’ll use it as an excuse to binge-eat Oreos.”[/color] He laughed, sending a little froth flying onto the table. [color=cd9575]“Oh god that’s not art.”[/color] Tessa said laughing. [color=cd9575]”That’s more like attempted suicide by diabetes.”[/color] [color=D79100]”Not to be morbid, but some days, I wish it was. Anyway, away from all that.”[/color] He swatted at invisible flies. [color=D79100]”How’s [i]your[/i] life been? You know if you ever need support, I’ll be there.”[/color] He smiled. [color=cd9575]”Honestly, like I said, things are looking better. I actually had a conversation with Nina this morning. Where I didn’t quite apologize, but I promised I’d be less of an ass, which is a big start for me.”[/color] Tess shook her head. [color=cd9575]”It’s hard, I’ve been mad at her too long I think, and she doesn’t deserve that. Other than that I got invited to a party, which hasn’t happened in years.”[/color] What Tessa didn’t say was that the last time she had been invited to a party it was because Janice had been invited and so you can’t tell the weird twin they’re not invited right in front of the person you want at the party. [color=D79100]”That’s great! I’m glad to see you’re fixing broken bonds and all that jazz. Honestly, I don’t think I’d have the guts to. But I truly am proud of you.”[/color] He embraced her in a warm hug. [color=D79100]”And honestly, now things are looking better, it’s only gonna go uphill from here. You’ve got a helluva life ahead of you, Tess.”[/color] [color=cd9575]”I hope so. I never saw a future without...”[/color] She trailed off. [color=cd9575]”But I think I can do it now.”[/color] He came back from the hug in order to look her in the eyes. [color=D79100]”Tess,”[/color] he smiled. [color=D79100]”I [i]know[/i] you can do it. And if anyone doubts you, tries to bring you down, or says you can’t do anything, then they’ve never been so wrong about something in their life.”[/color] [color=cd9575]”Thank you Austin. That means a lot to me.”[/color] Tess leaned over and went to kiss Austin on the cheek. He recognized the move, and turned his head, so the kiss ended up on the lips. Tess bounced back, surprise on her face. [color=cd9575]”Sorry I didn’t mean to...”[/color] Her face was burning again. [color=D79100]”Hey, don’t worry - I did.”[/color] He smiled. [color=D79100]”Tess, I’ve had a crush on you ever since I moved here. And spending this time with you has made me realise… I love you.”[/color] He stared into her eyes. [color=cd9575]”Really? Me?”[/color] Tess stared at him confused. [color=cd9575]”I was practically invisible before I could even turn invisible, and you’re telling me you even noticed me?”[/color] She could tell her face was only getting redder. [color=D79100]”Tess, every time I was in a school corridor with you, you were the only person I could focus on. Everytime I’m near you, it’s like I can just sense it. You’ve given me confidence without even meaning to.”[/color] He smiled. [color=cd9575]”I noticed you too. I mean you’re hard to miss. Everything about you just makes me smile. I swear you’re one of the few people that has gotten me to smile in the last few years. I just, oh god how do I say this, I just didn’t think I mattered and so I didn’t say anything. God I’m going to have a lot to talk about Thursday.”[/color] She buried her face in her hands trying to hide the growing redness. [color=cd9575]”What I’m trying to say is I like you too. I don’t know about love, that’s harder, and messier, but I want to be around you. I want to get to know you even more. I want to watch Reno nine-nine just to see what it’s about and so I can know what you watched growing up.”[/color] Austin smiled. [color=D79100]”I feel the exact same way about you. I want to learn how to sculpt wood, watch that movie with John Travolta, and be around you all the time. I want to know what shows you like, if you read comics, what books you’ve read, what fandoms you’re in, what friends you have.”[/color] He lifted her head out of her hands. [color=D79100]”Don’t worry, you don’t have to be embarrassed. You don’t have to be afraid to show your flaws. Heck, I used to be scared of hamsters.”[/color] He laughed. Tessa laughed too. [color=cd9575]”That’s ridiculous. So does this mean we’re... Uh, dating?”[/color] [color=D79100]”Yeah… I guess we’re dating.”[/color]