so far (so good)

4

tw: SH!

word count: 1089

after a couple of minutes i felt a hand on my shoulder, i jumped and the person stepped back in shock, i looked at the figure but i couldn't see who it was because the sun shined in my eyes, i put up my hand to cover the sun and saw who it was; it was Tyler. I immediately wiped my tears, and was about to stand up when he sat down beside me.

"Are you okay? Has something happened?" Tyler asked with an overall concerned tone, trying to look at me while I had my head bowed down looking at the ground.

"Yeah, I'm fine, totally fine" my voice broke in the last part which i almost whispered so i wouldn't start to cry again, tyler put his hand on my back rubbing it slightly, and i broke down again. He hugged me and I lent into his embrace, feeling safe in his arms. we sat like that my head resting on his shoulder for a couple of minutes, after that i got up and said

"We should probably start working, the store opens soon."

"The store is already ready, we fixed it all yesterday. so, you wanna talk about what has happened?" He gave me a puzzled look like he was trying to figure out what happend, and actually wanting to know what happened, most just trying to be empathetic, or wanna get 'bonus points'.

"yeh i can tell you, but can we do so inside?" I said pointing towards the door.

"Of course, here" Tyler rushed to the door to unlock it. He let me in and closed the door after, we walked to the back of the store and sat down.

"So, what did you want to talk about?" I slightly wished that he had forgotten so I didn't need to talk, but at the same time I knew it would be better to let it all out, and I couldn't help but trust him.

"What happened before I got here?" he placed his hand over mine gently squishing it, "why were you so sad, or upset?"

"Well, me and my best friend had a bit of a fight earlier, and I just can't shake the feeling that I disappointed them with how I acted." I sight, not knowing how to put words to the feeling. I don't know how, or if I should tell him about my panic attacks. He will probably just think I'm some kind of freak or be disgusted, but if I don't tell him I will damn well get one while I'm with him; and that will just complicate things and make them worse. but how do I talk about something he probably never heard of, and when I start talking about that then there will probably come up more things about me that will scare him off even more than this.

"Hunter right?" I nodded and he continued "how long have you guys been friends" he avoided the obvious question, probably knew that I would close off if he did.

"I'm not sure but for many years, we have always been by each other's sides, no matter what was happening '' I was fiddling with my sleeves, it was warm out, but I still always had a jaked on, covering my arms.

"Can I ask a question? you don't need to answer it tho if you don't want to" he had a sad look in his eyes as I finally looked up meeting his gaze. I nodded not really knowing where this could lead to, still curious as to what he wanted to know. He took an interest in me as a person did that mean he did not despise me? that it was just me always thinking everybody hated me; manny did hate me but hopefully not all, hopefully not Tyler.

"Why do you have a long sleeve shirt when it's the middle of the summer" no, not this again, it was doomed to come up in one way or another, I just hoped it would not be so soon. I took a deep breath, mentally preparing myself for what was to come. I took off the jacket I was wearing, revealing my scratched up arm. I hadn't even thought how bad it looked before. I looked at Tyler who was just staring at my forearm, probably shocked by how much it was, it covers almost the entirety of my arm, some just old whitend scars, and other newer still bright crimson red. I quickly put the jacket back on, waiting for a response. but he just sat in silence. I looked down embarrassed, fiddling with the hem on the jaked once again.

"You don't need to be all empathetic now, it is what it is... and you want to run away, I get that you are repulsed by me, don't worry about it, I will recover.. somehow" I almost whispered trying my hardest to keep in my tears. I was pulled up into a warm embrace, it was strange I didn't flinch, for once I wasn't scared, I got butterflies in my stomach; I wasn't used to physical touch from anyone. I wrapped my arms around his waist and leant into the hug, it was nice to finally feel safe. I leant back a little bit so I could look up at him and meet his gaze.

"so, you aren't scared of me or anything?"

"No. Why would you think so?" He hugged me even tighter than before.

"I don't know, everyone is discussing me. They all say I'm a freak because of it" I then just stood quiet enjoying the presence of someone else. Even if I knew something about him was different I didn't really know exactly what, and if he didnt feel anything we could always be friends; it would be nice to be able to talk to someone other than Hunter. After a couple of minutes Tyler broke the calming silence.

"After we close the shop would you maybe want to go down to the cafe and talk some more?" His voice was so smooth, I hadn't noticed it before, I could listen to him talk for hours; wait was hunter right, was I falling for Tyler. I mean how could you not, he was kind, charming, and always seemed to want the best for everyone.

"yeah, why not" I couldn't help but smile; a genuine smile, not the fake smiles I plaster on so i don't need to tell people about my problems.