\\Tyler//
"Jenna, you seem awfully talkative nowadays." The frail girl jumped at Arlo's slightly accented voice, spewing excuses as she spun around to face him.
"Uhm, yes, hello, Arlo. You weren't supposed to be here for another week?" It was a statement that came as more of a question. The tall male simply shrugged, sliding off his trenchcoat and sitting beside her, brushing off my presence.
"At least somebody remembered." He flashed a sly smile towards her. "I decided to surprise my dear baby sister, though she didn't seem to take it too well then, and now this? She must be taking something, no?" I watched the back of Jenna's head shake, her blonde hair slowly falling out of her bun.
"She isn't. Trust me, A, I'd know. I'm around her more than you are." I shifted uncomfortably, clearing my throat to catch their attention. Jenna let out a small gasp, finally turning back around towards me. Arlo slowly turned, face unreadable as he simply glanced at me.
"Arlo! This is Tyler, Aria's..." We both hesitated on what to say, raising suspicion in the man.
"Friend." I finally finished, my heart beating much faster than it had when I first met eyes with him. He stared at me for one second too long before outstretching his arm towards me, offering his hand.
"Well, you know who I am, I assume." I quickly nodded, grasping his hand in my own and tensing at his firm shake.
"Y-yeah, yeah I know who you are." He pulled back, tucking his hand in the pocket of his dress pants while I steadily stood, shoving my own hands in the front pockets of my jeans.
"Leaving so soon?" The menacing words left his lips like honey, sending an intense wave of anxiety through my body.
"Yeah," I cleared my throat, "I've gotta do some stuff for my friend." He only nodded, offering a small, forced wave before turning towards Jenna and initiating a conversation. She smiled at me before turning all her attention to the older man.
I left through the front door, glancing at the neighbouring houses before spotting Josh walking down the sidewalk, away from me.
"Josh!" He looked back, smiling before stopping in his tracks, allowing me to catch up.
"Been a while since we've had time to ourselves." He said as I tried to catch my breath.
"Wanna go to the arcade?" A surge of excitement replaced any feelings of dread and anxiety I had once felt when Josh nodded, pulling on my shirt before running down the street. I laughed, chasing after him, the thought of Aria long forgotten, if even for a few short hours.
