I felt terrible lying to Tessa, but what was I supposed to do! I laid in my bed that night, thinking about how horrible it would be if Tessa knew the reason this whole thing got started.

Then I thought, that it would be much worse if I just kept hiding it from her. I had to choose to tell her the next day as the better option.

I get to school and can't to find Tessa.

Matt puts his arm around my shoulders, shouting, "Hey, Thomas, you coming to lunch?".

I nod, my mind wandering elsewhere. I started feeling silly. When did a girl decide what I was thinking about? I mean, she's just a girl. I don't, I don't... Why could I say that stupid L word? I use to be able to throw it around easily, and now I can't even think it.

I didn't know what I was going to do about the turmoil inside of me. I just knew it was connected to Tessa Weaver, a girl I wasn't supposed even know.

My head spun. I starting thinking about how Tyler dared me to play Oreo with him. He said I had nothing to lose. When I indeed lost, I thought I'd hate being around Tessa. Now I enjoyed her company. I started disliking the idea of never getting to know her, never learning how wonderful she was. It was unthinkable.

I really wanted Tessa and me to work out.

I saw her in class, but always just missed her. She seemed lost in her own world, not really seeing what was going on around her.

Finally, lunch appeared. I sat with Tyler and Matt, thinking nothing was wrong in the world. They started their gossip, telling tales about Tessa and making my skin roast.

Matt says, "I bet Thomas is only playing her like he always does. Right Thomas?".

It seemed like time speed up and the words just fell out of my mouth, "Of course, stupid.".

I heard a gasp, a tray drop, and Hollywood curls flying.
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I glared at Matt, angry at the fool I was. I didn't realize how much my world would turn upside down.

I tried to catch up to her, tried to grab her arm. I needed to explain!

I shouted, "Tessa! Tessa wait, please! I can explain.".

She whirls around, a tornado of fury and tears, "Explain what? Are you messing with my feelings? You lying to me? Thomas, I thought you, I thought you... ". She broke off into a sob, breaking my heart into bits.

I tried to reach for her again, wanting to fix this. She screamed, "Don't touch me, I hate you!".

Those last three words would haunt me forever. I and Hate and You. I crumpled to the ground, crying like a baby. I watched that beautiful face, contorted with pain, turn and those curls bounce as she walked away.

And I just broke.