Tyler's dad pulled into the parking lot of the church and Tyler glanced out the window. It was a small building but it look relatively nice for Scarlettesville. The town itself wasn't a huge city but it had all the places they needed and was big enough to fit three different high schools. This was definitely the "richer" part of town (which wasn't saying a lot).

Tyler was wearing a greyish blue button up shirt tucked into a pair of khaki pants and it contrasted heavily with what he wore on a normal day so he already felt out of his element. The last church he and his father had attended was laid back and allowed nice jeans and a nice shirt but Tyler's dad wanted them to make a good first impression so they dressed up. They also didn't know this particular church's dress code.

Chris parked the car and looked at Tyler. "If at anytime ya need ta leave, let me know. Understand?"

"Yeah," Tyler nodded. "I will."

"Good," Chris offered his son a smile. "Let's do this."

The two got out and walked towards the building. It was a cloudy day in late September and rain threatened to spill from the sky. Tyler hoped it didn't start raining, he hadn't brought a jacket with him since it was in the high sixties and the idea of it raining hadn't even crossed his mind.

The approached the doors of the church and entered, heading to the chapel. As soon as the walked into the room Tyler noticed how many people were already there when they still had half an hour before the service started. Everyone seemed to be engaged in conversation and Tyler instantly felt out of place.

"Chris!"

Tyler turned his head towards the voice when he heard it calling his father's name. He was met with a blonde woman smiling, walking up to the two with a man and girl that looked Tyler's age trailing behind. "Debbie," his father sighed in relief, the woman pulling him in for a half hug when she reached them.

"'M so glad ya could make it," she spoke, her smile growing. Tyler noticed how perfectly straight and white her teeth were. He then noticed what she was wearing was relatively nice and she looked like she spent time and effort into looking presentable— something Tyler noticed wasn't common in Scarlettesville. Her family looked just as nice as well. As if she knew Tyler was thinking about her, she looked at the brunette with that same wide smile. "Ya must be Tyler!" She exclaimed, her accent smooth. "I'm Debbie. This is my husband, Greg," she pointed to the man next to her. "And our daughter, Jenna."

Jenna looked up from where she was staring at the ground upon hearing her name. Her eyes landed on Tyler and they widened for a moment before she smiled. "Hello," she greeted, her voice soft. Although Tyler had only heard her speak one word, he could tell her accent was just as soft as her mother's it not more. It was more sophisticated while the others he's heard in Scarlettesville (including his own father's) were more relaxed.

"It's so nice ta meet ya," Greg stuck his hand out to Tyler's father and they shook each other's. "Debbie's told me all about ya 'nd how you're jus' what this town 'nd police force needed," he laughed.

"'M flattered," Chris laughed slightly as well. "I've been in this line of work for a long time 'nd I guess 'm jus' good at what I do," he shrugged, not wanting to sound conceited. Tyler always admired that about his dad. He knew he was good at being a cop but he was humble about his success as well.

"Trust me," Debbie began. "You've been here a week 'nd I can tell you're gonna solve these cases. I would bet money on it," she assured, making Chris laugh again. "Anyway, we saved ya two a spot over by us," she smiled.

"Well, thank ya," Chris grinned, following the couple as the began walking towards one of the pews towards the middle. They all sat down with Greg sitting by someone else attending and he was followed by Debbie, Chris, Tyler, and Jenna.

They stayed there waiting for the service to start and the adults all made conversation while Tyler and Jenna just sat there silently. It was awkward because neither of them said anything or made an attempt to so the silence just continued.

Tyler let out a shaky breath. He saw Jenna give him a slight smile out of the corner of his eye and relaxed a bit. Maybe she wasn't that bad.

Maybe.

---

After the service ended, the two families stood up and began walking back over to the middle of the chapel. The adults launched back into conversation immediately so Tyler and Jenna just stood there.

"Ty?"

The mentioned looked over at his dad when he heard his name. "Yeah?"

"Debbie 'nd Greg are goin' go introduce me ta some people. Are ya okay with that? We can leave if ya want or need ta."

Tyler was about to respond and inform his dad of his discomfort when he saw how happy his dad looked. He didn't look as exhausted as he always did and he had a faint smile on his face. "Yeah," Tyler smiled slightly. "Go ahead."

"Love ya, bud," Chris grinned before walking off with Jenna's parents. 

The two remained silent once again before Tyler broke it, not being able to stand it. "Sorry," he said sheepishly, sticking his hands in the pockets of his khakis.

A confused look overcame Jenna's face. "Why are ya sorry?"

"I'm not very good at conversation," he laughed nervously.

"Me neither," Jenna giggled. "'M sorry too, then."

"Our first conversation is us apologizing. This is off to a great start," Tyler laughed, making Jenna laugh as well. "You don't attend Oliver High, right? It's a pretty small school and I haven't seen you around."

"No," she shook her head, a piece of soft blonde hair falling into her face. It was put up into a low bun which complimented the pastel blue sundress she wore. "'M homeschooled. I went ta Edison last year for my freshman year but my daddy pulled me out when my momma told him about two guys from my school goin' missin'. I've never had any issues but better safe than sorry," she shrugged.

"Oh," Tyler nodded.

"Are you a sophomore too?"

"Yeah. I turn sixteen in December though," he explained. "Are you fifteen?"

"Mhm," she replied, the conversation dying back down for a moment. "Have you met anyone else here yet? My momma said y'all have only been here about a week."

"Yeah," Tyler smiled. "Some kids from my school. Two of them are seniors and one's a junior because he got held back. I really like hanging out with them. They're a good change of pace and I'm not good at making friends so to have three is really amazing."

"Well," Jenna smiled back, nudging his shoulder with her own. "Ya can make that number four now."

Tyler's smile grew into a grin.

Jenna for sure wasn't that bad.