One of Them Girls

Chapter 3

The clock on the wall ticked louder than usual in the quiet of your room. You lay on your bed, scrolling through your phone, but Tyler's name wasn't lighting up the screen. You'd hoped he might send a text or give you a call, especially after he'd promised to come back to town once he was done chasing storms. As the hours ticked by, the excitement of the morning and the hopeful anticipation of seeing him again began to fade.

You sat up, glancing at the clock again. It was getting late, and the silence in the house felt heavier. Tyler's promise to return seemed to be slipping further away with each passing minute. A part of you wanted to reach out, to send a message asking if everything was okay. But you knew he was likely busy, caught up in the chaos of storm chasing. You didn't want to be a bother, especially if he was dealing with more pressing matters.

With a sigh, you decided to hold off on sending a text. If you still hadn't heard from him by tomorrow, you would reconsider. For now, you turned off your phone and tried to push away the nagging disappointment that had settled in your chest.

The next morning, you wake up to the sound of your roommate bustling around the kitchen. You stumble out of bed, the weight of last night's disappointment still heavy on your shoulders. The thought of Tyler's empty promises lingers in your mind, leaving you feeling both confused and disheartened.

Your roommate looks up from her coffee mug, concern etched across her face. "What's wrong? You seem... off."

You sigh, rubbing your temples. "I don't know. I'm just a little bummed. Tyler hasn't called or texted me since yesterday morning. I was kind of hoping he'd at least send a message."

She raises an eyebrow, a teasing grin spreading across her face. "Thought he was just a guy?"

You roll your eyes, a hint of a smile tugging at your lips. "Yeah, well, he's just a guy who said he'd come back. But maybe I was wrong. Maybe it was all in my head."

She reached over, placing her hand on top of yours. "He didn't just disappear. He's probably just busy or something. I mean every news station in the state is talking about these storms we've been having."

"I don't know. It just feels like we had a great time, and he seemed really interested. And now, it just feels like everything up in the air."

"(Your Name), from what you told me about breakfast and the farmer's market, it sounds like he was really into you. The kiss? And what he said after? That's a pretty clear sign he likes you. I'm telling you, he just got caught up in his work. Don't let a little delay get to you. He'll reach out when he can."

You took a deep breath, feeling a bit reassured by her words. "I guess you're right. I just didn't expect to feel this way."

"Oh trust me, I get it. I did not have you falling for Tyler Owens on my bingo card." She said as she went to stand up and place her empty coffee cup in the sink. "But I'm telling you, he'll call you soon."

As the hours drag on, your phone remains eerily silent. You keep glancing at it, hoping for a message, a call, anything. The doubt continues to gnaw at you, wondering if maybe there wasn't anything there with you and Tyler.

Later that night, you're sitting on the front steps, the cool evening air doing little to soothe the disappointment you've been feeling all day. The distant rumble of a truck's engine breaks the silence. You stand up, squinting to see through the dimming light. The truck comes into view, and as it pulls to a stop, you see Tyler's familiar silhouette stepping out.

As he starts to walk towards you, you notice a cut on his head, covered partly with a bandage. Then you notice a limp in his leg with each step. He's walking slower and more deliberate than normal.