Welcome to Serenity

Why Did I Let Her Go?

Ty's POV:
What the hell just happened? Why didn't I say anything? Why didn't I fight for Annie? Why did I stand there staring at her like an idiot!?

Why did I let her go?

* * *

After I finish up my shift at the spa, I head over to Wharton's. Gabe and Luke are waiting there for me, probably ready to ask a million questions about what happened today.

"Hey." I say as I sit down at a table with the guys.

"Hi." Luke says not knowing if he should ask about today. Gabe on the other hand has no hesitation.

"Dude! Are you okay? What happened with Annie?" He asks.

"I don't know how I feel. I'm so confused!" I say, annoyed.

"Why did you just stand there, mouth open, not saying anything?" Gabe asks as I take a sip of water.

"I don't know!" I yell.

"I don't know." I say quieter.

* * *

"You know who I saw walking to Sullivan's today?" Luke asks as I finish off the last slice of pizza.

"Who?" I ask, my mouth full.

"Jackson. And Annie." Luke says, and I nearly choke on my food.

"What?" I gasp.

"Jackson and Annie." He repeats.

"He was probably just annoying her." I grumble.

"Nah. They seemed pretty chummy to me." Luke says as Gabe glares at him across the table.

"What?" Luke asks clueless.

"First off, 'chummy'? Secondly, I thought we discussed this! We are trying to be supportive and nice. Not break Ty's poor heart by talking about Jackson and Annie flirting outside Sullivan's!" Gabe says. They continue arguing as I sit there, feeling pretty defeated.

* * *

When I get home, I hear Mum in the living room. "Hey bud." She says as I sit down next to her.

"How was work?" I ask.

"It was actually quite good." She smiles.

"That's good." I say half-heartedly.

"What's wrong Tyler?" She asks, her hand on my chin, forcing me to look up at her.

"You know how you said you can't help who your attracted to?" I ask.

"Yeah. I still don't know what's wrong." She says confused.

"I- there's this girl. And, I had a feeling she liked me, and I was kinda a jerk to her. But by the time I realised I liked her, it was too late." I say.

"Oh baby." She says hugging me. "I'm sorry bubba."

"Its okay. It's just at school today... I said the wrong thing, and so she pulled the cord. Said that she wanted to be with me but not yet. What the hell does that even mean?" I ask confused.

"Annie obviously just needs some time." Mum says.

"I never told you it was Annie." I say quickly.

"How did you know?" I ask.

"Call it mother's intuition. Annie always had eyes for you." Mum says kissing my cheek.

"Mum?" I ask as she stands up and walks over to the curtains to close them.

"Hm?" She turns around.

"I think I really stuffed everything up." I say.

"Just give her some time to think." Mum says.

"If you want, we can talk about this. Start from the very beginning and I promise I won't say anything. I'll listen." Mum offers.

"I think I'd like that." I say as she sits back down next to me.

So, I pour my heart out to her. I start at the very start, how happy I felt when she texted me, the lingering smiles, the party, the drunken kiss. And then everything since then.

And as promised, she doesn't say anything. She lets me say everything and sit for a minute before she says anything. "She told you she loved you?" Mum asks softly.

"Yes." I whisper. She smiles sweetly then huggs me.

* * *

On Tuesday, Mum gives me and Kyle the day off. A mental health day.

"So whatcha wanna do today?" I ask as we sit on the front porch, eating toast.

"Don't know. Maybe, go for a walk? Catch a bus and see a movie? Or we could go to the public pool?" Kyle asks.

"You can choose." I offer as I take a sip of apple juice.

"Okay. Why don't we start with a walk, and we can talk about what to do." Kyle says.

"Sounds perfect." I say as I collect the empty plates.

                           * * *

We walk side-by-side down the street in comfortable silence.

"Ty?" Kyle asks looking up at me.

"Yeah?" I ask.

"I feel like a horrible friend." Kyle says honestly.

"What? Why?" I ask confused.

"Annie was going through so much shit, but I didn't see it. We were going through the same shit and I didn't realise how bad is was. I suck." Kyle cries.

"Kyle. No one saw. Not Dana, or Helen, or- or anyone else. We all feel the same guilt. But it's not our fault. No one is at fault. It just got too hard for her. That's all." I say, trying to keep back the tears.

We hug, clinging to each other as if he is a life buoy and I am drowning at sea.

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Hi guys, sorry that it's been a while since I last updated. I had a few really rough days recently and haven't been in the right state of mind to write. But Im ok now! I will try start a more scheduled updating system.

I hope you guys have a lovely day where ever you are in the world! 🧡