All Around You (Troyler AU)

Chapter 3: The First Hello

Troye’s P.O.V

I couldn’t hold it off any longer.

It had been three days since Sage had told me what Tyler said, and I still had done nothing about it.

There I was, three days later, laying on my bed, having the same internal argument with myself I had been having every morning.

If I do go to meet him today, I thought to myself, I might make a complete ass of myself and do something stupid. Then he’d never want to speak to me again. Everyone would make jokes about me and laugh at me.

I groaned at the thought and turned over on my side, hugging my pillow closer to my chest.

But there’s also the chance I won’t do something stupid, I thought, and maybe Tyler and I could be friends. I might actually have someone to talk to other than my siblings.

I had to do it. I had decided there was definitely more to gain than lose from this scenario. Meeting Tyler would be worth taking this risk, I was sure of it. Besides, he wanted to meet me.

With that thought fresh in my mind, I hurriedly got up. The sun was barely peaking over the horizon as I checked out my window, and I knew I didn’t have much time before morning mass would begin. I got dressed as quickly as I could and stepped in front of my mirror, adjusting my hair to look exactly how I wanted it to. My curls kept falling right on my forehead, and no matter how hard I tried, I couldn’t move them away. I groaned, knowing it was completely pointless to try and fix it. I just wanted to look as nice as possible today. With a sigh, I walked away from my mirror and out of my room.

Mass seemed to go much more quickly this morning, and before I knew it everyone was in the great hall for breakfast. I walked by the rows of tables where the servants and knights sat until I reached the longest table at the end of the room, where the royal family ate. My oldest brother, Steele, was already there, talking to my father. I sat and watched as people flooded into the room, including Sage and Tyde, who sat beside me.

I could barely eat my breakfast. My stomach felt strange, although I didn’t feel sick. I couldn’t stop thinking about meeting Tyler after the meal was done.

“Troye, you look nice today,” Sage said quietly beside me. “Any particular reason?”

I turned to see she had this small, knowing grin on her face. Nervously, I chuckled, but didn’t respond. She knew exactly why I tried to look my best today; she was just trying to tease me. For a brief second, Sage rested her head on my shoulder and giggled.

“Good luck,” she whispered.

Immediately, I felt nervous. I guess it hadn’t exactly hit me that I was going to do something entirely out of my comfort zone. There was some reassurance, though, in the back of my mind because I knew I didn’t have to do anything today. It’s just…I knew I’d regret it if I didn’t do it.

People all around the room were starting to get up and leave the great hall, signaling me that breakfast was over. Sage and Steele were already gone, but Tyde was still finishing his meal next to me.

“Tyde?” I asked, my voice cracking slightly. He turned over to look at me.

“Have you ever talked to Tyler Oakley before?”

Tyde stared at me, confused for a moment before his eyes widened. “Oh, you mean the knight?” I nodded and waited for his response. “Yeah, I’ve talked to him before.”

“What’s he like?”

“He’s great!” said Tyde almost instantly. I let out a sigh of relief as he continued. “He’s a really nice guy; I talk to him sometimes when I see him. He’s really funny too.”