teeth ↣ joshler ✓

23. Lucky

Tyler walked into Jenna's room and saw her laying on the bed, doing something on her phone. He has just walked in before after telling her he was on his way but this time her mom let him in.

"Hey," she instantly looked up. "How was it?"

Tyler sat down on the bed and didn't say anything at first. He just stared straight ahead.

"Ty?" Jenna asked cautiously, moving to put her hand on his shoulder.

He blinked. "Jenna," he croaked out. "You should have seen his face at first. He was so betrayed. And then he was so sweet and understanding that I didn't deserve it. We talked a little bit more before I left but things still felt awkward to me. I just told my boyfriend I was a blood sucking monster."

Jenna was quiet at first. "Did you tell him about me?" She asked, insecurity evident.

Tyler looked over at her with a worried face. In the time they've been friends, she's always been calm and cool and collected when it came to talking about who they were. She was always strong for the both of them. She was only ever sad when recalling the past. This was different. "Yeah," Tyler told her gently.

"Did you tell him about... y'know..." she asked, guilt evident in her voice.

"He asked me if I've ever killed anyone. I told him the truth. I didn't say anything about you though. Not in regards to that," he told her honestly.

Jenna bit her lip and nodded. "Okay. Thank you."

"You don't have to thank me," Tyler grabbed her hand. "You don't ever have to tell him what you did if you don't want to."

Jenna's eyes filled with tears. "It wasn't my fault. What happened. It was when I first turned and I didn't know what I was doing and—"

Tyler squeezed her hand. "I get it," he said sincerely. "You don't have to explain yourself to me. It wasn't your fault."

She wiped her tears with her free hand. "I know. I just try not to worry about it."

"It wasn't your fault," he repeated.

Jenna swallowed and cleared her throat. "But other than that it went good?"

Tyler nodded but sighed. "I think. I just... I don't know. I just don't feel very good about it. He wanted me to show him my fangs and eyes and he was watching me so intensely. I know he wasn't judging me but the fact that he wasn't shying away is what freaks me out more. He was supposed to tell me to fuck off and call me a freak and—"

"He didn't do any of that because he's a good person, Ty," Jenna reminded. "And so are you. He's probably going to be weirded out for a little bit but he'll get used to it. He really likes you and you really like him. I'm glad he knows now."

"I told him what I promised you and your mom— that I'd make sure he didn't end up like us," he stared at Jenna. "If he got turned I'd never forgive myself, I want you to know that. I wouldn't wish being like this upon anyone."

The guilty look returned to Jenna's face but she tried to conceal it. That confused Tyler but he didn't think anything of it. She was probably thinking about... the incident again.

"I'm with you there," she told him. "We're both going to protect him. He's not just your boyfriend y'know," she teased. "He's my best friend."

Tyler gasped. "What about me?"

Jenna rolled her eyes with a smile. "He's my second. You're my first. Always and forever."

Tyler pulled her into his side and kissed her forehead. He was so incredibly lucky to have Jenna. And things with Josh may have been rough last night but Tyler knew he was lucky to have him too.