Monday morning comes around and its still pouring outside. I get up slowly and stretch and the get ready for school. I put on an old purple Jack Wills hoodie and my jeans. I grab my black fuzzy boots and pull my hair up in a ponytail then I go to wake up Ty.
I open his door and I can barely see him under all his covers. He's wrapped up and twisted in his blanket. He's lightly snoring as I walk up to him. I grab his extra pillow from the other side of him and hit him with it. He groans and puts his head under the pillow he's laying on.
"Tyler. Get up."
He just rolls on to his other side. I sit on the side of his bed and shake his shoulder lightly. "Ty, come on. Its getting late. If you aren't ready by the time I'm leaving, you're gonna be stuck here all day."
"Good for me." He mumbles.
"Whatever."
I go back to my room and lay on the bed and start reading. When it's time to go, I stand up and grab my bag. I'm opening my car door when Tyler comes running out of the house.
"Sorry. Got up late." He gives me a goofy half smile and I roll my eyes and get in.
When we get to school, he waits for me at the end of my car and we walk in holding hands. We're only inside for maybe 45 seconds and we're suddenly swarmed by Ty's friends. I only recognize a few faces, some of his football buddies. They're all giving high-fives and claps on the back and they're joking and laughing with him. I feel small in the moment, unknowingly squeezing close to Ty, wrapping my arms around his. He doesn't look at me but he must feel my discomfort because he squeezes my hand reassuringly.
When the first bell rings, everyone finally disperses and we start walking to first period. I don't realize I'm still wrapped around Tyler's arm until he looks down at me and laughs. I look up at him and that's when I realize. I let go and I walk into class before him, taking my normal spot in the back with the rest of the quiet kids. Ty sits in front of me as usual.
The day goes by pretty normally except for lunch. Instead of sitting in my usual spot in my car, I follow Ty to the band room. Its pretty quiet but there are a few boys sitting around talking.
"These are my nerd buddies" he whispers to me. "Hey guys!"
They all turn and wave to Tyler. "Guys this is Rosaline." At that, the only boy not facing us, turns around and I see that its Christian.
He stifles a laugh. "Ros, this is Alex, Dom, Lucas, Roman and...sorry have we met yet?" He's talking to Christian. He stands up and shakes Ty's hand.
"I'm Christian. I believe Rosaline and I have already met." He grins boyishly and I look up at Ty. It takes him a few seconds but he finally makes the connections in his head and you can see it on his face. His jaw drops just slightly and his eyebrows go up. He looks at me quizzically and nods slightly at Christian. I nod a little bit in response, clear my throat and look at the ground.
Ty clears his throat as well and says, "well, its nice to finally meet you, Christian." He leads me to the other side of the circle and we sit in between the blond haired, blue eyed, scrawny yet slightly toned boy who I believe is Alex and the tall, bean-pole statured boy with dark hair whom I gather is Roman. Roman is next to me and the boys pick up on joking around after a slight awkward silence.
I sit on the outside of the circle and listen to their banter, occasionally laughing but mostly just blending into the outside and avoiding Christian's glances. I kind of hide behind Tyler and ignore the tension that fills the air everytime Tyler and Christian make eye contact. Its like a crack of lightning bouncing off them, their energy connecting in the center and reacting negatively.
I wait for lunch to finally be over and then as soon as the bell rings, I kiss Tyler goodbye and practically fall over myself just trying to get out the door.
About halfway through 4th period, my phone buzzes. Mr. MacDonald doesnt care if we text so I pull out my phone to see who it is.
Christian: I'm sorry about lunch. I didn't mean to make it awkward for you.
I decide not to respond. A couple minutes later, my phone buzzes again.
Tyler: I am sooo sorry about earlier. I'll try to be nicer next time. Are you still going out with him later?
This one I do respond to.
Yes. Of course.
Tyler: alright. Just asking.
Okay well. I already told you I was. Why?
Tyler: I didn't mean anything by it. After today, I just thought maybe your plans have changed.
Thought? Or hoped?
When he doesn't respond for the rest of class I just text him. Whatever. Just because your jealous of him doesn't mean you need to have it out for him. He's my friend. You know. That thing that you could easily become again if you don't get it through you head that I love YOU. Not him.
As I'm walking into 5th period, my phone buzzes once more.
Christian: are you mad?
No.
Christian: are you sure?
.....no.
I try to listen to Mrs. Todd lecture on about some war or another but I can't stop thinking back to Ty and Christian. I'm more mad than I should be. Ty is trying to be nice. I can tell he doesn't like him and Christian is purposely antagonizing him. The glances, the wide-eyed fake innocence act, the way he stood up when I ran out, the intake of breath they could have heard from the other side of the room when I kissed Tyler.
Maybe I'm just over-thinking. I'll bet you the tension isn't even there. I'm just jumping to conclusions. Wait. Why do girls do this? Overthink everything to the point of coming up with a solution that is so far from the truth, no one else can figure out where the hell they came up with the idea in the first place. Why don't we just ask?
So I asked.
Tyler, are you jealous of Christian or not?
He responds 5 minutes later. I was. But I don't know.
Why?
Tyler: you kissed him a week ago! You had a thing A WEEK AGO. How am I supposed to know if you're over him?
Because I told you!!!! I love YOU. TYLER. GET IT THROUGH YOUR HEAD.
Tyler: a week ago Rosaline. I'll find my ride home. I'll see you later.
This conversation is not over Tyler.
He doesn't write back and I'm too irritated to care.
