Philophobic : Tyler Galpin

30: Fire to the Rain

Mature content.

Saturday night, November 17th

[author's pov]

Victoria was having a hard time reaching Wednesday. She'd been meaning to tell Wednesday about her discovery–about hydes.

She didn't pick up her calls, answer her texts, and she couldn't even find her since it was the weekend and she had no obligation to be at school. She was currently at Tyler's house since she'd be sleeping over once again as she called Enid.

She'd been trying to avoid calling Enid about Wednesday since she knew they weren't on good terms at the moment. But it was a last minute resort and she needed to know.

As the phone rang, Enid picked up, sounding a little disappointed.

"Hey, Victoria..."

"Hey..." Victoria began, but decided that her friend came before she did. "You sound off. What's wrong, Enid?"

Enid fell silent, which was rare. Victoria wouldn't be so worried if it weren't for the fact that she and Enid were supposed to be on good terms.

"Enid?"

"Victoria... is Tyler with you right now?" Enid asked.

She raised her brow. "Why is Enid asking me about Tyler's whereabouts?"

"No, he had to run an errand for his dad," Victoria said uneasily. "At least that's what he told me... why, Enid?"

Enid sighed hesitantly. "I just- I heard that he and Wednesday are out on a date tonight."

Victoria laughed in disbelief for a second. "You're joking, right? Is this one of yours and Ajax's pranks?"

Enid didn't say a word. Her heart didn't dare beat and her breath cut short as she blinked.

"E- Enid?" Victoria asked.

"I'm sorry, I just don't want you to get hurt," Enid said. "But I also wouldn't want you to hold this from me if you were in my shoes... and you once were. Now I know how hard it was for you."

Victoria shook her head. "Thank you, Enid. I'll figure this out... love you bye."

Enid frowned. "Love you bye..."

They hung up the phone. Victoria didn't even have any questions. She honestly had suspected it on and off since the Rave'N. Since the funeral and since Wednesday's disappearance.

"So this is why I haven't been able to reach her all day..." Victoria muttered as she sat at the stool before the counter.

Her face was buried in her hands. She wasn't going to run from this, no. She was going to hold her ground and confront Tyler. Better yet, she was going to question him and see if he really did love her. If he really was an honest man.

She wiped her short tears and remained seated when she heard Tyler walk into the house. He'd been gone almost the entire evening and he seemed a little distraught already by the time he walked in. He spotted her demeanor and quickly made his way over to her.

"What's the matter?" he asked as she escaped his grip.

"Don't touch me," she said quietly as she stood from the stool and backed away.

Tyler's eyes flashed with hurt from her words. She felt herself already weakening emotionally. She wondered if love had to hurt like this.

"Victoria... what's the matter?" he asked. "I'm sorry, what did I do?"

She shook her head. "You tell me, Tyler."

Tyler's jaw slightly dropped as if to speak. "Tell you what? What do you want to hear?"