The hum of our engines

Desperate.

(unrelated to main story)

Samuel was watching Tyler.

Something he did often, yes, but today was different.
Recently, Tyler had been having the new girl hanging off his side daily.
She always came just before the bell so Samuel was always hopeful she wasn't coming, but just as he felt relaxed because it was three minutes from the bell and Tyler had already started leaving, he heard that disgusting voice ring out across the yard.
"TYLER!! WAIT!" She yelled out to him.
He spun on his heels instantly, looking her way, "Mae!"
She ran up to him and fell into his arms, panting as she looked down.
Samuel dug his nails into his palms as he seethed angrily at the sight.
Then he noticed something around her neck.
Tylers agent Leland turbo headphones, the ones Samuel got for him, she was wearing them.

"You... For...got... these... last night.." She managed to get out in a huff.
What? HIS headphones? From last night..?
"Oh! T-thank you!" He stuttered out, "You uhm.. You really didn't have to return them now.." She finally got off of him and stood by herself, nervously rubbing her arm,

"Well I mean you came over and stuff and you didn't take them home after... Also, are you sure you're right to be here? I mean you threw up last night i was really worried about y-" "Mae, Mae! I'm fine."

He interrupted her quickly.

" You don't need to worry so badly."

He laughed quietly,

"Here, just keep them safe for me today, return them after school."

She looked so happy at Tyler's words, it made Samuel sick. "O-Oh Yes yes, Ofco-!"

DING DONG!!

The bell went.
They walked away slowly, Mae holding onto Tylers' arm.

Disgusting. Who does she even think she is? ...

He finally unclenched his fist and realised he had pierced his skin, and his hand was full of blood.
He shook it off as he slowly walked into the school, thinking about what to do about her.


He watched them from the end of the hallway, watching as Mae whined about having to leave Tyler.
Every second more she spent with him his anger and jealousy grew.
She finally gave up when a teacher came into the hall and berated her for making Tyler and herself late.

Taking a deep breath to calm his nerves, he walked down the hall where they had stood, and entered quietly after Tyler.
He saw the teacher quietly telling Tyler off for disrupting classes with Mae.
Samuel went down and sat on his chair beside Tyler's empty one.

"Oh- Samuel! I didn't know you were here.. I didn't see you in the courtyard."
He leaned back and slowly rubbed his neck looking away, "Yeah.. I came just as the bell went again."
"Huh again? Your timing is weirdly perfect.. But also not I guess? Only if you don't want free time at the start of the day.."
Tyler sighed as he pulled out his laptop and began on the work, quietly tapping away on his keyboard.
Samuel pulled out his headphones and plugged them into his laptop, turning on some music

You might think Cars 2 - Weezer
00:41 ━━⬤───────── 03:07
◁ II ▷♥
Typing away on his computer, stealing glances at Tyler from the corner of his eye.

The class had almost ended.
"Oh, Samuel, wanna come over to-"
"TYLEEEERRRR!"
Mae burst into the class, running to Tyler.
"Mae-!"
She jumped onto his back, almost sending him into Samuel.
"Mae! Leave my classroom, your class may be done but mine is not. You wait for Tyler outside the room."
Mae hopped off Tylers back, moping out the classroom and standing beside the door like a sad puppy.
Samuel Balled up his fists and dug his nails deeper and deeper into his fists, he just wanted to take Tyler away forever.
He looked out the window and tried to calm himself.
Whatever whatever whatever whatever.
I can deal with her later.
Later later later later later...

"..Samuel? Hello Samuel?"
He turned to see Tyler tapping his shoulder and talking to him, "Sorry man, I zoned out."
"Ah.. It's alright.. Do you want to hang out with me and Mae at break?"
..this can work.
"Sure. It'd be fun."

Slowly walking out the hallway behind the two, he racked his mind for every possible outcome to this.

"I wish I was in your class Tyler.." Mae whined as she leaned on his arm, "..We need to focus in class so maybe having you in the same class wouldn't be the best." Samuel said, "Yeah he might be right Mae..." Samuel grinned to himself as Mae turned to give him a dirty look.

Samuel watched them from behind as Mae walked slow behind Tyler on the stairs,