NEFARIOUS

CHAPTER 6: TOO MUCH ASSIGNMENTS

"Teressa!Tessa!TESSA!"

The said girl turned her head to look up at her friend who came running towards her."Why are you running, Lia?" She asked, for which she received only a giggle in response.

"Good morning," Lia smiled sheepishly. "You ran all the way here just to say this?" Terressa just shook her head while smiling at her friend. The girls then walked to their lockers to take their books. Then, they walked together to class. The first two periods ended, and the girls went to the rooftop for their break. They both sat down and ate their food while having little conversations.

"So, how are all the tutoring sessions going ?'"

"Quite good."

"Hmmm. He doesn't bother you or anything?"

"Nope. He's studying well."

"Wait-- You're telling me that the school's bad boy, who rarely listens to teachers or anyone telling him what to do, is actually listening to you?"

"Mhm."

"That's-- he doesn't interrupt or bother you when you're teaching him?"

"He is a nuisance sometimes, but yeah, I have to tolerate it."

"Wow! Who knew the school's heartthrob and well-known bad boy could turn so obedient to you," Lia smirked a little.

Terressa just shook her head, "You're being delusional," she said, a little smile spreading across her face. "Just admit it, Tess. You're in love with him," She heard her friend say. " EW, no way I'm in love with him. Anyways, did you finish the English assignment?"

"Don't remind me about it."

"We have to hand it in the day after tomorrow,"

"Oh s**t! Have you finished it?"

"I still have a little bit more. I might finish it today."

"Can I copy yours?"

"Lia, he said this would be part of our examination points."

"OK, at least help me get the notes."

"Fine. Your house or mine?"

"Mine"

"Okay, I'll be there after the tutor session with Dracen,"

"Dracen, huh?"

"Stop it, Lia. He's just someone I'm tutoring,"

"Your smile is telling otherwise," Lia teased her friend for which she ended up getting a smack on her back.

"Ouch, Tess!"

It was around half past four in the evening when Terressa was walking to Lia's house. It was only three blocks away from her house, so she didn't have to worry about going home late. She walked up to Lia's front door and rang the doorbell. Around two minutes later, the door opened, revealing Mrs Scott.

"Hello, dear,"

"Hi, Aunty,"

"Come in. How are you?"

"I'm good, Aunty"

"Lia's upstairs, dear."

"Okay, Aunty. I'll head to her room."

"Would you mind staying for dinner later, Tessa?"

"Of course not. Thank you," Tessa said with a small smile.

With that, Teressa walked up to her best friend's room and walked in without knocking. She had been to Lia's house multiple times over the years she knew the latter's house like the back of her hand. The same goes for LIa. She saw her best friend sitting on her bed, looking at the laptop in front of her with a pout on her lips. Different types of papers and books surrounded her in a mess. Teressa chuckled, looking at Lia being extremely serious with her work. Lia looked up and Tessa laughed while she put her bag down and cleared Lia's mess.

"What are you laughing at?"

"You,"

"Me?"

"Yup. You look funny with all the papers around you and that expression on your face," Terressa laughed.

"Hmph" Lia pouted.

"Don't try. You look horrible, not cute."

"I hate you,"

"I love you too,"

"Help me now!" Lia fake cried while Terressa just shook her head.

The girls sat and worked on the essay for hours when Lia's mum called the girls for dinner. They completed the last bit of work and headed to the dining room. "Gosh! This was tiring as hell," Lia complained. "That's why, my dear, you should not do last-minute work." "Okay, OK, can we go eat now? I'm hungry," Lia whined. The two girls saw Mrs Scott cooking something in the kitchen. She had prepared spicy noodles for them. The girls helped Lia's mum to set the table and soon after, Lia's dad and brother joined them. "Hi, Tessa," Marcus, Lia's elder brother, greeted her.

"Hi, Marcus. How are you?"

"Am good. How's school?"

" Kinda tiring,"

"Haha, tell me about it. Anyways, your dress looks cute."

"Thanks,"

"Don't you dare hit on her," Lia elbowed her brother.

"I'm not hitting on her,"

"Don't even try. You're not worth it to her."

"And you little s**t ain't worth having a boyfriend."

"You--"

"What?" Marcus raised an eyebrow.

"I hate you you jerk."

"The feeling's mutual sista."

Everyone ate and chatted away happily. It was around 8 pm when Terressa decided to leave for her house. She said goodbye to Lia's family and left. While she was on her way back, she felt as if someone was following her. She stopped and looked but couldn't find anyone, so she just shrugged it off and just continued walking. A few minutes later, she heard leaves rustling and turned around again. She debated on calling someone but just walked fast.

Once reaching home, she did her usual night routine and got ready to sleep. Again, she felt someone watching her. Terressa walked up to her window and looked outside, she saw something like a snake's shadow a few feet away but just shook her head and closed the curtains. She thought she was just hallucinating but still chose to be aware of her surroundings. Terressa turned off her main bedroom light and left her night lights on before pulling up the blankets and falling into a slumber. She looked at her ceiling and thought to herself. Why did she think about calling Dracen and not anyone else? Not even Lia, but someone she hated? Or did she not hate him?

"You're thinking too much. Just sleep, Tessa. Goodnight, world,"

"Finally, I found you, Terressa Aldaine. Be prepared to meet me soon." The figure hiding in the shadows laughed to herself.