Tyler's Gem: A Teen Romance

by Rua Hasan

  It’s okay Crystal! It’s just a spiderweb! No biggie!

  Wait, did I see something move?

  I whipped my head to look at my surroundings but saw no spider. Ugh I’m over reacting over a spiderweb! But what can I say? I’m pretty sure I’m not the only one scared of that eight-legged creature!

  I shook the thoughts out of my head as I looked around for the light bulbs I’ve come here for. I let a sigh of relief escape my lips when I found them. Immediately I grabbed the box and ran out of the room before I’d get eaten up alive. I then closed the door using my foot and walked to the front of the supermarket. Thankful that I left the door opened so that wasn’t a problem. I was about to walk through it when I heard a car stop behind me. I turned around and felt my heart drop when I saw a truck.

  The same old rusty truck.

  I felt my nerves go everywhere at the thought of bumping into that same truck everywhere I go. I mean it could be coincidence or just any other truck but it looked awfully familiar. I immediately speed walked into the market when I saw the door open. I gave Rose the box and took my place as I tried to get rid of the weird feeling in my stomach. I was surely over reacting but I also wasn’t stupid and naive not to get suspicious. Whatever was going to happen or whoever was driving that truck was obviously not going to do anything because I was in a public place but this led to some unwanted thoughts. I shook the thoughts out of my head.

  Yup. I was definitely a drama queen.

  I whipped my head towards the door when I saw an old man who looked to be in his late thirties or early forties walked through the door. I gulped as he looked around the place, his mysterious aura hitting me like a brick in the face. I held my breath when he spotted me and started to walk toward me. As he got closer, I noticed the unshaved beard he had and worn out clothes he was wearing. He was looking at me as if he was looking right through my soul which made me want the ground to open up and swallow me whole. I forced the odd feeling I had in the back of my head as I tried to give him a smile like I was supposed to give every costumer but it wasn’t easy.

  Once he was standing in front of me, I had to tilt my head upwards to look at his face because of how tall and intimidating he was.

  “How can I help you?” My voice came out low in a nervous tone but I was thankful I didn’t stutter. He looked down at me as he took two boxes of cigarettes which were placed next to the register, not looking away. His gaze was starting to freak me out. He then pushed the boxes toward me, making me break the eye contact first.

  “Can you put these for me in a bag?”

  I got on my knees and looked through the drawers where the plastic bags were held but saw nothing. I then looked at the second drawer but it was empty too. It looked like I was out of plastic bags so I had to go to the back once again to grab some more.

  “Excuse me for a bit,” I said without looking at him. I walked around the counter and was about to walk out the door so I could grab some quickly for him to leave but once I passed him, he grabbed my wrist and turned me around.

  “Wait!” he said as he kept his firm grip on me. I gulped as I looked up at him in hesitation. I tried to tug my wrist away from his hold but it was no use. The creepy man was looking down at me with a strange look which made me want to run home and lock all the doors but I was stuck in his hold. I felt my heart quicken when I looked around the place for help but found it empty.

  Great! Just great!

  What’s going to happen to me now?

  Chapter 25

  I leaned against the wooden chair carefully as I crossed my arms under my chest. I made sure not to add pressure to the chair because it looked like it was about to break any minute.

  Think light thoughts! I’m a bubble! I’m a feather.

  I stared at the two men sitting across the table from me who were playing cards. I glanced around the small room which had a worn-out light bulb and dirty windows. Getting fed up of sitting here for almost twenty minutes I decided to sing aloud.

  “Ninety-nine buckets of tea on the wall! Ninety-nine buckets of tea! You take one down! Pass it around! Ninety-eight buckets of tea on the wall”

  This caused them to finally look at me.

  “Does it look like we are in choir, kid?” Mr. Fatty asked, making me roll my eyes.

  This caused me to sing even louder.

  “NINETY-EIGHT BUCKETS OF TEA ON THE WALL! NINETY-EIGHT BUC—”

  “WILL YOU SHUT UP!” he yelled, making me get off of the chair a bit too dramatically and pointing at Mr. Fatty.

  “Listen old man! If I’m going to be stuck here until ‘whoever wants to see me’ comes, then you might as well entertain me!” I yelled, quoting each word using my fingers as I threw my hands in the air.

  They looked at me for a moment, just blinking their eyes. I then slammed my hand on the table as if I own the place.

  “Entertain me!” I shouted. They pushed the stack of cards toward me and started to explain how to play the game. I obviously wasn’t paying attention because I was only thinking about getting home to my boyfriend―I mean bed while watching a whole season of Pretty Little Liars.

  I snapped out of my thoughts when the other dude next to Mr. Fatty snapped his fingers in front of my face, making me roll my eyes. He then pointed at the cards in front of me, indicating my turn to play.

  “What do I do now?” I asked Jerry, a very annoying and short-tempered uncle. The one sitting next to Mr. Fatty but I didn’t really know his name so I made it up. He did kinda look like a Jerry kind of guy anyways and the same went for Mr. Fatty.

  “Jesus, kid! How many times do I have to repeat myself!” he yelled, as he slammed his hand on the table. I narrowed my eyes at him and gave him the middle finger as I crossed my legs.

  “Listen Grandpa! I’m eighteen, technically not a kid.”

  Jerry was about to say something when the door flew open and ran in two blonde twins or what I like to call them: thing 1 and thing 2.

  “Uncle Sam! Zayn took my hotdog!” One of the twins yelled at Mr. Fatty, as he ran after his brother.

  “Did not!” Zayn yelled.

  “Did too!” The other twin yelled.

  Mr. Fatty then ran his hands over his face as a look of annoyance took over. I leaned against the chair as I watched in amusement.

  “Lucas, control your children will you!” Mr. Fatty told Jerry.

  “Zayn! Did you eat Andy’s hotdog?” Jerry asked even though he looked like he didn’t give one shit.

  “No, I didn’t Papa!”

  “Yes, he did!” Andy yelled as he jumped on Zayn’s back, tackling him to the ground as they tried to scratch each other’s face off.

  Somebody get me some popcorn!

  “You two better behave or else I’m calling Granny Grace!”

  It’s as if he threatened to kill them because both of their eyes widened before they got off the ground and looked at their feet in shame.

  “Please! Anyone but her!” Andy begged making Zayn nod in agreement.

  “Yea please! Anyone but her!” Zayn repeated.

  “She made us clean her bathroom toilet the last time you told her!” Andy said as Zayn nodded his head frantically.

  “Her bathroom toilet I tell you!” Zayn’s yelled. Jerry then let out a sigh of frustration and was about to say something when Mr. Fatty spoke.

  “Just go play outside or something.” He dismissed them. They turned around as they whispered harshly to each other. I didn’t miss the small punches and sneaky pinches they were giving each other as they walked away but before they could walk out the door they turned to look at me. They both tilted their heads and looked at me as if they were trying to complete a puzzle.

  “Papa, you got us a new sister!” One of the twins yelled as he stared at me in awe while the other one jumped up in excitement. They then both ran to Jerry and gave him a big hug, or should I say his thighs a big hug because they barely reached his stomach.

  I just blinked.

  “Oh my g
od! What should we call her?” One twin yelled as the other one walked to where I was sitting. As he got closer, I could tell some of the difference they had. Zayn, who was the one walking toward me had dimples on both cheeks while Andy had only one on his right cheek.

  “You’re so pretty!” he said as he looked up at me in awe. I couldn’t help but smile as the urge to pinch his chubby cheeks increased. Andy took a step towards me too but before he could even walk closer, Jerry spoke.

  “What did I just tell you kids? Huh? And don’t scare her away, we need her to calm that little brat down,” he said but muttered the last part.

  Little brat? I wonder who he was talking about?

  The boys snapped their heads to Jerry and nodded them before disappearing out the door but not before giving me a last glance.

  “Oh and try not to kill each other,” Jerry said.

  Once the door was closed, two of the men turned to look at me. I lifted an eyebrow as I glared both at Jerry and Mr. Fatty. I then stood up because my butt was getting sore. If I stayed sitting down on that icy cold chair for another minute then I wouldn’t be able to feel my own butt. I then started to pace around the given small space as Mr. Fatty stared at me strangely.

  “What are you doing kid?” he asked as he pushed the stack of cards toward Jerry.

  “Oh, nothing really. I was just thinking of hunting kangaroos on my free time because I don’t know . . . I’ve been stuck here for almost thirty minutes?!”

  “There are no kangaroos her―OUCH!” Jerry yelled as he rubbed the spot on his arm where Mr. Fatty punched him.

  “I know you’re confused but like I said, once my brother gets back, you’ll understand everything,” Mr. Fatty said.

  Understand my ass.

  Yea, I had no idea what’s going on and I’m pretty sure you felt it too.

  Okay fine, let’s rewind a bit.

  Thirty-five minutes earlier…

  “Can you please let go of my wrist,” I said in a low voice as I gave it another tug but it was completely useless. I tried to remember where I’ve seen him before. I mean why else would he approach me if I’ve never met him? But no matter how much I try, I couldn’t seem to recognize him. Nope, never seen him in my life. What would he want from me? Could he be a stalker? Or a pedophile? Ugh, the questions were too much for me to handle. What surprised me was when he shook his head.

  “I need you to come with me,” the stranger spoke.

  “What? No way!” I said as I yanked my wrist from his grasp and took a step back. This only caused him to take a step forward. His tall frame towered over me making me crane my neck upwards.

  “I’m so sorry for doing this all of a sudden but I’ll explain later.”

  “Doing wha—”

  I was caught off by my own squeal of surprise when he threw me over his shoulders and walked out the door.

  “What the hell are you doing?” I yelled as I punched his back which came to no use.

  “Put me down this instant or so help me!”

  “I’m so sorry, I’m so sorry.”

  “I know you wouldn’t come with me if I asked so this was my only solution,” he said as he walked to his old rusty truck, opened it and pushed me in. He then closed the door, locking it. I just stared in shock.

  “SOLUTION MY ASS YOU BASTARD! LET ME OUT OR ELSE I’M CALLING THE FREAKIN COPS!” I screamed as I tried to yank the door open but why would I even try? I mean everything was always a downhill for me! Nothing ever went my way and I knew it was because there was a much better path waiting for me, and at the end everything will be okay but why wouldn’t it just happen in the moment? Did I really have to get kidnapped by some complete stranger?

  Before he could drive out of the parking lot, I leaned over and started scratching his face as if I was a cat fighting off a dog.

  “Listen right here, mister! I ain’t no prostitute so you better let me out if that’s what you’re thinking!” I hissed as I used my sharp nails to create a cut on his cheek.

  In another time I would have smiled to myself in satisfaction but I was caught up into the moment to do even care.

  “Wait—what? I nev—”

  “SON OF A B*TCH! LET ME OUT OF THIS DAMN CAR!” I yelled again but this time even louder. I was even surprised I haven’t lost my voice yet at this point. The stranger then held my wrist and laid them on my lap. I was going to attack him once again until I saw the pointed look he gave me which suddenly made me stop.

  “Look please! All I’m asking is one hour—”

  “Of sex!” I gasped as I placed my hand over my mouth. “I TOLD YOU I AIN’T NO PROSTITUTE YOU MOTHERFU—”

  “I DON’T FREAKIN WANT YOU FOR THAT!”

  I shut my mouth and blinked a few times as I stared at him trying to understand what he wanted. If he wasn’t trying to kidnap me, then what the hell did he want?

  “Let me explain! Please! Just one hour and then you’re free to go!”

  I then narrowed my eyes and crossed my arms as I gave him a warning glare.

  “Fine. Just sixty minutes. That’s it. But don’t think I’m stupid! I’ve got my eyes on you!”

  “Wait you said you wanted to talk! Where are you taking me?” I asked.

  “I never said I wanted to talk. I just said to give me an hour to explain things.”

  I blinked a few times then opened my mouth to speak before he interrupted me.

  “I swear, I mean no harm! It’s just someone really special wants to see you and thank you.”

  “No harm? Thank me? You just literally carried my on your shoulder and forced me into your broken truck! How should I know I can trust you?” I asked.

  There was a moment of silence.

  “I’m not asking for your trust, well at least not now. All I’m asking for is an hour and for me to explain. You don’t have to trust me, just know that I don’t have any bad intentions for you.” By the time he finished talking, I seemed to calm down a bit. I knew I couldn’t just trust anyone with the snap of a finger but something told me he was telling me the truth so I just went along with it. Besides it was only for an hour. I was pretty sure I could handle that.

  “What’s your name?” I asked.

  “Ethan.”

  I felt like I had someone kick me in the guts when I heard that name. No, it was worse than that. I felt my heart breaking apart. Yea, I know he wasn’t the only person to own that name. Millions of people could have the same but it never failed to surprise me. I held back the tears which were threatening to come out as I looked away from him and through the window.

  Memories from the past were coming back. I honestly didn’t want it to at this very moment for every time when they do I find myself breaking down my I held my head up high then focused on my surroundings and who I was around.

  “W–whats wrong? Is it something I said?” Ethan asked.

  I shook my head.

  “No-it’s just . . . ” I didn’t notice I trailed off until I saw the look on his face as if he was waiting for me to continue.

  “Nothing-never mind.” I said as I shook my head.

  He nodded and glanced at me as he kept his eyes on the road.

  “What about you?” he asked.

  “Huh?”

  “What’s your name. If I have the pleasure in kidnapping you then I must know your name.” He joked as a chuckle escaped his lips making me roll his eyes.

  “Crystal,” I answered.

  I then looked at him once we stopped at a red light.

  “You didn’t answer my question. Where are we going?” I asked.

  “To my place so you could finally meet the person who was behind all this,” he said but I’m pretty sure he muttered ‘that little devil’ under his breath.

  “Your place?”

  “Technically not my place. It’s more of my mom’s place.”

  “Huh?”

  “You see my family isn’t the richest in case you haven’t noticed. And my mom was raised in a big household sinc
e she was six so we all grew up there and now are raising our children there too.”

  “Wait, we?”

  “My siblings and I,” Ethan said.

  I looked out the window and wasn’t surprised when we drove down a poor neighborhood and rusty sidewalks. If Ethan was who he said he was, then I would have been surprised if he took me to a mansion. I noticed the buildings weren’t that bad. I mean, if I had to live in there for financial reasons then I wouldn’t have denied it. Hell, it would have been a great idea since I could be away from Tyler.

  I shook my head at the thought and I couldn’t help but smile. He always seemed to pop up everywhere I go and it would have truly surprised me if I didn’t see him by the end of the day . . . not that I wanted to or anything.

  Pft! Come on! Yes I know I don’t really despise him like before but that was just because he doesn’t pick on me anymore.

  Maybe if he was the same Tyler from many years ago then I wouldn’t have stand to see his face but the charming smirk he always gave me and the teasing looks always got to me. I couldn’t help but fear what may happen in the future. I told myself countless times not to get stuck with him but we all know that isn’t what destiny wants! In fact, I’m pretty sure destiny would have wanted for me and Tyler to elope all the way to Britain, have six children and write a book together which only made sense with all the popping up he’s been doing.

  It wasn’t that I hated it. I mean maybe I did but not anymore. Knowing how we became alright with each other put me to rest but I still wouldn’t actually show him that. If he knew that I didn’t actually despise his presence then he’ll probably glue us to each other by the hip and never let go.

  That’s kinda not a bad thi—

  Ugh don’t think about that right now! This was not the right moment for I was sitting in a truck with a complete stranger!

  I snapped out of my thoughts when I heard my phone ringing in my pocket. I nervously glanced at Ethan sideways, just in case so he wouldn’t go all crazy on me and shout ‘YOU’RE MY HOSTAGE!’ but he gave me a smile and nodded me to go ahead.