Maybe I Hate You

9 - Tuesday

Tyler's P.O.V.

The sound of my alarm on my phone wakes me up. Groaning, I reach over and turn it off. I stayed up longer than I should have thinking about her, but I couldn't help it. The touch of her hand. The way she smelled. Her lips on mine.
Sliding out of my bed, I run my fingers through my hair and sigh as I remember my dad and Ashely would be home later today. Which meant I needed to make sure I had all of my stuff with me before leaving. They had asked me to watch the house while they went on vacation, but that didn't mean they wanted me here when they came home. I didn't want to be here when they did anyways.
On my way to my bathroom, I passed the full-length mirror adjacent to my bed, I could see how messy my hair was. I yawned again and closed the bathroom door before stripping for a shower.
It made me long for the days when we went to the cabins my dad owned. They had outdoor showers and there's nothing quite like an outdoor shower. But that was before Mom died.
I shake my head trying to rid myself of those thoughts and hurry through my shower. I dry quickly and put on my usual jeans and v-neck t-shirt. Making sure I have everything, I pack my bags in a rush.
Pulling out my phone, I curse to myself as I notice I'm running out of time to stop by my apartment and drop off my bags before school. Whatever. I throw my two duffel bags over my shoulders and run downstairs and out the door, making sure to lock it behind me.
I throw them into the backseat of my car and start the engine, letting it warm up while I put music on. Then, I throw it into drive and peel away. Glancing at the time again, I start speeding a bit more. I was late to school too much last year and I was trying to not make it a habit again this year.
Luckily, the apartment complex my dad owns is only a few blocks away from my school. I put the car in park and quickly ran my bags inside before coming back into the driver's seat. I sped off towards school and made it with only a minute or two to spare. I fumble with my backpack on my shoulder as I run into the school doors.
I look up as I'm about to turn the corner and stop dead in my tracks at the sight before me. One of the guys from my group I hang out with, Oliver, had his hand around someone's throat and was kissing them passionately. It wasn't the first time I'd seen him kiss someone like that, I was used to it if anything. However, it was whom he was kissing that made my stomach churn and my blood boil.
"Get off of her, now." I started as calmly as I could. My eyes were glued to them. And I could see he was being more aggressive than usual. As if to show off that he could whether she wanted to or not. And from the looks of things, she didn't want to. At least, that's what I told myself. Oliver made no sign of removing himself, I could swear I saw him smirk in response to me. That was the last straw.
My backpack dropped off my shoulder like a weight and I lunged forward. I grabbed him by the shoulders and tore him off of her.
"Woah, calm down man."
The redness in my face was increasing. I stared at his stupid face with its dark features and black eyes.
"Ever since I heard what happened I had to get me a piece of it. Good enough for Matthew-" he smirked again and that's when I lost it.
My fist came into contact with his nose and then again with his jaw. I saw blood start to come out and I stopped, letting go of his shoulder. Before I could catch my breath, I felt him punch me in the lower jaw. He was a couple of inches shorter than me and didn't hit me quite where I got him, but close enough. I shut my eyes at the pain for a moment before I turned back to him and punched him once more, harder. I felt the warm blood on my knuckles this time and saw him stumble backward into the wall.
My breathing was heavy and my jaw hurt. I looked around taking in my surroundings, still in fight mode. I saw Oliver slowly sinking to the ground holding his nose. I noticed the other students started to gather. It didn't sink into me what I'd done until I saw Jane. She was standing in the same place she was when I found them, in the corner of the lockers and the classroom door. Her green eyes locked onto mine for a few moments.
Never have I seen her look scared before. Walking the hallways she was always so determined and sure of herself. Now, her eyes were the biggest I've ever seen and I wanted to comfort her.
But then I looked down at the blood on my knuckles and realized I was the thing causing her to look like that. I couldn't handle it. She was in danger whether she knew it or not and I've never felt the need to protect someone like I did just then. I saw everyone staring at me, waiting for me to say or do something. Panic filled me and I froze until the narcs came to take me to the office.
I knew I'd be the only one to go down for it since he looked worse than I did. I'd flunk high school if it meant she stayed away from him.