Philophobic : Tyler Galpin

21: So What Now?

Thursday, November 1st

[author's pov]

Tyler had driven Victoria home last night. They didn't speak the entire way home since his mind was running fast with disbelief and a little ache. Though he didn't see it, an angst rose in him as he wondered if this pause in their relationship could have been avoidable.

And despite Victoria being afraid of the way she could hurt him–Tyler thought her abilities only made her more significant to him.

If there was one thing he didn't regret though, it was their kiss.

Victoria kept on wishing for what could have been–for her to be as normal as she was before she met Tyler. Who knew if she was ever normal in the first place?

They had bid each other a goodnight from a good distance before entering their own homes alone.

It was hard for Victoria to look at everyone the same now. She was afraid of what she was capable of–not even sure what she was capable of in the first place. Especially with Enid, she could barely look her in the eye. But she had to pretend everything was alright for the sake of her, Tyler, and Wednesday's secret.

She was sitting in the infirmary with Enid (after Tyler dropped her off), who was getting medicine for her hangover. As far as Enid knew, she had partied too hard and blacked out just before she tripped over the boats near the shore. She didn't even remember Victoria telling her about her kiss with Tyler. Wednesday had patched Enid right up last night with the help of Thing.

As the two waited for the nurse to return, Enid turned to Victoria.

"Have you found a date yet?" Enid asked.

"A date?" Victoria asked, confused. "For what?"

"The Rave'N, silly," Enid said, swatting her shoulder. "We're going this year, right?"

"Right," Victoria nodded but then raised a brow. "Why would I need a date? Do you have one-? It's Ajax, isn't it?"

Enid shrugged. "I have a date, but it's not Ajax."

Victoria was intrigued by this news. Why would her friend suddenly have a change of heart about the man she's been longing for since they were kids?

"I don't think we're really on speaking terms right now," Enid said sheepishly. "He's sort of mad that I bailed last night so he and Xavier had to clean up the place without my help."

"So who're you going with then?"

"I'm not telling you yet," Enid said, pursing her lips. She then smiled and said, "You don't know him though so it's not that important."

Now Victoria was confused. Who did Enid know that she didn't know? After all, everyone in the school knew each other since it was Nevermore.

"So, you never answered my question," Enid said, wiggling her brows playfully.

It didn't take a genius to know what Enid was implying. Considering her and Tyler's short conversation that morning about where to start with the understanding of her powers, she was sure he was pretending as if their kiss never happened. Despite getting what she asked for, she couldn't help but feel unsure about Tyler's change in attitude–His careful demeanor and distance.

"No, I don't," Victoria answered. "And if you think I'm going to Tyler, I don't see that happening."

Enid, seeing the discomfort on her friend's face, grinned weakly. "Well that sucks for Tyler because we're going together then."

"But you have a date-?"

"I'm sure he won't mind third wheeling," Enid winked as Victoria managed to laugh.

Wednesday entered the room and her eyes landed on Victoria with sternness.

"Eugene's looking for you," Wednesday said. "Come."

Victoria only gave Enid a sheepish smile before planning to meet her in class later. Enid still held a grin as Victoria and Wednesday entered the hallway.

"What does Eugene want?" Victoria asked Wednesday.

"Nothing," Wednesday answered. As soon as they were out of earshot from others, Wednesday was comfortable enough to say more. "Eugene and I are going to look for the monster's hide out. We figured it must have one since it's always lurking in the woods."

"That's dangerous," Victoria protested. "He's just a kid."

"Aren't we all?" Wednesday said, making Victoria think twice. As they continued out to the empty courtyard, a gust of the November wind blew past them. "Eugene and I were wondering if you wanted to go–that's if you're not going to the silly dance."

"Um... I'm going," Victoria paused. "But I don't think it's safe for me to go anyways... I still haven't learned anything about my powers yet... And I've got a violin performance next weekend in Stamford. You know my mother would hang by my ankle for days if I screwed that up, especially after I bailed on Outreach Day."

Wednesday seemed to purse her lips. "Okay then. Eugene and I will go investigate. As for your situation, I couldn't find anything this morning. But maybe you'll have better luck searching in your mother's office. I heard that's where she keeps some of the restricted books."

"Okay," Victoria nodded. "But about Enid..."

"What about her?" Wednesday asked.

"When do we tell her the truth? That she wolfed out?" Victoria asked. "Don't you think she'll freak out if she discovers that we're hiding the truth from her? I mean, she trusts us-"

"Of course she'll freak out if she finds out," Wednesday said. "But what she doesn't know won't kill her."

Victoria hesitated, then asked, "So what now? Are you going to avoid the Rave'N to avoid Enid?"

"I'm not avoiding Enid," Wednesday said. "I'd just rather swallow a cup of iron nails than go to a school dance."

- - - ✦ - - -

No Tyler chapters are always so boring to write, but I needed it to clear some things up. The next chapter will make up for it though, I promise (Rave'N chapter.)

Your author, riddlefiqs.