Effy~1

Sunlight sliced through the broken blinds, falling in sharp lines across the tangled sheets. Tess blinked awake, her head pounding, her chest heavy with the weight of the night before. The faint smell of sweat, smoke, and cheap aftershave lingered, grounding her in the reality she desperately wanted to escape.

Cook's arm was draped casually over her waist, his body warm against hers. He was still asleep, his face slack, mouth slightly open as he snored softly. One leg sprawled across the bed, the other dangling off the edge. It was the most peaceful she had ever seen him.

She shifted carefully, trying to untangle herself from his arm without waking him. But Cook stirred, a lazy grin spreading across his face as his eyes fluttered open.

"Morning, sunshine," he said, his voice rough and teasing. He didn't even sit up, just tilted his head to watch her as she moved toward the edge of the bed. "Sneaking off already? Didn't think I was that bad."

Tess rolled her eyes, her cheeks flushing. "Don't flatter yourself."

As she stood, reaching for her clothes, Cook's hand shot out, catching hers. "C'mon," he said, his grin widening. "Why you rushin' off? Round two's callin'. Or three, if you're countin' properly."

Tess yanked her hand away like it burned, her heart racing as guilt crashed over her.

She shook her head, grabbing her jeans from the corner of the room. "No."

Cook's grin faltered, his brow furrowing as he sat up fully. "What d'you mean, 'no'? You were all over it last night."

Tess's voice was tight, her back still to him. "Yeah, well, last night's over. I shouldn't have... we shouldn't have."

"Oh, come off it," Cook scoffed, swinging his legs over the side of the bed. "Don't act like you didn't want it. You were practically jumpin' me.

"Don't make it a thing," Tess muttered, avoiding his gaze.

"Who's making' it a thing?" Cook said, propping himself up on one elbow. "You're the one getting all weird about it."

Tess froze for a moment, her fingers trembling as she pulled on her shirt. "Just—don't tell anyone, alright?"

Cook raised an eyebrow, his smirk creeping back. "What, you think I'm gonna write it on the walls? 'Tess Richardson shagged me senseless'? Relax, love. Your secret's safe with me."

"I mean it," she snapped, her voice shaking slightly.

"Alright, alright," he said, throwing his hands up in mock surrender. "But you're makin' a big deal outta nothin'. It's just a bit of fun, yeah?"

"Fun?" she repeated, her tone bitter. "Is that what you think this is?"

"What else would it be?" Cook shot back, his voice rising.

Her jaw tightened as she slung her bag over her shoulder. "I was just trying to help and-and then... this happened" she muttered under her breath.

Cook's eyes narrowed, his tone sharp. "Help? Yeah, well, thanks for the charity, Mother Teresa. Real noble of you, tossin' me a pity shag."

Her eyes narrowed, her cheeks flushing. "Don't make me regret it more than I already do."

Cook leaned back, crossing his arms with that maddening grin of his. "Regret it? That's rich, comin' from you."

Her cheeks flushed with anger and shame. "You're impossible," she said, moving toward the door.

"And you're a bloody headcase," he fired back, standing now, his voice laced with frustration. "You can't just come in here, mess me about, then act like it's all on me."

Tess spun around, her eyes blazing. "Mess you about? You've been messing people up your entire life, Cook. Don't act like you're some innocent victim."

"Better than boltin' every time things get too much," he shot back, the edge in his voice unmistakable.

For a moment, neither of them said anything, the tension in the room thick and suffocating.

"And you're the one actin' like it's some big bloody mistake. Like I'm a mistake," Cook said, his voice quieter now, though no less cutting.

Tess's chest tightened, the words slicing through her defences. She hesitated, the door half-open, before breathing out, "Maybe it is."

She left without looking back, stepping into the cool morning air. She didn't know why she always did this, got too close, let her guard down, then bolted the moment it felt real- he was right.

And in the end, they were both as bad as each other.

—

Tess trudged through the school gates, her bag slung over one shoulder and her head pounding from lack of sleep. Her eyes were dry and sore, the aftermath of tears she couldn't quite suppress earlier. The stale taste of last night lingered in her mouth, and she cringed when she caught her faint reflection in the glass panel of the school's front door. The spare top she'd pulled from her bag was wrinkled, and despite her effort to brush it off, it carried the unmistakable scent of Cook's room.

The halls were mostly empty, her shoes squeaking against the tiles as she made her way to the bathroom. It was already past first period, but she wasn't about to show up to class looking like this.

In the bathroom, the fluorescent lights buzzed relentlessly, a faint flicker in the corner making her head ache even more. Tess tossed her bag onto the counter, turned on the tap, and splashed cold water onto her face. Mascara smudged beneath her eyes, and her pale, puffy reflection stared back at her.

She tried brushing her hair into something resembling order, applying a swipe of lip balm, and dousing herself in deodorant, but it barely made a dent. The weight in her chest didn't lift, and the girl in the mirror still looked like a mess. Giving up, she shoved her things back into her bag and trudged to English.

—

Tess slipped into the classroom as quietly as she could, but Josie paused mid-sentence, her gaze flickering to the door.

"Ah, Tess," Josie said, her voice awkward but kind. "Glad you could join us. Everything alright?"

"Yeah, sorry," Tess mumbled, her cheeks flushing as she moved to her seat.

Naomi watched her, a knowing glint in her eye, as Tess dropped into the chair beside her and began rifling through her bag.

"You're late again," Naomi whispered, leaning closer.

Tess shrugged, keeping her eyes on her notebook. "It's not a crime."

Naomi's gaze sharpened as she scanned Tess's disheveled appearance. "Is that the same outfit from yesterday? Not like you."

Tess stiffened. "What? Um yeah I-" Tess froze, her brain scrambling. "All my shits in the wash so" she said convincingly enough as she got out her water from her bag.

Naomi frowned, leaning in slightly, voice dropping to a whisper. "Good. Thought you'd done something stupid again" she chuckled "gone over to Cooks or something" She said jokingly, referring to their conversation from yesterday

Tess's heart stopped. She coughed loudly, choking on her water drawing a few glances from around the room. Josie paused her lesson, looking over with mild concern.

"You okay, Tess?"

Tess waved her hand, her face burning. "Yeah, fine. Sorry."

As the classroom settled again, Naomi's smirk widened. She leaned in closer, her voice low and teasing. "Oh my God. You did, didn't you?" she whispered, leaning closer. "You went to Cook's!"

"Shut up," Tess hissed, her cheeks flaming. "You don't know what you're talking about."

Naomi tilted her head, her eyes gleaming with triumph. "You're a terrible liar, Tess. I knew something was off the second you walked in."

Tess groaned, burying her face in her hands. "Please just drop it for fucks sake."

Naomi grinned, leaning back in her chair. "Fine. For now. But you're telling me everything later."

Tess slumped in her seat, glaring at her notebook as Naomi's words swirled in her head. She didn't know how she'd let it all unravel so quickly, but one thing was clear: she'd never hear the end of it.

The lesson had finally settled into a rhythm after Tess's dramatic coughing fit. Josie had resumed her explanation of whatever literary device they were meant to be analysing, but Tess couldn't focus. Naomi's barely-contained smirk was like a flashing neon sign in her peripheral vision.

"Would you stop?" Tess muttered under her breath, scribbling nonsense in her notebook to keep her hands busy.

"I can't help it," Naomi whispered back, her lips twitching. "This is too good."

Before Tess could respond, the classroom door slammed open, the noise bouncing off the walls. Every head turned as Cook swaggered in, his hair a mess and his shirt half tucked in

Josie froze mid-sentence, her marker hovering over the whiteboard. She blinked at him, her lips twitching with amusement despite herself. "Well, well," she said, crossing her arms. "Look who finally decided to grace us with his presence."

Cook grinned, completely unfazed. "Morning, Miss. Sorry 'bout that," he said, his voice dripping with false sincerity.

Josie shook her head, laughing softly. "God, everyone's late today. First Tess, and now you! Is there something in the air I don't know about?"

At that, Naomi snorted audibly, pressing her hand to her mouth to stifle the sound. Tess turned red, sinking lower in her seat as if the floor might swallow her whole.

Cook shrugged, his grin widening. "Had... some stuff to take care of. Important stuff, y'know?"

Josie raised an eyebrow, clearly unimpressed but too amused to press him further. "Stuff, huh? Well, do try to prioritise your education next time, James."

"Nah don't worry man, It's all sorted now. Won't happen again." Cook said bitterly, throwing Tess a pointed look.

Tess kept her head down, her heart hammering in her chest as Cook's gaze swept over the class. He paused when he spotted her, the usual smirk faltering ever so slightly. It was quick—so quick that Tess might have imagined it—but for a moment, his expression was almost sad.

Then, just as quickly, he snapped back into his usual swagger, heading to JJ's table which was conveniently right near Tess and Naomis.

"Why're you an hour and a half late?" JJ whispered nervously as Cook dropped into the chair beside him.

"Long night," Cook muttered, leaning back in his seat and kicking his feet up onto an empty chair. His tone was casual, but JJ raised an eyebrow, clearly unconvinced. Cook didn't elaborate, though, instead staring ahead with a tight jaw, tapping his pen against the desk in an erratic rhythm.

Naomi leaned closer to Tess, her voice low but brimming with amusement. "Oh, this is brilliant," she whispered, her eyes darting between Tess and Cook.

"Brilliant," Tess repeated flatly, gripping her pen so tightly it might snap.

---

Tess was nearly out of the school gates when she heard a voice calling her name, hesitant but familiar. She stopped and turned, a mix of emotions flooding her at the sight of Katie approaching. The last time they'd really spoken, things had ended in an argument. Tess wasn't sure what to expect now, but she could see that Katie was trying to make things right.

"Tess," Katie said, her voice a little out of breath as she caught up. "Hey, can we talk?"

Tess hesitated for a second, the weight of the past few weeks settling on her shoulders. She hadn't realised how much she'd missed Katie, even with the tension that had built between them. The silence between them had stretched on long enough. "Yeah, alright," Tess said, offering a small nod.

They stood there for a moment, neither of them quite knowing where to start. Katie looked down at her shoes and then back up at Tess, her expression softening, She was clearly searching for the right words.

"I..I know I've been a total bitch lately." Katie finally said, her voice quieter now. "And I've been avoiding you because I don't know what to say anymore."

Tess winced. Hearing those words from Katie was like a punch in the gut, but it also made her feel a little lighter. "Yeah you have," Tess said, her voice tight. "But I've been avoiding you too. And I don't want to blame just you, because I wasn't exactly a saint either."

Katie's eyes flickered with something between frustration and regret. "Tess, I'm sorry," she said, her voice almost breaking. "I shouldn't have kept things from you."

Tess shook her head, taking a deep breath. "Katie, it's seriously fine. I don't care about you and Freddie.... I mean, it's a bit hypocritical after all that 'not telling me' stuff... But anyways I'm not even mad about that, it's just all the other stuff.

Katie groaned "Not this again."

Tess rolled her eyes, "Katie don't you see? See what you're doing to her?"

"It's not my fault my sisters a muff muncher!" She protested

Tess shook her head, scoffing "not the point! They're my friends too and I can't fucking stand all the fighting"

"Yeah exactly, they're your friends too. You keep hanging round Naomi and I'm- I'm getting replaced!" She squeaked, her voice breaking

Tess's eyes softened "I'm not replacing you! I don't even know how any of this happened. It's just... we've been so messed up lately, and I'm not trying to avoid you but your pretty fucking hard to talk to sometimes."

Katie's face tightened, her jaw clenched as Tess's words hung in the air. "Oh, so now it's my fault? I'm hard to talk to?" she shot back, her voice sharp, though there was a layer of hurt beneath it.

Tess took a step back, shaking her head. "Your pretty hard to talk to right now! Actually, hard to talk to ever. You've been weird with Naomi and Emily, and It's just so painful to be around all the time."

Katie's eyes flashed with something unreadable, a mixture of guilt and frustration. "You don't get it, Tess! You've been acting like I'm just supposed to accept all of it. Naomi and Emily? They're—" She paused, her voice breaking slightly. "That bitch has been lying to me, Tess. They've been doing shit behind my back, and you—" She stopped herself, her words caught in her throat.

Tess narrowed her eyes, trying to make sense of what Katie was saying. "What the hell does that mean? What've they been doing behind your back?"

Katie shifted uncomfortably, avoiding Tess's gaze. "It doesn't matter. It's just... you've been hanging around them, and it feels like you're choosing them over me. You're not telling me stuff anymore... not like we used to."

Tess's frustration boiled over, her voice rising. "Are you hearing yourself right now? You're acting like I'm the one who's been making all these choices! You've been pushing everyone away, and now you're blaming me for it? and now you're-" Tess stopped herself, realising she was raising her voice in public. She lowered her tone, her words still sharp but quieter. "You've been shutting out everyone, Katie. And now you're mad at me for not being a fucking mind reader?"

Katie's lip trembled, but she held her ground. "That's not what I'm saying. I'm just... I don't know what you want me to do. You've been with them, and I've been trying to deal with that. But every time I try to talk to you, it's like you don't even care anymore."

Tess's expression softened at the rawness in Katie's voice. "Katie, I do care. I care so much, but I don't know what to do either. I don't want to lose you over this, but it feels like we're just... stuck. Stuck in this cycle."

Katie was silent for a long moment, her shoulders slumping as she processed Tess's words. "I don't want to lose you either. I'm sorry, Tess. I've been such a mess, and I just didn't know how to deal with everything. I don't know how to accept things are changing"

Tess took a step forward, her voice softer now. "I get it. I'm scared too. But we can't keep being scared of talking to each other, Katie. We've been friends for so long, and this... this isn't worth losing over."

Katie nodded, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. "I know. I just... I don't know how to make it right. I don't know how to fix everything that's happened."

They stood there for a moment, the gravity of their words hanging in the air. Tess could feel the weight of everything that had been left unsaid between them, and for the first time in a long time, she felt like they were finally getting somewhere. They were both wrong, and they both had their own shit to work through, but maybe they could fix it. Maybe they could get back to where they used to be.

Finally, Katie let out a breath, her shoulders slumping slightly. "I've missed you, Tess. I really have." Her voice was quieter now, almost vulnerable.

Tess smiled faintly, the tension in her chest loosening. "I've missed you too, Katie. I'm sorry for everything. I should've been better."

Katie shook her head, stepping forward. "No, we both should've. But it's fine. We're Katie and Tess"

Tess laughed, feeling more relaxed "Tess and Katie."

Katie sniggered, "No babes, other way round" this is something they used to constantly fight about when they were younger.

Before either of them could say anything else, Tess noticed something strange. Katie, instead of turning toward her usual route home, was walking in the opposite direction. Tess frowned. "Katie, where are you going?"

Katie looked up at her with a sheepish smile, but there was something a little off about her expression. "Oh, I'm just going to Freddie's. We're planning a little trip, actually."

Tess raised an eyebrow. "A trip? Where to?"

Katie shrugged, her grin widening a little. "We wanna go to Gobbler's End in a couple of days. It's a little secluded spot out of town. Just a big group of us. We're having a party, just getting away for a while, you know?"

Tess blinked, taken aback. "Gobbler's End? What's that?"

"It's just a place," Katie said, brushing it off like it wasn't a big deal. "But it should be fun. It's just a little trip with the group. You're coming, obviously."

Tess hesitated, unsure. She wasn't exactly in the mood for more chaos, especially with everything that was going on. But Katie was looking at her with that hopeful expression, and Tess couldn't bring herself to say no. "I don't know. I'm not really sure I'm in the right headspace."

Katie's eyes softened, and she stepped closer, her voice quieter. "Please, Tess. It'll be good for you. I know things are weird right now, but you need to get out and have some fun. Besides, Cook's not invited."

Tess blinked in surprise. "Wait, really? Cook's not coming?" she couldn't decide if this was a good or bad thing.

Katie nodded firmly. "Yeah. Not gonna let that dickhead ruin the vibe. We're having a proper time without him."

After she had mentioned Cook, their chat about not keeping secrets dawned on her. "Umm speaking of....I may have accidentally slept with Cook. Last night."

Katie's eyes went wide, and she stepped back, looking at Tess with disbelief. "What the fuck? What! You... with Cook?"

Tess nodded, her stomach twisting as she looked away. "Yeah. I know. I don't even know why. It was stupid. But it happened. And now, I regret it."

Katie stared at her, her expression shifting from surprise to concern. "Oh, my god, Tess. What the fuck were you thinking? You know what he's like, right? He's a total prick!"

"I know," Tess said, her voice barely above a whisper. "I don't even know how it happened. It was... it was just one of those dumb things. And now I think he's pissed cause I thought it was a mistake."

Katie shook her head, her concern deepening. "It was a mistake!"

"I know," Tess whispered. "But now I feel like an idiot."

Katie stepped forward, grabbing Tess's hands gently. "You're not an idiot, Tess. You just...you can't help things sometimes. But you need to learn from it. You deserve better than him. You deserve someone who's actually going to treat you well."

Tess blinked back tears, nodding slowly. "Well that's the thing... sometimes I think he would treat me well. But then I remember who he is-"

"Babes your fucking brainwashed" Katie said confidently, "Buttt I mean it did happen sooo.... Was he alright then?"

Tess rolled her eyes, "Oh fuck off" but she smiled, it was good to have her best friend back.

---

The room looked like a bomb had gone off (even more than usual). Clothes, shoes, and makeup were strewn everywhere as Tess hurled things into a bag with no rhyme or reason. She moved with a kind of frenzied determination, muttering to herself as she went.

"Where the hell is my hairbrush?" she grumbled, upending a pile of schoolbooks onto the floor.

Michelle appeared in the doorway, arms crossed, her brows furrowed. "What the fuck are you doing?"

"Packing," Tess replied flatly, not looking up. She yanked open a drawer and tossed a crumpled hoodie into the bag.

"For what?" Michelle stepped into the room, surveying the chaos. Her gaze landed on the duffle, half-zipped and bulging with mismatched items.

"Some party," Tess said, as if it were obvious. "At Gobbler's End."

Michelle's brow furrowed. "Gobbler's End? That place is a dump. Why are you even—" Her eyes landed on something in the bag, and her expression darkened. "And were you planning on bringing my top?"

Tess froze, her eyes darting to the patterned crop top now visible in the pile. "What? No, that's... mine."

Michelle snorted, reaching into the bag to retrieve it. "Nice try. This is mine. And it's not leaving this house." She folded it under her arm, shaking her head. "Honestly."

"Fine," Tess muttered, grabbing another shirt from the floor. "Didn't want it anyway."

Michelle eyed her suspiciously. "How did you even get Mum to let you go to a party after what happened the other night?"

Tess shrugged, zipping up the bag halfway. "She thought it'd be good for me, you know... 'for my mental health' or whatever."

Michelle's expression hardened. "Mental health? After you didn't come home all night? Mum's gone soft. Speaking of which..." She tilted her head, watching Tess closely. "Where were you actually?"

"I told you," Tess said quickly, her voice clipped. "I was at Katie's."

Michelle's brow furrowed. "Right. And I thought you and Katie only made up yesterday?"

Tess froze, her hand tightening on the zipper of her bag. "Yeah, we did. So?"

"So, you expect me to believe that after making up yesterday, she invited you over the night before?" Michelle crossed her arms, her tone sharp. "Try again."

Tess groaned, turning to face her sister. "Why do you even care?"

"Because you're lying. And you're a terrible liar." Michelle said bluntly. "You've been super weird lately- I mean more than usual. So, spill."

Tess pressed her lips together, her eyes darting toward the window. "I was at a friend's."

"Which friend?" Michelle pressed, her patience clearly wearing thin.

"Cook," Tess muttered, barely above a whisper.

Michelle blinked, stunned into silence for a moment. "Cook? You were at Cook's all night?" Her voice rose with disbelief.

"Yeah," Tess admitted, folding her arms defensively.

Michelle stared at her, her mouth opening and closing as she processed this. "Okay, wait. Are you saying you spent the night there, like... spent the night?"

Tess didn't answer, but the way she avoided Michelle's eyes was answer enough.

"Oh my God." Michelle sat down on the edge of the bed, her tone shifting from shock to something softer. "Tess, seriously? You slept with him?"

Tess sighed, running a hand through her hair. "It wasn't a big deal, okay?"

"Not a big deal? Not a big deal!" Michelle repeated, incredulously. "What the hell were you thinking, idiot?"

"It's done. Can we just drop it?" Tess snapped, zipping up her bag and throwing it over her shoulder.

Michelle stared at her for a long moment, the disappointment on her face softening into reluctant curiosity. "Fine. But seriously, what was it like?"

"What was what like?" Tess asked, exasperated.

Michelle gave her a look. "The night. I mean... Cook? Really?"

Tess groaned. "I'm not talking about this with you."

"Oh, come on!" Michelle said, a hint of a grin tugging at her lips. "You can't drop a bomb like that and not give me any details."

"There's not any interesting details! And if there was- which there definitely isn't- I wouldn't be telling you anyway" Tess shot back.

"Whatever. Just... be careful, okay?" Michelle warned, rolling her eyes

Tess nodded, her expression guarded. "I will."

"Good." Michelle stood, eyeing her sister with a mix of exasperation and reluctant affection. "You're still an idiot, though."

"Thanks," Tess muttered, brushing past her.

Michelle's voice followed her as she headed out the door. "And don't even think about sneaking out with any more of my clothes!"

---

Tess shifted awkwardly on the doorstep, the faint sound of distant traffic buzzing in the background. She was early. Too early. She could already feel the awkwardness creeping in as she raised her hand to knock on the Stonem door. Before her knuckles made contact, it swung open with surprising force.

Anthea Stonem stood in the doorway, barefoot, dressed in a silk robe loosely tied at the waist, a cigarette dangling from her fingers.She blinked at Tess, her expression caught somewhere between curiosity and mild confusion.

"Michelle," Anthea said brightly, her lips curving into a wide, slightly unsteady smile.

Tess flinched. "Uh, no. Tess."

Anthea squinted, her free hand adjusting the thin strap of her robe. "Tess? Right, Tess. Michelle's sister. Or Effy's friend. Or both? God, you look like her, though. That's why I always get confused. You're not running away from home, are you? Your mum was always a bit..." She twirled a finger beside her head, raising her brows dramatically.

Tess hesitated, unsure how to respond. "No, I'm just here for Effy."

Anthea nodded knowingly, taking a long drag from her cigarette. "Good. Good. Effy needs friends like you. Steady ones. Not like those boys she hangs around." She exhaled a cloud of smoke and waved vaguely toward the inside. "Come in, darling."

Tess stepped into the house, one she hadn't visited in forever. It looked slightly messier than it had in the past but it still had that weird, disjointed feeling she couldn't shake.

Anthea closed the door behind her, leaning against it with a dramatic sigh. "She's upstairs. Or downstairs I don't-"

Tess offered a tight smile and glanced toward the stairs. "Right. I'll just-"

"Tess."

Effy stood there, her expression unreadable as always, dressed in her usual uniform of dark layers and slightly smudged eyeliner.

Relieved, Tess quickly excused herself, brushing past Anthea and following Effy into the living room.

Effy dropped onto the couch, lighting a cigarette of her own.

"You're early," Effy noted, exhaling smoke lazily.

"Yeah, sorry. Just wanted to get out of the house," Tess admitted, fiddling with the sleeve of her hoodie.

Effy smirked. "Fair. So, ready for tonight?"

Tess nodded, though her stomach felt tight. "Yeah, I guess."

Effy studied her for a moment before adding, "Cook's not coming, you know."

Tess stiffened, even though she already knew. "I know."

"Katie's idea," Effy continued, her tone casual. "She said she doesn't want it turning into some 'pikey hoe-down.' Her words, not mine."

Tess's jaw clenched. "She said that? Why would I... I mean, why would I care anyways?"

Effy tilted her head, a small, knowing smile playing at her lips. "No reason."

Tess looked away, her cheeks flushing.

Effy's gaze darkened slightly, her expression hardening. "I went to Freddie's shed the other day. Walking in on them... hanging out."

Tess snorted. "Hanging out? I can't even imagine what they'd talk about"

Effy shrugged, her voice calm but laced with something unspoken. "Doesn't matter. People do what they want."

Tess watched her closely, trying to read between the lines. "But it bothers you, doesn't it?"

Effy didn't answer right away, her eyes fixed on the thin trail of smoke rising from her cigarette. "Doesn't change anything," she said finally, her voice flat.

Before Tess could press further, there was a knock at the door.

"Panda," Effy said, standing and heading toward the sound.

Cooks POV:

Cook trudged through the streets, a plastic bag clutched in one hand, the other shoved deep into his jacket pocket. The cool air nipped at his face, but he barely felt it. He'd been buzzing all day, a restless, jittery kind of excitement that he hadn't been able to shake since the night before- as much as he tried to hide it.

He could still see her, sprawled out on his bed, laughing at some stupid joke he'd made. The way her hair had fanned out across his pillow, the little smirk on her lips that drove him mad. He hadn't exactly planned for it to happen, but then again, planning wasn't really his style. One thing led to another, and there they were.

And now, he was on his way to make things... better? To make up? He didn't really know, and in his opinion he hadn't done any wrong this time round... Still something about Tess made him not care bout that- he just wanted to make up.

He peeked into the paper bag. He'd gone all out for this. A fancy jar of pesto, a slab of salmon, a bag of mixed greens. And the pièce de résistance—a Black Forest gateau he'd spotted at the corner shop. Sure, he'd nicked half of it, but that wasn't the point. The point was, he was trying.

When he reached the front door, he knocked quickly, feeling the anticipation rise in his throat. Tess was supposed to be there, and all of a sudden, he just wanted to see her. He couldn't stop thinking about the other night—about how everything had felt right even though it shouldn't have.

The door opened, and he found Michelle standing there, looking at him with raised eyebrows.

"Cook?"

"Alright, Michelle," he said, forcing a grin. "Take me to your kitchen! Your sister's in for a fucking treat. Four courses, real fancy shit. Pesto. Salmon. Salad."

Michelle didn't look impressed. She folded her arms over her chest. "She's gone."

Cook's heart skipped a beat, and his stomach dropped. "What do you mean, gone?" He stepped forward, but she blocked him with a single look.

"Gone," she repeated. "Not back till tomorrow. They've gone to some party at Gobblers End."

He froze, the bag of ingredients suddenly feeling heavy in his hands. "Nah... Nah. Nah, she's supposed to be here. She has to be here."

Michelle watched him for a long moment, her eyes narrowing. "Was that before or after your fight?"

Cook flinched, his face flushing. He didn't have an answer for that. "I bought a fucking gateau," he mumbled, pulling it out of the bag and holding it up like it was some kind of peace offering.

Michelle eyed the cake, her expression softening slightly. "Oh. My favourite. Cheers."

With that she slammed the door in his face, leaving him outside, bewildered.

He kicked a loose rock on the pavement, sending it skittering into the gutter. He felt like an idiot. A complete, fucking idiot.

The anger bubbled up again, hot and raw. Not just at Tess, but at all of them.

And Tess? She was supposed to be different. She felt different. But maybe he'd been wrong about that too.

Cook lit a cigarette, the flame of his lighter flickering in the dark. He took a deep drag, letting the smoke burn his lungs as he stared down the empty street.

"Fuck 'em," he muttered under his breath. "Fuck all of 'em."