Chapter 51

chapter Forty-nine

As Tessa bid farewell to Jack, assuring him that they would meet at the academy the following day, he left her apartment with a warm smile that mirrored her own. Tessa closed the door behind him, feeling a sense of contentment and affection wash over her. The moments spent with Jack had filled her heart with joy and left her yearning for more. "He's so cute," she whispered to herself, a soft blush coloring her cheeks. The charm and kindness that radiated from Jack had captured her attention, making her appreciate his presence even more.

Retreating to her cozy bedroom, Tessa allowed herself to sink into the comfort of her bed. The events of the day played like a movie reel in her mind, each scene etched vividly in her memory. She found herself reflecting on the people who had shaped her life, particularly the male companions who had found their way into her heart. "All my friends are cute, especially the guys," she mused, a smile tugging at the corners of her lips. "It's hard to determine who's the most charming among them."

With a soft giggle, Tessa's thoughts drifted to her new boyfriend, Tristan. The thought of him sent a delightful flutter through her being. "Well, I have a boyfriend now, and he's so cute," she whispered to herself, a twinkle of happiness illuminating her eyes. The warmth and affection she felt for Tristan were undeniable, and she reveled in the beauty of their relationship.

Unable to contain her excitement, Tessa reached for her communicator, eager to share her happiness with Tristan. She dialed his number, her heart skipping a beat as she waited for him to pick up. The call connected swiftly, and Tristan's voice filled the line, instantly lifting her spirits.

"Hey, my lady. How are you?" Tristan greeted, his voice carrying a mixture of genuine interest and eagerness.

Tessa couldn't help but chuckle at his enthusiastic response. "That was faster than I expected," she playfully remarked. "You wouldn't want to keep me waiting, would you?"

A hint of laughter laced Tristan's voice as he replied, "I could never ignore your call. You know that, my love."

Tessa's voice softened, affection dripping from her words. "Oh, I just wanted to hear your voice, love," she confessed, her voice carrying a melody of adoration.

Tristan's curiosity piqued, his tone laced with intrigue. "Really? That's surprising, considering we spent almost half the day together," he mused, his voice filled with a blend of fondness and curiosity.

A mischievous smile graced Tessa's lips as she replied, her voice infused with a playful allure. "Yeah, I mean privately seeing each other," she clarified, her words resonating with a sweet intimacy.

Tristan's voice held a momentary pause, his surprise evident. "Oh, I wasn't expecting that," he admitted, his tone tinged with warmth. "I have missed you. We can plan to meet tomorrow, my love."

A sense of longing danced within Tessa's heart, mingling with the joy she felt. "I am a bit bored, but I'll manage," she confessed, her voice carrying a hint of longing. "Please take enough rest. We all had a stressful and hectic day."

Tristan's voice brimmed with affectionate assurance. "Alright, see you tomorrow. I'll follow your advice and rest. I love you," he whispered, the words filled with tenderness.

Tessa's heart swelled with warmth and happiness at his proclamation. "I love it when you say that," she confessed, her voice laced with sincerity. "

Tristan reciprocated her affectionate words, his voice gentle and sincere. "And you know I love you more, my dear. Alright, sleep tight, stay safe, and be vigilant," he said, his voice filled with a deep sense of care.

Tessa's heart fluttered at his words, feeling the depth of his love and concern. "Thank you, Tristan. You always know how to make me feel loved and protected," she replied, her voice filled with gratitude.

As the call came to an end, Tessa held onto the warmth of their conversation, feeling a sense of contentment enveloping her. She leaned back against her pillows, closing her eyes as she savored the memories of their time together. Tristan's presence in her life had brought a newfound happiness, and she cherished every moment they shared.

With a soft sigh, Tessa allowed her mind to wander back to the events of the day. The battles fought, the challenges overcome, and the sacrifices made by her comrades echoed in her thoughts. She marveled at their resilience and unwavering determination in the face of adversity.

As sleep gradually claimed her, Tessa's mind began to drift into a realm of dreams. However, her slumber was interrupted by the shrill sound of her alarm clock. Groggily, she reached over to switch it off, her senses gradually coming to full alertness.

A wave of unease washed over her as she sat up, her mind still clouded with remnants of the dream she had just experienced. Something felt off, and her body seemed to ache in an unfamiliar way. Confusion etched itself onto her face as she tried to make sense of the situation.

Tessa quickly dismissed the discomfort as residual exhaustion from the previous day's events. Determined to start the new day on a positive note, she pushed herself out of bed and made her way to the kitchen. As she prepared her breakfast, however, a nagging feeling of unease lingered in the back of her mind.

As Tessa sat down to eat, she realized that her appetite was unusually low. She pushed the food around on her plate, her thoughts still preoccupied with the strange sensations she had experienced in the shower. "What's wrong with me?" she muttered to herself, her brow furrowed in confusion.

Finishing her meager breakfast, Tessa decided to take a shower to shake off the lingering sense of unease. As she stepped under the warm spray of water, her muscles relaxed, and a moment of tranquility washed over her. But as the water cascaded down her back, a sharp pain shot through her, causing her to gasp in surprise.

Tessa instinctively reached behind her, her fingers grazing over a tender area on her back. Shock and confusion coursed through her as she felt what seemed to be a fresh wound. "But I took my bath last night. This couldn't have come from yesterday's battle. Where did this come from? Was I attacked?" she wondered aloud, her voice laced with concern.

Realizing that she needed answers, Tessa made up her mind to head to the academy immediately. With a sense of urgency, she quickly finished her shower, taking extra care not to aggravate the mysterious wound. As she dressed, her mind raced, trying to piece together the puzzle of what had transpired.