Chapter Thirty-Two

                                    

                                          
I was discharged from the hospital two days later and it was decided, by Linette, that Cecily and I were to stay with her for a week. I had told Linette over and over again that I was fine and that I didn't need anyone to take care of me, but she would not hear a word of it. Currently, I was sitting in the car with Cecily and Linette, on the way to the Herondale's house from the hospital. 
                          
"You really don't have to take care of me, Mrs. Herondale, I'm feeling perfectly fine." I spoke kindly, looking at her from the back seat.
                          
Linette was shaking her head. "I will not hear it, Tessa. I told your mother that she didn't need to come from New York to take care of you because I said that I would. I would feel horrible if I did not look after you properly."
                          
I gave her a small smile and only continued to look out of the window. In a way, I was glad that I wasn't going back home. I didn't want to have to walk past Will's bedroom, knowing that I would not know when I would see him in it next. To think that it would be empty for at least a month, sent a wave of sadness to course through me. I couldn't face it -- not yet. I glanced down at Will's copy of A Tale of Two Cities beside me; I had barely let it out of my sight in the two past days and I didn't know why. I had slept with it beside me, and I knew Cecily had seen but she had spared me the humiliation of asking about it. I was grateful for that. 
                          
We reached the Herondale's family home soon and I tried not think about how I had fought with Will the last time I had been here. I tried not to think about Will at all, as Linette unlocked the front door and let us in. The house was empty and I figured that Edmund was at work; Linette and Cecily showed me up to the guest room and helped me settle in. I had stayed in this bedroom countless of times, and it felt comforting being back here. 
                          
"How are you feeling?" Cecily asked when Linette left us. "You seem a bit better."
                          
"I am." I told her, laying down tiredly in the bed. "I just--"
                          
 I stopped myself mid sentence, realizing what it was about that I had been about to say. I miss Will. But what was there to miss? Will wasn't my friend. He wasn't someone who I laughed with and spent time with. I thought back to his copy of A Tale of Two Cities, and then felt differently. Will was someone who I shared all of my interests with. He was the one who knew me. 
                          
"I know, Tessa." Cecily spoke softly. "You don't have to say it."
                          
I looked over at my best friend, gratefully. "Thank you, Cecy, for everything you've done for me lately. I know that I've been a mess since I moved back here to London, and I really appreciate you always being there for me."
                          
Cecily gave me a warm smile and then laid down beside me, just as she had done when we had been kids. "You don't have to thank me, Tessa, you're my best friend. I know that you would do the same thing for me."
                          
"I would." I told her and then chuckled. "But you're too smart to get yourself into these type of situations."
                          
She giggled. "I'm afraid that that's true. I swear, you're more like Will than I am and he's my twin."
                          
My lips twitched in amusement. "I wish that wasn't true."
                          
Cecily then sighed and looked over at me. "I'm sorry that you're in love with him, Tessa. I know how difficult he is; it can't be easy for you."
                          
I frowned, closing my eyes. "I just wish he hadn't of left. That's all."
                          
"He'll be back eventually." She assured me gently. "Will won't be gone forever."
                          
I knew that that was true and yet it felt as if Will had left me forever. It felt as if I would never see him again and the thought made my heart sink in sadness. What would I even say when he eventually came back? I had no clue and my head was starting to hurt just thinking about it. Cecily left me not long after that, saying that I should rest, and I only laid there. I wanted to go to sleep and forget about everything going on, but I found that I was wide awake. I dreaded going to school tomorrow, knowing that Will wouldn't be there, and I sighed to myself.