Tyler's Gem: A Teen Romance

by Rua Hasan

  Well, this was awkward.

  “Uh Tyler . . . ”

  “Am I interrupting something?” he asked in annoyance as he crossed his arms over his chest.

  “No,” I said then turned to look at Matt.

  He then gave me a sideway hug and ruffled my already messed up hair then said goodbye before walking right out the door. I scratched my arm awkwardly as I opened the door wider, welcoming Tyler in. He then walked in as if he owned the place, making me roll my eyes.

  Why did I want to punch him so bad? No, let me rephrase that, I wasn’t surprised because I felt like punching him. I’m actually surprised why I didn’t feel that more often with him because he did bully me many years ago.

  Was it because he stopped ticking me off or because he had been treating me right?

  I didn’t know! The world would never know. This could as well be life’s greatest mystery.

  “Are you ready?” he asked as he placed his bag on the counter.

  I played with the bracelet Tyler gave me which was on my wrist.

  “Yea, let me just get changed into something else.”

  Tyler nodded then sat on the couch. I then rushed upstairs, cursing the whole time. This project was supposed to be the last in my list since the race was in a couple of weeks. But I knew I had to get it done to get a good grade so I better just suck it up and finish it when I had the chance.

  Chapter 24

  I have never been so thankful for being this athletic in my life. I’ve never regretted waking up early in the morning to go out for a run. Everything came with a cost, and for me to get my lazy ass out of bed and go for a run certainly didn’t come empty-handed. No, it came with effort and time. Along with constant pants and a lot of sweat but you know what, I was thankful for the person I have become. People said that exercising lead to a better and healthy life and they were right. It was the only therapy I took in my dark days. A way for me to actually escape reality without feeling any guilt or remorse.

  I stepped out of the girls’ locker room, tired and sweaty. I knew whatever happened, whether I won or not, my hard work wouldn’t go to waste. This was what I was hoping for when I stayed after school with the other students who were also working their butts off to show who was worthy enough.

  I dabbed the wet towel I took out from my bag and wiped the sweat running down my forehead and neck. Anyone else in my shoes would have thought the hour of training after school was torture but to me, it was a blessing. All those years of working out weren’t for getting in shape and impressing others. They were for my own satisfaction. It helped me feel much better and stronger and the hour training with Tyler’s mother was a piece of cake.

  Speaking of cake, I was pretty hungry. I wondered if Matt would agree to accompany me to get something to eat. As if on cue, my stomach grumbled in hunger.

  I then waved goodbye to the students who were still in school, who were either waiting for someone or just had after school clubs. As I walked down the hall, I grabbed my phone and looked at the time. Since it was Thursday, I made sure to remind myself I had work at five. It was almost three-thirty so I had an hour and a half of spare time. I walked out of the school gates as I pressed Matt’s number. Today was one of those days where I didn’t drive to school which was probably a bad idea because I was already worn out from training but it still didn’t seem to bother me. I then waited for Matt to answer the call.

  “Hey Clare!”

  It’s been a while since Matt used my last name instead of Crystal. He only seemed to use it when he was extra happy.

  “What’s gotten you all jumpy all of a sudden?” I asked with a chuckle.

  “Oh, nothing really. It’s just I got my results for Tuesday’s exam!” he said and I could already see the charming smile he would have been giving me.

  “Let me guess, you scored a hundred percent, thanks to me,” I said as I flipped a strand of hair over my shoulders.

  “No. I scored seventy percent but thanks anyways.”

  “Well, Congratulations, pal. Since you’ve done good how about you meet me at the coffee shop we usually go to, to celebrate in half an hour?” I suggested as I walked down the street to where my house was.

  I was so caught up in my conversations with Matt, I didn’t even notice the almost empty street I was walking next to. I say almost empty because there was only one vehicle moving awfully slowly. I lifted an eyebrow but decided to ignore it as I made a turn and crossed the road. Coincidentally, the vehicle also made the turn I made. As it got closer, I noticed it was an old rusty truck which looked like it was about to break down. Maybe that was why it was moving so slow. I then shrugged my shoulders and watch it pass by me and moved down the road.

  “Yea sure, that would be great.” Matt’s voice brought me back to reality. I nodded but then remembered Matt couldn’t see me so I spoke.

  “Okay, let me just get refreshed and I’ll meet you there,” I said as I walked closer to my house when it came into view.

  “Okay bye,” he said.

  “Bye,” I said before ending the call. I then stuck my phone in my pocket and took out the house keys as I walked to the front door. I walked into the quiet place I call home and placed my bag on the couch. I found myself running up the stairs and to my room but before opening the door, I turned around and stared at the wooden door I rarely opened across the hall.

  My parents’ room.

  I’ve only been there a couple few times to clean and brush off the dust but I couldn’t stand staying there for more than twenty minutes. It was as if their scent still lingered in the air, bringing the sad yet meaningful memories back to life. I would be lying if I said I didn’t cry the times I’ve stepped in there but what else could I say? It was the softest spot in the house as if it was the heart to a body.

  I then turned around and opened my room door as I promised myself up. They may not have been here anymore but their belongings are. I didn’t even move anything except for dad’s old tools which are now in the closet down stairs. Everything else was in its place they left it many years ago.

  Once I was in my room, I walked to the closet and took out a simple dress because it was hot outside. I didn’t want to overdo it because after meeting up with Matt, I’d probably need to go to work immediately. I then walked into my bathroom, stripped out of my clothes and hopped into the shower. It took no longer than ten minutes which was a world record. After drying my hair, I got dressed and fishtail braided my hair. I didn’t even bother putting makeup on so I skipped down stairs and wore my sandals. I grabbed a white handbag and the house keys.

  Once I was outside as the warm air hit my skin, I locked the door and walked over to my car. I didn’t want to be late to work so I decided to drive there just in case. Hopping on, I drove to where I agreed to meet Matt which was a small cafe that wasn’t too far away. It only took a couple of minutes by car. Turning on the radio, I found a channel playing ‘Work From Home’ by Fifth Harmony, so I increased the volume so the music was blasting in my car. I started to sing the lyrics not caring who saw me and thought I was crazy. That thought went away when I stopped because of a traffic light. I lowered the volume just a little bit so that the cars beside me wouldn’t be bothered. Or should I say, rusty old truck.

  Wait, what?

  I whipped my head to my right and saw the familiar truck I noticed earlier before. I wonder why I—

  I shook the thoughts out of my head as the traffic light turned green. My car began to move, the same goes for all the cars beside me and behind me. I was too busy singing out loud to actually notice I lost sight of the same truck I bumped into twice today. It wasn’t too long before I was parked outside of the homie cafe. I made sure to lock my car before going inside.

  As I opened the door, the bell on top of me rang and echoed through the cafe. I looked around the place which wasn’t that full since they usually got costumers early in the morning. I decided I was going to order my slice of cake while waiting for Matt to arrive so I o
rdered a chocolate cake and sat down in a chair with an empty seat in front of me. I took out my phone and messaged Matt.

  ‘Where are you?’

  It didn’t take long for him to answer.

  ‘Just got out and ready to drive there.’

  I then turned off my phone and placed it in my bag, not bothering to text him back since he was about to drive. I got bored of just sitting there so I decided to take my phone out again and look through Instagram.

  This was a usual thing for me. One minute, I would close my phone and put it away, and the next, I’d take it out again because I changed my mind. This time I was scrolling down my newsfeed when I saw from the corner of my eye a muscular body walking over to me and taking the seat in front of me. I looked up expecting it to be Matt but when was I ever right?

  “That seat is taken.” I pointed out as I crossed my arms under my chest and glared at the person in front of me.

  “Yea, I know. Why else would I be sitting here?” Tyler asked.

  “Why are you here?” I asked, as I watched Tyler flip the keys in his hands around his fingers.

  “I was dropping by to get something for my mom to ease her cravings when I coincidentally saw you here! What are the odds?” he said as he threw his hands up in the air. I let a sigh of defeat escape my lips as I ran my hands over my face.

  “Sometimes I think you’re stalking me,” I muttered under my breath.

  “Maybe, because I do.”

  “What?” I asked as I lifted my head to look at him, causing him to chuckle.

  “Nothing.”

  “By any chance, do you own a rusty old truck?” I asked as I gave him a suspicious look making him lift an eyebrow.

  “A rusty old truck?”

  “Nope. Why?”

  “Shouldn’t you be getting something for your mama?” I teased as I turned the conversation around. He glared at me and was about to say something when the waiter walked over to me and handed over my plate. I thanked him and took a bite out of it as I moaned silently in pleasure.

  I looked up at Tyler and saw him giving me an amused look as he pointed to the corner of his mouth. I brought my finger to the same place he pointed but to mine and wiped off some remaining chocolate off my face before licking it.

  “You know what else you could be licking?” Tyler flirted with me as he leaned towards me and gave me a wink, making me roll my eyes.

  “Your blood off my fingers when I hand you over to Satan?” I shot back with a confident smile as I saw the look of horror on his face.

  “Yikes!”

  “Remind me never to flirt with you again,” he said. I was about to say another lame comeback when I saw Tyler’s eyes flicker to my wrist.

  “You’re not wearing it,” he said.

  “Wearing what?”

  “The bracelet. I’m pretty sure I saw you wear it in school today though.”

  I took another bite of my cake.

  “I took it off when I took a shower earlier. Just forgot to put it back on.”

  Matt walked through the door and toward our spot.

  “What’s he doing here?”

  “Oh he was just leaving,” I said as I gave Tyler a knowing look. “See you later, Gem,” he said as he backed away and turned around to the counter.

  “It’s Crystal,” I muttered to myself.

  Why did I even bother?

  Matt sat on the seat in front of me as Tyler took his order then walked out of the cafe before winking goodbye. Rolling my eyes, I watched through the window as he walked out of the door and to his car. I snapped out of my daze when Matt spoke.

  “Ready to order?” he asked.

  I pointed to the cake I still didn’t finish. He got up and walked to the cashier alone. After a moment Matt came back and sat down in front of me as he waited for his desert while I ate mine slowly.

  “What did you get?”

  “Cheesecake!”

  “Of course! Why’d I even ask in the first place?” I chuckled and swatted his hand away as he tried to get some chocolate on his finger for him to lick.

  “ So . . . ” I looked at Matt nervously.

  “Spill it.”

  “Spill what?”

  “Oh don’t try to deny! You have something you want to say to me so just say it.”

  He knew me so well . . .

  “Okay fine,” I muttered as I ran my hand through my hair.

  “I was thinking of going for a run once I’m done with work and—”

  “Nope.”

  “What! But you don’t even know what I was going to tell you!” I whined.

  “Really? So you weren’t going to ask me to run with you?”

  I stared at him as I scratched the back of my neck nervously, not saying anything for a moment.

  “Okay, maybe I was . . . ”

  “The answer is still no.”

  “Why?”

  “Because you know I don’t like to run and get all sweaty!”

  “But you work out!”

  “Well that’s different.”

  “Enlighten me then!” I said as I rested my head on my hand.

  A waiter came over with his slice of cake.

  “Oooh, cake!” Matt cheered as he rubbed his hands together and licked his lips. I rolled my eyes not because of his childish behavior but because I knew he was doing it to change the subject. I decided to drop it for now but I was going to make him run with me whether it was the last thing I do! It might not be tonight but some day.

  “So how was training?” Matt asked before he took a bite. I swallowed the slice in my mouth before I answered.

  “It was good.”

  “Do you think you’ll make it to the finals?” he asked.

  “I sure hope so.”

  Once we were done eating our deserts, we stayed for a while chatting about random things which wasn’t surprising. I listened to Matt explain what the difference was between emo and goth―don’t ask how we got to this subject.

  As I was saying, I listened to him as I grabbed my phone from my bag and looked at the time. My eyes widened when I saw I only had twenty minutes left before it becomes five o’clock.

  “Shit!” I said causing Matt to stop.

  “What’s wrong?” he asked.

  I then placed my phone in my bag and placed my money on the container the waiter gave us earlier before standing up.

  “I’m going to be late for work,” I explained.

  He nodded his head then got up but not before paying for his desert too.

  “Do you need a ride?” he asked.

  I shook my head.

  “No thanks. I drove here,” I answered.

  Matt nodded his head and walked out of the cafe with me. We then hugged goodbye and hopped into our vehicles. I started my car and drove to the direction of the small supermarket.

  Today was my third day working there since yesterday was my second and I was starting to get used to it. It wasn’t anything big in the first place but I still felt thankful for the opportunity I got to work in something. I just didn’t like the idea of sitting all day at home when I could be doing something to make my parents proud. Yes, I might not be doing something big like running for president, but at least I was trying.

  Five minutes later, I found my car parked outside of the place I worked in. I jumped out of it and locked it before I stepped inside. I walked into the manager’s office and greeted her. I took my place behind the counter and sat waiting for costumers to walk in. It didn’t take long for the place to become full, making me busy. I looked up from the computer to see a long line of costumers holding their baskets of supplies. I began to work my hands in scanning the items and taking their money as I hummed an unknown tune I just made up. The last person in the line caught my attention.

  “Hi, um . . . I can’t find the dog food. Can you tell me where it is?” a familiar voice spoke. I looked up from the cashier and faced the person I expected the least to see―Dan.

  “Crystal?”


  “Hey Dan.”

  “I didn’t know you worked here.”

  “Yea, I didn’t tell you.”

  “So how long have you been working here?”

  “Not too long. It’s just my third day here.”

  “Oh I see.”

  “What can I help you with?”

  “Oh, um . . . I’m looking for dog food. They aren’t in the same place where I looked the last time,” he said as he scratched the back of his neck.

  “That’s because they were moved to the back. You’ll find them in the very last aisle behind the bags of coal.”

  “Okay thanks. I’ll be right back,” he said before turning around and disappeared behind an aisle. A minute later, he was back holding a big bag of dog food.

  “You have a dog?” I asked as I took it from him and scanned it before placing it in a bag and handing it over to him.

  “Yea I do,” he said then took the bag from my hand and smiled at me.

  “Thanks. See you around.”

  “You’re welcome. Come back again,” I said as I watched him turn around and walked out of the doors. I then placed the money Dan gave me in the register and was about to sit down when Rose, a girl who works here walked towards me.

  “Hey, Crystal. Can you get an extra box of light bulbs from the back?”

  I nodded and walked out of the door as Rose took my place until I got back. The back was a place where they store extra supplies for when they are needed and held exactly where you’d expect it to be. In the back of the supermarket.

  I walked by the dumpster and toward the wooden door. I listened to it creak slowly as I opened it and turned on the lights. I walked into the dusty place and looked around for an extra box of lightbulbs. The place was so quiet, the sound of my footsteps echoed throughout the room. I felt my heart stop when I looked up and saw a huge, and when I mean huge, I mean a huge spiderweb! I felt my face go white and my heart started to beat quickly.