Welcome to Serenity

The Odds Are Stacked Against Us

Ty's POV:
I know where she will be. The Sunday lunch rush at Sullivan's always draws a crowd of people.

I dump my bike outside the restaurant as I try to figure out what to say. Birds fly overhead as a cool breeze blows past, and I decide to throw caution to the wind.

I walk in quietly and spot Annie serving a small family by the back of the room. I try to act nonchalant as I wait for her to notice me. Obviously this is not the greatest timing but I need to talk to her.

I see her walk into the kitchen so I follow her. "Annie can we please talk?" I ask as she ignores me.

"Please Annie." I plead as Erik approaches us.

"Annie, get him out of the kitchen." He demands politely, walking between us.

"Fine. You have two minutes, then I'm going back to my job." Annie states, walking to the back of the kitchen and hanging her apron up on a hook.

"Isaac?-" She starts to ask before he waves her off.

"I'll cover for you, don't worry." He replies as they share a smile, before Annie walks out the back door, me at her heels.

* * *

"Two minutes, go." She crosses her arms, standing as far away from me as she can in the small side ally.

"Annie, I promise I only have honourable intentions. I did not want to hurt you. I'm really truly sorry and I hope you can find a way to forgive me." I say taking a small step closer to her.

"Why should I? You betrayed my trust in you." She responds, tears welling up in her eyes.

"It was a mistake." I promise, as everything goes quiet.

"I needed a friend. To talk to about my Dad and stuff. That is all I asked her over for." I explain as I see a tear escape the corner of her eye.

"Then why didn't you call me? Why didn't you ask your girlfriend to come over?" She asks, which leaves me speechless as I see her guard starting to fall down.

"Since when can you not talk to me? You say that you love me and that you will always be there, but then you call her and kiss her." Annie yells, starting to cry.

"I just needed a friend. I didn't know she would do that!" I say defending myself, stupidly.

I knew the moment those words came out my mouth they were not the right ones.

"I could have come to your house. I could have comforted you and we could have been angry at your Dad together. I would have done that without question! And then you go and kiss her!" She yells, her voice breaking as a sob escapes her lips.

"She kissed me! I would never, ever cheat on you." My voice softens as I reach out and hold her hands.

"Cece. The girl who tormented me. And your ex-girlfriend. You said you loved me, then firstly you kiss her, and then don't tell me and I have to find out by accidently overhearing you guys!" She yells as tears stream down her face, pulling her hands away from mine.

"I had nothing wrong with you being friends with her. You said you loved me and I trusted you." She yells.

"I am so so sorry that I have made you doubt your trust in me." I apologise tearfully.

"And after everything we have been through, you didn't even tell me." Annie whispers as she takes a step away from me.

Tears silently sting my eyes as I scan her face. "Maybe we aren't meant to be together." She squeaks out after a minute of silence.

"What?" I ask confused, tears escaping my eyes like rain drops.

"We have had so many road blocks and it feels like it's one thing after another." Annie says as my heart sinks in my chest.

"No, please no. You can't mean that." I fight, trying to save this. Us.

"You are the only thing keeping me together, I need you." I cry quietly, trying to reach out to her.

"You do not get to play that card. No Ty! You don't get to say that! I loved you, and you broke my heart." She sobs glaring at me.

"I didn't mean to!" I defend.

"But you did! You kissed her. After we finally got to a relatively good place, then this happens!" She yells.

"Just go, Tyler!" She shouts.

"Annie, please!" I say taking a step towards her.

"She said go, Townsend." I hear a voice call out. I turn to see Jackson standing a few feet away.

"This is none of your business Lewis." I shout angrily.

"Hey Ty, just go, don't make yourself more of a jerk than you already are." Jackson calls out, walking closer.

"Piss off Lewis." I yell back.

"Both of you shut up!" Annie yells angrily as we both go silent turning towards her.

"Jackson thank you, but I can handle this." She says forcing a smile.

"Its okay. We were just having a discussion." She says as he stays still.

"A pretty loud discussion." He mumbles as he steps forward towards us.

"We can't always be sunshine and roses, but Annie, we can work this out. We can fix what has gone wrong here." I state my voice breaking.

"Ty, it just feels like the odds are stacked against us. We've had these conversations far too often." Annie crys as a tear slowly rolls down my face.

She walks up to me and wipes the tears away. "Maybe we should just take a break." Annie whispers trying not to cry more.

"The way your talking about a break, makes me think it's more of a break up." I say.

"We just need some time apart. To think this over. I'm sorry." She crys as her soft lips kiss my salty cheek, and I hold her hand to my chest.

I hold her hand for a moment before she pulls away, and without looking in my eyes, walks back inside.

* * *

I stay frozen as tears continue stinging my eyes. I see Jackson still standing there.

"You're still here, really?" I ask angrily as he just looks at the ground.

"I'm sorry for you guys, but you didn't deserve her." He states as I glare at him.

"Just something for you to think about." He raises his eyes to glare straight back at me, before turning around and leaving.

I wipe away a stray tear from my face as I hang my head up towards the sky, close my eyes and allow the sunlight to dry my face as I take a few shaky breaths before getting my bike and going home.

* * *

"Tyler, I need you to do the dishes-" Mum starts to say before I walk straight into her arms as she hugs me.

"Ty? Honey what happened?" I hear her ask. I hardly can catch my breath as she strokes my hair.

"Shush. Take a deep breath. Its going to be okay." She says, as I hug her tightly, suddenly a sad vulnerable little boy again.

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Hi, sorry it has been a while since I published. I will try my best to get back into publishing at least 1 new part per week.

I have been using my time away to think about Ty and Annie's relationship in this story and as sad as I am that they have to take a break, I think it is necessary for their characters development. Don't worry though, they won't be apart for forever.

Anyway, I hope you are having a lovely day where ever you are in the world! 🧡