Chapter 212

Tessa’s POV

Word spread fast about the after party and I hadn’t even told Joseph what I had done. Only Ruby knew that I was planning on throwing an after-party of the year at Joseph’s villa. Theoretically, it was the best place to have a party.

There was plenty of room, it was a gorgeous area with plenty of things to do and amazing views. I just hoped he wouldn’t be too upset with me when I told him the news.

I told Margot and Kenzi the address and showed them some pictures of Joseph’s house. Of course, I didn’t tell them who the house belonged to, but before we finished in the auditorium, a few hours later everybody’s phones were buzzing with invites.

Kenzi looked proud of herself as word traveled around the school.

Ruby just looked at me nervously, but I ignored it and finished my work until it was time to leave. Ruby wanted to have a girl’s night. Which meant pizza, romantic movies, and wine. We went to my apartment first so I could grab a change of clothes and my pajamas, and then we went straight to Ruby’s apartment where she already had everything set up for a movie night.

“Pick out a movie on Netflix, I’ll start the popcorn,” Ruby said over her shoulder as she went into her open kitchen.

I curled up on the couch, grabbed the remote, and flipped through Netflix until I saw a corny-looking romcom.

I could use a funny romantic movie and after the week Ruby had, I knew she could too.

Once I found the movie, I joined her in the kitchen where I opened the wine and started to pour some in our empty glasses.

“So, did you talk to Joseph yet?” Ruby finally asked the question I knew she was dying to ask.

My cheeks flushed and I shook my head.

I’ve been holding off on this for as long as I could. I knew it wasn’t going to be good when I finally told him that I was planning on hosting the after-party at his Villa and I didn’t bother asking him beforehand.

I bit my lower lip nervously and took a sip of wine. The flavor was fruity and sweet; it bounced off my tastebuds and smoothly went down my throat. I smiled at the delicious taste and took a deep breath, allowing my body to relax.

I needed this.

“Are you going to tell him?” Ruby then asked, taking a sip of her own wine.

I sighed.

“Obviously I have to,” I told her. “I just don’t know how. He might be mad at me for agreeing to host this party at his house.”

“You are one of the best party planners,” Ruby shrugged. “Most don’t know that a lot of Brian’s parties were a huge hit because you worked on them and helped plan them. Brian was not all that.”

I knew Ruby didn’t like Brian from the moment I started dating him; I’m sure she was glad he was no longer at this school and that his father’s business was finally shut down.

I nodded though, agreeing with her.

She was right; I did a lot of the parties he always threw. I was the one who made sure they were successful. I helped plan and organize each party just like I did with his birthday party. Which was a huge hit.

I could finally leave my mark at this school by throwing one last celebration for the graduating class.

The popcorn was finally done, and Ruby poured it into a big bowl before we went back into the living room and curled up beside one another on the couch. I turned on the movie and we sat back, eating popcorn, drinking wine, and watching the romantic comedy.

Midway through the movie, Ruby started to squirm uncomfortably and when I looked at her, I saw she had tears staining her features. I’ve been so fixated on the movie and my own issues; that I hadn’t realized she was crying.

I put my glass on the table beside me and wrapped my arms around my best friend, allowing her head to rest on my shoulder.

“What is it?” I asked her, keeping my tone low for whatever reason.

We were the only two here, so we didn’t need to whisper.

She sniffled and wiped her face with the back of her hand before peering up at me.

“I was hoping Carter would want to come to the graduation,” she admitted, tugging her fingers nervously. “I texted him about it and he hasn’t responded.”

“When did you text him?” I asked, curiously.

“Yesterday,” she whispered. “He’s never taken this long to respond before. I’m not sure what to make of it.”

“Things are really serious for you two, huh?” I asked, my brows knitted together as I stared at her.

She shrugged, casually.

“I thought we were,” she admitted. “But I suppose it was just in my head.”

My heart squeezed for my best friend. I knew she was seriously falling for Carter, and I knew Carter was falling for Ruby. I wished I could tell her what I knew so she wouldn’t be too stressed out about the relationship. I wanted to open her eyes, so she knew that Carter truly did care for her.

But I knew she couldn’t know the truth.

She would hate me if she knew the truth and then found out I knew the entire time. Not to mention this wasn’t the life for her. Bernard was right when he said her knowledge of the vampire world would put her in serious danger.

That wasn’t a risk I was willing to take, and Carter should feel the same way.

I was still so upset with him for almost telling her the truth.

By the time the movie ended, Ruby had fallen asleep. I grabbed a blanket and covered her with it before grabbing the wine glasses, and popcorn bowl, and went into the kitchen to clean up.

I realized I left my phone on the kitchen counter the entire time and when I looked at the screen, my heart fell deep into my stomach when I saw there were a couple of missed calls from Joseph and a few text messages.

Joseph: Call me back.

Joseph: We need to talk.

Joseph: Did you seriously invite your entire graduating class to my house??

I audibly groaned as I read those messages. I knew he was going to be upset and I knew I should have warned him that I agreed to host a party at his house. I was so stupid and took a deep breath before clicking the “reply” button.

Me: Hey, sorry. Movie night with Ruby and my phone was silenced.

I pressed send and waited a couple of seconds before sending another message.

Me: I know you are probably mad, and I can explain.

Before I could send another message, my phone rang, and Joseph’s name appeared on the screen. I took a deep breath, holding it for a second and then releasing it. It was now or never; I had to tell him the entire truth.

I swiped the green talk button and put the phone to my cheek.

“Hey,” I said, a bit breathy.

“A party?” Was the first thing he said upon hearing my voice; I winced at the harsh tone he was using. I knew he wasn’t happy, and I couldn’t blame him.

“I know I should have asked first—”

“Yes, you should have,” Joseph quipped. “I can’t have a party at my house with a bunch of students.”

My chest tightened from his words, but I wasn’t going to back down. It was too late now anyway. Everybody already knows about the party and they are planning on being there whether he wants them there or not.

“Brian isn’t around to host the party and this option kind of slipped out of my mouth,” I admitted. “I was going to tell you, but I was afraid you’d be upset. I didn’t think word was going to get out this fast. I was going to tell you about it tomorrow…It only just happened today.”

He sighed; he was quiet for a while.

“If they find out that it’s my house and that you have a connection to it, then word will get out about our relationship. Are you prepared for that?” Joseph asked, cautiously.

I thought about it for a moment, and I found myself smiling.

“I’m finally graduating, and you are resigning,” I told him, shrugging though I knew he couldn’t see me. “Most are already talking about us anyway. Jeremy was proof of that.”

I shuddered at the memory of Jeremy with that picture on his phone. I guarantee others saw that photo as well and they probably saw other stuff too during this year. Twice our pictures have been taken. Once by Amanda and another by Jeremy.

I’m sure they weren’t the only two.

But now that I was graduating and Joseph was resigning as a professor at this school, I felt a weightlifting off my shoulders and I suddenly didn’t care who knew about us.

“Honestly, Joseph,” I continued. “I don’t care who knows about us and I want to leave my mark on this school. I want to throw a party they will talk about forever. I can try and cancel it if you want but—”

“No, you don’t have to cancel it,” Joseph said, stopping my words. “I get it. I’m not upset. You can have the party at my villa.”

Relief flooded through me.

“You’re sure?” I asked, just to make sure.

“Yes, of course. I just wish I wasn’t blindsided like this. But I understand where you are coming from. You’re also right; now that I’m resigning and you’re graduating, I want to scream our relationship to the world.”

I chuckled, feeling the heat rush to my cheeks.

“Maybe we should start small. Like some family and friends,” I laughed.

“Deal,” he said, and just like that, his tension and anger subsided, and I felt my entire body relaxing just as his mood improved.

We talked for a little longer before my phone started to go off again. I glanced at the screen and saw that my father was now calling. It was quite late for him to be calling, but I put my phone back to my cheek.

“Hey, Joseph. Can we talk tomorrow? My dad is calling,” I told him.

“Of course,” he breathed fondly. “I love you. Be safe tonight. I’m a call away if you need me.”

I smiled.

“I know and I will be. I’m going to bed right after I get off the phone with him. Rubys already passed out.”

On that note, I hung up with Joseph and answered my father’s call.

“Hey, Dad,” I said, proud that my voice sounded normal.

“Hey, Tess,” my dad said in return.

“Hi, Tessa!” Penny said in the background.

“Penny says hi,” my dad clarified.

“Hi, Penny,” I replied, less convincing this time. “You are calling late. Everything okay?”

“Oh, yes. Everything’s great,” my father said quickly. “I just wanted to let you know that we are on our way there and should be there by sunrise tomorrow.”