“Yeah, that sounds about right. Nobody has every really noticed that before.”
There’s a silence between them that isn’t awkward but is filled with many thoughts and emotions that neither of them are speaking out loud.
“I have a feeling there’s a lot that nobody notices about you,” she said quietly, avoiding eye contact.
In thevery shorttime that she has known him, she can tell that there is much more to him than he lets on. She can tell that he likes to be the class clown and the center of attention, that he is comfortable with the spotlight and loves to make others laugh. But there are layers beneath all ofthat,andshe’sundeniably intrigued by it. She wonders if anyone really knows him.
“I’m a pretty simple guy,” he says with a shrug. “I’mnot surethere’smuch to be revealed. I like football and hanging out with my friends.That’sabout it.”
She stays quiet for a few moments, her eyes studying him and he squirms.
“Am I making you uncomfortable?” Tessa asks, trying to make her tone as light and unthreatening as possible.
“No not at all,” he responds with a soft smile, “I’mactually reallyenjoying talking to you.”
“Me too...you’re not so bad.”
They both share a laugh and lean back into the comfortable silence that falls between them.Tessacouldn’thelp butnoticehow quickly their nervous and awkward energy had dissipated and turned into something muchmore gentle and easy.
Suddenly the front door to the diner swungopenand an intense rush of loud voices enveloped the air around them. Tristan looked up and his eyes filled with dread. It was a group of his teammates, and theyspotted himimmediately. Tristan let out a long sigh before flashing Tessa a smile that was hard to read before he mouthed ‘I’m sorry’ to her.
“Hey, what the fuck is going on over here!”
Tessa was startled by the very loud andvery largegroup of guys that had suddenly appeared at their booth. Two of them were able to squeeze into Tristan’ side of the booth while one had wiggled his way next to Tessa.
“And who is this?” The guy next to Tessa said. He wasvery largeand had very dark hair thatcoverednearly hiswhole face, and sheimmediatelynoticed that his eyes were the same color as Tristan’s.
“Tess, this is my big brother, Jordan.”
Tristan’s eyes threw daggers in Jordan’s direction, which he found to be very amusing.
“Oh, uh, hi,” Tessa said in a squeaky voice.
“Ah sothisis Tessa, the new tutor who you said was, how did you put it,super hot.”
“Jordan shut the fuck up and leave her alone,” Tristan said, his blood boiling hearingallthe chuckles coming from his friends.
Tessa’s face was brightred,and she wanted to crawl into a hole and die, but she was quite literally trapped.
“Trist, you sure Veronica is okay with you being on a date with another girl?” One teammate, Drew, said in a teasing tone.
“We broke up you shit head, you knowthat,” Tristan said through gritted teeth. His eyes darted across the table atTessaand his heart sank. She looked so small being trapped underneath his brother’s huge arm, and her blue eyes were glued to the table in front of her. She seemed so out of her elementand uncomfortable. “Wouldyouassholes get the fuck out of here and leave us alone?You’regonnascare her away and cost me my scholarship.”
“My badmy bad,” Jordansaidgiving Tessa some room. “You really are helping Trist out alotTessa. I know he really appreciates you.”
Tessa simply gave Jordan a timid smile and took a deep breath, her eyes darting up towards Tristan.
“I’m gonna go back home now, can you let me out please?”
“Let me drive you home,” Tristan said, pushing his friends aggressively out of the booth.
“Noit’s okay you don’t have to.Excuse me, I need to get out,” shesaidwaving her hand in front of Jordan’s face. He chuckled lightly at her assertiveness and stood up from the booth.
“I like her,” Jordan said nodding his head over towards Tessa who was urgently scooting out of the booth, “She’scute, blonde, and spunky.”
“Ugh,” Tessa said under her breath, grabbing her bag from the floor.
“Tessa, it’s late I’m driving you home, my truck is just in the lot.”
