DONT BLAME ME

~Hope POV~

"Dude where the hell are you," I screamed across the room, my phone on the other side. "and what the hell are you wearing". I added.
"Chill out I'm walking in your house now", Tess replied.
Tess made her way into my room wearing a black, strapless, knee length dress, that flowed perfectly at the bottom. Black suited her well. It didn't take away any of her features, in fact, the color enhanced them. She was beautiful.

"You're late. We were supposed to get ready together", I grouched. "My alarm didn't go off" she shrugged her shoulders, I knew she was lying. "Just tell me what you think," I removed my shirt to change. "Do you like the red...or should I do a safe white?", I asked. All Tess did was stare at me. I know that stare. "Red suits you", she answered blandly.

We are currently making our way into an art exhibition. Tess' dad is an artist, so we're going to his event in town. There are tons of humans here. The scenery is wonderfully made up of original paintings, outstanding sculptures, and a restaurant on the side so people can eat. We've walked around for about an hour admiring every piece. Somewhere along the way of us exploring, we lost Tess' mother in the crowd, but was soon greeted but her father.

"GIRLS!! Hi, I'm so glad you could make it!", he expressed with a hug. "Mr. Larou. I haven't seen you in ages it feels like, you have awesome work here," I complimented him. "Hi dad. Can you show us to the restaurant side or are you caught up," Tess gave a cold welcome. Tess and her father don't really master getting along, I think because of him traveling so much. She doesn't talk about it and I don't push.

~The girls have sat down and have eaten almost an entire pepperoni pizza. The walking had really got to them. A few moments later Mr. and Mrs. Larou have decided to join them. They are speaking about plans for summer break coming up shortly~

"Are you guys doing okay over here," a jet black haired beauty appeared at our table.
"Yes Ren. I think we're finished actually, if you'll take these," Mr. Larou asked almost ordering the waitress in front of us. I couldn't help but stare. Ren was beautiful. Curly jet black hair, hazel almond eyes that sting just right, freckled skin with a perfect pattern across her nose, followed by a soft smile under a rose colored lipgloss. Tess quickly nudged me as to say 'snap out of it'. Looking at me, Ren spoke, "Hi, I'm Ren. Short for Cirenity."

"Hope and Tess, nice to meet you". I motioned my finger back and forth between us. Tess and I were always together, so I always introduced us as one. I always felt like it would be a good thing, you know, for when we get together.
"I think I've seen you around. Don't you go to Loveburn High?" Ren asked, already knowing the answer. "I do! Hmm, how come I've never seen you," I leaned forward, resting my arm on the table. "oh, I'm only seen when I wanna be" Ren gave me a slight grin. I lowered my head shyly, "well you were seen tonight...maybe I'll see you again". I noticed I left the 'we' out after she walked away. It's no biggie, there's always next time.

"That was amazing, don't you think?" I spoke to Tess with excitement, as we entered my room.
"Sure, if you've never seen art before, which you have." She quickly scolded me.
I heard the ugliness in her tone, I dismissed it. I figured it was because of her dad.
"I'm gonna change, then I'll walk you home. Unzip me". I turned around to let Tess unzip my dress, letting it fell to the floor. It resulted into a pausing, frozen movement, and a glance over my shoulder. With Tess' head down she clears her throat. "Thanks. Just let me just throw these on" I said quickly, stepping away. "Sure," it was soft, she was nervous.
———
For some odd reason I woke up feeling refreshed. It's like I knew something good was going to happen today. I'm dressed in my favorite color, purple, I'm passing all my classes, and I'm walking the halls with the love of my life...I mean my bestfriend.

Tess and I turn the corner of a hall, only for me to run into an open locker...Rens locker. I groaned in pain. "Hope, hey" Ren greeted me. I was still processing what the hell just happened when, "I think you hurt my lockers feelings" she joked. "I guess I'll have to apologize for that then", I laughed, she joined. Ren closed her locker while speaking, "or maybe you can sit with me at lunch and call it even," she shared with hopeful eyes. "Yes, of course we-" I looked to my left, Tess had walked away. How did I not notice that she was gone. "Umm sure. Find me later," I bit my lip and walked away reconsidering my decision. I have to find Tess.
For the rest of the day I haven't seen her. We have the same classes so she must have went home. I've texted her on multiple occasions and no response. I'll have to go see her tonight.

Me: Hey love, are you okay?
Nothing.
Me: Tess? Did you get sick?
Nothing.
Me: Why did you leave me?
Nothing.

I see Ren wave waiting on me at the round table in the middle of the lunchroom. I sat down.
"Hi.." I tried to be convincing but the sour look on my face proved that I was worried about Tess. "Hi-woah woah what's wrong", she gave me a concerned look. "Nothing. I think Tess went home because she didn't feel good," I answered unsure. "Are you wanting to go check, you seem uneasy,". Ren questioned me, giving me the ability to flee. I nodded my head in a way that told her I was sorry. "You're sweet. Here. When you want to do lunch other than a school cafeteria, Text me.", she gathered her things and left me sitting for a moment. I couldn't help but think..does she actually like me? The thought of that had my chest pounding, I could hear it. I didn't have time for that though, I had to get to Tess.

I gave a ferocious knock on Tess' front door. Mrs. Larou let me in. I stormed my way up to her bedroom, swinging her door open not bothering to knock. "Shit! Hope, you scared me!". She jumped in shock. I scanned the teal and gray scheme room recognizing that Tess was sitting on her bed against the wall with noise canceling headphones on. Phone in her hand. "Me. Me? I scared you?" I took a step forward, "Bro I've texted you multiple times today and have not gotten a response, after you up and bailed on me and for what?", Tess tried to speak but I took another step. "For nothing. I've spent all day thinking the worst, so don't you dare say anything about me scaring you." I snapped . There was a pause. It was like we were telling each other to relax, the way we looked in each other's eyes.
"Why did you leave today?" I had broken back down into a calmer manner.

"Hope, I just...didn't feel good. It came on fast." And with the shrug of her shoulders, I knew she was lying. Tess has never lied like this before, to me anyway. "Okay" I said simply, masking my hurt. I turned to leave when, "Wanna stay over? Mom is making cookies, I'll let you pick the movie", Tess begged lightly. "Well, if she's making cookies...", we shared a laugh.

The routine I've grown to love. Me, Tess, and a scary movie. She covers her eyes and squirms in my arms. How I've come to love this girl goes back to middle school. She's a beautiful star that shines bright in my eyes...There's just another that shines bright and she has freckles.

~AN; Thank you for reading! Please comment.
CJ