Tessa's Anger

Huh? That is all he had to say for himself! I clenched my fist.

"Whoa, hold on," Chloe said stepping between us. "I was the one that invited everyone. If you hit someone. Hit me."

I punched her right in the nose. My hand hurt and blood was pouring out of her nose.

"Tessa! That is-"

"Uncalled for? I think not. I think it is a pretty measured response an guess what fucker. I can't lie! So ha!"

"She's right Samuel," Chloe said standing up, holding her nose. "Don't punish her for that. I deserved it. Get out of here. Get her family out of here. Let me handle this."

He stared at Chloe for a moment before turning around. I could see my family trying to get past his friends but they were a strong group. I was mildly thankful for that. I really didn't want to explain all this, especially while I couldn't lie.

"You pack a mean right," Chloe said holding a cloth to her nose.

"If you are expecting an apology then-"

"Yeah, yeah. I know. Hell will freeze over first or something right?" she said.

"Something like that," I said. I was so confused. Why. Why was she being nice to me. "Is this some kind of sick part of this game? Get me ready to cave, and then take away my joy? Like I knew he was a sadistic fuck but come on."

"Nah. Believe it or not but I doubt Samuel would plan a day like this if he didn't think it was going to end how he predicted. As much as we may think of him like an all seeing god, he isn't. Though, damn. He hasn't screwed up this bad since Lilly," she said.

"Lilly?" I asked.

"Girl story time? Though, before that. I imagine you might want to change?"

I looked down at my wedding gown. "I..." my words were stuck. I couldn't say I wanted to change. "would rather stay in this. It feels nice." Fucking magic book.

"Oh right. Want me to tell Samuel to rip up the honesty page?" she asked.

Yes! That would be great! "No," I said. "I actually kind of like the idea that I can't hide myself right now. If I could, I would run away to my room saying I am fine. I'm not fine. I don't wanna be alone." Argh! I mean. It's true but... fuck. I began crying.

"Do you want a hug?" she asked.

"Yes," I said as I continued to cry.

She came close and hugged me. "It may not feel like it, but we are a family. One that may be more intimate than your biological family. Let me ask the painful questions. Did you realize you don't want to be alone? Or did the magic make you realize?"

"The magic," I said. Who wouldn't have the first instinct to want to run and hide after today. But, I really really didn't want to be alone.

"Ever the tsundere aren't you," she said.

"Yeah. What? I don't even know what that is. I guess the magic knows I am one though," I said. Her arms felt warm. I was thankful.

She giggled. "So Lilly. Lilly was loser number 80. I didn't personally witness it but I looked into it. She was an academic student. A real tight wad. Shove a piece of coal up her butt in the morning and you'd have a diamond before lunch. Samuel played with her. Tried to get her to loosen up. It worked... too well. She became a total slut. Wouldn't eat for days because she just wanted sex. It put Samuel in a real pickle given that she was essentially harming herself with his usual antics. And Samuel doesn't want to leave suggestions to **** her to behave. So it took him years to get her back to a sense of normal."

I shuddered thinking about it. "How can you... like him? he ruins lives like that?"

"I just do. I can't really answer it better. Maybe it's because I'm broken too. Maybe we all are. I don't know. I think it's easy to look at this from the outside and call him a monster. But Lilly is happy. Just as he may have broke her. He spent years fixing her. Until the day he dies. I know with absolute certain that he will always have my back. It's comforting in a way I can't describe. Not just that. I love my sisters. Both the winners and losers. Your my sister too, even if you are still in your game. I love you. Does that really sound so bad?"

My voice choked in my throat. I wanted to mention stockholm synchrome but I couldn't. "It does sound nice."

"Given what I just said. If Samuel would release you, then never speak to you again. Leave you to pick up these pieces. Would you take it? Or would you rather have Samuel in your corner. Even if there is a price?"

I... who cares though. If I had my freedom. I never wanted to be a lesbian. The only relationship he really ruined was me with Kat. And she wasn't even that good of a friend or so I thought. "I want him. I don't want to lose her but I don't know how to fix this!"

She pulled me towards her lap. She stroked my head. "It's okay. Samuel may lose battles, but he never loses the war. Your safe. I got you."

Those words comforted me. Which was a strange feeling. I wondered. "I am..." again my throat tightened. "I am... not the same Tessa Brookes as I was last year."

She giggled. "Shouldn't that be obvious? Wait were you using the magic to learn about yourself?"

"Yes. I wondered if I am the same. It's surreal to realize I ain't," I said. I closed my eyes and embraced her lap.

"What's different? From the old you and the new? Please only answer if you feel comfortable," she said.

"The old me... was angry, so much. She pushed everyone away. She didn't want to admit her fears. I'm scared though. I'm scared of graduation. I'm scared of being alone. I'm just so scared."

She pat my head again. it felt so nice.

"You will never be alone silly. We are sisters. From now until the end of time," she said.

"I like that. Thank you Chloe," I said.

She kissed the top of my head. "Sleep well little sis."

Sleep well. Yeah. I wanted to. "Thanks big sis. Love you."