Forty: Shocked

The week went by, another week without school and another week of not seeing many of her other friends except Darrick and Jace, Tess sometimes finding enough confidence in herself to have at least dinners again with her mother, Brian and Austin. Dinner was mostly spent with their parents speaking simply together, while Tess and Austin would look down to their plates and ate quietly. It felt strange seated at the table, to be loomed over by the two giants. Brian was caring, sending her soft smiles to try and comfort her whenever she appeared anxious. Margaret, her mother would bring a hand lightly over her daughters to hold, sending a small smile while grazing a thumb over her palm.

Jace always brought a smile to her face, filling her in about how Jamie and Avas relationship was going, saying that most of the group would sit in the shared cafeteria almost every lunch to involve Jamie. Except Austin, who was supposedly not turning up to a few of his classes the past few days and going missing at lunch. That worried Tess, and she couldn't help at dinner when she'd glance up at him seeing his eyes were down and hair in his green eyes, she began to think maybe it was time to work things out. She never thought she'd hold a grudge for this long, never thought Austin would actually care so much to start acting so strange. Supposedly Cole had been busy, his drama class performance coming up in the few coming weeks and he was finalising touches and practicing for the show along with Katy.

Tess had come use to Darricks larger size, her boyfriend making sure to help her slowly readjust to his giant size. He'd come into the room and sit at the desk, where he'd take her tiny body into his hands and delicately pet at her head with his large fingers when they spoke together, hands the size of billboards and fingers like tree trunks moved so delicately and played with her limbs as if she were a toy. Noticing Darricks love language was definitely touch and when he was giant, he played with her as if she were a toy. Kept her in his lap and always needed her to be near. If she ever moved away for a breath of air, he always managed to pull her back into his lap and continue petting and smothering her to the point she had to tell him no.

It was as if she'd moved back into the Giants quarters for the first time once more, she was aware of every touch, the size comparison and height difference.

Whilst inside she'd been finding herself doing a lot more reading and watching random videos she would find on the internet. Whether they be conspiracies or Haul videos, she found herself watching a documentary looking back at video called "Human History and Our Influence on the Giants" It was rather interesting, the documentary explaining how a selected few, who were called the "Chosen" left our old planet Earth so many year ago. Listing the reason in which why Earth had become too fragile to maintain humans and any form life in general. From what Tess had come to know, Earth was very different to the shared planet she now called home. There were even old videos and documentation of "The Leaving" of Earth itself, in which had become very well known to humans, having learnt a bit in history class herself. The documentary went on the further express the Giants civilisation before us, but Tess had clicked off the video by that point to fall asleep ( To be further explained/explored)

~~~

For some reason Tess had agreed to go back to Darricks house that afternoon. His reasoning being, since she had come use to his larger size maybe it was time to take a leap, which she was somewhat regretting as she was currently curled into the crook of his neck, hoodie over his head as a source of warmth for the both of them while Darrick walked along the side walk of the giant streets. It was somewhat quiet, sometimes the odd car driving past or person standing out in their front lawn. But other than that, not many people were walking around. They didn't talk much, Darrick sometimes murmuring whether she was okay or not and if she was comfortable. She'd always say yes, even if she were a little nervous.

"Oh yeah.." Darrick started, catching Tess's attention "I was uh meant to ask you something, and you can say no if you'd like"when Darrick spoke his voice rumbled against her skin, where she cuddled into his neck his words sank deep into her bones. Looking up, she watched his lips move, beginning to wish she could move around and kiss him but decided to keep hidden, not wanting to risk falling where she sat curled on his shoulder, grasping his shirt

"What is it?" She hummed, curious as to what he was going to say. He bit his lip as he looked to her briefly out the corner of his eye.

"would you like to come to Coles house tomorrow? It's just our small group just to celebrate Cole and Katy's hard work with their play. I know if it's too soon for you to see everyone again i can tell Cole no, I'm sure he'll understand. And I'll just stay with you at yours~" Darricks eyes flickered toward Tess again, careful to not move his head to knock her off. Biting her lip, she immediately felt her heart sink to the pit of her stomach. She could spot his hands fidgeting, twisting the rings on his fingers anxiously.

Was she ready to see everyone again? She'd come use to Darrick being large again somewhat, loved every moment with him either large or small. This journey outside had been difficult for her, to finally leave the safety of her home after so long being trapped inside. It was a big step, nerve racking to the point she almost decided that she didn't want come anymore. But now, finally being out and with Darrick.. it was okay. So far~

"I don't know Darrick, I'll~"

"I'll stay with you the entire time too if we go. We can have breaks by ourselves and.. and if it gets too much I'll take you home I swear." It was almost as if he was pleading with her at that point, she could tell he really wanted to go. Frowning to herself, she began to think how unfair she must've been to Darrick. How he'd come to hers every afternoon, probably missing hanging with the guys. He hadn't been out on weekends, spending nearly every second of the day by her side. If that was eating with her, sitting with her at the desk as a giant or even just sitting in bed with her at his human size.

"Even Jamie will be there~" Darrick murmured lowly then, gritting at his teeth a little mentioning the name and making Tess roll her eyes. She could feel the tension in his jaw, which quickly faded with each of his footsteps.

"I'll think about it~ and You realise Ava and Jamie are like a thing, I still don't see why your so jealous of him" Tess scoffed making Darrick grunt in response, turning his head slightly trying to catch a glance at her upon his shoulder.

"Pfft! I am NOT jealous of Jamie, where did you get that thought from? I don't have a jealous bone in my body" Darrick smirked to himself, making Tess let out a laugh and nudge at his neck

"Sure sure, tough guy. The second you laid eyes on him you didn't like him, he's an old friend! I have no urge or interest in kissing Jamie whatsoever" Tess shook her head, looking up the length of Darrick face to see him rolling his caramel eyes

"Whatever~ don't even mention you and Jamie kissing, I don't want that picture in my head" he huffed in response

"Trust me, neither do I~" Tess chuckled, looking to Darrick she couldn't help but smile and leant up to press a small kiss to the side of his largecheek "besides~ I have a giant hunk of a boyfriend to give me as many kisses as I want"

"If your not careful I'll cut you off, your addicted" Darrick smirked and turned his head quickly, his lips brushing her small cheek delicately enough so she wouldn't fall from his shoulder before turning his attention back to the path where he continued to his house with a flustered girlfriend on his shoulder.

~~~

"Shit~ the garage doors locked.." Darrick grumbled under his breath, grunting as he tried lifting the garage door. Having arrived at Darricks home, that looked exactly the same from the last time she had visited, Darrick was struggling to open the garage door to enter his room. With one hand holding her so she wouldn't fall from his shoulder, while he crouched, his other hand jangled the door about trying to drag it up. It wouldn't budge, meaning it was locked from the inside.

"Can't you go in through the front door?" Tess watched as Darrick strained one last time to try pull the garage open, it wouldn't move.

"Yeah I guess~ uh" carefully pulling off his hoodie from over his head, Tess watched as his large hands came up to delicately wrap around her body, able to feel every groove of his massive hands as they lifted her up in one motion to hold before his face. Sometimes she felt like a doll, if he wanted Darrick could simply dress her up and do whatever he liked, even though she knew he would never do such a thing she couldn't help but imagine if he did. She could never imagine what would happen if she were to get in the hands of a child, what they'd do. Probably force her to kiss real dolls and play dress ups at tea parties. At this size she really had no control over how she was held and what was to be done with her. Darrick was careful whenever he handled her, as his fingers wrapped about her torso in a delicate fist while he manoeuvred her before his large eyes.

"Only problem is that my mum might be awake.." Darrick looked over her in his billboard sized hand and she knew he could probably feel her tiny heart beating against his fingers that held her like a frightened rabbit. Brushing some loose hair out of her face, she tried not blushing as she looked up at her giant boyfriend. Even still, she made her squirm and nervous just by gazing at her and considerably intimidated. Maybe it was his intense stare, smouldering eyes.

Probably his intimidating size!

Sucking in a small breath, she filled her lungs to compose herself whilst being held in her giant boyfriends powerful grasp. Her body began to warm in his palm as his fingers entrapped her own body heat and his own around her.

"I don't mind if she's up~ I'll be quiet" she sent him a smile, which he returned with a look of uncertainty, pursing his lips and looking to his feet. "oh I see~" of course she knew what that look meant, of course he wasn't worried about annoying his mother or being too loud. She was the size of a mouse damnit.. frowning a little she nodded, pulling her hands away from where they rested on his palm to cross over her chest.

"if your not ready to introduce me I could always hide in your pocket.." Tess swallowed tightly, looking down to eye his pocket nervously. She was unsure whether she was confident enough just yet to go back into a pocket after her kidnapping, her heart beginning to react immediately as it began racing at the thought of being shoved into the dark depths, surrounded by tight, claustrophobic fabric on every side. She hoped that maybe he did in fact want to introduce her, maybe he'd just let her stay out in the cool of the air and not make her hide.

"Y-yeah i feel like that'd be best.. I'm sorry it's not you, it's just~ it's me" Darrick eyed her, as if checking if she were upset before biting his large lip to then look down the length of his body as if deciding where he could place her. Her heart sank, looking off to the side not wanting to see what he would choose to be her fate. He had many places to put her, his hoodie pocket, Atleast that'd be roomie and maybe not so claustrophobic. He had jeans on so maybe in one of them, she'd surely panic if he chose one of those tight fitted pockets, to be pressed against his body like that made her feel sick.

Darrick seemed to notice her anxiety and she felt a large finger stroke at her cheek. Realising she had zoned out, she snapped out of her daze to make eye contact with the giant boy.

"Hey~ if you don't want to go in a pocket, I'll just hide you behind my back? Would you want that?" Darrick spoke softly as he looked at her, his fingers around her making her squirm as she felt as if she were over heating from embarrassment.

Lost for words, she nodded, smiling quietly feeling embarrassed and anxious but also grateful that he'd noticed her anxiety.

~~~

Once inside, Tess didn't know what she expected but Darricks home humbly surprised her as he entered, even though she could only see from behind Darrick and between his fingers, his home was well kept and clean from what she could see. Walls of white and light grey were littered with family photographs. From where she was hidden behind Darrick, she spotted a large bookcase of dark oak full of books of a range of shapes and sizes which were kept clean and dusted. It appeared that they had entered a living room, a grey couch pushed to the wall was strewn with an assortment of blankets and pillows while a blue and white floral reading chair sat alongside it.

Darrick moved quickly as they entered, stopping to glance about similar to a kid trying to sneak back into the house after going out to a party. She didn't mind that he was keeping her hidden now, thinking maybe she should be hurt that he wanted to keep her away from his mother but it simply didn't bother her. If it weren't for the hospital, Darrick might've never met her own mother Margaret if it were up to Tess.

Darrick hurried along, having slipped out of his shoes at the doorway he quickly tip toed in his socks across the house heading toward what she could only assume was the door to his garage room. Peeking through the slither of gaps between his fingers, she almost felt motion sick at the speed he was able to move at. Kind of mesmerised at how something so large could move so quickly, but also groaned at the ache in her stomach. It appeared he had entered the kitchen, spotting a large refrigerator as he slipped through a doorway.

What she didn't expect was the sudden halt in movement, her head knocking against the fingers around her and making her groan lowly as she rubbed at her head. What the hell was that?

"Mom!" Darrick exclaimed and Tess felt her heart jump into her throat, sinking back to hide within the fingers.

"Hello darling" Tess couldn't see his mother, but her voice was soft, almost a whisper even to Tess's small ears.

Where Tess sat in the hammock of Darricks hand, she couldn't help the curiosity as she sat up and tried to squirm til her head poked out between a gap in his fingers to steal a glance at Darricks mother from around the width of Darricks large body. Darrick tried to stop her by squeezing his fingers closer together, but couldn't stop Tess as she peered out. Darricks mother was quite beautiful, could recognise her instantly from the picture frame that she'd seen in Darricks room the first time. But her face was so tired, wrinkles creased at her eyes, bags bore heavily into her eyes but she still wore the same smile she always reserved for her son, wearing simply a grey robe that draped from her small frame and slipper

"Hey momma, how you feeling?" Darrick stepped away from his mother to keep Tess hidden as Darrick mother lowered herself into a kitchen chair weakly. Tess had never gotten the chance to venture so deep into Darricks home, only ever been in his room and now she was being hidden like a naughty toy that Darrick had found out in the street behind Darricks back to keep secret from his mother

"It's been a good day, I nearly finished my book and.. managed to wash the dishes" she spoke softly, as if too weak to muster anything louder. Her hair was tied back in a loose bun, delicate strands of hair curled about her forehead in loose waves and her lips were full like Darricks.

"That's good mom.." Darrick spoke and moved to lean against the counter to hide Tess more, while he glanced down at his mom. Now near the counter, Tess was able to look down as she was held above the counter-bench top to see the large sink. Frowning, she saw dishes in which had been left abandoned and was full of dirty water, left unclean and untouched.. Tess frowned and sunk deeper into the fingers around her to hide against the crook of Darricks palm that had began to gently stroke her small leg with his thumb, heart hammering and cheeks becoming warm as he did so. Darricks fingers, even though they were large, they began to massage the nerves from her bones between his thumb and forefinger, moving up and down her legs and arms and then the length of her spine.

Darricks poor mother, it made Tess almost teary at the thought of a young Darrick having to look after his mother as a little boy after the death of his father. Tess still didn't know the entire story, knew something had happened but Darrick never really went into depth.

"How's that girlfriend of yours, did you just come home from hers?" Tess could hear the smile on his mother's face and Tess felt her heart thrum, beating heavily and her cheeks burning. Was Darrick going to introduce them then, was this it? He must've been talking about her, must've told his mother about how he was dating her! Surely this was a sign, maybe this would convince darrick to show her! Tess nearly giggled hearing his mother and clamped a hand over her mouth, unable to contain the large grin on her face. Looking down at herself, she tried fixing her outfit and tighten the loose strands of hair. Tess hadn't even done her hair, simply tied in a bun. she looked atrocious! Hadn't even had the chance to shower that morning since she'd slept most the day, in a baggy grey hoodie and bike shorts which she'd worn the night before to bed

"Yes ~ I'm there everyday you know that" Darrick sounded embarrassed and she felt his fingers play at her hoodie, making her smile within the darkness and gently nudge at his large index.

"Good good.. I'm happy you've finally got a Giant girlfriend, your father and I use to joke that you'd go after a human girl." Tess stiffened at her words, what?

"I still have photos of that one you use to play with when you were younger, that red head.. what was her name again? I remember you use to take her everywhere with you. It's a shame she moved~"

"U-uh mom!" Darrick shouted loudly, cutting off his mother and startling Tess who reached for her small ears "I gotta go do some homework! Sorry! Continue this conversation later I'm sorry"

Tess's body tensed and she felt like her mind become a blur. What did she mean by that, did Darrick have another human girl in his life? Was she about to say she passed away? Tess clasped her hands together to stop them shaking. Thoughts left her. She stared into the darkness around her, trying to make sense of what had happened, her heart fell silent. Confused, it was as if she was stuck underwater, everything was slow and warbled, even when they had entered Darricks room and he brought her to his hazel eyes, her mind was blank and her eyes wide as she stared at him, trying to make sense of what had been said. His eyes desperately searched hers, lips moving but she couldn't hear him beyond the ringing... he stopped, looking to her calmly.. waiting. I had to say something! She searched her mind for something reasonable to say..

"Who was she?"

~~~

AHHH UPDATE! Hope you enjoyed! Pretty sure I know how I'll end this story, will probably continue for a few more chapters now to I can wrap it up nicely with everything explained. Wasn't really happy with this chapter and my writing, kinda lacked description :/ hope it was okay for you I get stressed aha

Merry Christmas btw! Could do a Christmas special maybe?

I LOVE seeing your comments and your thoughts/ opinions, really encourages me to go on writing.

I'll be updating soon!