After (The After Series)

Oh . . . and I cheated on you last night, my subconscious adds. Ignoring that, I
say, “But, Noah, could you please stop telling my mother when I do things? It
makes me really uncomfortable. I love that you are close to her but I feel like a
child when you basically tell on me.” It feels good to get that off my chest.
“Tessa, I am so sorry. I was just worried about you. I promise I won’t do it
again. Honestly.” He wraps his arm around my shoulder and kisses my forehead,
and I believe him.
The rest of the day is better than the morning, mostly because my mother
takes me to a salon and I get my hair trimmed and some layers added into it. It

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still hangs down my back but with my new cut it has more volume and looks
much better. Noah showers me with compliments the entire drive back to my
dorm, and everything just feels right. I say goodbye to them at the front door,
once again promising to stay away from anyone with a tattoo and within a
hundred-mile radius. When I walk into my dorm room, I feel a tinge of
disappointment to find it empty, but I’m not sure if I was hoping to see Steph or
someone else.
I don’t even bother taking my shoes off before I lie in my bed. I’m too
exhausted and in need of sleep. I sleep the night away and don’t wake up until
noon. When I wake up, Steph’s asleep in her bed. I go study for the rest of
Sunday, and when I return she’s gone. Monday morning she’s still not back, and
I start feeling a strong urge to catch up on what she was doing all weekend.

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chapter twenty-two
B
efore heading to my first class, I stop to grab my usual at the coffeehouse,
where Landon is waiting for me with a smile. After our hellos, we’re interrupted
by a girl asking for intricate directions, and so we don’t get the chance to catch
up until we’re walking to our last class of the day. The class that all day I have
been dreading, but anticipating.
“How was your weekend?” Landon asks and I groan.
“Terrible, actually. I went to another party with Steph,” I tell him and he
makes a sour face and laughs. “I’m sure yours was much better. How is
Dakota?”
His smile grows at the mention of her name and I realize that I didn’t mention
seeing Noah on Saturday. Landon tells me about Dakota applying to a ballet
company in New York and how happy he is for her. All the while, I wonder if
Noah’s eyes light up like that when he talks about me.
As we walk into class, he’s telling me how his father and stepmother were
thrilled to see him, but I find myself searching the room and not listening very
closely to him; Hardin’s seat is empty.
“Won’t it be hard if Dakota is gone so far?” I manage to ask as we take our
seats.
“Well, we are already far from each other now, but it works. I really just want
the best for her, and if New York is it, that’s where I want her to be.”
The professor walks in, silencing us. Where’s Hardin? He wouldn’t skip class
just to avoid me, would he?

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We dive into Pride and Prejudice—a magical book that I wish everyone
would read—and before I realize it the class is over.
“You’ve cut your hair, Theresa.” I turn around to see Hardin smiling behind
me. He and Landon exchange awkward stares and I try to think of what to say.
He wouldn’t mention the kiss in front of Landon, would he? Those dimples,
deep as ever, tell me that yes, yes he would.
“Hey, Hardin,” I say.
“How was your weekend?” His expression is so smug.
I pull Landon by the arm. “Good. Well, see you around!” I yell nervously and
Hardin laughs.
When we’re outside, Landon asks, “What was that about?” obviously catching
on to my strange behavior.
“Nothing, I just don’t like Hardin.”
“At least you don’t have to see him often.”
But there is something behind his voice, and why would he say that? Does he
know about the kiss?
“Um . . . yeah. Thank God,” is all I can muster.
He pauses. “I wasn’t going to say anything, because I don’t want you to
associate me with him, but”—he smiles nervously—“Hardin’s dad is sort of
dating my mom.”