Tessa

When I woke up from my fitful night's sleep, I wondered if everything that happened last night was all just a bad dream. Rolling over onto my side, I spotted the empty plate, bottle of pain meds, and mostly-empty bottle of water. So, not a dream then.

Great.

I sat up, surprised that my head didn't ache from the vast amount of alcohol I drank last night. I guess I have Levi to thank for that...

He saved me last night. Saved me from a situation that could have scarred me for life. One that would undoubtedly have made going back to Surf City alone more difficult.

What would have happened if he hadn't been there? How bad would it have been?

I shake the thoughts away, knowing the answer already- it would have been a nightmare. And the only reason I'm safe and sound in my brother's house right now is because someone was there to rescue me- the last person I would have ever expected.

Levi saw what was going on and tried to warn me. When I blew him off, he didn't give up. He made sure I was safe. And just like he did when we were kids, he saved me from the bad guy. Only this time, the bad guy was real.

Maybe we can get past what happened last summer. Last night shows that he still cares. Right?

Maybe we can be friends again.

Like we used to be.

*Flashback*

It was the first week of my sophomore year. I remember thinking how cool it was that I'd be getting my driver's license in a few months and be free to take myself wherever I wanted to go without having to beg Jason and Levi for a ride- not that they minded.

The three of us still hung out, just not like we used to when we were kids. As soon as they started high school, it felt like things were changing quickly. They had a lot more friends to hang out with by then and spent a lot of time at sports practices. And I was always working on school projects and hanging out with Charlotte and our other friends.

It was rare that the three of us would hang out alone anymore, but when we did, I savored every moment. It took a few years for me to figure out how to talk to Levi like normal after I realized I had a crush on him.

He and Jason would be hanging out in my parents' living room while Charlotte and I watched from a distance, both pining after someone we thought we would never have.

Once the awkward years of puberty passed, things seemed to flow a little easier. Charlotte and I would be hanging out at my house, and Jason and Levi would roll in from football practice. They'd clean up, then join us on the couch for scary movie marathons after Charlotte helped Jason with his math homework.

It was no secret that she was a genius at the subject, always taking advanced courses and jumping ahead of the rest of our class. By sophomore year, she had jumped ahead so far that she and Jason were in the same math class. He asked her for help, pretending to be worse at it than he was so they could spend more time together.

I think he knew back then but was afraid to admit it- he loved her. Everyone could see that he only had eyes for Charlotte. The girls who were upperclassmen would always try to get his attention, asking him out and flirting with him.

They never got what they wanted, though. He was too busy drooling over my best friend.

I was happy for them, even if they refused to make things official. At least they knew where they both stood. Me, on the other hand? I was crushing on someone who would probably only ever see me as his best friend's little sister. I didn't think I ever stood a chance with Levi.

He was always nice to me, but he was hard to read. Sometimes I'd see him looking at me strangely and wonder if there was a chance for something more, and he was playful in a way that made me wonder if he was actually flirting with me. Without knowing for sure, though, I was always scared to push the boundaries. I didn't want to lose his friendship.

One night, after Charlotte left, Jason, Levi, and I were outside playing basketball, making a friendly game of horse feel like a championship game. No one wanted to lose, so we went five rounds before crowning Levi the official winner after he won three out of five games.

Jason went inside to grab us all something to drink, returning to tell us he had to take Charlotte's binder to her that she'd left behind. Once he left, Levi and I were alone.

Instead of starting up another game, we sat against the side of the garage to stargaze. I don't know how long we sat there, pointing out random patterns in the stars, telling the other what we saw. He insisted he could see a bear in the group of stars that looked like a lion to me.

We continued like that for a while, sitting close, laughing as we bickered over who was seeing what correctly. It was nice.

Before I knew it, we were talking about other things- school, sports, friends. Eventually, Levi asked me if there was anyone at school I was interested in. Too nervous to admit the truth, I told him no.

I watched his reaction, hoping to see something that would give me hope. What I saw shocked me- he studied me as if he didn't quite believe me, letting his eyes roam my face for any tells that would betray the truth. He further surprised me by telling me no one was good enough for me.

That piqued my interest. "Who would be good enough?"

Levi's eye widened; he looked nervous as he rubbed the back of his neck. "Well, someone you've known a while, who cares about you and keeps you safe. Someone who knows what you like and don't like, who can talk with you about anything. Someone who appreciates you for who you are, no questions asked."

By the end of his explanation, his expression had softened. He looked at me with kind eyes and a slight blush on his cheeks. It was almost as though he was holding back the part he truly wanted to say.

Does he feel the same as I do? Is it really possible?

I was captivated, moving closer, taking a chance while a surge of bravery swelled within me. If Levi felt the same, I couldn't let my opportunity slip by. "So... Someone like... You?"

I held my breath as he stared back at me. His throat bobbed as he swallowed hard, looking more nervous than I'd ever seen him. I wait for his answer, hoping whatever it was wouldn't crush me.

As he opens his mouth to say something, a car pulls up full of giggly senior girls. Their eyes are locked on Levi. The one in the passenger seat calls out, "Leviiii, come hang out with us! We're having a party!"

My heart drops. How could I be so stupid? There's no way he likes me when he has girls like these throwing themselves at him all the time.

I mentally prepare for disappointment. He's about to leave, and I'll never have my answer.

"No," he tells them, "I'm good here. You go ahead."

It's like a bolt of lightning hits me. Did he just tell them no? He's passing on them for me?

The girls pout. "Well, maybe next time."

Levi gives them a polite smile, and they finally leave, returning his attention to me. I stare at him as the look he wore earlier starts to return.

My breath catches as he smiles at me. "You wanna go inside? Maybe watch a movie?"

I nod my head, hoping my disappointment doesn't show. I wanted to know his answer, but it didn't look like I'd be getting it any time soon. Even so, I smiled. He could have left with a car full of girls; instead, he chose me.

Maybe there was hope after all.

*

Two things needed to happen today. First, I needed to talk to Levi, try to clear the air about everything, and see if we could start fresh, moving forward as friends. That can't be so hard, right? Second, I needed to call Colin and Leah and tell them what happened last night. I'm sure they're worried sick.

Right on cue, my phone buzzes on the nightstand. Holy shit! How hard did I pass out last night? Twenty missed calls and fifty texts between Colin and Leah. Shit! I quickly scroll through my texts, all of which are variations of are you okay, what happened, and answer me!

I find Colin's name and hit the dial button, looking at the clock on the wall. No wonder they're worried. It's already noon.

After two rings, I hear Colin's voice. "For fuck's sake, Tessa! Why did it take you so long to call me?"

A pang of guilt hits me. "I'm sorry. I must have passed out hard last night after everything happened. I'm okay, though."

Colin sighs, and I picture him placing his palm on his head like he always does when he's stressed. "Well, good! I was two seconds away from driving over there and breaking in. I didn't know if Levi had to take you to the hospital or just decided to off you himself after he dragged you away like a neanderthal."

I let out a half-hearted chuckle. "I'm sure he wanted to."

The hazy memories of last night start pushing to the surface again. "So, what happened? You were only out of my sight for a minute."

Swallowing the wave of nausea that follows his question, I tell Colin what happened after I left the dancefloor with Maverick. When I finished, he was silent.

Several minutes tick by before Colin says anything. I'm about to ask if he's still there when he breathes, "Jesus!"

"Yeah," I reply, still grateful that nothing bad happened.

"You could have been abducted! I'm so sorry, Tessa!"

Not wanting to dwell on the events of last night any longer, I quickly changed the subject. "Is Leah there?"

Colin didn't press further. "Yeah, she's here, currently praying to the porcelain gods. She and Mr. Cuervo aren't exactly getting along this morning."

A genuine laugh bubbles up inside of me. Things feel strangely normal, something I couldn't be happier about. I stay on the phone with Colin for a while longer, telling Micah when he gets on the line that I'm alive and well.

They promise to let Leah know about everything when she's feeling better and insist that the three of us get together tomorrow for dinner.

After hanging up, I decided to look for Levi. The sooner we hash things out, the sooner we can both relax. I knock on his door and receive nothing but silence from inside. Taking a peek inside, I see his bed is made, and there's no sign of him. I wander through the house, calling his name as I make my way to the front door.

When I look out the window, I notice his car is gone. I'd text him if I still had his number, but after everything went down last year, I blocked and deleted his contact info, then changed my number.

I debated asking one of our friends for his number but decided against it. This talk would be better in person. So, I waited. And waited.

And waited.

By midnight, there was still no sign of Levi. I decided to go to bed and try to catch him tomorrow.

~

The next day came and went with still no sign of Levi. I hung around the house until Colin and Micah picked me up for dinner. My car was still at their place, so I'd swing there to get it before I came home later.

Charlotte and Jason were coming back late this evening, so I figured I'd have a little time before they returned to talk to Levi.

Dinner passed in a blur, and I returned to Jason's house only to find it empty. Still no Levi. I started to think he was avoiding me. Hours ticked away, and Jason came home, telling me Charlotte would be by in the morning to spend some time with me. That brought a smile to my face. I missed her and could really use her advice right now.

By the end of the night, it was clear- Levi was definitely avoiding me. I guess things wouldn't be changing so easily after all.

A/N:

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