Philophobic : Tyler Galpin

3: Whose Mommy?

Monday, October 15th

[author's pov]

The weather seemed to be gloomier than usual today. It was perfect as Victoria waited outside on her porch for her mother's car to pull up–with Shanks sitting in her shoulder bag. It was twenty minutes past the time Principal Weems was supposed to arrive and Victoria had a gut-feeling it had something to do with the presence of Enid's new roommate, Wednesday Addams.

Her mother, for as long as she's known her, was not the fondest of the Addams family. Mostly because of Wednesday's mother, Morticia. She wasn't sure what the story was between them, but whenever the Addams family was mentioned in front of her mother, she could see her face becoming more defined and hear the sourness in her throat.

She sent her mother a text, seeing if she was even awake that morning. Nothing.

Her eyes lingered over to Tyler's house. There was a blue bike resting against his porch, looking a bit lonely.

"Would he mind?" Victoria wondered. "I better ask first..."

She got up from her porch and made her way to the Galpin driveway.

"His dad's truck is gone so he was probably at work. But Tyler's car is still parked in the driveway..." She studied.

With the first two knocks, there was no answer. Before she could knock again, the door opened as her hand remained mid-air for a second. She quickly placed her hand back to her side while Tyler seemed surprised to see Victoria.

Besides his dazed expression, he wore a navy hoodie and straight jeans. He looked like he had somewhere to go this early...

"Maybe school? Work? Whatever it was he did," She thought.

"Good morning," he said with a smile, breaking the ice. "Can I help you with something?"

"I need to borrow your bike," Victoria said simply. Tyler peered over her shoulder- or rather, past her since he was tall enough to spot the bike.

"For what?" he asked.

"Twenty dollars," Victoria said, flicking her wrist to reveal two tens. "Just for the day."

Tyler grinned. "Twenty dollars. Wow, tempting..." She didn't appreciate his sarcastic tone. She could feel his teasing smile crawl up her spine. "I meant, what do you need my bike for?" he asked.

"I need to get to school," she answered plainly, hoping he wouldn't ask any questions. The fact that she was standing on his porch with his sarcasm was humbling enough for her. "You can get almost anything here but a taxi..."

"Oh, sure. I've got you then," he realized, understanding.

"Splendid," Victoria nodded. "What do you want for the- what're you doing?"

Tyler had stepped aside to grab something quickly. She heard keys jangling before she saw them in his hands.

"Last time I checked, bikes don't require keys to start..." she said as he slipped on his shoes and stepped out of his house, locking it.

"You're right," he nodded as he turned to her with a smile. "But last time I checked, there's a dangerous animal out there responsible for brutal deaths. I can't be having you where you shouldn't be. Especially alone."

"Right, what kind of sheriff's son would you be if an animal attacked me with your bike in my possession?" she asked sarcastically, but he looked past it.

"Exactly. My shift doesn't start for another two hours anyway."

A few minutes later, she was sitting in the passenger seat of his car with Shanks on her lap. His car was warm and it smelled like him–like coffee. And even though she wasn't the biggest coffee drinker, she'd never desired a cup of coffee first thing in the morning like then.

"You two aren't much of a talker, huh?" Tyler asked, his eyes on the road.

"Shanks doesn't like to talk about strangers," she answered. "She prefers to keep her composure."

"She gets that from you then?" Tyler asked, looking over at her briefly. "Or does that run in the family?"

"I wouldn't know, but my adopted mother is the biggest ray of sunshine you'll ever meet. Besides Enid... my friend..." she said, trying not to ramble.

Tyler nodded and asked, "Wait- so your mother is Principal Weems of Nevermore? How come I don't see you around then?"

"Of course he's seen me around. He probably just didn't remember," she thought.

"Boarding school," she answered. "And if I wasn't here during the school term, I was in Massachusetts with my grandparents."

"Ah, that explains it then," Tyler nodded. "Does that mean you've never been to the Weathervane all your life?"

"I typically get online deliveries," she said. "But I've never been there."

Tyler smiled. His body responded with a nod or movement with his fingers to acknowledge her words.

"Well, you should come around some time," Tyler suggested.

"Why? Do you work there?" she asked.

"Taking notes?" Tyler asked jokingly. When she didn't laugh, he cleared his throat and said, "Yes, I work there. It'd be nice to see a familiar face for once."

"It's a small town, everyone is familiar."

"Everyone also happens to be old and pilgrim-obsessed," Tyler noted. "I might live here, but you will never see me in a pilgrim costume."

She stared out the window, noticing they were nearing the school already. There wasn't much conversation left anyway so they didn't mind. But she got to know a little more about him.

"Maybe he'll even remember that we've met before," she thought. We pulled up to the front of the school.

"Thank you for driving me," she said, opening the door so Shanks could get out. "Shanks is thankful too."

She met him by his window as he grinned. "You're welcome. You can thank me another time."

"How, exactly?" she asked.

"I'm not sure yet," he said with uncertainty. "I'll let you know later... but I can't really do that..."

"Are you asking me for my number?"

"No," Tyler answered, his elbow resting on his opened window. "I'm asking for Shanks'."

She grinned and he smiled, revealing his pearly teeth. His eyes flickered down to her lips, but only for a split second before she gave in.

Reluctantly, she gave him her phone as he entered it and gave himself a call.

"Cool," he said in barely a whisper. "Don't be a stranger, okay?"

"Well that's pretty much what we are," she thought.

The morning bell rang, reminding her that she only had five minutes left to get to class. Her eyes widened as she strapped my bag over her shoulder and turned her heel.

"I'll see you around," Tyler said, bidding her goodbye.

But his only response was her looking over her shoulder. That was enough to make his morning. He was glad that things were starting off great with him and his new... Well, neighbor.

"Oh shit, I forgot to ask her name," Tyler muttered as he stared at the number across his name.

He'd been so engulfed by her presence, feeling as if he already knew her that he'd forgotten. He also was trying to think of how to break the natural tension she carried with her and focus on the road.

He wondered what he was supposed to put on the screen before he left the driveway. With time running short, he typed the first thing on his mind into his phone with a grin.

"Shanks' mommy."

- - - ✦ - - -

Ur mom?

Nah.

Your author, riddlefiqs.