Banner of Sean O'Pry as Tyler Bradshaw.

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Chapter 17: Hugs

"I want one of those!" Luke cooed, looking longingly at the puppies through the window.

We were walking through downtown because there was nothing else to do. "You're not responsible enough. Remember Goby?"

Goby was Luke's goldfish in the sixth grade. He had won it at the local fair one summer. For the first couple days, he diligently took good care of him (at least I think it was a him). After that, he soon became bored of his new pet and procrastinated feeding and changing his water.

"I was eleven," he said dismissively.

"Okay, what about Doodles?"

Doodles was the gerbil he had in seventh grade. It was a birthday present from his parents. If it wasn't for his parents, Doodle would've been dead sooner.

"I thought we agreed to never talk about him," he muttered, walking away from the store window.

"All right, subject getting sensitive here. The point is you're just not mature enough for a pet, Luke."

"You sound like my mom. And besides, it's been like five years."

I shook my head. "And you still haven't changed."

"That's not true," he disagreed. "I have a girlfriend now."

My heart fell. "You have a girlfriend?"

"Don't act so surprised, Charlie. It's you."

My once fallen heart skyrocketed. Luke had just called me his girlfriend. I've been waiting for eternity for this. "I...we're dating?"

"Well, aren't we? You like me, I like you. Let's date."

"Is that you asking me out?"

"Yup. Will you be my girlfriend, Charlie? For real this time?"

As appealing as it sounded, I couldn't say yes to him. I still had my 'senior project' to do. All the hard work I put into it would all crumble in an instance if I agreed. I could still treat him like the others, go on dates with him. It wouldn't really be any different if the Top Four wasn't involved.

"I—I can't."

The dimpled smile fell off his face. "What do you mean, 'you can't?'"

"Can we just do it the traditional way?"

"The traditional way?" he repeated.

"We go on dates before you ask me to go steady."

He laughed. "Go steady?"

"It's a thing."

"All right, if that's what you want."

I grinned and nodded. "It is."

We walked along some more. The white, fluffy clouds parted and let the blue sky shine through, just like in the movies. "Hey Luke?"
"Yeah?"

"I like you."

"Well, I love you."

***

"I don't understand why you just don't ride home with me."

"I like spending time with Tyler." It was the only time I got with him, which was vital if I wanted to make him fall for me.

"I don't like it..."

"You don't have to like it. Just go with it, Luke, for me. I'll see you at home."

He sighed. "I guess I'm going to have to. I don't want us to fight again."

We hugged and I skipped off towards the parking lot. Tyler's become my new ride to and from school. At the beginning, the car rides were silent, but I think I've gotten him to open up to me. Our first conversations were safe topics—favorites and things about school. I did most of the talking, but he piped in every now and then. Now, now things were getting a bit personal. I talked about my home life to him, although he didn't say much about his. At least he was contributing to half of the chats we had—it made me feel less annoying.

Tyler was waiting for me by the door, just like any other day. He spotted me and straightened. "Ready?" I nodded and held my arm out. He looked at it blankly. "What are you doing?"

The smile on my face faded and I let my arm drop. Shaking my head, I said, "Nothing."

Tyler gave me a stranger look, but didn't say anything. He switched out the motorcycle for the car because:

1) The motorcycle scared me.

2) The weather.

We walked the path to his parking spot, which, thankfully, wasn't very far away. "How's Clementine doing?" I asked, looking up at him.

His face immediately brightened as he thought of his dog—one of the few things he willingly talked about. From how he talked so highly about her, I could see how special she was to him. It was cute.

"She's doing really well. She popped her ball, so I have to run into Walmart and get her a new one. You don't mind, do you?"

I think this was one of the first times that he asked for my opinion/permission. His request was just so darling, that I couldn't even say no, not that I would.

I shook my head. "Not at all."

He parked fairly close to the entrance, which was odd because everytime I came here, I could never find a parking spot that was a short distance to the door.

"I shouldn't be too long, unless the line is outrageous."

I nodded. "Okay."

"Oh, and don't let any strangers in."

I rolled my eyes and made a shooing motion. "Would you go?"

He chuckled lightly. "Right, I'm leaving."

I sighed and started drumming my fingers on the dashboard, not really knowing what to do. It was kind of awkward to sit in someone else's car when they weren't there. I checked my phone for any missed calls or incoming texts—none. I looked around, my fingers pacing faster.

My eyes flickered towards the glove compartment. Would it be wrong to just....no! I promised myself that I wouldn't be such a snoop. I took a deep breath, easing myself farther into the seat so I wouldn't be so tempted.

That didn't work so well, because a minute later, all my self-composure crumbled and the box was open. I sifted through random papers (like insurance and stuff) and road maps (I thought guys didn't use maps) until I found something interesting; a little package filled with a white, powdery substance. I wasn't an idiot—I knew what it was immediately.

I shrieked, stuffing it all back into the drawer. My heart was racing and my mind was crammed with thoughts. Why was there cocaine in Tyler's car? Was it his? Of course it was his—it's in his car. After that, they were filled with thoughts of my life in jail. What if the cops found my fingerprints on it? I was too young and innocent to go to prison. Why did I have to be so nosy? If it wasn't for that trait (and the one where I have no self control) I wouldn't be stuck in this mess.

Was I going to confront him about it? If I asked him about it, he would wonder why I was going through his things. If I didn't, who knows what would happen. He could get arrested and I'd never see him again. His life would be ruined.

Speak of the devil, Tyler knocked on the window, indicating for me to unlock it. I pressed the button by my window, letting him in. I thought he took his keys with him.

"I know," I blurted. I quickly covered my mouth, scolding myself. Was it too late to back out?

His blue eyes narrowed, daring me to tell him. "What do you know?"

"I saw the drugs, Tyler." Yup, definitely too late.

The color in his face drained, leaving a white, translucent exterior. His lips were a thin, grim line. He looked terrified. "I can explain, Charlotte."

"It's illegal, Tyler! You could get in big trouble for carrying around illicit drugs." I said the last part quieter. "I don't want to see you go to jail."

"I'm not going anywhere," he said gently, lightly putting his hand over mine. "Just let me explain, okay?"

I nodded. "Okay."

"First off, they're not mine."

"Whose are they?"

He paused before giving me his answer. "My dad's, kind of. That's how he makes a living, selling drugs."

"Your—your dad's a drug dealer?" I asked softly, my eyes wide.

He nodded. "He must've taken my car when he went to go make a sale or pick it up or whatever."

"And you're okay with that?"

"Of course not, but what can I do? He puts a roof over my head and food in my stomach."

"You know I've been to juvie, right?

I nodded stiffly. "I've heard rumors."

"You're scared," he commented. "I didn't kill anyone or anything, if that's what you're thinking. When I was fifteen, my dad had me go make a sale. Turns out the cops were watching." He laughed bitterly.

"He doesn't hit you or anything, does he?"

He looked down to his lap, fiddling with his hands. "Rarely, but it happens."

My heart warmed and went out to him. "Did...did you tell anyone?"

"I just did."

"You know what I mean. Did you tell the police or anything?"

He shook his head. "I couldn't, I can't."

Surely there had to be someone who could've put a stop to this. "Where was your mom throughout all of this?"

As soon as I looked into his eyes, I immediately regretted bringing up the topic. I saw the raw vulnerability. It was clear as day that this was a sensitive topic for him. Although no tears came out, I could see his blue orbs getting glassier and glassier. Bad boy Tyler had a heart, a soul, real emotions.

"She's...uh...she left us."

"Tyler, I'm so sorry," I cried, enveloping him in a hug. It took a few seconds for him to hug me back. But when he did, I swear I heard him hiccup a little sob. His arms wrapped around my torso, the warmth radiating onto me. I just wanted to squeeze the evil thoughts out of him, so he would feel better.

"Not your fault," he mumbled.

We let go of each other, a nice silence filling the car. "I have a dark past, Charlotte," he said, breaking the no-sound barrier. "You...you're too pretty to be around it. It'll taint you. I'll call you a cab to take you home." He pulled out his phone, getting ready to dial a number.

I covered his phone. "That's ridiculous, Ty. I...I feel safe with you." And I did. He was like my protector, ever since the incident.

"But—"

"No buts," I said firmly. "Stop being so silly."

He laughed. "I'm anything but silly."

"Right, because Tyler Bradshaw is always serious."

"That's right."

"But really, I'll be here for you, anytime. Call me and I'm there."

"Thanks, Charlotte. Thanks for being my friend and not trying to get into my pants."

I chuckled. "I think you have our roles switched."

"It's usually the girl who initiates when it comes to sleeping around."

"Not me."

"No, not you. You're a special case. Although, you did hug me first."

I blushed. "You were feeling down."

"Excuses, excuses."

I smiled, saving this memory for a rainy day. I felt weird around Tyler—but in a good way. I was more childlike, sweeter, and dare I say, happier. When he was around, he was the adult I didn't have to be like when I was around all the other ones. He was mature. And I liked it. I liked him. We worked.