Philophobic : Tyler Galpin

9: Monster

Sunday, October 21st

[author's pov]

"You have got to be kidding me," Victoria said as Eugene presented her uniform before her. "I hate yellow."

Eugene had handed her a long vertically black and yellow striped apron to wear while she sold honey. And two yellow bows to clasp her hair back.

"It's just for two hours," Eugene reminded her.

"I'd rather get stung by a hive of bees," she groaned as she took the clothes to change into.

Once she changed into the clothes from inside the trailer, she texted Enid to see where she was.

———

Victoria: Where are you?

Enid: Here omw!

With Wednesday we're gonna meet Tyler

Victoria: You three stay away from me then.

Enid: Why???

Victoria: I look ridiculous.

———

The last thing Victoria needed was for Tyler to see her in her silly work attire. But at least she wasn't wearing a bee costume... if only she had been there that morning to help Eugene harvest honey...

"Remember, no more than one sample per person," Eugene scolded. "And here's a pocket knife for the boxes in the trunk. But no stabbing people."

"Yes, sir..." she said as she unpacked some biscuits with honey from the boxes.

She got a text and checked her phone to see it was from Tyler.

———

Tyler: So Enid said you're here right now. Wanna hang out for a bit before I go?

Victoria: Go? Go where?

Tyler: Giving Wednesday a ride out of town. But your mom's got her eyes glued on her for now...

———

Before Victoria could answer, Eugene interrupted her.

"Victoria, customers!" Eugene said as he approached the trio of friends. "Hello! Would you like a sample of our freshest batch?"

Meanwhile, Tyler was watching Xavier and Wednesday talk at one of the carnival games. He was waiting for a response from Victoria, but she had left him on seen. What could she have been doing? His eyes caught a glimpse of someone familiar in the crowd.

It was a young boy—the same one who Victoria was talking to at the Weathervane. Rowan.

He felt a bit irritated when he saw him casually talking to Enid. How close were the three of them? It wasn't fair that normies and outcasts were separated—otherwise, he would've gotten to be a part of her circle.

Victoria's circle.

As Tyler checked the time, he realized how close to curfew it was getting. He approached Wednesday and Xavier gave him a harsh look.

"Sorry if I'm interrupting anything," Tyler said, feeling the tension between the two.

"You're not," Xavier said as he placed both hands in his pocket and walked past Tyler.

Tyler stood there awkwardly with Wednesday. "Well, dad hit me with a curfew so we'd better get going..."

"I've got some deadweight to lose first," Wednesday said, her eyes peering over to where Principal Weems was sitting. Tyler turned around as Principal Weems tilted her head in acknowledgment.