Broken

| 2 | Chivalry isn't Dead

Yesterday was brutal. I don't know how much more of this I can take before I snap. The thought of Tyler yesterday haunted me in my dreams. The most unexpected guy, the last person I would've thought to be the one to care, cared. It doesn't seem real. I don't even think I want it to be real.

I walk into school feeling the weight on my shoulders heavier than usual. Today is different. I always had a shot at going unnoticed, but not anymore, not today. Not after yesterday's incident. Everyone is staring at me, and it stresses me out so much that I want to cry all over again.

I feel a hand grab my shoulder, and I start to panic as they pull me all the way back to the lockers. I turn around quickly only to see Tyler again. It is now the second time he has laid his hands on me, and each time I jump just a little bit more.

"What do you want from me?" I ask him, feeling my heart race in my chest. The sudden attention is scaring me. Not knowing his intentions, but he's right here, pulling me out of crowds.

"Your name." he simply states, and I'm thrown completely off guard.

"Uh.. Grace." I say, and he nods. He grabs my wrist and pushes up my sleeves again. I try to pull away, but his grip is strong.

"This right here," he says motioning towards my scars, "is not going to happen again. You are better than these scars. You are stronger than this." he says locking eyes with me, and I can't help but feel my insides fall. No one has ever told me to stop. No one has ever even noticed my scars to tell me not to do it.

"Why are you saying this?" I ask him, and he lets go of my arm, and I cover it back up again.

"I've seen what it does to people, and I'm not letting that happen to you."

Silence falls between us as I just stare at him, unable to figure out what's going on here. Whether it be some sick joke, or actual sincerity coming from a guy who has anything but good things spread about him. He doesn't make any sense. This whole situation doesn't make any sense, yet he extends his hand out to me and offers a smile.

"I'm Tyler."

"Yeah, I know that." I say as I take his hand and shake it. He laughs a little and steps closer to me making my heart flutter in my chest. He needs to stop with the lack of personal space.

"This is when you say your name. I believe it's called a proper introduction." he says in a hushed voice with a wild smirk playing at his lips.

"Oh, right," I say, my cheeks blushing red, "Grace, but you already knew that."

"Well Grace, from now on, me and you are friends." he says with a confident smile. You can tell he's not used to people telling him no. I'm about to break that real quick.

"You can't just decide that." I say as he leans up against the lockers.

"Yes, I can because I just did. I do whatever I want, and what I want is to be friends with you." The confusion consumes me as I think his words through. There's got to be a catch. This is Tyler, and he wants to be friends with me. This doesn't add up. None of this makes any sense at all. Tyler Smith doesn't make friends. Especially with girls like me.

He leans down close to me, so I can feel his breath tickling my ear, sending chills down my spine. The feeling is new, and I'm not sure if I like it or not.

"I'm gonna break down your walls Grace. Even if it takes a little work at first."

And just like that he walks away, leaving me here. I stand, stunned for a moment, before hurrying to class with the thought of Tyler on my mind.