09 The End of Me!

09

The End of Me!

Tessy walked up the stairs, heading to Ryan's room. They’d gotten much closer over the past few weeks, and things were clearly shifting between them.

Should she still call this a friendship?

Ryan wouldn’t agree. He’d once looked her dead in the eye and said, “Don’t call me your friend. I’m not that.”

Tessy smirked at the memory. He was just afraid of being friend-zoned. Big, bad Ryan, scared of labels? Cute.

These past weeks had been oddly peaceful with him. She’d learned so much. He wasn’t like the wild, arrogant rich boys in the city. Okay, maybe he was a little arrogant... and proud... and definitely had a certain intimidating aura. But he was kind to her, different. And considering how snobbish he was to most people, especially Ronda, it said a lot.

Speak of the devil.

Ronda, with her ever-caked face, was perched smugly on Ryan’s couch like she owned the place.

Tessy rolled her eyes. Every encounter with Ronda was ridiculous and exhausting. It was clear why Ryan didn’t like her.

“Ohh, hey Tessy. You’re here,” Ronda said with a fake smile plastered on her lips.

Tessy nodded but didn’t respond. She could hear the faucet running in the bathroom, Ryan was in there. She turned to leave, intending to wait outside. She didn’t have the patience to be in the same room with Ronda.

But as her hand touched the door handle, she paused.

Why should she be the one to leave?

Backing down was exactly what girls like Ronda counted on. She couldn’t keep running away. Not today. This is why she will keep thinking she is on top.

Tessy turned around, walked over to the bed, and sat. She picked up the book she’d given Ryan, the one he was meant to read for their challenge.

“Seems he got pretty far,” she muttered, smiling as she noticed the highlights and notes he'd scribbled in the margins. He took it seriously.

Tessy gave him a challenge. He must read it all, she would ask questions about the book and if he got at least 70% of it right, she had promised to go on a date with him. At this point, she knew she'd probably go either way.

Ronda frowned, confused. “What are you doing?” she asked sharply.

Who the hell is this bitch and what is she doing? Ronda thought, eyeing her.

Tessy didn’t even look up. “Waiting for Ryan. Obviously.”

Ronda stood abruptly, clearly annoyed. She stomped over, snatched the book, and dropped it hard on the bed.

“People don’t ignore me, not even your low-class ass.”

Tessy blinked in surprise. Where the hell did that come from?

“What?” she scoffed, pinching the bridge of her nose.

“You know, my family’s close to Ryan’s. His dad literally begged my mom to send me here to my grandparents’ for the summer. He knew Ryan couldn't do without me.”

Tessy raised an eyebrow. She’d heard that version before, but Ryan told her it was his aunt Veronica’s idea. His dad was too busy to care. Too busy to even decide that.

“Where are you going with this?”

“You’re not in our class,” Ronda spat. “It’s not even up for debate.”

Tessy was just about to snap but Ronda cut her off.

“No, don’t argue. You know it’s true. So stay away from Ryan. He doesn’t belong in your world, and you don’t belong in his. Do you really think whatever’s going on between you two will last?”

She let out a high-pitched, mocking laugh.

“Come on. He’s the top playboy back home. He’ll use you, just like the others. But he always comes back to me.”

Tessy took a deep breath and stood. Enough.

“If he’s really using you and you keep taking him back, then you’re the stupidest person I’ve ever met,” Tessy said, walking closer. Her eyes narrowed. “You think being someone he always comes back to makes you special?”

She let out a short, cold laugh. “Newsflash he’s using you too. Just like the rest of us.”

Ronda stepped back, her face red with anger. “How dare you…”

“Shh.” Tessy held up a finger. “Don’t speak.”

She scanned Ronda from head to toe in pure disgust.

“No respect. No dignity. Maybe that’s why you’ll never be enough.”

Her smirk returned. “So if he’s really playing us both… let’s see who lasts longer.”

If you enemy goes low, you go lower

The bathroom door opened.

Ryan stepped out, hair wet, phone in hand. Tessy glanced at him.

She thought he’d been bathing, but only his face was wet. He’d clearly been on a call.

His eyes flicked between the two girls, sensing the tension. The air was thick with it.

“What happened?” he asked, voice hard, staring directly at Ronda.

“What do you mean? Why are you looking at me? She started it!” Ronda whined, pointing.

“I told you to leave,” Ryan said firmly, walking over to his rack to grab a towel.

“Ryan, baby, we can…”

“Stop,” he cut in sharply, rubbing the towel over his head. “Don’t call me that.”

“But…”

“Just leave.”

“With her too, right?” she snapped. “She’s going too?”

Ryan sighed and looked between them. His eyes lingered on the book, then Tessy, then back to Ronda.

“No. She stays. You leave.”

Ronda stomped her foot. “You caused this!” she shouted at Tessy.

“You did,” Tessy said simply, already sitting back on the bed.

Ronda let out a frustrated scream and stormed out, slamming the door behind her.

Ryan tossed the towel back on the rack and turned to Tessy.

“What’s wrong?” she asked. “I thought you were in the bathroom, but… you weren’t.”

“My dad called,” Ryan said, his voice low. “First time since I got here. He never calls.”

“That’s good news,” Tessy said softly. “Maybe he’s trying.”

“Tch. Margaret probably forced him. He never does stuff like that.”

“Still,” she added. “It’s something. You look like there’s more though…”

Ryan hesitated. Then exhaled sharply. “We argued. Again. I can’t have a conversation with him without a fight. It’s like we don’t know how to talk without hurting each other.”

“You’re both impatient,” Tessy said gently. “You have to calm down for him. Let him move at his own pace. And when he tries, let him.”

Silence followed. But it wasn’t uncomfortable, just thoughtful. Both of them, deep in their thoughts.

After a while, Tessy stood.

“I came to check on you before leaving for work.”

Ryan stood too. “You good?” she asked, resting a hand on his shoulder.

He smiled. “I am.”

Then, without warning, he pulled her into a tight hug.

Tessy froze.

His arms were wrapped tightly around her. She placed her hands gently on his back, uncertain but soothing.

Ryan leaned in closer, resting his nose on her neck. He inhaled deeply.

Wait. Is he sniffing me?

Tessy stiffened. He didn’t stop. He moved slightly… and then…

“Ow!”

A sharp sting. He bit her. He actually bit her.

“Ryan…” she whispered, pushing against him, but he was too strong.

He sucked the spot where he bit her, groaning quietly. Tessy panicked.

Then…

“Tessy!” Gram's voice rang out, footsteps approaching.

Ryan snapped back to himself. They jumped apart just in time.

“Shit,” he muttered.

Tessy, face burning, bolted out of the room.

Oh shit. Oh shit! Oh shit!

Her mind kept spinning as she ran. Past Gram's.

He’s going to be the end of me, she thought, touching the tender spot on her neck.