The Alien Within

Chapter 15: Tug-o-love!

As Tessa stormed off from the cafeteria, both James and Adrian sat there in awkward silence. The tension between them hadn't evaporated with the bell.

If anything, it had only intensified. The thought of what lay ahead for them in both school and their ever-evolving relationship with Tessa hung in the air like thick fog.

James took a deep breath and glanced over at Adrian, who was still leaning back in his chair, the same smug smile on his face that drove James crazy.

For a brief moment, James considered saying something—anything—to cut through the tension. But what would he even say? That they should act like adults and move past this? That was hardly going to happen.

Instead, James stood, slinging his backpack over his shoulder and shooting Adrian a glare as he left the cafeteria. Let him enjoy his little game, James thought, his jealousy gnawing at him. This isn't over.

Adrian frowned, I really can't let a human have the only female Kaelria I have seen in a decade. With our species almost extinct.

---

Meanwhile, Tessa was walking down the hall, trying to shake off the embarrassment and confusion. The last few weeks had been overwhelming, from the quiz competition to the football match, and now this love triangle that she never asked for.

She stopped at her locker and leaned her head against it, trying to gather her thoughts.

"Why does everything have to be so complicated?" she muttered to herself.

Just then, her phone buzzed in her pocket. She pulled it out and glanced at the screen, half-expecting it to be another message from James or Adrian. But instead, it was something far worse.

A text from an unknown number.

It read: You're not safe. They're watching you.

Her heart skipped a beat as she stared at the message. She looked around the empty hallway, feeling a sudden chill crawl up her spine. Who could have sent that message? Was it about Mr. Rudbick? Or someone else?

---

Later that evening, as Ms. Caldwell sat in her living room with Tessa, she could tell something was bothering her. Tessa had been unusually quiet since the cafeteria incident, and though Ms. Caldwell had been trying to give her space, the tension was palpable.

"Tessa," Ms. Caldwell said gently, "you know you can talk to me about anything, right?"

Tessa looked up from her phone, her expression conflicted. "I just... I don't know. Everything feels so weird lately. James and Adrian are constantly fighting, and now I got this creepy text."

Ms. Caldwell raised an eyebrow. "Creepy text?"

Tessa nodded and handed her the phone. Ms. Caldwell's eyes scanned the message, and her face immediately darkened. She'd known for a while that Mr. Rudbick was up to something, but now it seemed like things were escalating. Fast.

"Do you think it's him?" Tessa asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

Ms. Caldwell sighed, setting the phone down on the coffee table. "It's possible. But I'm not going to let anything happen to you. Not while I'm around."

Tessa managed a small smile, though the worry didn't completely leave her face. "Thanks. I just don't know what to do about... everything else. James, Adrian... It's like I'm stuck in the middle of this ridiculous tug-of-war."

Ms. Caldwell chuckled, shaking her head. "Boys will be boys, especially when it comes to matters of the heart. But you don't owe anyone anything, Tessa. You're your own person, and don't let them make you feel like you have to choose."

Tessa nodded, her mind still spinning but feeling slightly more at ease. Ms. Caldwell had a way of making things seem simpler, even when they weren't.

---

The next day at school, James and Adrian found themselves face to face again, but this time it wasn't in a competitive standoff. They were at football practice, getting ready for their next big match. As much as James hated to admit it, the team needed Adrian's skill, and he wasn't about to let his personal feelings get in the way of another win.

Coach Thompson stood in the middle of the field, clipboard in hand, barking out instructions. "Alright, boys, I need you two working together. None of this ego stuff today, got it?"

James nodded, his jaw tight, while Adrian just shrugged, flashing a grin. "Yeah, coach. We're good."

But as the practice went on, something surprising happened. Despite the undercurrent of jealousy and rivalry between them, James and Adrian began to cooperate. It wasn't the smoothest partnership—there were still moments where

James would pass the ball a little too aggressively or where Adrian would show off a bit too much—but the teamwork was undeniable. They were unstoppable on the field, and the rest of the team could feel it.

There was a time Adrian gave a sublime backheel pass to James who chested it and swung his foot like a bowstring, stinging the arms of the keeper with the ball, before it richocheted off the woodwork and into the back of the net.

The entire team gasped in amazement at their exemplary coordination and cooperation and wondered how it would be like, if both of them decided not to fight or bicker jealously and truly settle the rift.

After an hour of drills, they were both panting and drenched in sweat, but neither could deny the grudging respect that was building between them. James, still wary, gave Adrian a nod as they walked off the field.

"Good game," James muttered, though his tone was less than enthusiastic.

Adrian smirked, wiping the sweat from his brow. "Likewise."

---

But while the boys were starting to find some common ground on the field, off it, things were getting more complicated.

Mr. Rudbick had been watching Adrian closely, and it hadn't taken him long to figure out that the boy wasn't normal. He'd seen Adrian's speed, his strength, and the way he seemed to anticipate every move during the game. It was all too perfect.

Another alien, Mr. Rudbick thought, excitement bubbling in his chest. Two of them, right here in the same school.

He had been obsessed with Tessa for months, convinced that she wasn't human, but Adrian was something else entirely. Rudbick could feel it in his bones. This was his chance to finally prove his theories were right.

The world had to know about the aliens living among them, and he was going to be the one to expose them.

But how?

As he sat in his dimly lit office, scribbling down notes and plans in his worn-out notebook, a sinister idea began to take shape. If he could get to Tessa, if he could take her, he'd have all the evidence he needed. And Adrian? Well, Rudbick would deal with him soon enough.

If only he had more freedom. The only permission he got was to watch James play, if not, he won't even be allowed to stay by the school gate. What a road block! But, has he ever allowed a mere road block to stop him? Hehehehe, never!

...

Meanwhile, Ms. Caldwell was growing more concerned by the day. She had seen the way Rudbick was eyeing both Tessa and Adrian, and she knew he was up to something. It was only a matter of time before he made his move.

One afternoon, she pulled Adrian aside after class, her face serious. "We need to talk."

Adrian's usual smirk faltered as he followed her into her office, shutting the door behind him. "What's going on?"

Ms. Caldwell didn't waste any time. "Adrian, you need to be more careful, if you can help it, don't show off too much, he is watching you like a hawk. I've been monitoring him for a while."

Adrian froze, his blue eyes narrowing. "What are you talking about?"

"I know you need to shine to get your scholarship for university, but, your life would be safer if you don't have a target on your back," she said quietly, her voice soft but firm. "And I also know that Mr. Rudbick is onto you. He's been watching you, and he's not going to stop until he gets what he wants."

Adrian's heart raced, his mind scrambling for a way out of the situation. But before he could say anything, Ms. Caldwell continued.

"I'm not here to scare you," she said, her tone reassuring. "I'm here to help. Whatever you are, whoever you are, I'm going to protect you like I promised. You're safe with me, and with Tessa."

Adrian's shoulders relaxed slightly, though the tension didn't completely leave him. "You're really going to protect me? Even though I'm... different?"

Ms. Caldwell smiled, her eyes softening. "Different doesn't mean dangerous. And I've spent enough time with you to know that you're not a threat. But we need to be careful. Rudbick is getting closer, and if we're not careful, things could go very wrong."

Adrian nodded, feeling reassuringly that he wasn't alone in all of this. For the first time since he had arrived at the school, he felt like someone was truly on his side. But as he left Ms. Caldwell's office that day, one thing was clear: this was far from over.

And with Rudbick plotting in the shadows, things were only going to get more complicated.