Chapter 16 Shadows of Rivalry : Tessa's Unyielding Resolve Chapter 16 Shadows of Rivalry : Tessa's Unyielding Resolve That feeling again . +5 Free Coins Just like the first time their eyes met , Tessa found herself captivated by Landon's deep , penetrating gaze . It was as if the rest of the world had disappeared , leaving only him . Her usually steady heartbeat raced uncontrollably , They were so close that she could catch the faint , comforting scent of pinewood from him . It was intoxicating . A strange , unfamiliar desire to step even closer stirred within her . For all her capabilities , Tessa was a complete novice when it came to matters of the heart . Realizing how out of sorts she felt , she quickly averted her eyes and took a step back to create some distance . Landon noticed her sudden retreat and immediately spoke to diffuse her discomfort . " You don't have to overthink it . I didn't mean anything by it ." Though it wasn't entirely true . Landon did feel something for her , but Tessa was young , and he had no intention of scaring her . "I didn't overthink anything. " Tessa replied tersely , trying to push down the unfamiliar emotions bubbling up inside her . She turned abruptly and went inside , closing the door firmly behind her . The moment the door shut , Flex's voice . echoed in Landon's mind through their Mind Link . " You upset her ! She's definitely mad because you made her uncomfortable ! " " No , " Landon responded calmly , " She's just shy. " Recalling her flustered , almost annoyed expression , Landon couldn't help but smile . Since meeting Tessa , her demeanor had been mostly inclifferent , cool , and detached . But tonight , he'd seen a glimpse of something new - something youthful and endearing , and it stirred something in him . Tessa , meanwhile , took a shower and lay down . She had planned to play games for a while but fell asleep almost immediately , the events of the day having drained her energy . The next morning . York dropped Queenie off at school Last night had been Queenie's first time , and while she was inexperienced , she believed that's what ment liked - innocent girls . " Yorkie , about tonight … " Queenie hinted shyly , hoping to keep him interested . She wanted to use their newfound intimacy to secure her place in his heart . York patted her cheek dismissively . " Be good . I have plans tonight . I'll come find you when I'm done ." " Yorkie , are you not satisfied with me ? " she asked , her insecurities surfacing . " How could I not be ? You were perfect , " he replied smoothly " Really ? Then don't forget to come find me later . " Queenie clung to him , willing to do anything to keep his 1/2 * 16:55 Wed , Apr 16 G Chapter 16 Shadows of Rivalry : Tessa's Uny elding Resolve +5 Free Coins attention . After dropping Queenie off , York didn't leave immediately . Instead , he lingered outside Navoris High , waiting for the girl who had been on his mind all night When he finally spotted Tessa approaching the school gates , he moved quickly to intercept her . " Tessa , hi . I'm York , from the national team , " he said with a confident smile . Tessa recognized him as the guy from last night who lu been staring at her . She didn't bother . responding , brushing past him without a word . For the first time , someone ignored his charm , and York's lips curled into an amused smile . He caught up to her . Tessa , don't be like that ! There's no harm in making friends , right ? " he said , handing her a business card . Tessa took the card and glanced at it . " York ? National basketball team ? " York mistook her tone for admiration and nodded smugly . " Let's be friends ," he insisted . Without hesitation , Tessa walked over to a nearby trash can and tossed the card in . -You - York was stunned . No one had ever treated him like this before . Girls usually flocked to him , eager for his attention . But instead of anger , York felt intrigued . " Interesting . I like a challenge , " he muttered . " Tessa , just wait . One day , I'll tear off that mask of yours . " To York , all women were the same . They acted tough until they were conquered . Once that happened , they became as submissive as Queenie , begging for his attention . Unbeknownst to him , this entire interaction was being watched from a car nearby - by Winona Winona smirked . " Tessa , you won't last in Navoris , even without me lifting a finger . " In her mind , Queenie was more than enough to handle someone like Tessa . Whether it was five years ago or today , Winona was determined to see Tessa cast out of the Sinclair family once more .