Behind a facade

7.

Tessa felt suffocated because of the tense atmosphere around the dining table during the whole breakfast. It wasn’t like she enjoyed having meals with family members who don’t talk to each other when they share meals. No matter how much she dislikes it, she had no choice but to sit there and behave like a well-trained puppy.

A relief sigh escaped from Tessa as soon as her father and mother stood up from the table. Ever since she could remember, it was a rule in the Brown residence that family members have to take their breakfast and dinner together. Simply put, it was one rule among the many rules in the house.

The Brown household is indeed a strange place for someone who is not used to an extremely strict upbringing. Rules and regulations were a consistent part of the Brown household, though Tessa couldn’t make sense of most of those rules set by her parents. They didn’t offer choices and expected Tessa to follow rules with no discussion or compromise. Sometimes she even wondered if she can breathe freely inside the prison like a house without breaking a so-called rule.

“I can drop you, Tessa,” Paul Brown’s commanding voice reached Tessa’s ears. By experience, Tessa knew it wasn’t a suggestion.

“Thank you, dad,”

Tessa followed her mother and waited in front of the door until her father arrives.

“Oh.. that’s…” her mother’s voice took Tessa’s attention from her phone. “That’s the Kent children,”

Tessa and Paul looked the way Elizabeth pointed out.

Dakota and Ryker Kent were walking down the path while pushing each other here and there. They treated one another like best friends rather than siblings, though they were born six years apart. Their genuine carefree behaviour brought a sense of envy to Tessa. She couldn’t help but feel that way, as the only child in her family.

Tessa noticed that Ryker’s personality is still the same as she remembered. He was always loud and cheerful, unlike Dakota, who doesn’t talk much. At this moment also Tessa and her parents could hear his cheerful voice that is coming from the other side of the road.

“Here they are! They are becoming unruly day by day,” Paul criticized.

“Hmm, that’s true. Well, they are pitiful. Growing up without maternal love can influence children’s behaviours,” Elizabeth Brown arched her neck to a side, looking at her husband. “Do you remember… how much trouble that Kent boy caused when he was in high school?”

“Of course, why not... What is his name again?”

“Ryker,” Tessa replied to Paul’s question after hesitating for a few seconds. Even though her parents labelled Ryker Kent as a rebel or a troublemaker, Tessa knew it was not the truth. Ryker was someone who didn’t afraid to show the real him to the world. He lives like a free bird and always chased after his dreams without worrying about others’ biased opinions.

“Yes… Ryker Kent. That’s right,” Paul repeated. His mocking tone annoyed Tessa. “I’ve had enough of that boy and his bike racing. The neighbourhood was in chaos whenever that boy is around,”

Elizebeth nodded. “Such a troublesome boy. By the way, are you still friends with that Kent girl?”

Tessa directed a confused glance at her mother, who is looking at her with a curious expression on her face. “Who? Dakota?”

“Yes…”

Tessa remained silent, thinking about Dakota and her friendship. There was a time that they knew each other well. They understood each other well. Now the situation has changed to the point that they could no longer even talk like acquaintances. The distance between them gradually increased, and Tessa was well aware that there is nothing she can do to stop it.

Elizabeth cleared her throat, breaking the silence. “I’ve heard that she has a different preference…”

It took almost a minute for Tessa to understand what her mother is implying. “Mom… are you asking whether I know she is into girls?”

“Yes,”

“Jesus mom! She came out a while ago. I think we were in the last year of junior high. Everyone knows she is into girls. How come her sexuality became your concern?” Tessa winced. She could guess what gibberish her mother is planning to throw out.

“It’s not my concern,” said Elizabeth. “I’m just saying that girl will bring harm to you, rather than being beneficial,”

“Mom!” Tessa raised her voice. “Is this the conversation we want to have in the early morning?”

“Tessa Brown!” Paul snorted, opening the car door. “We’ve had this conversation before. We have high expectations of you. So, don’t disappoint us. You better keep your distance from that girl….”

Tessa plugged in her earphones instead of continuing to listen to her father. Being born into an extremely strict as well as conservative family wasn’t easy for Tessa. Every word she said, every movement she made, was questioned and judged by her family as if she cannot do it properly since her childhood. Her parents’ perfectionist ego rarely got satisfied, no matter how many achievements Tessa accomplished during all these years. It was an impossible task to make Paul and Elizabeth Brown happy from the beginning.

“Bullshit… I have had enough of they are trying to mix everything with what they believe. Not everything is about them and their opinions,” Tessa mused angrily while shutting the car door.

Until they reached the school, she didn’t bother to remove her earphones.

…………………………………………………………………………..

During the entire day, Tessa wondered, what is going on with Ashley and Maddison. Their weird behaviour got Tessa’s nerves. They were whispering to each other and checking their phones even during the cheerleading practice with mischievous smiles on their faces like two kids who possessed an interesting plaything. When Tessa asked the reason, they only brushed it off saying that they will tell her later.

At times like these Tessa felt the distance between Ashley, Maddison and her. Though she tried her best to fit in with Ashley, Brian, and the rest of the group, she often got the feeling that she does not belong with them.

“Hey, babe,” Brian’s husky whisper brought out Tessa from her deep thoughts.

Two muscular arms wrapped around her waist, without giving her time to react. The bare skin of her nape sensed the hot breath coming from the guy behind her. Tessa forced a smile while turning her head to the side until she can see Brian’s face. “Hey, babe,”

“Why is it hard to see my girlfriend today?”

Tessa moved smoothly and turned towards Brian. There was an unreadable expression on his face. “You know how hard to keep it all together… classes, cheerleading practices, and drama club is planning to have an annual play… I am the secretary, so…”

Brian placed a finger on Tessa’s lips to hush Tessa. “I know… I know my babe is exceptionally occupied in all sorts of activities. It’s not healthy for me though,”

“What does that mean?” Tessa narrowed her eyes, doubting whether she saw Brian’s expression correctly. For a second, she thought she saw Brian flash a condescending smirk.

“Nothing particularly. Why don’t we forget school stuff and pay attention to us now,” Brian pulled Tessa closer until there is no space between their bodies. One of his hands supported Tessa’s neck and made her look at him. The thirsty look in Brian’s eyes gave an uncomfortable feeling to Tessa instead of excitement.

Tessa tried to fight the feeling that she has been forcefully kissed by someone. She couldn’t help but sometimes feel Brian doesn’t consider her feelings or bother to listen to her opinions in their relationship. To wash away the guilty feeling, she pretends to enjoy the kiss at the current moment. While trying to cooperate with kissing, she sensed Brian’s hand sliding through her short frock and moving on her thighs.

“No… Brian,” Tessa broke the kiss.

“It’s okay… “Brian said under his breath. He smoothly pushed Tessa near the wall, trapping her between the wall and his arms. “No one will come to the auditorium at this hour,”

Brian didn’t wait for Tessa’s reply. He leaned against Tessa, catching her lips again. His hands restlessly moved on her thigh and grabbed her bottom, making her even more uncomfortable. Tessa struggled, trying not to cry. “Brian, you are hurting me… listen… I’m not comfortable...”

It wasn’t hard for her to understand Brian is doing whatever he wants, as always. He didn’t even bother to respond to Tessa’s words. The disgust overwhelmed her. Tessa gathered all her strength and pushed Brian back. Flames of anger start rising inside her.

“I said ENOUGH!!!!”

Brian glared at Tessa, barely maintaining his balance. “What the hell!”

“I told you,” Tessa panted. “I told you… I told you to stop,”

“You…” Brian took a few steps toward Tessa, who was trembling with anger. “What is wrong with you? You are such a mood destroyer,”

Tessa got angrier listening to Brian’s unfair yelling. “What the hell is wrong with you? You only cared about your mood. What about my mood?”

Brian gritted his teeth and threw some cuss words, making Tessa flinch. “Every time… every time, same bullshit,”

“What?”

“Tessa Brown… are you kidding me?” Brian growled. His breath became faster. “You are like this ever since the last time. What is the freaking problem?”

Brian’s words brought back some memories Tessa was not fond of remembering. Her first time was a devastating experience for Tessa, though she never told Brian, thinking not to hurt his feelings. Tessa could still remember even then Brian wasn’t passionate about making love to her. Instead, he was in a rush and inconsiderate as if he was participating in a race or something like that. Tessa felt terrified because of the lack of intimacy. The result was things ended before even started, making Tessa more reluctant and sensitive when it comes to physical contact with Brian.

“Are you sure the problem is me, not you?” Tessa seethed, trying to deal with all of her emotions. “even then I told you I was not ready. Why do you never care about how I feel?”

Brian cursed under his breath. “How you feel! This is damn ridiculous,”

“Oh… wow! What is ridiculous here? I wasn’t comfortable. That’s a serious issue, not a joke,”

“What the heck comfortableness has to do with this…”

“That’s enough, Brian!” Tessa roared. She felt if this continues she might end up crying because of the disappointment. “Seriously, you…. I am done talking to you. There is a limit to your unreasonable demands, okay? At least try to respect me,”

“….”

The main auditorium door opened before making Tessa or Brian flinched. Ashley, Maddison, Miles, Caleb and a few other guys entered the auditorium. They were laughing loudly because of someone’s joke. Tessa turned her face away for a few seconds, hoping to fix her expression before others notice her change.

“It seems the school king, and the queen is already here,” Maddison winked.

“Isn’t it better you guys get a room?” Caleb put his arm around Brian’s shoulder, directing a playful grin. He whistled, darting his glance between Tessa and Brian. “You don’t have to look at me like that Tessa. It is not hard to guess how steamy was the atmosphere before we arrived,”

Tessa struggled to handle the irritation she felt because of Caleb’s nasty comment. “I was waiting until you suggest it,”

Caleb chuckled, raising one of his brows at her. Tessa barely heard what he mumbled to Miles, and it made her want to punch him so badly. “Spicy as always,”

At the same time, she noticed Miles shaking his head from side to side, showing his lack of interest in Caleb’s words. Tessa sighed. She ignored the boys and walked toward Ashley and Maddison.

“Hey girl,” Ashley welcomed Tessa. “We were searching for you,”

Instead of saying something, Tessa remained silent. The argument with Brian exhausted her mentally and physically. She doesn’t have enough strength to participate in Ashley and Maddison’s dramas.

Ashley cleared her throat, narrowing her eyes at Tessa. “Any problem, girl?”

“Yeah… you can tell us anything, T,” said Maddison, flipping her hair slightly.

“It’s nothing. I just feel tired,”

“Oh… that is why you are like this,” Ashley handed over her phone to Tessa. “Look at this… I bet you will enjoy the content,”

Tessa took the phone from Ashley and played the video she suggested. The clip contained Dakota helping the chubby girl on the previous day in the cafeteria. It was edited to a short video clip as if they were intimately hugging each other. The caption mentioned “The new flames of Lakeville high…”

“When did you guys…?”

Maddison eagerly interrupted Tessa. “I took it yesterday. Thank me later,”

“Isn’t this exciting?” Ashley giggled.

Tessa sighed, flashing a confused look. “What are you guys planning to do with this?”

“Not now. Today is Friday… tomorrow this will go viral.”

Deep down inside, Tessa wanted to argue against Ashley and Maddison. Though she couldn’t understand what they are planning to do with the video, she could sense their plan is not a simple one. Her mind started questioning the meaning of this act, yet she decided to ignore her nagging conscience.

“T…” Ashley’s voice interrupted Tessa’s thoughts. “Why you… you look like… don’t you want to do this?”

“Ah… no, no… nothing. Do whatever you want,”