[center] [color=cd9575][h1]Tessa Gray[/h1][/color] [i][u]Location[/u][/i]: Simone's cafe -> home [i]Interacting with[/i]: Nina [@Kittyluna45] and Grant [@Altered Tundra] via text Austin [@Wade Wilson] (in person) [/center] [hr] [hr] Tessa’s phone buzzed. She glanced at it, she was confused for a moment because it was a text from Nina, shouldn’t school be in session? Or at least close to it. That memorial should be over soon, maybe she was just checking on her. Man did she have a lot to tell her now. [quote=Text from Nina] Grant is not involved. Stay away from the school. Trigger warning.[/quote] That could mean only one thing. Tessa shivered and felt like she was going to vomit. [color=cd9575]“I need to go home.”[/color] She was shaking. [color=cd9575]“There’s been a- a- murder.”[/color] Austin had to know what that meant even if he hadn’t been here when it all happened, he knew, because no one in the town would let anyone forget. [color=D79100]”Jesus christ…”[/color] The British teen whispered in shock. Tessa sent off a quick message to Grant. [quote=To Grant] Stay safe. I’ll meet up with you as soon as I can. [/quote] [color=cd9575] “Austin, will you walk me home?”[/color] If she was honest with herself she didn’t even want to be there, but that wasn’t a new feeling. Her phone buzzed again. [quote=From Mom] Please tell me you’re at home still.[/quote] [quote=To Mom] I am.[/quote] [quote=From Grant] [color=884dff]Tess, don’t worry, I’m all right. I’ll see you when I can —Grant[/color] [/quote] [color=D79100]”Definitely. If that serial killer is back, it’s not safe for either of us to be on our own.”[/color] Austin picked up his phone (which he’d previously been tapping away on) and found a pocket to slot it in. He held his hand out to Tess, as a notion to hold it to stay safer. Tess took his hand, she found it's warmth reassuring. Then led the way out of the cafe to her house. She was glad she didn't live that far from the cafe, but all she could think about was her sister's last message and how five minutes had been enough for her life to be snatched away. At her house she led Austin in and locked the door. Years ago the lock wouldn't have ever been engaged, just like the alarm system wouldn't have even been there, but now both were and the knowledge that the alarm hadn't been tripped since she had left was calming. [color=cd9575]“I'm setting the alarm to go off if a door or window is opened. So warn me if you decide to step out.”[/color] Tessa said as she typed in her code. She looked at the tv curious at what was happening but too scared to turn on the local news. [color=cd9575]“They said they had him...”[/color] Tessa said staring at the tv. [color=cd9575]“They said it was over and now we just had to lick our wounds.”[/color] She was shaking again. [color=cd9575]“They were wrong.”[/color] [color=D79100]”But what if it’s not the same one? Just an ambitious, sick bastard who was…”[/color] He shuddered, as if he wanted to swallow the words down and not utter a single letter more, [color=D79100]”...[i]inspired[/i] by the killings.”[/color] He embraced Tessa in the hopes to stop her shaking, sitting them both down on the couch. [color=D79100]”It’s gonna be okay. I won’t let you get hurt.”[/color] [color=cd9575]“Thank you, but that's not what I am afraid of.”[/color] She was happily accepting the hug. [color=cd9575]“I am afraid of someone else I'm close to be taken from me again. I have been pushing people away for ages and finally I think it'll be okay to be friends with people again and not an hour later this happens.”[/color] Tessa rested her head on Austin’s shoulder. [color=cd9575]“I don't want those I care for to be ripped from me again. But I can't keep pushing people away.”[/color] [color=D79100]”And you shouldn’t have to push people away.”[/color] He sighed. [color=D79100]”Sometimes, you have to take chances. You have to be brave enough to take that extra step further. What I’m saying is, all we can do in life is make the most of what we’ve got. To not hate, or hold grudges, but when it does happen, to always be forgiving. Make memories and have fun, and don’t be afraid of the day when people leave this Earth. Because every night, somewhere up in that sky, they’re always looking at you, and they’re so [i]proud[/i]. All the stars in the sky are people who we’ve lost, and the reason they’re shining so brightly is because of how happy they were to have you in their lives, however long or short they might’ve been. “All we can do in life is love those around us, and express yourself. Shine that personality so bright, that it blinds all the buggers who doubted you.”[/color] He chuckled silently, before lifting Tessa’s head up so their eyes met. [color=D79100]”Tess, we’ve rarely spent time together, and just from that coffee at Simone’s, I know exactly how good a person you are. You’re the best person I know, and I would never forgive myself if I let you hide your amazing personality, and warm smile, in the darkness your entire life. People need to see that light, Tess. And I know from experience - cheering other people up is the best way to cheer up yourself.”[/color] He smiled, a sudden radiance in his eyes that he thought he’d lost forever. Then he unexpectedly pulled Tess tight to his chest, securing his arms around her as though he never wanted to let go. Tessa wrapped her arms around him. [color=cd9575]”Thank you.”[/color] She kissed him gently. [color=cd9575]”Today would have been hell without you.”[/color] She glanced at the tv. The news could stuff it. [color=cd9575]”Splatoon?”[/color] A grin swept across his face. [color=D79100]”[i]Hell yeah.[/i]”[/color] He laughed, getting comfy on the couch. [color=D79100]”Word of warning - prepare to get beaten!”[/color] [color=cd9575]”That's what I was going to say.”[/color] Tess grinned brightly at him as she set the game up, which didn't take long since she hadn't completely put away everything from the earlier games with Grant. They were almost done with the third match when Tess heard a robotic voice announce ‘the front door is open’. Then the distinct sound of someone punching numbers into the pad. [color=cd9575]”Oh god it's my grandma.”[/color] She looked at Austin in horror. This was always a possibility, but this wasn't going to be easy to explain. At least they were just playing video games. “Tessa! Your mom called and told me to check on you. Where are you?” There was no way out of it. If she pretended to not be there her mom would freak. She mouthed sorry to Austin. [color=cd9575]”I'm in the living room.”[/color] Tessa shouted back. In response was the sound of shuffling and a cane thumping against the ground. Austin simply held the controller, looking a mixture of confused and terrified. He looked around for a hiding spot, but unfortunately fate was not friends with him today. He simply sat there and tried to look semi-casual. “Playing video games again. Did you ditch school just to play? And who is that?” [color=cd9575]”I didn't ditch. I threw up.”[/color] Technically a lie, but one Tess was not afraid to tell. [color=cd9575]”Also this is my friend Austin.”[/color] Tessa's face turned crimson. “You mean boyfriend. Well at least it isn't that atrocious boy with pink hair.” Tessa wished she could turn invisible, well turn invisible when people were looking because right now felt like the ideal time. [color=cd9575]”Yes I mean boyfriend.”[/color] She snapped. [color=cd9575]”And don't be rude.”[/color] Her grandmother harrumphed. “Turn that thing off and put on the news.” [color=cd9575]”You can't be serious.”[/color] A glance from her grandmother told Tessa she was in fact serious. [color=cd9575]”Fine then we're going into the shop. I'm not watching the news.”[/color] “Not with a boy you're not. Unless you want your mother to hear about this.” Tessa's jaw dropped but she pulled it up almost as quick. Her grandmother was seriously blackmailing her. [color=cd9575]”Fine we'll be in the kitchen.”[/color] Tessa stood up, looked apologetic to Austin and helped him to stand. She led the way into the kitchen and laid her head down on the marble counter island. [color=cd9575]”Oh my god. I am so sorry.”[/color] She took a deep breath. [color=cd9575] “Though that's the nicest she's been a year.”[/color] [color=D79100]”Don’t worry. Hey, if you want, I can help you escape. Just whisk you away,”[/color] He picked her up, carrying her in his arms with a laugh, [color=D79100]”And speed out.”[/color] [color=cd9575]”If only it were that simple.”[/color] Tessa said a huge smile on her face, arms wrapped around Austin’s neck. [color=cd9575]”But unfortunately she'll call in about five minutes and ask for something, like a drink, and if I don't respond she'll call mom.”[/color] He smiled, looking into her eyes. [color=D79100]”I can explain that I’ll keep you safe on the way to the shop. Maybe you just need to talk to her. After all, I [i]can[/i] just pick you up and speed off. Though we might have to leave that part out if we do talk to her.”[/color] He chuckled, setting her back on her feet with a kiss. [color=cd9575]”It's not far to the shop.”[/color] She pointed out the kitchen window to the back yard where a metal building sat on a slab of thick poured concrete. [color=cd9575]”Grandma is keeping an eye on me because of what happened and mostly because my mom is probably doing a high strung version of ‘what's next’.”[/color] [color=D79100]”Well, we’ll see if we can talk to her anyway, yeah?”[/color] He nodded towards the living room. [color=D79100]”She can’t be any worse than my dad when it’s ‘party season’. Ugh, he always keeps a strict curfew, and when I don’t come back on time, guess what he does. Checks me for [i]drugs[/i].”[/color] He sighed dramatically. [color=cd9575]”In this town?”[/color] Tess put on her best sarcastic voice. [color=cd9575]”No one does drugs here.”[/color] Dropping the voice she added, [color=cd9575]”Not that I think you do them, but I can see why he worries. I mean honestly my mom's convinced Jay is going to get me hooked on snorting weed.”[/color] Tessa rolled her eyes. [color=cd9575]”But okay I'll talk to her.”[/color] She gave small shrug and stepped out into the living room again. The tv was up too loud for anyone that didn't need hearing aids (and probably some who did). [color=cd9575]”Grandma I'm going into the shop if you need me.”[/color] She said it just loud enough that her grandmother couldn't claim she hadn't tried, especially since she turned and looked at her. “Not with a strange boy.” [color=cd9575]”He's not a strange boy. Okay he's as little strange, but he's not as stranger.”[/color] [color=D79100]”Hey! I can hear you!”[/color] Tessa grinned. [color=cd9575]”It's a compliment!”[/color] She shouted back. Her grandmother did not seem amused. “I don't care. You're not going out there. There's a madman on the loose again.” [color=cd9575]”Austin is perfectly capable of protecting me.”[/color] [color=D79100]”Yep,”[/color] He walked into the living room. [color=D79100]”I swear on my life I won’t let that madman kill her. He’ll have to go through me first. Which, won’t happen anyway.”[/color] “Young man it isn't just the notion of a killer on our streets that is preventing me from allowing my [i]only[/i] grandchild to go out into the shop with a stranger, it is the fact that you are teens and need a chaperone. So if you don't mind I'm watching the news. Tessa dear bring me a drink of water please.” The old woman turned back to the tv which was recounting all the details about the murder again. Tessa saw Rachel Lewis’ last year yearbook picture displayed. Austin walked back into the kitchen, and when he was sure Tessa’s nan couldn’t see him, he flopped onto the ground, dramatically dragging himself across the floor. [color=D79100]”Uuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuugh.”[/color] He muttered. Tessa restrained a laugh. [color=cd9575]”I warned you.”[/color] She pulled a glass down and then looked down at Austin. [color=cd9575]“Want a glass of water too?”[/color] She was already pulling two more glasses out of the cupboard. [color=D79100]”Have you got incredibly strong alcohol that will make me forget the frustration of trying to persuade your grandmother to let us out?[/color] He groaned, sitting up and leaning against the wall. [color=D79100]”I’m practically in prison!”[/color] [color=cd9575]”Unfortunately my mom is a teetotaler. You do know [i]you can[/i] leave.”[/color] Tessa said as she filled the glasses with water. [color=D79100]”But it’d be without you.”[/color] He announced sadly. [color=D79100]”I’m not ready to become lonely again.”[/color] The teen chuckled, standing up and walking over. He turned her to face him, kissing her. Tessa kissed back, savoring the moment. “My water?” Her grandmother's voice cut through the kiss like a knife. [color=cd9575]”You have got to be kidding me.”[/color] Tessa sighed. [color=cd9575]”I'll be right back.”[/color] She took one of the glasses and went out into the living room, and was back as quickly as she could be. Austin smiled at her. [color=D79100]”Don’t think I’ll let your [i]grandma[/i] ruin our thing.”[/color] He embraced her, continuing their kiss.