Project Happiness

14 || oh boys

Scott froze, his entire body tensing up. He didn't bother looking up at us as he quickly pack up his stuff. I think he was trying for nonchalant, but it looked like pure panic.

Tyrin realising his mistake looked like he was about to apologise but then stopped himself as if he realised who he was speaking to. He gave me a smirk, "I thought he would never get the hint."

I didn't reply, just shaking my head to show my displeasure.

I only have one sibling and I was very protective over him. Scott was more timid than me and I was a fighter. Growing up, I was known a ferocious lion, while scott was the gamer boy. He was the pushover and all those...soft descriptives.

The only person I had only seen him ever get aggressive with, was with Tyrin.

Scott was....Well, he was mainly doted on. The perfect child.

My dad used to say I would fight a wall if I thought it looked at me the wrong way. Which isn't entirely true, it's just that I tended to not back down when someone challenged me. Hence, why I kept on playing games with Ashton, even though he was an ass.

It was tough, growing up in an Indian family. A lot of remarks about my white dad and Indian mother. It was quite scandalous, but my parents were in love, so it didn't matter to them.

Not that my mother was very Indian. She was very distant to her heritage and it was sad because I had wanted something to tie me to my skin colour, but my mother refused.

Tyrin offered my phone, on open palms. "I'm sorry," he said, pouting and giving me the biggest set of sad eyes.

"I'll take this but I'm not planning to forgive you anytime soon for that. Let's just move on."

He was silent and I could see the cogs turning in his head.

I had a message from Arlo.

Arlo: I do feel bad for you. Especially because I'm sure Ash has bombarded you with messages.

Jaylene: That he did. He also doesn't let you reply before he has a one man conversation.

Arlo: He be like that. I don't know why. I'd show you what he sends me but he swears a lot and honestly, I do think he loves to talk to himself. He'd talk to a random stranger if they just replied.

Jaylene: I believe that.

Arlo: So, what's on your mind?

I frowned at my phone.

Jaylene: why do you say?

Arlo: Just asking.

Jaylene: I'm just ignoring Tyrin. He offended Scott.

Arlo: Ah. I know the feeling. No-one can insult Scott but you? I'm guessing you're the protective sibling?

Jaylene: Yep, I feel like you would be that.

Arlo: Ah no. I'm more like its ok. I don't need to worry about what you're saying because it's not true, or maybe it's your truth? I don't need to fight with anyone, I prefer ignore.

Arlo: Ash is the protective one. He's definitely that sibling.

Jaylene: That I do believe.

Arlo: I mean he would also just want to right with anyone just because they breathed funny. But that's just him.

I laughed. That was actually really funny because I could imagine it being true.

"I'm guessing that's Arlo?"

I nodded, completely forgetting that I was mad at him.

"Do you like him?"

"He's cool"

Tyrin repeated himself. Just emphasising the like.

I denied it again. "He's really handsome and one of the best" I gave him a meaningful look, "straight person I've ever met. Don't get me wrong-"

There was some shuffling outside my room and both Tyrin and I stared. Scott must have been elsewhere and have dropped something. I almost outed the both of us.

I needed to be more careful but I knew that was never going to happen,

Tyrin looked at me skeptically, "you don't want us to stage a breakup yet? It sounds like he really likes you too."

"No?"

Tyrin shrugged, "he probably likes you, you're a cool person."

"I'm not. You've just been my friend for so long, you forgot how lame I am."

"Jaylene," his tone was stern but I just ignored him. He hated when I was too self-deprecating.

"You should just shoot your shot," he added.

I shook my head. That would make my life even more complicated as if it wasn't complicated enough.