Elysian Dawn

ELYSIAN DAWN

Three

"What are you doing!?" Tessa snapped, annoyance dripping from her voice.

"What am I doing?" Hardin echoed, pausing to slide his hands into his trouser pockets. A smirk danced across his lips as he regarded her. "It's just the two of us in this big house... and you can't escape because you don't know the lock code." He shrugged, the smirk widening.

"So... what do you want to do?" Tessa shot back, her tone laced with sarcasm. People warned her about Hardin's intimidating reputation, but to her, he was merely an annoyance—one she was quickly growing to despise.

"I want us to make a deal," Hardin stated matter-of-factly.

"Why would we make a deal? We're not even friends," Tessa replied, raising an eyebrow in skepticism.

Hardin stepped closer, his presence imposing. "We don't need to be friends to strike a deal, do we?" he said, leaning in so close that she could feel his minty breath on her face.

"What ridiculous deal are we making?" Tessa asked, instinctively stepping back.

"You will kneel before me at school and apologize for challenging me earlier," Hardin declared, his tone unwavering.

Tessa scoffed. *This guy must be delusional.*

"I'm just here to deliver the chicken nuggets you ordered," she retorted, dropping the bag at his doorstep. "The total is five dollars, including delivery." She turned to leave but paused to look back at him.

Hardin chuckled as he fished out his wallet. "You're adorable, you know that? I love how you run your mouth, Tess," he said, handing her a ten-dollar bill.

But then his smile vanished, replaced by a familiar sinister glint in his eyes. "Are you sure you don't want to reconsider? You'll definitely hate me more if you don't—and I thrive on that kind of energy," he said, brushing his fingers against her cheek.

Tessa tilted her head away from his touch. "It's an empty threat. Why would I reconsider?" she shrugged. "Just pay me... I need to help my mom at the café."

Leaning in closer once more, Hardin whispered, "Okay then. Welcome to Perry Thomas High School, Tess. The code is 51143." He playfully pinned the ten-dollar note to her forehead before striding toward the door.

As a breeze whisked the bill away from her forehead, Tessa watched him pick up the nugget package and slam the door shut behind him.

Sighing, she muttered, "Arrogant jerk," as she walked to the gate. She punched in the code and was relieved when it clicked open.

Stepping outside, she was startled to see Mooney perched on her motorbike. Her heart raced at the unexpected sight.

"Mooney!?" she exclaimed, eyes wide.

He fixed her with a steady gaze. "What were you doing there?"

"Can't you read? I'm here to help you out—the stickers on the bike and helmet say 'Cafe Joy,'" she retorted sarcastically. "I came to deliver chicken nuggets to Hardin."

"What did I tell you about guys like him?" Mooney's tone was firm.

"He's trouble—just a foolish jerk," Tessa replied, rolling her eyes. "But I can't let that interfere with my mom's business. He's a customer."

Without warning, Mooney dismounted and strode toward her like a storm cloud, grabbing her hand with fierce intensity.

Tessa flinched, fear creeping in. "Hey! What do you think you're doing?" she demanded, studying his freckled face.

"Get on the bike; I'm taking you to your mom," he ordered.

"...What!?"

"I'm supposed to keep an eye on you, remember—"

"—That's only at school! You don't have to follow me everywhere!" Tessa protested.

"If you go alone and Hardin attacks you, my dad will blame me," Mooney insisted.

"So what are you? My bodyguard?" Tessa shot back sarcastically.

"Call it whatever you want. Now get on the bike," he commanded again.

"Hey—"

"—No more words from you, and that's a command. Get on the bike," Mooney said firmly.

"Let go of me!" Tessa exclaimed, yanking her hand from his grasp. "Jeez, cut me some slack! It's not like I'm the president's daughter." With that, she walked over to the bike.

Mooney handed her the helmet and climbed onto the bike himself, leaving his own helmet behind since there was only one available. Tessa cursed inwardly at him before putting on the helmet and mounting the bike.

In an instant, Mooney kick-started the motorbike and sped off. Tessa tightened her grip around him, her mind momentarily blank with fear as the wind whipped past them.

Suddenly, the sharp, searing pain in Tessa's stomach returned. They were only two or three minutes into their journey.

*Not this time!*

She clutched her stomach, letting out a soft whimper. "Mooney... Mooney..." she called out, but the roar of the motorbike and the rushing wind drowned out her voice.

The pain intensified. "Aargh!" she grunted, gripping him tighter and pinching a bit of skin through his shirt.

Fortunately, he noticed.

The bike slowed and finally came to a stop. "The f**k is wrong with you? Do you want to get us into an accident?" Mooney snapped, annoyance evident in his voice as he turned to see Tessa clutching her stomach.

"Take me home," she gasped. "Now! Hurry!"

Without arguing, Mooney hopped back on the bike. "You should go to the hospital, not home. What's wrong with your stomach?" he asked.

Tessa exhaled deeply. "Period cramps," she lied.

Mooney's eyes widened. "Oh, for f**k's sake!" he muttered before revving the engine and speeding off again.

Before long, they arrived at Tessa's house. Mooney stood in the living room, taking in the charm of the old mansion.

Tessa opened a drawer, retrieved a container of pills, and poured a few tablets into her palm. She swallowed them dry and followed with a few gulps of water.

Sitting on the floor next to her bed, she rested her head against it, eyes closed. Mooney was right—she needed to go to the hospital for tests to figure out what was wrong with her. But she kept procrastinating; no one but her knew about the daily stomach pain she endured.

Of course, no one cared!

Her mother only wanted her to study hard and achieve good grades so she could attend a prestigious college like Tyler's. If it wasn't that, it was about Café Joy.

"I need to do something before I snap," she murmured, clenching her hair in frustration.

Eventually, the pain subsided, and she made her way downstairs to find Mooney, but he was nowhere to be seen.

Sighing tiredly, she muttered, "Where the hell is he?" and began searching for him.

She found him in the study, browsing through the shelves.

"What are you doing in here? You can't just wander around wherever you like," she said as she entered.

"There are so many books here... do you read all of them?" he asked, turning to face her.

"Please leave this place; it belonged to my late father," Tessa replied, her expression serious.

He scoffed. "Sorry," he said sarcastically before walking out. She sighed and shut the door behind her before following him.

"I don't have a sister, but I think periods come with mood swings too," he teased lightly.

Tessa shot him a scowl. "I naturally have mood swings," she retorted as they headed toward the door.

"Please don't tell me about your period again," Mooney continued to jest.

*Is he crazy?*

Frustrated, Tessa opened the door and gestured for him to leave. "Get out," she said calmly.

"Whoa, easy there," he replied as he stepped outside. She followed him and closed the door behind them, locking it automatically.

Mooney climbed onto the bike while Tessa donned the helmet and joined him.

"If you speed again... I swear I'm going to kill us both," she threatened.

Mooney merely chuckled and nodded before taking off.

---

The Next Day »» Perry Thomas High School

The twelfth-grade classroom buzzed with noise as Tessa and Hilary sat together, focused on solving math equations amid the chaos.

"Do you know anything about Hardin and Mooney?" Tessa inquired of Hilary while they tackled the equations together.

"I know a few... why?" Hilary replied.

"I was just wondering if they've always been like this since starting at this school," Tessa asked again.

"No, actually, they used to be inseparable," Hilary said, setting down her pen. "What do you think makes Mooney so feared?"

"I'm not scared of him," Tessa shrugged. "He just really annoys me." She nodded slowly in agreement.

Hilary chuckled. "Here's the thing: Mooney was the one who formed the bullying gang—he was even worse than Hardin."

"What happened?" Tessa asked, intrigued.

"Three years ago, Mooney's mom died in a car accident that he was also involved in. He survived but had to undergo knee surgery and spent six months in a wheelchair," Hilary explained.

Tessa began to understand why Mooney had a slight limp when he walked. His mom had died; she almost felt sorry for him. But he's still incredibly annoying. Her own dad had passed away three years ago, too.

"Is that why they drifted apart?" Tessa asked.

"I'm not sure, but I think it was after they nearly killed Edgar. I heard they got arrested, and that's when Mooney decided to leave the gang," Hilary recounted.

Tessa nodded, connecting the dots. "So that's why they fought. Why did they have to live like thugs?"

Just then, the once-noisy classroom fell silent.

Hilary nervously tapped Tessa's hand. Tessa looked at her and followed her gaze to see Hardin approaching.

What is he up to?

Before Tessa could react, Hardin grabbed her hand and pulled her up.

"Let's go play, Tess," he said, a sly smile spreading across his face.

Hilary's eyes widened as he dragged Tessa away.

Savannah, who had been watching them, scoffed and turned to Hilary. "Are you just going to sit there like a scared puppy? I thought she was your friend. Go save her from Hardin," she taunted, prompting laughter from her two lackeys.

At that moment, Mooney walked into the classroom, scanning the room for Tessa before locking eyes with Hilary, who looked worried.

"Where's Tessa?" he demanded.

Hilary hesitated, knowing that revealing Hardin's involvement could spark chaos.

"Where the hell is Tessa!?" he roared, his deep voice echoing like a lion's roar.

"Hardin took her," Savannah said calmly, watching Mooney intently for his reaction.

"Hardin, Hardin, HARDIN!" he bellowed, fury blazing in his eyes as he stormed out of the classroom.

War!!!

To be continued...

Elysian Dawn