The Taste of Trouble

Tessa stood at the doorway staring directly at Ethan and me.

The silence became intolerable.

My air seized somewhere between my lungs and my throat; my heart thumped.

She was aware.

The truth was written all over our features even if she had not seen the kiss and had only walked in a second later.

Ethan stood frozen next to me, but I couldn't look away from her.

Tessa kept quiet.

She threw nothing and did not yell.

She fixed her gaze on me.

And then that?

That was considerably worse.

When Tessa spoke at last, her voice was rather serene.

"How long??"

I sucked hard. Tess:

She raised a hand, her face inscrutable. I am not seeking a justification. I am looking for the truth.

I slowed down. Lying had no use at all.

But the reality is the truth would just aggravate her more.

Ethan let out a breath and started ahead. "A while,"

Tessa's eyes shot to meet him. "Spell a while."

I put my hands tightly together. "Tess—,"

She turned back toward me, dark flashing in her eyes. "Was it before or after you vowed to me that nothing was happening?"

My stomach collapsed.

Because both of us know the response to that.

I had told her straight out lies.

Tess laughed hollowly and shook her head.

It still amazes me that I missed it. She gestured to Ethan. Then you? She should have known. You walk like a red flag.

Though his jaw ticked, Ethan did not object.

He simply stood there soaking it.

Tessa rolled her eyes. "What this is?" Surely some kind of game for you?

Ethan added gently, "It's not a game."

She straightened her arms. Well, right. Suddenly you are in love now?

My gasp caught.

Ethan seemed harden next to me.

Tessa shook her head, though, before he could say anything—before I could say anything.

"I hardly want to hear it either." She looked at me, her face unvarnished. Liv, you could have told me.

I bit hard. "I wanted to. Simply—"

She let out a quick breath. Still, you didn't.

My left side hurt. "I wasn't ready to lose you."

Her lips drew in a straight line. Alright, congrats. You just did.

She left then before I could stop her.

I get numb.

Ethan moved across to my side. "Liv—."

"I want a minute."

I turned and left the gym straight forwardly.

Like a slap, the frigid air assaulted me.

It was insufficient, though, to alleviate the sinking weight in my chest.

I had messed everything. seriously.

And for the first time, I doubted my ability to correct it.

Tessa responded not to my calls.

Or my writings.

Alternatively, look at me when I spotted her on university grounds.

Her absence carried great weight on my shoulders.

I had lost my closest buddy.

Because of Ethan.

Because of me.

Still, no matter how bad I felt or how many times I told myself I should regret this—I didn't.

Given the idea of leaving Ethan?

That seemed unfeasible.

There were others receiving the silent treatment as well.

Tessa was dodging Ethan as well.

and Ethan? He was not the sort to pursue somebody.

But this was unlike other things.

Since the night I received a text from him.

Ethan: See me around the house.

I paused.

But I was aware.

I sensed he was about to engage in what he never did—open communication about emotions.

I then proceeded.

And the tension in the air was choking when I arrived.

Tessa stood in the living room arms crossed, gazing at Ethan like she wanted to burn him alive.

Ethan murmured. Let's just get things over with.

She sneered. Oh, I am sorry. Am I causing trouble for you?

Ethan worked his hand through his hair. Tess—

"No." Her voice trembled with rage. "You are not here with Tess."

He pouted. "I understand you're irate."

"Mad?" She found herself laughing. "Mad fails to even cover it."

I moved uneasily, but neither of them even noticed me.

Not about me here was this.

Years of history were collapsing here.

Tessa inhaled slowly and then added, "Ethan, you are my brother." You are also expected to defend me. Not; do this.

Ethan's expression hardened. "What does that even mean?" said

She let out a frustrated exhaled. It means I never should have trusted you.

Ethan trembled.

And I became worried about whether they could bounce back from this.

Tessa finally glanced at me since the gym.

Her voice had flatness. Thus, Liv, what now? You just pass him over me?

She shook her head when I started to open my mouth.

"I hardly even need you to respond," she said in a whisper. "I already know.,"

The words probe deeper than I could have imagined.

For I wanted to say no.

I wanted to clarify that I was not picking Ethan above her.

I yearned for both of them.

But the real truth?

My decision had already been taken.

I came out of that place broken.

Ethan trailed behind me outdoors.

"Liv.."

I spun around.

I also saw it for the first time.

The regret glowed in his eyes. The way his hands tightened as he tried to straighten things but knew how not.

"This is my fault," he said softly.

I gave my head a shake. Not one. I also have it.

On the brink of something permanent, we stood there beneath the nighttime heavens.

And then a car halted down before the home.

Ethan tightened up next to me.

My gut sank.

Because within the vehicle?

Watching us was a known person.

And I felt something as well.

This was not done away with.

Not quite close.

Tessa is enraged; her interactions with Liv and Ethan are disjointed.

Liv knows she already choose Ethan, but at what expense?

A weird man is observing them; so, the actual risk is just starting.