teeth ↣ joshler ✓

2. Fault

Tyler sighed as he shoved his hands in the pockets of his jeans. He was so God damn stupid to drink. He wasn't sober enough to drive home and sure as hell didn't have any friends who could take him home. The only reason he went to the end of the summer party was to attempt to make friends.

Didn't work out too well.

Tyler let out a yawn as he walked down a quiet street at the edge of the woods. It was technically a shorter way home but he had to cut through the backyard of a church after leaving the forest area. It was alright though. Hartgate was safe. It always has been. 

It was nearing two in the morning and Tyler just wanted to go to bed. Parties were not for him he decided.

He wasn't a total loser. He talked to a few people at school. He just didn't have any close friends who would go do things with him. Tyler thought maybe if he went to the famous party thrown every year the weekend after finals then someone he knew would approach him.

The wind picked up ever so slightly and Tyler crossed his arm over his chest. He didn't think anything of it though. Nothing unsafe has ever happened in Hartgate. That may have been more bizarre though— no town was that perfect.

He let a small sigh escape his lips. He just wanted to go home and sleep. That's it. He wanted an easy summer to relax.

Suddenly, Tyler heard a crunch of leaves and jumped slightly. He turned and breathed in relief when he saw it was just a deer.

A small smile made its way on his lips when he saw the deer eat a bit of grass before prancing away.

It wasn't long, however, before Tyler heard that deer let out an small noise of distress before going completely silent.

His heart rate went up and the hairs on his arms stood up. He knew it wasn't a hunter because no one was hunting at two in the morning. Maybe something had happened and he could call for help.

Hesitantly, Tyler made his way towards where the deer had disappeared to. It was a little ways into the woods but not so far he couldn't find his way back.

He was walking when he stopped, his heart dropping at what he saw

The deer was laying on the ground with a small puddle of blood around it.

Before he could even register the scene in front of him, he felt himself get harshly pinned against a tree.

Tyler let out a groan due to the impact. "What the f—" he began but stopped when he saw what or who was holding him.

"I went out looking for dinner but I guess that was just an appetizer and you're the main course," the man Tyler didn't recognize spoke lowly in his ear.

It seemed almost hypnotic. The man was so charming and Tyler didn't know what made him that way. He just felt like he wanted and needed to do whatever the man said. Anything this man did was alright.

The man kept talking but Tyler slowly felt himself loose his sense of reality.

But the last things he remembered were a sharp pain in his neck and the sound of someone approaching him before sighing and saying "oh, honey..."

Tyler sat on his bad, scratching his arm irritably. It gave him something else to focus on. He hated this. He fucking hated this so much.

He heard his phone go off and he picked it up, seeing who was calling. He answered it and put it to his ear. "Hello?" He greeted in a strained voice.

"Hey, Ty. You alright?"

He let out a noise of defeat. "Guess so. What's up, Jen?"

Jenna let out a small hum. "I have news!"

"What kind of news?"

"There's gonna be a new kid!"

Tyler groaned and fell backwards onto his bed. "Why the hell is anyone moving to this shitty ass town?"

He could almost see his best friend shrugging. "I don't know," Jenna replied. "But he's a senior and going to our school! Plus he's cute you might like him," she sang suggestively.

"Jen I don't—"

"He has these brown curls and nose ring and wears these cute glasses and when he smiles his eyes do a little squinty thing—"

"Jenna," Tyler cut her off abruptly.

"What?"

"Do you really think it's a good idea for me to be around this guy?"

It was silent for a moment before Jenna let out a quiet breath. "Bud... you've been doing great. It's September now. This happened in May. We worked on a lot over the summer. Plus, we're a month into school and you're perfectly fine being around other people."

Tyler scoffed. "Yeah and now I'm suddenly popular because I'm friends with the head cheerleader and I'm guaranteed a spot on the basketball team when tryouts come this fall. Everyone thinks I'm an asshole too because all this pent up anger that comes out sometimes. This kid isn't gonna wanna talk to an asshole."

Jenna sighed. "At least you have help. I didn't. I had do it alone."

That made Tyler feel bad. "I know. I'm sorry. I appreciate you. You know that."

"Yeah you better," the teasing tone returned to her voice.

"What's this guy's name?"

"Josh. The only reason I knew of his existence is because he's my neighbor. I don't know when he's starting school though. Probably Monday."

Tyler swallowed and stared at the bubbles on his bedroom ceiling. "Did you befriend him?"

"Maybe..."

"So I'm gonna have to be around him regardless?"

"If he doesn't make any other friends then yes. I'm not gonna let him struggle on his own."

Tyler smiled. "I know you're not. That's why I love you."

"I love you too," he could hear Jenna smiling back.

"Are we still going out tonight?" Tyler sighed, the smile leaving his face.

"Do you need to?"

"Yeah," Tyler replied, the guilt returning.

"Don't feel bad," Jenna assured. "It's not your fault."

"I know."