Breaking Boundaries

Helloooooo beautiful people!!! I am so glad you are here :) I hope this book would be everything you are looking for.

This is currently WIP for editing. It will take me a few edits to get this where it should be up and shining.

But that shouldn’t stop you from reading this book.

Go ahead and be as vocal or quiet as you wish! I would love it if you could provide me genuine comments on your thoughts as you read, but either ways, I as a writer I appreciate you as a reader giving this book a read <3

Now, please go ahead and ENJOY!!!

xxxxxxx

Tessa

I am staring at the light pink scarred spot on the right side of my left wrist when a familiar voice pierces through my dark thoughts.

“Also, Tessa, don’t forget what we discussed last night.” Mom says sharply, eyeing me for the millionth time.

I have to complete the college applications and apply to all the schools which she has selected for me before the end of this semester.

I nod, taking another bite of the breakfast she prepared this morning. It’s scrambled eggs, toast, and some fruits on the side. She’s always been a great cook, unlike me, who can mess up even the easiest of the things.

I avoid her eyes and finish my food for the rest of the one-sided talk. She tells me to be careful, stay out of trouble, and don’t speak to the boys who don’t study, and be back by the curfew.

She may sound strict but she has her reasons and that’s why I never disagree with her.

“Love you mom, bye.” I look at the watch on my wrist and silently cuss at myself for not able to wake up on time this morning. I grab my black mary janes from the shoe closet by the door and shove my feet in them just as I rush outside.

The storm-ready clouds are gathered in big numbers with no sun in sight. Ugh. It’s been like this for a few days now.

I get to my car and smile, running a hand over it. This is my baby. Mom got me this soft matt black benz 2024 last year. I have done a full inside customisation.

I rev up the car and back out of the driveway, my regular playlist resumes from where I left it last night.

The drive to school is smooth and I love the fact that I live a bit further from the town so I get to speed up in these empty streets.

As soon as I park the car in my regular spot, I see Aurora’s already here and waiting for me. I wave at her from my window while she does the same from hers. I grab my bag and airpods and my sipper and get out.

“You look refreshed.” That’s her‘You are late’for me.

I smile sheepishly and tell her how I was watching reels when I stumbled upon this new K-drama and then the rest is history. I slept at 3 am and then in the morning took my sweet time getting these hair in a french braid.

“Your hair looks really cute though.” It’s as if she just read my mind.

I smile even bigger at her, as she grabs her bag from the backseat and we lock our cars and head right in.

“I can’t believe we are seniors now!” I jump a bit and she starts laughing.

“I know. I told my Mom I will wait to apply to schools.”

That’s just as much of a sore subject in her house as mine.

I nod and sip some water before shoving everything in my locker and grabbing only what’s needed right now.

“I did the same. I need some time, I have always done whatever she’s asked of me and I am not saying no right now but for some reason for this decision, I feel the need to take the time...you know.”

“Exactly. And honestly, Tess, I want to go to Art’s College and my dad would never let me. So I would wait for you to pick the one you want and I’ll apply for the same.”

Of course she would. That’s Aur for you. Since she was 8 years old, she had loved painting. I have never seen her as happy as when she is holding a paintbrush. I wish her dad would see that too one day.

I fake-glare at her, “Ah! So it’s pick the worse or worst situation huh?”

Mockingly, she slaps my arm and stares me down. Laughter bursts out of me. “Sorry sorry, I was just kidding. I know I am your best choice.”

She grins and nods, half hugging me.

Aurora appears completely different from her visual personality. She’s warm and sweet, like a ray of sunshine in darkness whereas she dresses in all black, with dark eye makeup, long lashes, and lots of silver jewelry.

I know it’s her way to hide within herself, and maybe, one day she will finally spread her wings like the angel she is.

“Did you hear what happened?”

We are walking to our first class when I notice a huge crowd gathering at the other side of the hallway. I have usually never been the one to partake in any kind of gossip but the crowd this size is not a good sign.

My brows narrow together, as I ask,“What do you mean?”

She’s now looking at the crowd too. “C’mon.” She grabs my hand and we stride towards the herd, some students part way for us and we manage to wiggle through and somehow get to the front.

What is even happening--

I look up and just like that my stomach flips inside and then sinks down to the bottom. A heavy feeling settles in.

My hands right away turn cold and I know I am not breathing.

“Why did your turn so cold--” She looks at me and probably the look on my face says it all because she stops mid sentence. She lets go of my hand and looks back to the guy standing at his locker, looking over at my line of sight.

“Do you know him?” She asks beside me, softly.

I shake my head. “No...but” the rest of the words die in my throat.

How do I tell her what just happened when I don’t even understand it myself?

“He’s the guy the town has been buzzing about. The one you know–” I knew there was some kind of gossip about a guy who was recently released from a juvie.

I don’t really know anymore because I don’t stay long when people start to talk about other people behind their back. That’s not my thing.

He’s not doing anything other than looking inside his locker with the iron door held back, his knuckles are turning white, students are taking pictures of him and whispering things about him and calling him a criminal. Some even whisper loud enough that I hear them say,‘How could this school even let him in? That’s against school safety policy.’

I want to turn and walk away but my feet feel glued to the ground.

Suddenly, he slams shut the locker door and the noise makes me jump in my bones. Everyone gasps and steps back, but me.

I feel Aurora’s hand on my arm pulling but I don’t budge.

He looks around when his eyes land on me.

I thought I would see rage in them but what I do see, knocks the wind out of me.

There’s nothing but gaping abyss.

He ever so slightly narrows his eyes on me. I am still holding onto my breath. His eyes move down so slow and I wonder if anyone noticed. A tear just rolled down my cheek and he saw it.

His dark eyes move back to mine and I--

The crowd suddenly parts in the middle and I see Stevie and his guys walk towards us.

He walks right past me and stands in front of the new guy, right in the middle of us, blocking my view.

“We should go.” Aurora grabs my hand and pulls again, but I still don’t move.

Why is Stevie even here?

What is he doing?

Instead, I take a step forward when Stevie says without turning away, “Class Rep, close your eyes. You won’t like what’s about to go down.”

Every pair of eyes moves towards me. My heart picks up even faster than before. I ball my hands at my sides.

Stevie Rensen. I never liked him from the start, he’s done nothing but be an asshole to me.

Great! The new guy’s eyes closes on me and now I really want to disappear.

Aurora pulls harder and I stumble back, but still refuse to leave. I throw her a quick glance over my shoulder when she appears ready to shoot me a dagger.

The new guy finally looks away and turns around to walk the other way when Stevie pushes him hard. He stumbles but doesn’t fall. His boys or should I say Stevie’s puppets start to snicker which in turn has the crowd hollering.

What is even happening?

Why are they all gathered to bully one person?

Is Stevie out of his mind?

My eyes wells up again and I open my mouth to speak but--

“Don’t ever touch me again.” His voice is rough and crisp, his eyes staring right at Stevie.

If they do something--

Stevie’s already thrown a punch and this time the new guy does fall to the floor with a busted lip. I gasp and my legs start to tremble. I can hear my heart in my ears. It’s getting louder.

“Fucking shit.” I hear Aur whisper.

Has Stevie gone completely mad? Does he not fear his dad anymore?

“We need to go,now.” Aurora grabs my arm once again and gets me moving. I look back just as the new guy shrugs off his bag from his shoulder and gets back to his feet.

“You hit me first.” I hear him say but we are already walking in opposite direction when I hear the crowd gasp so loud.

Did he hit back?

We round the corner and even though I always steer clear of fights and stuff, this time I just can’t let this go. I halt bringing her to a stop too and pull my hand away. “Call the teacher for me, please.” With that, I run back as I hear her yell my name but I don’t turn around.

They both have blood on their knuckles and split lips, while holding each other by the collar of their shirts.

Oh god this is bad.

Stevie pushes the new guy back with such force but he still manages to not fall over while stumbling back.

Stevie runs forwards to throw another punch when my body does something of its own. I run and slip between the space in between them just in time. Stevie pulls back at the last minute, glaring at me.

A loud scream booms through the silent hallway.

“What on earth is GOING on here? Disperse RIGHT NOW!” Everyone starts to flee.

Stevie is still shooting daggers with his hardened eyes at me. He lowers down to my eye level, making me flinch, “You never listen Class Rep, do you?” That’s his version of‘You’re on my list now’.

He turns around and starts spewing some flattery nonsense for the teacher, trying to get out of this situation.

Good luck, asshole!

My legs are still trembling from what just happened. I place a hand on my heaving chest to calm myself down when I hear a voice so close to my ear that my soul jumps out of my body.

“Can you let go now?” I turn my head slightly to meet his dark eyes. Suddenly my own eyes are blurry. He gestures to my other hand and I see--

“Oh! I am so sorry.” I didn’t even know when I did this.

When did I HOLD his arm?

My back was to him, so I stepped away and turned around fully facing him. I eye the open wound on his lips and a bruise that’s making on his right cheek.

His eyes follow my own movement. For a second my heart skips a quick beat. When our eyes meet this time, there is something else behind his gaze which makes a shiver run down my spine.

He steps back, turns around and leaves.

The teacher is still there, yelling at Stevie when he notices me there.

“Both of you back to your class, now!” Aur grabs my arm this time, tighter than usual and pulls me to our first class.

The teacher was in the middle of explaining something when we pushed open the door.

“20 minutes late and also got detention. Just peachy!” Aur whispers as we usher to our seats.

“I can’t believe he just stepped in and all of this already happened.” She mumbles beside me.

When I don’t react or say anything she knocks softly on my desk. I look back at her and nod.

“Why Tess?” She doesn’t need to spell it out, I know what she’s asking from me.

“He reminded me of someone.”

______________________

Thank you for reading, I hope you stick to the end because this isn’t even the trailer of what this book holds for you all <3