ᴍᴏᴄʜᴀ | ᴛʏʟᴇʀ ɢᴀʟᴘɪɴ x ʀᴇᴀᴅᴇʀ ✔︎ [ON HOLD]

V

NOTE: Okay, this is kind of a shit chapter, I'm mostly just trying to fill in space/time and speed things to get to the juicy stuff following Wednesday. Probably expect one chapter a week (or so) for now. Apologies in advance for bad writing in this chapter

I hadn't known about the deaths until that evening.

Since it was the weekend, I allowed myself to sleep in for a while, before heading to the Weathervane as usual. But when I got there, there was no Tyler with my mocha and that goofy little smile. I assumed he had just fallen sick and was resting, so I just ordered it from the barista filling in.

Even though it was the exact same drink, the way Tyler made it tasted different. I was probably just overthinking it. I also had my breakfast there, and as usual, Enid, Ajax, Xavier and Rowan walked in after the shuttle dropped them off. Since they were out-of-uniform and were regulars every Saturday, their food came quickly.

"That normie Tyler isn't here today?" Xavier asked.

I nodded and sipped my coffee. "He might have caught something from the dance last night, but he hasn't said anything, so."

Enid smiled slyly. "So, anything juicy happen at the dance? Let's say a certain Lucas got dumped?"

"How does she even know—?" I turned to Ajax for help, but he just shrugged. "Well, yeah, he was dumped. About everyone posted about it right after. Big news, you know, they've been dating for a year."

"Okay, but what about other juicy stuff. About you," Enid clarified. "Like... any kisses? Confessing under the stars?"

I sputtered on my coffee, looking up to Enid who smiled hopefully. "Careful, Enid, your inner romantic is showing. Have you looked at me? Obviously not."

Enid pouted like all her hopes and dreams had just been crushed. "Not even with coffee guy? Tyler?"

"No."

"Ughhhhh," she whined. "Come on, Y/n, we need some action! It's been too boring without you."

"Believe me, I'm not having that great of a time either."

As per usual, the conversation continued. Of course, I could definitely feel myself slowly being distanced from everyone. They interacted on a daily basis, face to face, in person. No matter how much we tried to keep in touch, it was just so different being able to just wait until the next shared lesson or next break.

Of course, I knew they were all my friends, the best ones I could ever ask for... but would my prolonged absence make them realise that I was really just excess baggage? Would it only be a matter of time before they realised I wasn't worth it?

I really needed to actually work towards getting rid of these thoughts. It was stupid even doubting them... but still. I had the universal luck of not being able to move on.

After about an hour, they returned back to Nevermore, and I had to go back to the apartment. Since it was already like 12, and I felt too lazy to prepare anything for lunch, it was time for microwaved cup noodles again! As I made my way down the street, past Dr Kinbott's office building, I checked my phone. Still no new messages. Surprise, surprise.

I stopped myself from crossing the street. I had two options— go home and spend the rest of the day doing homework and being depressed and lonely, or go check on Tyler. It was unlike him to be AFK for so long, and it was unlikely that he was sleeping in still. Besides, his house was only a little away, tucked beside the woods.

Even before I finished my thought process, I was already walking towards Tyler's house. Soon enough, my feet grew sore as I approached the house. The family's car was parked in the driveway, and so was the sheriff's car. He should have been at the station already. Interesting.