Chapter 4 THE ACCIDENT

Tessy pov

The male teacher had only meant to steady me. But the moment I felt his fingers on my arm, my body reacted before my mind caught up. I screamed so hard as I yanked away, my breathing was heavy I couldn’t breathe. I could not even see straight. I looked like I had seen a Ghost.

I collapsed near the wall, trembling, eyes wide and distant. My skin crawled. It felt like Edward’s hands was on me again

It felt like my past was catching up with me like Edward was there again.

I didn’t even realise how terrified and crazy I had acted, the male teacher was extremely confused, it took me a while to realise I had attracted a large crowd. Like angry bees, they gathered around me, I could hear whispers,

“Did he touch her?”

“Was he trying to…?”

“Oh my God…”

The school authorities came and took us both away to ask questions. They sat us in a room and kept asking me what happened. But I couldn’t speak. I was too shocked.

They watched the CCTV camera footage. It showed the teacher wasn’t trying to hurt me, just trying to help me from falling.

“You have to attend group therapy every week and report your progress. If not, you could be expelled.”

The news spread fast. Soon, people in my class started staying away from me. Some were scared of being accused of something. Others just didn’t know what to say.

Even Zara didn’t talk to me much after that. I could tell she didn’t know how to help.

Then came therapy, everything about this felt humiliating. I didn't want to be here. I didn’t want to be seen as “that girl”. The one who screams and panics in public. But the school had made it clear either I attend therapy or face expulsion.

The room was quiet, well-lit, and smelled faintly of peppermint. Chairs were arranged in a circle, and a woman with soft eyes stood near the window, our assigned counselor. I sat near the edge, away from the others, hoping to disappear.

Then I saw him.

Brian.

He was here too?

My heart dropped to my stomach.

He wasn’t just attending. He wore a name tag” Brian wood,peer support mentor”. Just perfect.

He smiled and spoke easily with the counselor like he’d done it a thousand times. I didn’t know he worked here. I didn’t want him to see me

I looked away, praying he wouldn’t see me. Maybe he wouldn’t remember. Maybe he’d forgotten our strange cafeteria moment, or that he’d seen me break down on the stairs.

But I could feel his eyes on me.

He looked surprised. Soft. Like he was thinking deeply.

But I didn’t want that look from him. I didn’t want pity or questions. I didn’t even want kindness.

I just wanted to disappear.

I kept my head low, pretending I didn’t see Brian. But inside, I was full of nerves. What were the chances that he would be here… again? It was like everywhere I turned, he showed

I sat stiffly, pretending to be invisible.

The session began with simple introductions. I gave my name in a whisper. Then we had to talk about why we were here. I lied. I said I just needed “support adjusting to the new school.”

The therapist didn’t push.

Brian didn’t say anything to me at first. He helped hand out some paper, wrote things on the whiteboard, then sat to the side. He looked calm, almost too calm like someone who had everything figured out.

But when our eyes met briefly, I saw something in them. Like he wanted to say something but wasn’t sure how.

I really didn’t like the way he was there, I didn't want any sort of attention from him or anybody else but I knew that'll be impossible especially with somebody like him.

“Hmmm”, I exhaled with frustration

After the session, I tried to leave quickly. I suddenly noticed him walking in the opposite direction as me. I quickly turned back to leave because I didn't want to talk. I didn’t want him to ask questions or look at me like I was broken.

But as I walked down the hall, I heard his voice behind me.

It was too Late.

“Tessy”, he called.

I stopped. My name sounded different when he said it soft, careful.

“Here we go again”, I said before fully turning towards him

“I didn’t know you’d be here,” he said, walking up slowly. “Heard what happened earlier, are you okay?” he asked.

I forced a small smile, “Yeah, I’m fine.”

“You sure about that”, he asked again

“I'm fine,you don't need to worry about me”, I said again impatiently.

And this time around I couldn't meet his gaze, it looked like he was searching through my soul

I started feeling extremely uncomfortable and he noticed too. He immediately turned to leave

“Wait!” I blurted out surprising myself

I really wanted to talk to him, I feel like lifting this really heavy burden off my chest.

“ Is there a problem?”, he turned really concerned

“uhmm, nothing”, “I just really enjoyed the therapy session” I said acting dumb.

He didn’t look convinced. “You don’t have to pretend.”

“Pretend about what?” I asked fidgeting

“About everything”, he said.

“I’m not pretending,” I said quickly, too quickly.

We stood there in silence for a second.

“I know what it feels like to carry stuff alone,” he said gently. “You don’t have to tell me anything. Just… you’re not alone.” He said, trying to reassure me

I didn’t know what to say. No one had ever said that to me before.

I nodded slightly and walked away before I cried in front of him.

Something about him made my walls shake a little. And that scared me more than anything.