HOLDEN & TESSA.
‘YEAH, well, first time for everything. ’ His brows raised, an incredulous look appearing on his features as if he were trying to find a decent mixture of nonchalance and warmth. A warmth he often didn’t bother with. He finds it difficult to converse with the brunette, not only after the events of recent weeks, but the events that had been transpiring ever since he’d set foot back in their hometown. ‘ What you workin’ on? ’ He pulls out a seat opposite her, sliding into it as he feels the odd stare or two from clients that consider themselves too friendly. He shoots looks back, ones that are the polar opposite to the way he looks at the girl in front of him, a subtle duality most would fail to pick up on.
By the time his eyes meet hers once more, he realises the gravity of the situation at hand. He’d come to the library initially to study for his upcoming resits, yet here he was, distracted from the true task by Tessa Lancaster. He slips his backpack from his shoulders, placing it with liberal thump! on the chair next to him. Again, he gains a few glares, this time for a much different reason, to which he only replies to with a aggressive scowl.
‘ This place is full of fucking losers. ’ He hisses under his breath, bringing out a stack of several books, the original of the loud thump. The subjects within them are emblazoned proudly on the front, words like ‘coding’, ‘cyber-security’, and various other buzzwords within the computer science industry making themselves known. He brings out a notepad and with it a pack of neatly organised, coloured, fineliner pens, flipping open the book to reveal a menagerie of meticulously neat notes, all unexpectedly colour-coordinated.
‘ So… ’
He retains his air of nonchalance despite the dull thudding in his ears, dark hues piercing the paper in front of him, barely affording Tessa a glance as he speaks. He loves her. But love, for the young Dyer boy, has never been easy nor simple. Bringing love into his world was something he had never accounted for. He began to run over the countless scenarios in his mind, gently laying them all out, detailing their consequences – to the world, he was simply another student doing diligent work, to him, he was delicately assessing his situation. His situation with her. He finally takes a moment to look at her, eyebrows creasing ever so slightly in uncharacteristic concern.
‘ How are you? ’
“ exams are around the corner , thought i would get my notes in order. want to keep my gpa up , gotta make sure my looks aren’t the only thing keeping me going. ” she said in a teasing tone , shocked at how easy it was to fall back into her old self around the male. despite the constant toxicity that came from them prior to this conversation , holden forever held a place in her heart , a place that no one would ever be able to take over. first love would be the excuse that her brother would have used if he was still alive , would’ve told her to smarten up & that she deserves so much better but as he lowered himself in the chair across from her , she felt goosebumps move up her body & her mouth get dry.
his voice echoed , almost not making sense as she just stared at him , remembering their last encounter as though it happened the day before. clearing her throat , she reached fro her tea in hopes that it would keep her occupied than just sitting there in awe at the male , in awe that he was willing to sit with her after everything that happened. he loved her , loves her , he admitted it ---- although , with holden’s past of feelings , he could’ve been lying in the moment just to make tessa grow up & get out of a relationship that was killing her from the inside out.
“ oh ---- oh , sorry. sorry , you asked me a question. ” she said , coughing slightly on her tea before wiping at the corners of her mouth , praying she didn’t look like an idiot in that instance. “ i’m alright. sleep is still a struggle some nights , although i like to blame that on my roommates extremely loud snoring & how hot the dorm rooms are here. what about you ? are you ready for exams ? i’m happy to give you a few study tips if you need any , been swearing by them since high school. ” that’s it , tessa , act like a bigger loser in front of him.









