by Bria Berg
“Touch the flower,” Sam instructed. “It’s easier that way, with contact, and then focus on using my power to make it bloom.”
Everyone was silent as Tessa gently grasped the flower in her hand and focused intently on making it bloom. When saying the words in her head didn’t work, she commanded, “Bloom,” out loud. Nothing happened, and she sighed heavily in disappointment.
“I can feel you,” Sam said thoughtfully. “Your power was prickling against mine, but it didn’t quite break through. I wonder why?”
“She was touching me,” Milo offered. “Maybe she needs to have connection with the host.”
Tessa focused again on the frozen flower, only this time, she grasped Sam’s hand while she placed her other hand over the flower. This time, she felt Sam’s power, and pulled it from him, and slowly, the ice melted off the flower, and the petals uncurled revealing soft, silky white.
“Whoa,” she said holding the fresh daisy in her hand.
“That is pretty cool,” Ethan agreed watching the whole thing with interest.
“It took a little longer than I thought it would,” Sam said although he was still amazed. “With Milo, it was instant. You should try doing it with him.”
Both Tessa and Milo’s eyes widened from the choice of words Sam had used, and a deep blush filled Tessa’s cheeks.
“Let’s just try it,” Milo said clearing his throat, and then instantly regretted choosing his words when Tessa gasped and her face paled. “I mean you try using my power to do something, like make an ice rose the way I did for you a couple of weeks ago.”
“Yeah ok,” Tessa agreed unable to meet his eyes.
Milo took her hand in his, as Sam held his hand out already with a small puddle of water in it, waiting for her to make the ice rose in his palm. She did the same as Milo had done that day, hovered her hand over Sam’s so their skin was just barely touching.
“Picture the rose, and the water turning to ice, then command the elements to make it so,” Milo said softly as she concentrated.
It happened instantly, just as quickly as it had when Milo did it to her. She felt the water turning to ice, forming into the rose she wanted it to. She smiled as she stepped back, and Milo released her hand.
“So, it seems like it is possible for you to use another’s powers, as long as you are touching them, but it obviously works better when it’s your Protector,” Ethan observed. “That’s interesting.”
It was interesting, and for the rest of the day they pushed Tessa’s capabilities, seeing just how much she could do. With Sam and Ethan, she could do simple things, like making a flower bloom or even making a plant grow. With Milo however, she was able to pull water from the very ground and shape it at will. She wasn’t nearly as strong as any of the brothers, but she was stronger with Milo, and even that made her feel more powerful than she ever had before. Wielding power had an addicting feel to it, and she could imagine why someone would want more.
When Tessa began to make dinner, Sam and Milo disappeared somewhere while Ethan kept her company. Tessa chopped up carrots and potatoes while Ethan rummaged through the cupboards and refrigerator to get the rest of the ingredients for the barbeque chicken casserole Tessa was making.
“Have you ever fought against a dark Gifted before?” she asked as she chopped.
Ethan paused and turned to face her. “A dark Gifted yes, but a member of the Elite, no.”
Tessa sighed sadly. “I hate that you guys are in danger, especially because of me.”
Ethan thought carefully before he chose his next words. “We are always in some kind of danger Tess. The Elite killed our parents, how long before they come after us, or try to recruit us like Dracul did with Milo? Sure you being here might speed up the process a little, but you also give us something more to live for.”
Tessa smiled as she looked up at Ethan. “You are the good guys, you know that?”
Ethan grinned as he shrugged. “We try.”
“Where did Milo and Sam go?” she questioned changing the subject.
“Beats me, probably just went to the store to grab a few things.”
The rest of the casserole prep took about twenty minutes, and then an hour more to cook. Ethan was watching television just as Tessa was pulling the dish out of the oven when Milo and Sam finally came back. She gave them a questioning look when they didn’t say anything and only hurried upstairs, disappearing again. She turned to Ethan to ask what was going on but he was gone too.
“Guys? Dinner is ready,” she called up the stairs. The floor shook slightly as all three brothers came running down.
“Smells good Tess,” Sam said as he passed her.
Tessa already had the casserole along with a bowl of salad and a tray of rolls waiting on the table. They all dug in while Tessa giggled at the grunts and compliments they gave her throughout the meal. When they finished, everyone helped clean up before Tessa plopped down on the couch.
“I might have to go home tonight or tomorrow. I need to practice my routine for the dance,” she said tiredly.
“I can take you right now if you’d like,” Sam offered. “You can get more things too while we are there.”
Tessa and Sam were ready to go within fifteen minutes. Milo and Ethan both waved goodbye, completely engrossed in the James Bond movie they were watching on TV. When Sam pulled up to Tessa’s house, the garage was open, and her mother’s car was there. She groaned out banging her head purposefully against the dashboard.
“Is it that bad?” Sam asked trying not to laugh at her reaction.
Tessa glared at him. “You saw her at school, and that was in public! Let’s just get this over with.”
Chapter 26
Sam followed Tessa inside her mother’s home. Both Hailey and Sandra appeared to be in their rooms, so Tessa quickly shoved Sam into her own room so she wouldn’t have to deal with anyone seeing him. After giving him her laptop to use as he pleased, she changed into her dance shoes and went down to the basement. The basement had a corner that had been converted into a dance studio for Tessa and Hailey. Hailey used to love dancing as much as Tessa, but over the last year or so she wasn’t into it so much.
A large mirror wall with a ballet bar against it reflected Tessa’s image back to her and she winced. She normally didn’t like to look at her reflection since the incident with Dean and Brigette, and in this room there was no way out of it. She and Brigette had practiced many times together here, and they were all happy memories. Not anymore; all of her memories with her best friend were tainted now. She plugged her phone into the large speaker, and the music blared out. It was still hard for to look at her reflection in the mirror, she still felt worthless because what had happened to her. Yet, at the same time it was a little easier, because she knew at least three people in the world cared about her enough and believed in her. It made her feel that maybe she did matter.
As she danced, she poured her soul out into the movements of the dance. Several times she went through it, and when she finished, tears ran freely down her cheeks. Everything that she was going through came rushing at her. She had been so alone, barely even existed until that day Milo saved her life. He didn’t just save her from the car crash, he saved her from her own darkness that had been consuming her for years and years.
“Tess, you okay?” it was Hailey.
Tessa quickly wiped her tears away and turned to face her sister. “Yeah,” she said with a smile, actually meaning it.
“You didn’t come home last night, I was worried.” Hailey shocked Tessa by saying.
“I’m going to be staying with some friends for a little while,” Tessa replied.
“Oh,” Hailey said and then burst into tears.
Tessa’s older sister instinct immediately took over as she wrapped Hailey up in her arms. “What’s the matter?” she asked into her hair.
“Yesterday… when you caught me and Jake. You were so mad at me,” Hailey cried.
Cringing at the memory, she replied,
“That’s not something I wanted to see, like ever.”
“It was more than that though,” Hailey whimpered. “It was like you were disgusted.”
Tessa took a deep breath. “I was just disappointed; I didn’t want you to be that girl. Seeing you with Jake… you’re right. I didn’t like it.”
Hailey pulled away and stared at her sister. “I always wanted to be like you Tess. You were always so strong and took care of me. You are that girl, so I thought it would be okay if I was too.”
Tessa’s eyes filled with tears again as she gazed back at Hailey. “Hailey, do you really think I do all the stuff you hear at school?”
Hailey was taken aback. “Everybody talks about it Tess, and I’ve seen your ad.”
Tessa rolled her eyes trying not to become angry. Didn’t her sister know her at all? “It’s not true, any of it. I’m still one hundred percent virgin, and I have certainly never had anything to do with any escort business.”
Hailey’s eyes widened at Tessa’s admission. “Why is there that picture then?”
Tessa steeled herself in preparation to tell her sister what really happened, at least a shortened version of it. “Dean told Brigette I was coming onto him, and she believed him. They drugged my drink and took my clothes but not before taking some pictures first. The rumors just went crazy after that, and even you believed them.” Tessa was trying really hard not to cry, and she took deep breaths through her nose to steady herself.
Hailey’s jaw dropped as she listened. “Are you… Why…Tess I’m so sorry,” she said unsure of what else could be said.
“I have to live with it, but I just didn’t want you to get a similar reputation. No matter what anyone says, words can hurt just as much as any physical pain.”
“I didn’t know,” Hailey admitted sadly.
“You never asked me,” Tessa retorted softly.
“So is that why you’re staying with friends? Because you’re mad at me?”
“No,” Tessa quickly said. “I’ve got this big project I’m working on, and it’s just easier somewhere else.”
“With your friends,” Hailey put in.
“Yep,” Tessa nodded. “Actually I should get going. I just came to practice my routine and get some things.”
Hailey nodded then said, “Hey Tess? You should stay away from Tyler Cowell. He’s kind of obsessed with you and he’s been trying to get you alone for a while now.”
“Thanks for the heads up,” Tessa smiled and walked up the stairs. A rush of love filled her that Hailey actually cared enough to warn her about Tyler. It also was a relief knowing that Hailey knew the truth about her now, and knew she wasn’t actually a slut as so many believed.
Sam was sprawled out on her bed watching Netflix on her laptop when she came back into her room. She ignored his questioning gaze, likely from her puffy, red eyes, as she quickly gathered more clothes and shoved them into her duffle bag. Sam closed the laptop and put it into her backpack figuring she would need it for homework. Tessa took one final look around her room for anything else she would need, before deciding to bring her comforter with her. She almost forgot she used Milo’s last night.
“You don’t have to bring that,” Sam said stopping her from ripping it off her bed. “We’ve got plenty of blankets and stuff at home.”
“Are you sure?” she asked skeptically. Last night Milo slept only with a throw blanket over him, and it was one she had bought at the store since she noticed the lack of any blankets or pillows when she first came to their house.
“Absolutely,” Sam said taking her duffle bag from her. “Let’s go home.”
She knew he was talking about home for him, but it still made her feel all warm and fuzzy all over thinking of it as her home too.
It was late when they drove up the driveway to the Ricks’ house. The outside was dark and quiet, but it wasn’t menacing at all. This place had become Tessa’s sanctuary, and even now she felt contentment wash over her from just being there.
“Milo and Ethan probably already went to bed,” Sam said quietly as they walked to the stairs.
Tessa glanced over at the couch, thinking for a split second she would find Milo sleeping soundly, but he wasn’t. They didn’t have time to set up the guest room today since they were so busy, and obviously Milo was going to sleep in his own bed.
“I left all my bathroom stuff up in Milo’s bathroom,” Tessa whispered as they walked up the stairs. “I wonder if he’d wake up if I sneak in to get it.”
“Why not try?” he asked as they reached the top of the stairs. He moved to open the closed door at the end of the hall.
“Isn’t his room this one?” Tessa asked in confusion, pointing to the closed door next to the one Sam was opening.
He didn’t say anything, just opened the door and turned on the light. Tessa gasped out. Milo and Ethan sat on a brand new queen sized bed with an oversized mint and gray plump comforter on top. There were even decorative pillows to match, and a white dresser which also looked new. The room had been completely cleaned and set up, just for her.
She looked back and forth between Milo and Ethan, and then to Sam. “You guys did this, for me?” she asked in a slight daze.
“Yeah, well, we wanted you to be comfortable while you are here,” Ethan said. “That door is your closet, and that door is the bathroom.”
Tessa opened the bathroom door and felt a little dizzy when she realized it was Milo’s bathroom. The Jack and Jill bathroom connected both of their rooms. She hadn’t even realized there were two doors when she used the bathroom earlier.
“Thank you all so much,” she said feeling emotional again, so to stop them from seeing her face she simply went to hug each of them instead. They were treating her like a member of their family, and that meant more to her than they would ever know.
Chapter 27
Over the next week, Tessa trained with the brothers in self-defense, and practiced drawing magic from them and using it. She also worked on controlling her power by allowing it to strengthen only the person of her choosing. Part of the garage had been transformed into a gym, where the brothers frequently worked out and she joined them from time to time. It was the happiest she had ever been, even compared to what she was before the horrible rumors started. Every day, several times her eyes would meet with Milo’s, and her heart felt like it was speeding up and stopping all at once. She felt little tingles whenever Sam would complement her, or Ethan would flirt with her, but it wasn’t close to what she felt in those moments with Milo. There were times in class that she would daydream about him, and then suddenly he would be there in her classroom and she would be left breathless. She needed to stop thinking about him in that way. Sam had said that they were like her brothers, so obviously they thought of her like a sister, which meant she really needed to think of them the same way.
When Wednesday morning came along, Tessa sat in chemistry enjoying the silence of not having to listen to Nicole complain. Since her nose job was over the weekend, she said she would be absent from school for the whole week. Miss Kelly had since gotten the hang of things teaching the class, and they actually had to work rather than just quiz each other. Tessa was busy converting Celsius and Fahrenheit temperatures into Kelvin when from the corner of her eye she saw Miss Kelly approach Milo, who was as usual at the back of the classroom.
Miss Kelly had always been flirtatious towards Milo, but as she walked towards Milo, she was clearly a woman on a mission. Try as she might, Tessa couldn’t simply ignore what was happening, so she discretely moved to the back desk, where some of the other students were working because it had a chart of all the temperatures. Milo glanced quickly at her before Miss Kelly claimed his attention.
“You’ve been awfully quiet lately, Milo,” Miss Kelly said with her tone dredged in sugar.
“Just observing, like usual,” Milo responded casually.
“I guess I’m one of the lucky teachers here since you come to my class every day in this period,” she grinn
ed flipping her hair.
“It’s on the schedule,” Milo said a little uncomfortably. A beautiful woman was standing in front of him and all he could think about was Tessa, a high school student. The week had been both great and incredibly hard for him. Having Tessa around made him feel whole, gave him something to look forward to everyday. However, with every second he spent with her, it made it harder and harder not to think about her in ways a mere friend should. It was tearing him apart when all of his instincts wanted Tessa, and yet he had to refrain from touching her. What would she think of him if he ever acted on his feelings for her? There were moments when he was so close, but then he’d feel her shake or gasp out of fear. It was making him angry and standoffish, and even his brothers had approached him on the subject. Miss Kelly’s voice broke through his thoughts and he made every effort to pay attention to what she was saying. If Tessa wasn’t in his life, this wouldn’t be such a difficult task for him.
“Somehow I got cornered into chaperoning the Sweetheart Dance this Friday. I think it must be because I’m a substitute or something. They also asked me to find a man to chaperone with me; I guess the chaperones are supposed to come in pairs…”
“I’ll do it,” Milo said much more eagerly than he meant. He was going to be at the dance anyway since Tessa would be there, and maybe being around another woman would help take the yearning focus off the younger girl that he wanted.
Miss Kelly smiled and batted her eyes as she said, “Well that was easy. I thought I was going to have to beg you to come with me. So it’s a date then?”
Milo’s insides were twisting and turning in every direction as he nodded. “It’s a date.”
Tessa heard the whole conversation and felt as if someone had punched her in the stomach. She wanted to cry and scream and run away all at once, but she kept her eyes down, glued to the thermometer poster although at the moment it looked more like a big red blur than anything else. The bell rang, and quickly she hurried back to her table to gather her things. Once her backpack was on her shoulders she turned and slammed into Milo.