Page 18 of Withered

Tyler walks with such confidence and charm, his bag slung over his left shoulder. Every girl checks him out, and he seems least bothered by it. He raises his eyebrows at me as he approaches the last bench where I am sitting.

He flops beside me and asks, “What are you doing here?”

“Attending the class.” I very well know what he is trying to imply.

“I know you are. I’m asking what you’re doing here, on the last bench.” He asks again.

“Were you not expecting me to sit here?” I ask, and he just nods.

“Well, I wasn’t expecting it either, but I need to talk to you,” I state. There is no point in beating around the bush.

His eyes are trained on Professor Caleb. “Talk about what?”

I sigh. “You know exactly what.”

He sits up straight and nods again. Professor Caleb is long forgotten, and there is an unsettling stillness between us.

“Thank you,” “Sorry,”We say at the same time. I giggle, and he chuckles.

“Why are you saying sorry?” I ask him.

“I know you don’t like me when I’m with Kristy. But I swear I was only trying to help her.”

I manage a weak nod. “I know. That is why I’m grateful to you,” I say honestly.

He looks at me, and I give him a genuine smile. “I have known Kristy my whole life, and if she was opening up to you or whatever, there must be a reason for it. I won’t meddle with that.”

“So you’re okay with me talking to her?” He asks me, confused.

In answer, I shake my head and ask, “Why would I mind?”

He smirks. “Thanks.”

After a minute, I blurt out. “Can I ask you something?”

“Yeah?”

“Do you like her?” This has been bothering me for a while.

“What?” He replies almost instantly, “Why are you asking me that?”

“Nothing. Never mind.” I shake my head and avoid the conversation. Maybe I misread the sign.

“I do like her.” He stutters, which looks cute on him.

When I look at him, I notice that he’s blushing; the scarlet on his cheeks has gone to his neck.

Trying to ease his nervousness, I say, “It’s okay, Tyler. I have no problem if that’s what you’re worried about.” Then add, “Just tell me one thing.”

“What is that?” He is unsure where this is going.

“Are you only trying to play with her? I don’t want Kristy to get hurt again. Aaron stole a piece of her heart, shattering the rest. I’ve seen her at her worst when she’s been drinking, not eating well, weeping badly, or not crying at all. It took everything I had to get her back.” Even though I shouldn’t, I tell him because I want him to know.

“I’m not going to do any of that to her,” he says, his voice holding a strong emotion behind it.

“Can you promise me that?”

“I’m sorry, but I cannot promise you that.” I frown at his words. “I don’t want to make a promise that I can’t keep. I mean, what if I did something unintentionally that could hurt her?”

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