lovely | thirteen reasons why

(25) meeting ani

It was finally Monday, which meant it was time to go back to school. Whether anyone was ready or not. In this case, Libby wasn't sure if Tyler would be prepared to face everybody again. Face the school after the last time he was there. But they had no choice.

She had rummaged through the drawers for some clothes to wear. She had managed to grab and pack as many clothes as possible and Tyler gave her a section of the drawers so they could share. It filled her with joy and a bit of excitement. It felt like they were living together. Because in a way they were. She had to sneak out the window so his parents thought she was just coming in. Tony was driving them both to school. He insisted this be the case.

She stood by the car as he said his goodbye to Tyler's mom and walked him to the car. Tyler was looking at him strangely. "You don't have to do this."

Tony scoffed. "Of course I do! I help my friends."

"We're not friends." He pointed out timidly, ignoring the look his girlfriend was giving him.

Tony just shrugged. "Sure we are. Well, you're Clay's friend clearly which makes us friends."

Libby looked offended. "Where was that logic with me? We've only been dating for over a year."

He rolled his eyes. "You were also friends with Bryce Walker. I rest my case."

Tyler sighed. "Do you think anyone's gonna talk about what happened?"

Tony shook his head. "I don't think you should worry about that. All that you need to focus on is getting through your classes. Now come on. We're meeting Clay and Justin."

The car ride was silent. Libby insisted on sitting in the back so she could hold onto Tyler. He was squeezing her hand tightly as they drove into the parking lot. She rubbed his hand. "It's okay to be scared, but you're not alone." When they finally arrived they saw both Clay and Justin waiting for them. Libby gave both boy a hug. "So have they given Justin a proper bedroom yet?"

Clay laughed. "They're actually planning on renovating the garage into a joint bedroom for the two of us."

Justin laughed. "I told them that was too much effort for such a small problem, but they want me to feel like I have a place in the house."

Libby shook her head. "It's a big problem. You're a Jensen now, you should be given everything you deserve. Trust me, Laine and Matt overdo for their honorary/adopted kids as much as they do Clay. We're all family to them."

"You're lucky Libby taught me as a child how to share my parents with the town." Clay snorted. "Thinking about it now. Justin Jensen, sounds like a kid in a Mormon household."

Justin rolled his eyes playfully, but Libby didn't miss the few tears at the name. It was a stupid name, but somehow heartwarming at the same time. Libby smiled. "So I'm not gonna have to see Bryce Walker ever again, right? He's officially at the prep school now? Out of our lives?"

Justin coughed. "About that. Libby, there's something you should know. All three of you. When we all went to the station to confirm the shooting was a false alarm, we saw Bryce talking to them."

Libby felt Tyler tense up as she grabbed his hand. "Why the fuck would he be there? Did he overhear you idiots shouting? Did he see something?"

He shrugged. "I don't know, I didn't ask him. Didn't talk to him at all. But if he told the cops anything then Tyler would be in handcuffs right now. I don't know why he was there, but it couldn't have been about that." He sighed. "So are we doing this secret service style?"

She rolled her eyes as she took Tyler's hand and walked into the school. She smiled. "We can do whatever couple shit we want now. We can hold hands in public, hold each other in public, kiss in public. Whatever you're comfortable with." And despite the anxiety Tyler was feeling at being back here, he couldn't help but smile at the thought.