Summer part 1

Tess stood in front of the mirror, fiddling with her hair as she stared at her reflection. She ran her fingers through her messy strands, trying to ignore the way her mind kept circling back to the same question: Is this a date?

It wasn't that she didn't know what was happening with her and Cook—it was just... confusing. She could feel the weight of his presence when he was around, could sense the way he'd look at her when they were alone. They'd been fucking, yes, and hanging out together, sure. But they hadn't talked about what they were. They weren't official, but they weren't not a thing either.

It was easier than before, though. A lot easier. They were in this weird limbo, and it didn't make sense, but it felt good. At least most of the time. But every now and then, Tess found herself wondering: Was this a mistake? Could she handle this whole mess? Should she even be wanting this?

A knock on her door broke her thoughts, the sound sharp and impatient, and she knew exactly who it was. 

"Oi, hurry up, I need a piss!" Cook's voice rang out urgently from behind the door.

Tess rolled her eyes, but a smile tugged at the corner of her lips as she walked over to open the door. She barely had time to step aside before he hurried in, practically shoving his way inside, shifting from foot to foot like he was about to explode. "Where's the loo?"

"It's upstairs on the right." She chuckled

He gave her a thankful glance before hurrying up the stairs as she made her way to her bedroom.

When Cook came back, he was grinning like a little kid. "Your bathroom's fucking awesome man. You've got that fancy soap I nick from hotels"

Tess gave him a confused look "Better not have stolen mine" She muttered as she pulled a couple of shoes from under her bed, tossing them onto the floor beside her. She was on autopilot at this point, just trying to find the right pair.

But then she heard him, laughing.

"Look at this!" When she looked over, he was holding up a baby picture from the back of her door, laughing like it was the funniest thing he'd ever seen. When she looked closer, she saw the exact picture he was laughing at of her and Katie, both of them around nine years old.

"Oh, for fucks sake," Tess muttered, rolling her eyes. Cook was holding the photo with both hands, clearly amused by whatever he was seeing.

"Look at your hair!" Cook laughed, excitedly. "And what's Katie kins wearing?"

Tess sighed, crossing her arms. "Michelle cut my hair that year. Not by choice" remembering the shocking haircut her sister had inflicted on her.

Cook just kept laughing, holding the picture up to his face like it was the funniest thing he'd ever seen. "This is gold, Tess. Absolute gold." he said before pulling his phone out

Tess snatched the photo back. "Don't you dare take a photo of that!"

"Well see sweetheart" Cook smirked, clearly enjoying this more than he should. "I uh like your room by the way. Looks much better in daylight"

Tess looked up from her desperate shoe search. "What do you mean?"

He glanced at her with a raised eyebrow, his usual cocky smirk twisting into something playful. "I've been here before haven't I? In the middle of the night, though, and you were passed out drunk." He said accusingly.

Tess groaned, rolling her eyes. "Yeah, yeah, don't remind me." She gave him a slight shove to get him to stop messing with her things.

He moved toward the bed, plopping down without a care and stretching out, hands behind his head, looking ridiculously at ease.

Tess watched him for a moment, half amused, half irritated by how completely comfortable he was in her space. There was no tension between them, not really. But there was something simmering just beneath the surface. Maybe it was a little... too comfortable. She hated that it felt natural.

"We gotta get going," Tess said as she zipped up her bag, moving toward the door.

But before she could even make it out, Cook caught her wrist, spinning her back around with a grin that was all too familiar.

"Come here." His voice dropped, and he pulled her in, pressing a kiss to her lips.

His lips met hers, and for a split second, she melted into it. The warmth, the familiarity—it was too easy. Too dangerous. But then, she pulled away.

"Cook," she said, her voice soft but firm. "We're not doing this right now."

"Why not?" he asked, his voice just shy of pleading as he leaned back, a playful glint in his eye.

"Because I said so," Tess said, but her lips were twitching as she grabbed her jacket. "Now, come on, let's go. We've got shit to do."

He threw his hands up in mock surrender, laughing as he followed her out. "Alright, alright, but you owe me later."

----

Tess sat down at the nearest table, dropping into the plastic chair with an exhausted sigh. She could only handle so much of Cook's full-blown consumer rights crusade before she had to tap out.

Across the chippy, Cook was still at it.

"Nah, nah, you don't get it, mate," he was saying, leaning over the counter like he was arguing a murder trial. "I read the sign. Large chips, drink, three pounds fifty. It's written in fuckin' ink, yeah? Permanent. Can't just change the rules when it suits ya."

The poor teenage worker, who looked like he regretted showing up to work today, rubbed the back of his neck. "Yeah, but that was last week's deal—"

"Then why," Cook interrupted, slamming a hand down on the counter, "is it still on the fuckin' board?"

Tess, watching from the table, sighed and pulled two quid from her pocket. "Cook, let it go. I'll cover it. "

The kid glanced nervously at the older man frying chips in the back, who looked like he'd seen too much of life to care.

Tess sighed, pulling two quid from her pocket. "Here. Two pounds, it's fine."

Cook barely glanced at her, waving her off. "Nah, nah, it's the principle of it. Alright?" He turned back to the kid. "This is false advertising, mate. I could take this to Watchdog."

The kid blinked again. "What's Watchdog?"

"Jesus fuck." Cook groaned, throwing his head back.

Tess shook her head. "For fucks sake you are so stubborn!"

"More stubborn than you?" Cook questioned, she just rolled her eyes at him, "Yeah thought so" He muttered

And of course Cook wasn't done, turning his attention back to the kid. "What if I pay £3.50, but you 'accidentally' drop a few extra chips in the bag? That's like, a loophole, ain't it?"

The older man in the back grunted, "Just give 'im the chips so he fucks off!"

Cook grinned in victory as the teen sighed and rung up the order.

Tess shook her head as Cook sauntered over, a steaming bag of chips in hand. "Can't take you anywhere," she muttered.

Cook dropped into the seat across from her, digging into the bag immediately. "Listen, you could've paid full price, yeah, you should be thanking me for the extra chips I just got yah"

A few minutes later, they were sitting on a park bench, facing each other, sharing the greasy paper-wrapped chips. Well, more like Tess was eating at a normal pace, while Cook was inhaling them like a feral animal.

She grimaced. "Jesus, do you ever stop eating?"

Cook, mid-bite, looked up at her with his mouth full, cheeks puffed out like a hamster. "Wha'?" he mumbled, bits of chip falling onto his shirt.

Tess recoiled. "That's vile."

Cook shrugged and went back to his massacre.

They sat in comfortable silence for a bit, watching people pass by.

"Alright," he said, nodding towards a slow-moving elderly couple across the path. "What's their deal?"

Tess smirked, eyeing a hunched-over pair slowly shuffling past. She deepened her voice into a posh, elderly drawl. "Oh, Gerald, you absolute bastard, you forgot to put the bins out again."

Cook immediately jumped in, clutching his chest in mock devastation. "Margaret, for the last time, I have early onset dementia! You can't keep using this against me!"

Tess snorted, nearly choking on a chip.

Next, a man in a suit stormed past them, phone clutched to his ear, looking fuming.

Cook adopted a high-pitched, posh accent. "Listen here, Rupert, I explicitly said the caviar should be chilled, not lukewarm! I have guests coming in 20 minutes?!"

Tess giggled, "Your too good at that voice,"

"I dabble," Cook said, stuffing more chips into his mouth. He gestured to a teenage girl sitting on the grass, staring at her phone like it had just betrayed her.

"That one just found out her ex is dating her sister." Tess whispered

Cook gasped dramatically. "Fucking scandalous, that."

They kept going, making up ridiculous stories, doing voices—Cook got so into character that he nearly fell off the bench imitating an old drunk bloke. By the time the chips were gone, their sides hurt from laughing.

Tess sighed, stretching out her legs. "I had low expectations after your little show back there... but that was actually fun."

Cook grinned. "You doubted me?"

She rolled her eyes but smiled, kicking his foot lightly. "Always."

He nudged her back. "Oi, Margaret, let's go before Gerald forgets where he parked the car."

Tess groaned but got up anyway, shaking her head as Cook dramatically hobbled away like an old man.

----

The sky had settled into deep shades of pink and orange, stretching over the rooftops, and the air had cooled just enough to make the heat of the day feel distant.

Tess stuffed her hands in her pockets and glanced at Cook. "Where are we meeting everyone again?"

Cook looked at her like she'd just asked him his own name. "Uncle Keith's," he said, as if it was obvious.

Tess groaned. "Right. Should've guessed. I still don't get why you idolise that man so much."

Cook gasped dramatically. "Hey, Uncle Keith is a fucking legend."

"To who?" Tess asked, skeptical.

"Me. Blokes in the pub. People" He stated like it was obvious

Tess scoffed, "Great list you've got there Cook"

The pub was already busy when they walked in, the usual mix of old regulars hunched over pints, a few groups scattered around, and the familiar scent of beer-soaked carpets filling the air. At the corner booth, JJ was mid-monologue about something Panda was nodding along to, Naomi was sitting in the corner, looking distracted and Freddie sat across from her, looking down at his drink.

"Alright, you lot," Cook announced, sliding into the booth like he belonged there. "What's with the whole depresso act going on?"

"What act?" Panda beamed.

"Well I suppose Naomi is being unusually quiet... and I suppose Freddie's uncomfortable now that you're here... and Effy's left, and left Freddie." JJ said, nodding. "Sorry."

Freddie let out a low laugh before shaking his head "Fuckin' hell J"

Freddie finally glanced up, eyes flicking between Cook and Tess. "You two been alright then?"

It was directed at both of them, but Cook hesitated just a second too long before nodding.

"Yeah, mate. Peachy."

Freddie nodded, but there was a beat of silence that no one quite knew how to fill. There was still tension between them, even though they had supposedly 'made up'

Tess gave him a smile and slid in next to Naomi, who barely acknowledged her before taking a long sip of her pint.

"How unbearable was it?" Naomi asked dryly, referring to Tess's day with Cook.

"Some poor kid at the chippy probably quit his job," Tess replied, stealing a sip from Naomi's drink.

"Classic."

"So, where the fuck's Eff?" Naomi asked, tapping her nails against her glass.

The table fell silent for a second too long.

"Who knows," JJ said quickly. "She's been gone since—well you know."

"Do you know Panda?" Tess asked.

Panda shook her head, almost too enthusiastically. "Nup. It's driving me bonkers! She won't answer my texts, calls, nothing."

That was enough to steer the conversation away, and soon, the tension faded as drinks were passed around and the night started properly.

----

Tess leaned against the counter as Naomi waved down the bartender, who was moving at a snail's pace despite the growing crowd. The pub smelled like stale beer and smoke, and the low hum of conversation filled the air.

"Sad Emily's not around?" Tess asked, nudging Naomi's shoulder lightly.

Naomi let out a short laugh, though it didn't quite reach her eyes. "Yeah. Haven't exactly been getting many calls. Hope she hasn't found some French girl to run off with." She laughed

Tess smirked. "You know she hasn't."

Naomi hummed, taking a sip of her drink. "Yeah, well. We'll see."

"You're allowed to miss her, y'know."

Naomi scoffed. "Who said I miss her?"

Tess gave her a look.

"Alright, fine," Naomi muttered. "Maybe a little."

Naomi turned to her. "Did I mention Kieran's dating my mum properly now?" She said it so casually that it took a second for Tess to process.

"What? No, you didn't."

Naomi sighed. "Yeah. Apparently, they're like... a thing now. Gross, right?"

Tess pulled a face. "I mean, I knew they had something going on, but proper dating?"

Naomi nodded, exhaling. "Yep. Thought it was just a midlife crisis shag, but no, it's a whole thing... Anyway, enough about that. How's your day been? You and Cook have been spending a lot of time together, y'know."

Tess shrugged. "So?"

Naomi smirked. "So, everyone can tell something's up."

Tess scoffed, shaking her head. "We're not dating or anything. Just hanging out. Occasionally shagging. Y'know."

Naomi raised an eyebrow. "Right. And that's totally fine with you?"

Tess hesitated for half a second before taking a sip of her drink. "Yeah. Why wouldn't it be?"

Naomi studied her. "Didn't take you for the casual shagging type...not anymore at least"

Tess huffed a laugh. "We haven't really talked about it."

Naomi narrowed her eyes. "Right. But do you want him to be your boyfriend?"

Tess hesitated, shifting her weight. "I... I dunno."

Naomi's smirk faded slightly. "What's wrong?"

Tess ran a hand through her hair, looking away. "I don't know, just... weird feeling about everything lately."

"Weird how?"

Tess exhaled, avoiding Naomi's gaze. "I think I'm probably just scared. Right?" She paused, frowning slightly. "Something just feels off, that's all."

Naomi was quiet for a moment before nudging her arm. "Maybe it's just your brain overthinking. Or maybe it's something else. Either way, you should figure it out before it fucks you over."

Tess let out a dry laugh. "Great advice. Cheers for that."

Naomi smirked. "Anytime."

The bartender finally made her way over, and they ordered another round. As they waited, Naomi turned to her, suddenly serious.

"Tess, can I ask you something?"

Tess raised a brow. "Sure?"

"You have to promise not to tell Ems, alright?"

"Um... okay? What's up?"

Naomi glanced down at her drink, swirling it slightly before exhaling. "I've been thinking about going to uni."

Tess frowned. "Cool! And that's... a secret?"

Naomi let out a dry laugh. "Emily wants to go traveling. She's got this whole plan for us. And I—I don't know. Kieran gave me pamphlets for some universities, and I actually started thinking about it. But I don't wanna fuck things up with Em."

Tess considered that. "I mean, have you told her?"

Naomi shook her head.

"You probably should," Tess said carefully. "And also, you should think about what you want."

Naomi didn't respond right away, just swirled the liquid in her glass. The silence between them stretched, unspoken things lingering in the air.

Tess sighed. "Look, I get why you're worried, but... you can't just not do something because of someone else, even if it's Emily."

Naomi let out a small, humourless laugh. "Yeah. Maybe."

The bartender finally returned, placing their drinks in front of them. Tess picked hers up and took a long sip, letting the alcohol settle the uneasy feeling in her stomach. She wasn't entirely sure what Naomi was going to do, but she hoped she would figure it out soon.

----

Tess and Naomi walked back over to the group, Naomi's eyes immediately scanning the room for Freddie. She found him sitting at a table in the corner, tapping his foot nervously against the floor, clearly uncomfortable with the chaos surrounding him. She didn't miss a beat.

Naomi sauntered over, sliding into the seat next to Freddie with a smirk. "You look like you're about to explode from all this fun, Freddie," she teased.

He looked at her, a little surprised by her arrival. "I'm not sure 'fun' is the word for it, but sure," he said dryly, glancing at the mess of dancing and shouting around them.

Meanwhile, across the pub, Tess spotted Cook, visibly swaying as he laughed with JJ, who was awkwardly trying to follow the rhythm of the music. Cook was completely out of it, dancing wildly and nearly knocking over a table in the process. Tess sighed, already dreading the chaos that was coming their way.

Pandora, oblivious to the increasing tension, came skipping over with a fresh round of drinks in hand. Her excitement was contagious, and she practically bounced with glee as she handed Tess a drink. "You need more!"

Tess raised an eyebrow, her concern piquing. "Panda, you've had enough for tonight. Maybe you should slow down."

But Pandora was already shaking her head, an innocent grin spreading across her face. "No, no! I like drinking now, Tess! It's fun!"

Before Tess could protest further, Pandora darted off toward the bar again, looking like she was on a mission to get even more drinks. Tess exchanged a look with Naomi, who was already giving her a warning glance.

It didn't take long before Tess found herself in the toilet, holding Pandora's hair back as her friend heaved into the toilet, a loud retching sound echoing off the walls. Panda had run into the wrong bathroom but there was no stopping her now. Tess could barely hold back the grimace as she looked around, already wishing she were anywhere else.

She glanced over her shoulder at the few guys who'd entered the bathroom, clearly uncomfortable at the sight. They stopped short and gave them a confused, judgmental look.

Tess wasn't in the mood for their stares, and she shot them a cold, unimpressed look. "You right?" she said sharply. The guys looked quickly at each other, exchanged some mumbled words, and swiftly exited the bathroom.

Pandora finally sat up, breathing a little easier but still dazed. Tess helped her get to her feet, though she could feel the weight of the situation on her shoulders. "You good Panda?" Tess asked, wiping her hands on her jeans.

"I think... I think I need to go home," Pandora said with a sheepish grin, though she was still a little unsteady. Her eyes seemed a little too glazed over for comfort.

Tess helped her out of the pub and found Thomas standing outside, impatiently checking his phone. He immediately took one look at Pandora and sighed, helping Tess bring her over to the taxi.

"Hello Tess. Thanks for looking after her." Thomas said, struggling to get her into the seat

"It wasn't too bad." Tess gave him a weak smile. "You should have come tonight."

Thomas gave her a sideways glance, "I would have, really. But I was busy, you know?"

Tess nodded, unconvinced. "Yeah, yeah, course. Anyways good luck with her"

Tess watched them leave, then returned to the pub, but when she got back inside, Naomi and JJ were both gone, leaving a strange, empty space at their table. Tess sighed, rolling her eyes at how quickly the night had taken a turn.

Freddie had barely moved from his spot, still looking like he wanted to disappear into the wallpaper. Tess sat down beside him, giving him a small smile.

"Where'd everyone go?" she asked.

"They left," Freddie replied, his voice tinged with something that sounded a lot like resignation.

Tess nodded, understanding more than she let on. "Oh ok." She glanced over at Cook again, who was now perched on a table, yelling and gesturing wildly to no one in particular. "Fucking hell Cook" she muttered

Freddie followed her gaze, eyes flickering over Cook's antics. "Can't be surprised though."

Tess narrowed her eyes, watching as Cook knocked over a drink and then cheered even louder, oblivious to the old men around him who were glaring at him.

"I swear, if he doesn't stop soon, he's going to get kicked out," Tess muttered under her breath, already feeling the rising panic.

"By who? Uncle Keith? Fat chance." Freddie grimaced

Tess pointed over to a couch on the other side of the room, Uncle Keith passed out on it. "No by everyone else who's pissed with him... understandably though."

Freddie turned back to her with a tired smile, though there was something bitter underneath. "He's just doing what he does best—making a mess of things. That's all he knows how to do."

Tess looked at him, surprised by the bitterness in his tone. "What's with you, Freddie? You okay?"

He scoffed, the bitterness in his voice growing. "Yeah, I'm just great." His sarcasm was thick, but his eyes told another story. "You and Cook, you two are getting along great. Everything's fine for you, right?" His voice was quieter now, almost too quiet, but it wasn't lost on her. "And I don't get that... she's gone"

Tess blinked, processing his words. She didn't know what to say to that. Was there more to Freddie's discomfort than just tonight? "Things aren't always as great as they seem you know? Maybe she just needs time"

Before he could respond, Cook's voice suddenly rose above the noise of the pub. "Fuck all of youse!" he shouted, slurring his words as he started to swing his arms around. He was out of control now, standing up on top of a table and yelling at random strangers as they tried to get away from him. 

Tess stood up, already feeling the panic bubble up in her chest. She turned to Freddie, who had already started moving toward Cook, ready to help, though he didn't look like he wanted to.

"You gotta do something," Tess said, urgency creeping into her voice.

"Me? why me?!" Freddie said exasperated... but he helped anyway.

Together, they managed to get Cook off the table, though not without a fight. Cook staggered between them, laughing as if he didn't have a care in the world.

"Freddie, man," Cook said, his voice slurred, though there was something almost affectionate about it. "You're so fucking boring sometimes. Live a little!" He grinned, his words slurring together in the way only a very drunk person's could.

Freddie just looked at him with tired eyes, trying to keep his balance as Cook leaned on him. "Yeah, well, someone's gotta keep you from ending up dead, mate."

Cook ignored him, waving his hand dismissively. "Whatever, man. You're just stuck. You need to get out of your head."

Tess watched their interaction, the growing tension between the two of them palpable. There was something unsaid there, something Tess couldn't quite figure out. Freddie didn't answer right away, instead looking at Cook with a mixture of exhaustion and something deeper.

Finally, Freddie sighed, glancing over at Tess. "I'm done," he muttered, his voice low. "I'm going home. You've got your shit sorted out with Cook—good for you." He shook his head, clearly frustrated, but there was more than that in his eyes—something lost. " but I'm going. Enjoy your night, Tess."

Tess watched him walk off, her stomach tightening as she realised there was more to Freddie's words than she had time to process. She turned back to Cook, who was still grinning like a maniac, clearly oblivious to the rift that was widening between him and the people who cared about him.

"Tosser" Tess muttered, her voice quieter then before, more concerned than she let on. But Cook just shrugged it off.

And Tess, now caught in the whirlwind of it all, couldn't help but wonder how much longer it would last before everything broke apart.

----

The walk home was chaos in its purest form. Cook was nearly hopping down the street, laughing and singing with a surprising energy. Tess had already had a couple of drinks, but it wasn't enough to keep her from trying to keep him in check.

"No, Cook—shut up for a sec," she said, her voice a mixture of amusement and irritation as he belted out some half-remembered lyrics to Ace of Spades.

"Ya know I'm born to loose, and gambling's for fools!" Cook sang, his voice cracking and echoing into the night.

Tess laughed despite herself, leaning in close as she grabbed his arm to keep him from swerving into the street. "Cook, seriously."

He didn't hear her, too caught up in the rhythm, twirling and stumbling in the opposite direction. "Wooo! You know what I need, Tess? A bloody good drink!" He was already digging into his jacket pocket, pulling out a half-hidden bottle of something.

Tess sighed, feeling the weight of the night hitting her. "God, just get back to the house without waking up the whole fucking street, yeah?"

By the time they made it inside, Cook was still giggling to himself, spinning around and bumping into furniture as he stumbled toward the bed. Tess followed, trying to make sure he didn't destroy anything in her room in his haze. He plopped onto her bed, still chuckling like everything was the best thing in the world.

Tess, feeling the exhaustion from the night set in, figured it was safe to leave him for a minute. She headed to the bathroom, trying to pull herself together. She leaned against the sink, her tired eyes staring back at her in the mirror. It wasn't long before she heard the door creak open and her mum's voice broke the quiet.

"What are you doing up, Tess?"

Tess jumped, straightening up quickly and trying to act casual. "Oh, just couldn't sleep, that's all."

Her mum raised an eyebrow, clearly not buying it. "What are you doing up then?" Tess fired back, half sarcastic, half curious.

"Oh, you know..." her mum replied, with a knowing smile. "Paul and I were... up."

Tess gagged and immediately wished she hadn't asked. "Ew, gross. I didn't need to know that."

Her mum chuckled lightly. "It's perfectly normal and healthy, Tess. Don't be so weird about it, darling." She gave Tess an exaggerated wink before heading back downstairs.

Tess stood still for a moment, blinking at the door. "Gross," she muttered under her breath, before realising she'd left Cook alone for a little too long. She dashed back to her room, but when she reached the door, she froze.

Cook had his head stuck out her window, shouting something to a passerby in the street. "Good morning sir!" he was talking in that same, fake old man's voice from before

Tess felt her heart skip a beat. "Cook, what the fuck are you doing?" she rushed over, yanking him back into the room and slamming the window shut with more force than necessary.

He didn't seem fazed. Instead, he looked at her with wild eyes, holding a bottle of whiskey he must have dug out of somewhere in her room.

"I'm just—" he paused, squinting at her. "I'm just... saying hello. You know, getting some air."

Tess was fed up. She snatched the bottle from him, "Cook, you're drinking yourself to death." Her voice was a little quieter now, like she was more worried than angry, but that didn't stop her. "You can't keep doing this all the time."

He slumped onto the bed, leaning back with a soft laugh. "but what else is there, eh? Ain't much left to do. Can't feel the... the stupid stuff... I just want to... not feel."

Tess's breath caught in her throat, the weight of his words settling in. She didn't know what to say, didn't know how to fix it. She just placed a hand on his shoulder gently, guiding him into a lying position on the bed.

"C'mon," she whispered. "Let's get you to sleep."

She climbed into bed beside him, sliding under the covers. Cook shifted, his body still radiating heat from the alcohol, but then his voice broke through the silence again.

"You look hot tonight, y'know?" he mumbled, half-closed eyes turning toward her.

Tess shoved him over slightly, making more room for herself. "Shut up, Cook," she muttered, but she couldn't help the small smile that tugged at her lips.

As she snuggled closer, the world outside felt like it was slipping away. Then, in a low voice, Cook muttered something that made her chest tighten.

"What would I do without you, Tessy?"

Tess froze, her heart racing as she processed his words. Her mind started to swirl. What would she do? What would they both do if this continued, if they kept getting tangled in each other's chaos?

She felt her stomach drop, but she didn't know what to say. So, she just let the silence fill the room, holding him a little tighter as the weight of his words lingered.