Home and Holidays

chapter 31

The next day, Valerie was getting ready to go out and do her usual random acts of kindness, like giving out blessing bags, paying for people's gas at the gas station, and paying for random people's items at the grocery store. This was something that she'd do every once in a while, since she wanted to help out, and giving back to the people of the community made her feel extremely good.

She decided to call Tyler first though, wanting to talk to him and ask how his day was going. Once she grabbed her phone and dialed the correct number, it didn't even ring twice before Tyler picked up.

"Hey, Valerie. How are you doing?" he instantly spoke through the phone.

"Hi, Tyler. I'm doing great, I just wanted to call and ask how your day's been. I hope I'm not bothering you or anything." Valerie replied.

"No, don't worry, you're not." Tyler quickly reassured her. "I'm not really doing anything right now anyway. I have to be at work soon, but I have some time to talk." he said.

"Ok." Valerie casually said as she sat down on the couch, but her wide smile and the bright blush that had appeared on her cheeks were anything but casual.

"So, what are you doing right now? Anything interesting going on?" Tyler chuckled quietly.

"Not really, just getting ready to head out soon. I'm going out to do my usual random acts of kindness. I have some free time today, so I figured I'd try to do something productive." Valerie explained, loving the way he was always interested in what she was doing.

"Oh. Well, don't leave yet, let me come pick you up. I'll go with you." Tyler instantly reacted.

"But, you just said you have to be at work soon." Valerie pointed out with a light chuckle.

"I don't. I mean, I do, but that's not until later anyway." Tyler said, tripping over his words a little. "It's ok if I get there a couple hours behind schedule. I can just make a few calls, and move some things around." he swiftly added. Valerie heard a door open and close, indicating that Tyler had likely already walked out of his house by now.

"Tyler, it's alright. You don't have to do that for me. I'll be fine." she claimed.

"I know, but I want to go with you, Valerie. I'll feel better if you're not out doing that stuff alone. You'll be safer with me there looking out for you. And I'm already in my car, coming to pick you up, by the way."

Valerie couldn't help but blush at how caring and protective he was being about her. "Well, alright. If you're sure." she finally agreed.

"I am sure. I'll see you when I get there, ok?" he said. He already knew the directions to her house, since she had invited him to come over yesterday to hang out for a while after had gone out to eat.

"Ok. Thanks, Tyler. I really do appreciate it." she thanked him.

"It's no problem at all." he reacted. And soon enough, he was arriving at her place. They both had a great time doing random acts of kindness together, and after Tyler drove her back to her house, she decided to invite him inside for a while, insisting on making him a snack as a thank you for giving her a ride and coming with her to help out the community. She was also especially appreciative since Tyler had literally switched his work schedule around just so that he'd have the time to help her out. So Valerie figured that Tyler deserved to use some of his free time to have a nice snack in return.

After eating, Valerie and Tyler found themselves wrapped up in talking with each other, not really keeping track of time as they just had fun being around each other. Valerie was currently in the middle of showing Tyler her jewelry collection in her glittery jewelry box that she had owned since she was seventeen years old.