DANGEROUSLY YOURS

The tape made a sound like a sigh every time Tamsin pulled it.

Eighteen boxes. All of them labeled in her neat angry handwriting. 

TAMSIN-BOOKS. TAMSIN-CLOTHES.

TAMSIN- DO NOT TOUCH.

The last one sat in the middle of her bedroom floor.

She could still remember the conversation she had with Jordan six weeks ago.

………………………………………

        SIX WEEKS AGO

              Trinity High

………………………………………

“So it's true,” Jordan said angrily.

“Yeah.” she replied sadly. “It's already been decided, Jordan.

“Seriously, Madrid? I overheard from Judith.”

“Why would Judith tell you when I specifically told her not to?”

“Were you planning on not telling me? If Judith hadn't told me, then I would have been left in the dark.” His said, voice angry.

“No. I wanted to tell you but me and Mom argued when I told her I wanted to stay behind.” 

“So you're just going to go now?” 

“Yeah, she said quietly. “We're moving in six weeks.”

“Seriously? Two months before prom.” He murmured.

“I know and I'm sorry. I didn't choose this. Mom needs this. And I can't hurt her by saying no.” 

His face hardened. “ And what about us Tammy?”

“We're still us. We'll still FaceTime. And I can persuade Mom to let me come back for prom–”

 “Don't give me the long distance speech like you rehearsed it. You're going away, Tamsin. Things aren't going to be the same.”

“I didn't rehearse anything. I found out two weeks ago too.”

“Two weeks ago.” He laughed scornfully, “And I'm just finding out now?”

“Jor, I wanted to tell you but–

“But what?” 

“But I was afraid. Like we are about losing something important.  I was scared, Jordan. I couldn't risk losing you.” She said while crying her eyes out.

 “Right. And you're just okay with leaving everything behind?

“No, I'm not okay with it. I'm not okay with what's going on. But I'm just 18. Not even 19 yet. I still live with my mom. I don't have a choice."

“Could've fought for it.”

“I could've fought what? My mom's only chance at happiness? Dacio's been nothing but good to her. And you want me to fight him. I can't do that."

“So that's it. You're just going to start a new life in Madrid and I'm somehow supposed to be fine with it?” He shouted.

“No. I never said that.”

“Then what do you want huh? Because from where I stand, you want out.”

“Please don't make this harder than it already is, I'm begging you. Please.”

“Harder? You're the one moving countries. Don't act like I'm the fucking problem here.”

“Can you just sit down, please.”

“No! Everything we built. Doesn't it mean anything to you? You remind me that you're already gone.”

“That's not fair to me. That's not fair to us.”

“Fair? You should have told me yourself. Not letting me hear about my girlfriend's supposed move third hand.”

“I was scared you'd freak out like this and you're doing exactly what I predicted.”

“Good. Then I hope I didn't disappoint you.” He grabbed his bag and angrily walked away towards the school building.

“Jordan. Please don't go like this. I'm sorry for not telling you.” She says while crying.

 *****************************

Girl's Group Chat 

            ★

“Hey girls, anyone up.” Tamsin types, sniffing.

Amy replies immediately. “Hey Tams, how are things with you and Jordan?”

Judith chirps in. “Yeah, what's up?”

“I told him. He's so mad.” 

“OMG what did he say?” Amy asked.

“Hold up, let's switch to video chat.”

               (Over to Video call) 

“He said that I'm leaving him. That I want out. He walked off in the middle of it.”

“That's rough.” Judith responds nonchalantly.

“That's rough? Seriously jud, that's all you got to say?” 

“People move all the time. Everyday a relationship comes to an end. It's not the end of the world.”

“Judith, can't you see that she's hurting.” Amy snapped. 

“I’m just telling the truth. She's moving because her mom's getting remarried. It's not like Jordan can help it.”

“You went ahead to tell him before I did. Why did you do that Judith?” Tamsin shouts angrily.

“He was asking me. Was I supposed to lie to him? I had to tell him the truth, cause it's true anyways. You're really moving and he can't change that.” 

“I'm just tired because you've been talking about this for the past three weeks now.” 

“Because it's my whole life and I don't even have a say in it. I'm going to lose Jordan one way or another.”

“Okay I'm sorry. I have to study. Talk later.” Judith ends the call. 

“Don't mind her, she's been like this for the past two weeks.” Let's meet up at our usual spot tomorrow okay baby.”

“ I just don't want to lose him over this.” Tamsin sniffles. 

“Then try talking to him again before you leave. Before you both say stuff that you can't take back. “

“Yeah I'll try, Talk to you later babe.” Tamsin ended the call. 

              (Back to present)

She still couldn't pinpoint why Judith had acted so indifferent about something that hurt her.

Her father had died eight months ago.

Dad. Alaric Dawson. 40. CEO of Dawson & co. Dead for eight months. Cause of Death: Undetermined.

That was the phrase on the News, "undetermined."

And now. Eight months later her Mom was getting remarried to his old college roommate.

“Baby?” Teal Dawson's voice drifted down the hall. “Movers are here in twenty!”

Dacio Bruno. 45. Tech investor. He and Dad had been roommates at Columbia sophomore year. He had shown up to the funeral with lilies and stayed over trying to comfort Teal.

Now he had a house in Salamanca. A son. And a strong alibi why he needed Teal in his life.

“Teal, I think we should do this,” he'd said six weeks ago. Madrid would be good for you and Tamsin. A much needed change.”

“A change.” That was one word for it.

The doorbell rang. The movers. Three big men who spoke mostly Spanish.

For the next four hours, her life was packed into boxes and wrapped up in bubble wraps. 

“It's okay.” Dacio had said when he last arrived to check on them. “We don't have to pack them today.” He had said. 

Teal just nodded and let him hold her.

Tamsin watched from the stairs. She should have felt something. Anger, Sadness. But instead she just felt empty.

At 4pm, it was done. The truck pulled away. Their Manhattan life was reduced to 22 boxes and their furniture in storage.

“Last night here,” Teal had said that night, 

 “Can you believe it baby?”

Tamsin couldn't, “Why Madrid?”

“Because Dacio is there. Because…” teal trailed off. “Because I can't stay here, Tammy. Not in this penthouse. Not with his things everywhere. I don't want that pity.

Tamsin nodded. She didn't have to like it. It was all for her Mom's happiness anyway.

The flight was booked for 8am. First class of course.

Dawson money didn't disappear just because Alaric did.

It just felt different spending it now.