It's Complicated

Chapter 6

Tyler's POV

I don't know what came over me today. Why did I help Abrielle? I shouldn't care about her! Why did I white-out her answer?! But I kind of had the feeling she would take it and throw it away or something, I wouldn't be surprised. I just had to, her big brown eyes looking at me and her lips pouting sadly. Her big kinky hair was practically cuddling her.  She looked so cute- um, I mean, weird.

After basketball practise, I got home and threw myself on the bed, closing my eyes. Freya runs in the room and tries to drag me off the bed. "Hey hey Tyler! I handed out my invitations today!"

I pull my hand away."That's nice Freya. Now can you stop bothering me?"

She pulls my arm again. "No! You need to get off the bed and shower! You smell!"

I get up and sniff my armpits. Smells like shit. "Huh, guess you're right."

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"F*CKING HELL THAT HURT!" Jackson shouts burning his finger on the Bunsen burner. Oh how I love science (not). 

Mr Warren, our science teacher, runs to Jackson. "Hey watch your language!" He holds Jackson's finger in his hand. "The burn doesn't look severe, but run it under cold water. And rest it on a ice pack." The whole class looks at Mr Warren and Jackson, whispering and laughing. I laughed too. He's such an idiot sometimes. 

He looks at me, embarrassed. "Why are you laughing?!"

I cover my mouth, trying to hide my laugh. "Cause you stupidly burnt yourself."

"How did you manage to do that?" Alex says.

"I can't understand why Stacy is in to you." Brian sighs.

Jackson elbows him. "Shut up! At least I can get a girlfriend!"

While they're arguing, Abrielle walks past and giggles. 

I narrow my eyes at her. "What are you laughing about?"

She rolls her eyes. "Isn't it obvious? Cause Jackson burnt himself."

"I bet if you got burnt, you wouldn't be laughing!" I shoot back.

Her face turns red in anger. "What the hell?! Everyone was laughing at it! Why do you have to tell me off?" 

Jackson steps in. "Yeah Tyler, you don't need to get mad at Abrielle."

"I know right? Like get a grip Tyler." She says and walks off. God I hate her so much.

I turn to Jackson clenching my fists. I'm so mad. "What the f*ck Jackson?! I stand up for you and then you stand up for that b-"

"Dude relax, why can't you just leave her alone, she was just laughing like everybody else. Is it because you want her attention?" He interrupts me.

I look away, red faced. "Are you kidding? I don't like her!"

He raises his eyebrows at me. "Are you sure?"

"YES!" I whisper-shout. Jackson laughs and winks at me. Why can't my friends understand? I look at Abrielle doing the experiment. Unfortunately, she doesn't burn her hand. Her concentrated eyes, gazing at the burner. Her artistic hands holding the scalpel, laughing with her sweet smile when Olivia screams as the flame rises. What the hell am I thinking? She's terrible.

After school I shoot a few hoops in my basketball ring at home. Just shooting hoops and dribbling a bit usually clears my mind. But this time it didn't work. I just couldn't get Abrielle out of my head. I hit the backboard with the ball really hard in anger. Why won't she leave my mind?! I can't get the vision of her face out of me. Do I like her? No! All we've ever done is fight nearly every lesson, everyday. I don't think there's a day gone by without us fighting once. But then why am I thinking about her so much? I'm so confused.

My neighbour, Mr Gregory catches me being angry. He's really nice, like another father figure. He knows dad really well. His little daughter, Daisy is best friends with Freya, so I guess we're pretty close."Hello Tyler, why the hard shot? Something bothering you?" 

I smile quickly to cover my frown. "Oh, nothing Mr Gregory. Just school y'know."

"What about school?" He questions.

I look away a bit. "Oh, it's nothing really."

"Want to talk about it? It's okay if you don't want to." He says sympathetically.

"Thanks for your concern sir, but it's okay, I can deal with it. It's nothing big, really." I answer back trying to keep a happy face.

"Whatever you say son, but if you ever need to talk, I'm here." He grins at me and walks back into his house. Although Mr Gregory is really nice and all, but I didn't really want to tell him about Abrielle. I don't think he knows her, and it's not any of his business, no offence.

I come back in the house to have a shower. Freya runs to me and tugs on my shorts. "Hey hey Tyler! My birthday party is in a week! And everyone's coming! Gigi, Cady, Katie, Sam..." and goes on and on.

I sigh at her. "I know Freya, you told me that yesterday." Wait... Sam? That sounds familiar. Didn't Abrielle mention a Sam the other day? Not sure what they were talking about though. But there's like probably more than a million people named Sam in the world. Oh no, I'm thinking about her again. I need to stop.