Hell & Back || TYLER SBG

Chapter 8: Hey Batter Batter Swing

Two weeks. Two weeks and they were still dealing with the phantoms. Every night without fail.

They'd all become more irritable. It was written all over their faces. The dark circles under Danica's eyes had only gotten worse. She didn't make any effort for school anymore, not in the way she used to at least. Dressing up a bit used to be one of her only motivations to go in the first place. Now she was just motivated by the fact that she'd fail if her grades kept consistently going down.

The seven of them sat at a lunch table together. It'd become routine now—one that had caught everyone around them off guard. They were a group that no one would ever expect to get along, and they'd be right about that too. They dealt with each other because they had to survive.

"I still think Danica was right. We should go back to Savannah," Tyler said. He looked like he was about to snap at any moment.

Ashlyn rubbed her head, sighing before she spoke.

"...Alright," she said, "let's take some time to think about it again and have a group vote later tonight."

This would be the fourth time they had a group vote on it. It was a useless battle to still be fighting, at least in Danica's opinion.

"Why not after school?" Tyler asked, his brows furrowing.

"Because I have ballet class today."

He was become more irritated by the second. Danica was used to it at this point. So was everyone else. Lunch usually just consisted of Ashlyn and Tyler going back and forth.

"So what?" He said dismissively. "Skip it."

"Uh, Ty...We have stuff to do after school too," Taylor said, looking over at her brother.

Logan looked down at his tray, nervously speaking up, "I have to help with the flower shop today."

Danica hesitated to say anything. She didn't feel like poking a bear, partially because she had no desire to deal with his attitude, and partially because every word she spoke in his direction opened up a chance for a conversation. There hadn't been time the past two weeks for them to talk one on one like they had before, but she still caught herself looking over to him in history way more than she should've been. She felt like she was going insane.

"I have practice with my band at seven," She finally said. Well, she might've had practice. She'd been ditching a lot recently to hide away in her room.

"See? They're busy too," Ashlyn said. With every word, Tyler tensed up more. "Even with everything that's happening, we can't just neglect school and our future. Let's just wait until tonight-,"

"We aren't going to have a 'future' if we're dead!" He finally snapped. Taylor and Danica glanced over to each other, their lips pressing into tight lines before they looked back over to the two who were arguing.

"It's not just our future," the redhead said back firmly, "If we drop everything to focus on fantasy-like events we're going to end up in a psyche ward. Do you think that's going to make it easier or harder for us to have meetings during the day?"

"She's got a point you know," Aiden said, still somehow grinning. He spun his pointer finger next to his head. "Generally, we're what people would call 'crazy'."

"Whatever," Tyler muttered under his breath, picking up his tray to leave. He paused for a moment before turning around to get Taylor too, shooting Ashlyn a glare as he did.

Danica sighed, watching them as they left. His outburst had drawn some attention over to their table. She'd be embarrassed if she wasn't worried.

She'd call Taylor later. It'd be a better idea than calling him. He was in the worst mood out of them all, and she didn't want to make him blow up again.