UGLY (Vol.1)

Pg 11. Touch

[Tyler's POV]

Maybe she was just somehow sick or feeling a little cold. 

Tyler kept telling himself. 

But to be honest, he felt some kind of anxiety inside him.

No girl ever ran away from him like that.

He was conscious that it must be 90% because of his looks, but he pushed that thought away. Staring into his mirror, he carefully looked over himself. What was it? Was it that tiny hair he missed at the side of his mouth? Or because he did some wrinkled expression to make her uncomfortable? But Tyler knew, deep inside, that whatever the reason, he couldn't let go of Alyssa Crimson. He had to know, at least, why she walked away from him. Tyler walked over to his cabinet and pulled out a jar of pills. He took one and swallowed it, without water, before heading outside. It was some habit he had, ever since his brother, Kyle, challenged him to do so.

He walked through Berrycrest road and soon came to his school. The firm, old fashioned brick walls showed honor and pride. Over the wall was a grown ivy, it's leaves looking down before him. Being the oldest of his family, the Giler family, he had every reason to have his head up and high. And that's just how he strolled into the gates. The girls always greeted him first at school, and like usual, Rachel was the first.

"Hey, Tyler!" She waved. 

Rachel was his friend since childhood. She was tall, blond, with everything a boy could ask for from a perfect girl, except that she slept each night with different partners. Even her small freckles were just perfectly sewed in. She was wearing a white and black T-shirt, with black jeans, a denim jacket slumped over her shoulders. Her smile was just charming.

Hey, Rachel." Tyler nodded at her, managing a tiny grin for her.

"Okay, listen. I got an audition at around 6. So can you drop me off?"Rachel, as usual, rattled around. Tyler thought it through. 

"Why don't you ask Bryce? Or Kyle? I really haven't got the time, Rachel, I'm sorry." Tyler answered, feeling guilty. He once went out with Rachel, quite long ago, so neither actually cared about that fact. However, he knew exactly why she broke up with him even after the two years of being together. And rejecting her request reminded him of that."Oh, okay. I'll ask Kyle then." Rachel said, her blue eyes a bit clouded."Sorry. I'll see you around." After the short chat, classes started, and Tyler wasn't sure he was ready for the day ahead.

* * * * * * *

Tyler parked his car, the same spot he did when he picked Alyssa up last time, to take her on a ride. He checked the time, 3:34, and thought it was about time Alyssa and her friends would walk across. 

And as expected, they did.

Alyssa, in a black hoodie and white short pants, seemed like a bright, average girl. Around her were friends some of whom he knew, and some not. Tyler fought the urge to honk at her, reminding himself that women hate that, (based on his experience) and stepped out of his car and walked towards her. Alyssa met his eyes, a gleam of surprise and fear in them. Tyler hated seeing that light in her eyes and swore that he would change them before he left."Alyssa." He called with utter caution and softness. Alyssa looked over to her friends, and they nodded to her as if signaling they didn't mind.

"Tyler." Her voice was half a sigh and half a grunt. 

Tyler demanded his hand to be where they were, and not creep up onto the back of his neck."Uh, sorry, about-" Tyler tried to begin.