The First Rule

Chapter 41: Black and Blue

Looking at him with knitted eyebrows, you contemplate. A wave of sadness washes over your features, casting a shadow over your initial cheerful demeanor. There's a subtle quiver in your voice as you assure, "Tyty.. I'm going nowhere, right? Even—we've spent so much time together these days after dad—and mom.. Damn I still live beside you—"

"I know, it's just—" Tyler's voice tinged with sadness as he sighs, "we never go to school together anymore.. we don't eat together.. and we have separate classes more often—"

"Wha—I didn't want to interrupt you Ty, you know what Lucy does every time—even when you're just standing next to me—"

"It doesn't matter, Em. It's not our problem if she worries too much about things she can't control—"

Suddenly, you push his chair enough for you to lower yourself to the floor—elbow touching the floor while saying, "Ok bestie, tell me what you want—" however, the impact sends a jolt of pain through you—causing you to flinch, groaning a "ok that hurts—"

"Get up, idiot!" Tyler demands, his hand reaching to pull your arms upwards—but instead, you tackle him, resting your arms on his thigh. Your chin rests in your palms, gazing at him while fluttering your eyelashes.

"As a compensation, you'll get five Burgers this month, just pick the when."

Looking away slightly, he scoffs, "You're unbelievable, W—" but then pauses, his expression turning contemplative.. until finally, he raises an eyebrow in a slight annoyance and weary manner before emphasizing an—

"Emily."

With a look of bewilderment, you pout, "Awww, no Winny this time?" giving him your best puppy eyes. But he just raises an eyebrow, further questioning you. "I'm sorry I was so busy Tyty.. you know how clingy Dom is these days—"

But at the mention of your 'boyfriend', he rolls his eyes—immediately stands up from his seat without delay, and walks away. Retracting your head in confusion, you exclaim, "Ty.. is it just me or.. every time I talk about Dom you—"

"I don't like him."

Tyler's words cut through the air like a sudden gust of wind. You knit your eyebrows in disbelief, a gasp heard as you left stunned. "T—Ty—he's your bestfriend—"

"Because I know him!" Tyler shouts, voice tinged with frustration. Exhaling a sharp scoff, he lets out an irritated shake on his head before looking back at you, ranting, "He always talks about dating multiple girls—he never takes any of them seriously!"

With a troubled expression, you begin to stand up, folding a hand over your chest. Lifting your head to him, you ask, "I know him too, Ty. We've been friends since—what? Junior high. So yeah, I know how he was—"

"Forget about junior high! At the afterparty! When you were busy taking care of Uncle John—you know what he did—?!" Cavill pauses, as if weighing your reaction. But fuck it, he thought. You have to know what your boyfriend did behind your back. This is his role as a bestfriend too, right?

"He's back to how he used to, Em! I find him kissing with another girl at the fucking party! I told you! I fucking told you!"

His voice laced with frustration, panting like he just ran a marathon—but then he glares at you in bewilderment. Cos instead of giving the normal reaction of someone who just got cheated—you seem too calm. It's more like.. you're a little bit faking your 'startle'. Like.. you're.. hiding something—