15The Warning!Ryan bounded down the stairs, humming a light tune. It was nice to be home, the high ceilings, the polished marble floors, and the fact that there were maids around to cater to his needs.Sure, staying at Grandma’s had taught him to be more independent, cooking his own breakfast, doing his own laundry but there was something undeniably comfortable about having people at his beck and call again. Maids to cater to his needs and the authority he has around here. Not to mention, he’d woken up early. Unheard of for him.Thanks, Grams.“Ryan!” Margaret’s voice broke into his thoughts, surprised.He smiled at her as he walked toward the dining room.“You’re up early. Do you need something?” she asked, still looking as if she’d spotted a rare animal.“Guess I got used to it at Grams’. That three month vacation really did a lot of wonders. I’m sure I will slip back into my normal routine soon enough,” he said with a casual wave, snagging an apple before heading to the living r
14World's ApartDinner at Grams’ was warm, just as it always was, filled with the smell of grilled fish, pepper soup, and freshly baked bread. But for Tessy, the flavors didn’t quite land the same way tonight. Her mind wasn’t at the table, it was somewhere far away, somewhere inside a mansion she’d never stepped foot in, sitting across from a boy she couldn’t stop thinking about.The second she’d gotten back from work earlier, Ryan’s short message had been waiting on her phone.Hey, I’m back home.She’d smiled instantly, thumbs flying across the screen as she typed her reply, carefully casual, but betraying her excitement. And then… nothing. No dots. No buzz. No reply.So now, while Grams and Bruno chatted about everything, what happened today, the garden and Patricia was dunking bread into her soup like she was at war with it, Tessy kept sneaking glances at the phone lying screen-up beside her plate. Every two minutes, her fingers twitched toward it.Bruno noticed.“You okay?” H
13 Victoria Ryan didn’t have the energy for Victoria's games. He just nodded and made his way to the house. The dining table was a mini-feast, steak, seafood, pastries, fruit, and every one of his favorite snacks. Margaret had clearly been busy. The spread was almost ridiculous. He hadn’t even been gone that long. Ryan ate quietly, letting the sounds of clinking silverware and distant music settle him. Still, his mind wandered. To the summer. To Tessy. To the weird ache he hadn’t shaken off since she hugged him goodbye. He missed her already. After the meal and small talk he didn’t care for, Ryan pushed back his chair. He was exhausted to the bones and not meeting his Father dampened his mood. “Going to rest. It’s been a long drive.” “Of course, sweetheart,” Victoria cooed. “I will come up to meet you.” Ryan raised an eyebrow confused on why she wanted to see him. “Why?” “Nothing. I just want to have a conversation with you.” Ryan climbed the stairs slowly, every st
Ryan packed up early the next morning, tossing the last of his things into his suitcase with a mix of reluctance. It was time to head back. The car arrived right on schedule, a sleek black sedan gleaming under the morning sun. His luggage stood neatly by the front porch as the driver pulled into the driveway. Golden streaks from the morning sun painted the pavement, and the faint chirping of birds gave the day a strange calm, completely opposite to the whirlwind of emotions twisting in Ryan’s chest.He didn’t expect it to be this hard.“Ryan, I packed your favorite snacks for you.” Grams handed him a little container.“Grams, you shouldn’t have…” He whined, but accepted it.“I will miss you, boy. Will you be coming back next summer?” Patricia padded over, still in her nightdress.“Please do.” She tugged at his fingers. “Come back next summer.”His eyes found Tessy standing silently at the doorway, watching them. Her expression was unreadable, stoic as always. Ryan had never been able
End of Summer VacationTwo months later, Ryan was preparing to leave Gram's town, leaving Tessy, his new-found friends, and the quiet simplicity of the countryside behind. The very place he’d once dreaded being sent to now felt like the best thing his father had ever done for him. Back then, he had been angry, even furious, when his dad forced him to spend the summer here. But now, it has grown on him. The people, the pace, the peace... and Tessy.Leaving everyone behind, especially her, gave him mixed feelings. But he knew he couldn’t stay forever. Reality waited for him back in the city.Patricia sat on his bed cross-legged, watching Ryan fold his clothes with an exaggerated pout. “You’re really going tomorrow?” she whined, flopping dramatically backward onto the bed.Ryan chuckled, folding another shirt. “Yes, Patty. Tomorrow morning.”“
10 Mixed Signals and Realizations The mirror in the staff bathroom was foggy from a recent mop-down, but Tessy leaned in anyway, adjusting her apron and peering closer to inspect her neck. The mark was still there, faint, but visible. It tingled slightly, not painfully, just enough to remind her of what had transpired that morning. She gently traced it with her fingertip, a mix of embarrassment and something else swirling in her chest.Was it weird that she kept thinking about it? She hadn’t been able to focus on work all day. That moment kept replaying in her mind. More importantly, why did it make her heart race every time she thought about it?Pacing slightly, she poked her head out of the break room and spotted Alex wiping down the café counter."Hey, Alex," she called, trying to sound casual."Yes?" Alex replied, turning toward her."Okay, quick question. If a guy bites a girl, hypothetically, what do you think that means?"Alex raised a brow, giving her a lopsided grin. "Uh… i