12. ...After

                                    

                                          
Tess' POV:
                          
I managed to wake up at Koy's house, everyone else was there. 
                          
"Who knew you lived near Tess!"


                          
"I know right, I didn't even know that she lived near me!"


                          
"Really, you didn't even see her or recognize her!?"


                          
"Nope, but it explains why she ran over to this street rather then another one. She must have been on her way home..."


                          
I opened my eyes and slowly got up from the mattress that Koy's mom had set up for me. As soon as I made a grunt everyone charged up to look at my face, "TESS ARE YOU ALRIGHT!?"


                          
"Ugh...yeah..."


                          
"Of course she's alright, we have of course been practicing y'know so be prepared for when we beat the crap out of you!"
I smiled, I think I was going to add to Joe's argument. 
                          
"let's keep it PG Joe, I think Koy should be prepared for when we beat the...CARP out of him!!!"


                          
Everyone shouted, "OOOOOOOOOOOOHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!"


                          
We all burst out laughing, it felt like the whole octoling thing never happened, and Marie's little pun worked out. Rachel laughed for the longest, as we waited for her to stop, Kai asked me something, "did you make that up Tess? that's one of the best insults you've done."


                          
"Oh...I got it from a freind!"


                          
Joe suddenly felt alarmed, "whose this friend we talkin' about, I thought we were your only friends!?"


                          
"Uh...I've got more friends then you should have in your entire lifetime Joe..."


                          
Everyone looked at me again. 
                          
"OOOOOOOOOOOOOHHHHHHHHHHH SNAP!!!!!!"


                          
We all still burst out laughing, Rachel had still not recovered from the last insult so her face was really red and tears were forming from her eyes. We all laughed for a long time on this insult, and even after that we still cracked open smiles the whole time throughout. Koy's mom came in and checked on me again, she said I was all fine but she also mentioned that I would have to explain to Koy's dad about what happened, I told her I would and once she left everyone else glanced at me. 
                          
"What, Why are you all looking at me like that?!"


                          
They all looked at each other, it seemed they were shy to speak, Kai finally rose up after a few seconds. 
                          
"Guys I'll ask this...", he walked closer to me, the whole room was quiet now, things were getting serious, "Tess, I'm going to be honest. When news of that octoling appeared...my mom forced me to stay in my house, I thought you guys would have done the same...and then news of you being in danger let out and I had to rush with Joe and Rachel. When we finally got to you it kinda...it kinda...it felt like..."


                          
"He's wondering why the octoling was after you specifically, spit it out!"


                          
Koy had spoken, everyone was looking at him like he had somehow messed up something, Rachel stood forward. 
                          
"hey you can't just force her into thi-"


                          
"SHUT IT!!!"


                          
"..."


                          
"I've helped my dad out on his investigations a few times and I've seen some things, the reason I'm so good at turf wars is because I've trained with my dad...I've learnt some skills from him, so if you don't talk then I'll piece your shenanigans together eventually. Why did the octoling target YOU specifically and why were you so messed up when I saw you!"