Chapter 140

Tessa’s POV

Back to the same routine. The vacation was finally over, and reality was setting back in. It was time to return to school and pretend that I wasn’t completely head over heels in love with Joseph. I didn’t even care that he hadn’t said it back. Like Ruby said, he was probably afraid to take that next step.

But over the next few weeks, I’m going to prove to him that I’m worth loving and that he can trust me. I’m going to prove to him that I’m okay with his lifestyle and I’ll be more than okay in the village in the mountains.

I had a minor freakout with those asshole men the other night, but Joseph was there to protect me and he got me home safely. I have a feeling I won't be bothered for a very long time. Joseph certainly made an impression on them, and word will get around quickly.

I smiled at the thought of Joseph standing up for me. He might not tell me that he loves me with words, but he shows me with his actions and that’s more than enough for me.

I spent most of last night writing and reviewing my blog story before sending it. I hadn’t checked it until the next morning and when I did, I couldn’t believe what I was seeing.

I had over a million views and thousands of new followers.

I went viral!

My first thought was, “I have to tell Joseph!”

He spent the night over my apartment after the hooligan thing on Saturday but left before dawn yesterday morning. Since then, I texted him a couple of times and called him a few times. But he hasn’t responded or called me back.

I was worried something might be wrong because it was unusual to not hear from him like this.

“I have huge news! Can we talk?” I sent the text without a single thought and waited for a few minutes for him to respond.

But he didn’t.

My heart was heavy, but if I waited any longer then I would be late for school for sure. It’s not like I wouldn’t see Joseph at school later anyway. We had class tonight; I’ll be able to talk to him either before or after class. Maybe he’ll get there early so I can have lunch with him.

We just had to make it look unsuspicious so others wouldn’t think anything was going on between us.

I couldn’t believe I was actually dating my professor. I was giddy and excited for this adventure. I couldn’t wait to see where our future takes us.

I went into the kitchen and grabbed a pop tart for my walk to school. Once I was sure I had everything I needed, I left the apartment and started on my walk.

By the time I got to school, Ruby was already at our lockers. She had a large smile on her face and she, along with a bunch of others, began to clap. I paused in the hallway, feeling my face warming intensely as it was obvious, I had everyone’s attention.

“Tessa! The newest story on your blog is incredible!”

“Where did you learn to write like that!”

“You have some serious talent! I just started following you!”

“What inspired your story? It’s really good!”

“Keep up the good work!!”

I couldn’t help but smile, though I was incredibly embarrassed at the same time. I just thanked them and tried to make my way to my locker.

“I see you’re famous now,” Ruby teased. “Whatever will I do when my best friend forgets all about me.”

“Oh, stop,” I chuckled. “I definitely not forgetting about you.”

We both laughed.

“Did Professor Hottie totally freak when he saw your success?”

I frowned at her.

“I haven’t been able to reach him this morning,” I said, and I couldn’t keep the worry out of my voice. “I’m not sure why…”

I didn’t bother telling her it’s been like that since yesterday; I didn’t want to hear it from her.

“He’s probably just busy getting things ready for class tonight. I think he got here pretty early today.”

My brows rose immediately.

“He’s at school?” I asked her, shocked.

She narrowed her eyes at me and then nodded.

“Yes,” she answered. “He was here when I got here. I saw him walking up the stairs to the office wing.”

My heart fell into my stomach, he didn’t tell me he was coming to school early today. He must have logged here when the sun was still low in the sky. I excused myself from Ruby and went straight up the stairs towards Joseph’s office.

I didn’t want to barge into his office, so I knocked. When I heard his voice on the other side of the door, I opened it and poked my head inside, relieved to see that he was alone. Not that I was worried he was doing something he shouldn’t be doing.

He was sitting at his desk, typing away on his computer when I entered.

“Hey,” I said to him, shutting the door behind me.

He glanced up at me and for a moment, I didn’t see much of an expression on his face.

“Hey,” he said in return, staring at me for a moment longer before asking, “Something I can help you with?”

A knot formed in my stomach.

“I haven’t heard from you in a bit. I was worried…” I admitted, hating how weak I sounded.

“I didn’t mean to worry you. I’ve just been busy. I told you I had a lot to do before Monday.”

He sounded kind of cold and it was alarming.

“I know… I just thought I’d hear from you at least once. I tried to call you this morning…” I said, staring down at my feet.

“Yeah. Sorry. I was kind of busy.”

My face flushed at his words.

“It’s fine. I just wanted to ask if you saw my blog?”

He nodded.

“I did. Well done. I liked your story quite a bit,” he answered, surprising me.

I gave him a cheeky smile.

“Thank you,” I said in return.

“If that’s all, I still have a lot to do. I don’t want you to be late for class. I will see you tonight,” he said, turning back to his computer and continuing his work.

My heart remained heavy and that knot in my stomach only tightened.

“Oh… okay…” I said, turning away from him and leaving his office.

That conversation sat weird with me for the rest of the day. I could hardly concentrate on anything else. I just felt extremely unsettled and very worried about the state of my relationship. Regardless of how I tried, I couldn’t stop thinking about it.

At lunch, Joseph wasn’t in his office. I found out soon enough that he was eating in the teacher's lounge, so I ate lunch with Ruby and a few others. I couldn’t hide the sadness from my face though.

When Joseph’s class finally began, he hardly looked at me during the entire class. He asked questions and I would raise my hand, but it seemed as if he was picking everyone and anyone besides me.

Something was definitely wrong and even Ruby could tell.

“You should talk to him after class or something. He seems off,” Ruby whispered from beside me.

I nodded my head in agreement.

I wondered if it had anything to do with Ryan and that war that was mentioned. He could just have a lot on his mind because of that.

When class ended, a couple of students stayed behind to ask Joseph some questions and I remained in my seat with Ruby.

“Want me to stick around?” Ruby asked.

I shook my head.

“I’ll be fine. I’ll call you later.”

“Good luck,” she said, hugging me briefly before leaving.

Soon, it was just Joeph and me and it was like I wasn’t even there. When the last student left, he went over to his desk and sat down, looking tired.

I stood up from my desk and walked over to him, unsure if he even knew I was there or not.

“Are you mad at me?” I asked, folding my arms across my chest; my insecurity showing through.

He raised his gaze to meet mine.

“Why would I be mad at you?” He asked, raising his right brow.

“You’ve been acting weird,” I told him earnestly. “I feel like you are avoiding me….”

He sighed.

“It’s not that I’m avoiding you. I’m just trying to figure things out,” he admitted, meeting my eyes.

“Figure things out? Like what?” I asked, that knot only growing and tightening.

“I’m not entirely sure how to say this.”

“Then just say it,” I said and now I was feeling tears itching the back of my eyes.

“I don’t think us being together is a good idea.”

My heart fell deep into my stomach. I had to hold my hands together to keep them from trembling.

“I don’t understand…” I said. “Everything was going great and—”

“No… it wasn’t,” he said, shaking his head. “Tessa, I’m not good for you and this trip to the mountains proved it. It was a test to see if we could make it as a couple and we got our answer as soon as you were put in danger. It doesn’t work…”

“You told me you’d always be here to protect me and be with me…”

“I’m protecting you in the only way I know how to,” he said gently.

“Don’t I get a say in this?”

“I’ve already made up my mind, Tessa,” he said, shaking his slowly. “I thought about this for a bit and I’m sorry…”

“But I love you—”

“You’re infatuated with me. It’s not the same thing as love.” His words stabbed me.

“That’s not true,” I said and now tears were streaming down my face before I had the chance to stop them.

“It is true,” he said; he sounded defeated. “If it was real love then it wouldn’t be one-sided…”

“What?” I asked, barely audible.

“I don’t love you. My attraction for you is only because of your blood, but nothing more.”

“ I’m sorry, Tessa. But our dating trial is over.”

Just like that my entire world crumbled around me leaving me to pick up the shards of my shattered heart.