Oddly enough, as I was pulling on a pair of jean shorts under my hoodie, I felt the unfamiliar sense of nervousness wash over me, realising that I was going out with Tyler. It was going to be fine, nothing more than a simple meal with a friend.

I grabbed my house keys and phone before going down. I unlocked my phone on the way down to look up the text where Tyler had sent me the address to the pizza place that he claimed was 'delectable.' That boy gets one A in English and he thinks he's some fancy English kid with fancy vocabulary.

Mom was lounging on the couch, flipping through the countless channels on the television with a bowl of chips. I sat on the couch, waiting for someone on Uber to accept me.

"Going somewhere?" she asked, sitting up straight.

"Yeah, I'm going out with Tyler remember?" I said, causing her face to relax.

She muted the television and set the remote down. "Dad and I are really, really proud of you, Ava. It's a very selfless thing, what you did. You helped someone graduate, do you realise how big of a deal that is? That boy would've been held back if it weren't for you."

"I'm sure he would've pulled through," I brushed her off.

My Uber was six minutes away.

"Don't put yourself down that like," she reprimanded, her eyebrows pulling in as she set the bowl on the table and turned to face me. "You were definitely a major reason why he pulled through. And I think it's nice that he's trying to show you thankful he is by taking you out for dinner."

Five minutes.

"Yeah, it's sweet of him," I agreed with a nod.

Satisfied that I didn't protest in response, she leaned back against the couch. "I would like to meet that boy, by the way."

Three minutes.

"Didn't you already meet him when he came over once to study?" I pointed out.

"Yes, but I'd like to have a proper conversation with him, get to know him," she explained, gesturing with her hands.

I mustered up a polite chuckle, "Why do you want to meet him?"

One minute.

"Because he seems like a nice, hardworking boy," she answered. "Stop interrogating me, I don't really need a reason to meet him."

"We'll see," I concluded, putting a close the topic.

Your Uber driver is arriving.

"Alright, my Uber is here," I said, standing up.

"Do you need cash?" she asked, standing up to walk me to the door.

"No, I'm good," I answered.

"Have a good time," she said as I opened the door. "Don't be too late."

"Okay," I called out as I walked towards my Uber.

The ride to the pizza place was longer than expected but thankfully, my Uber driver was peaceful and quiet, he didn't disturb me and my music. Kyla, on the other hand, did.

"Hey, what's up?" I asked, answering her call.

"Is it true that you're coming to the Spring Fling?" she asked, sounding excited.

I sighed. "Only because Kian insisted."

"Yes," she squealed. "So does this mean you will be accompanying me for buying a dress?"

"Can't I just wear the dress I wore to the Valentine's ball?" I asked with a frown.

As soon as those words left my mouth, I felt a dull ache rise in my chest. All the faint memories smashed me like a ton of bricks. I remembered every detail about that night: our dinner, the dance, the poor girl who fell into the fountain and then, the comfortable conversation we had in the football field.

After I had asked him to stay for a while longer, I saw a different side of him come out; a more sincere one. A side that made me feel like maybe it wasn't a completely idea to date him.

"I don't usually go out on dates much," I admitted, my head still resting on his shoulder.

"That's honestly really shocking," he said.

I pulled away to look up at him. "Why'd you say that?"

His arm was still wrapped around as he gazed down at me and in a low voice, said, "Because you're beautiful: inside and out."

I squeezed my eyes shut to get rid of the pain. He didn't even mean that, did he? All he was trying to do was lure me into his trap so that his ex would feel jealous and want him back. What a petty crime, isn't it?

"Hello? Ava?"

"Yes, sorry," I said.

"Right, so I was saying-"

"Can I ask you something?" I cut her off, licking my lips.

"Sure," she responded.

"Do you-do you think that during the brief time that Seth and I were together," I started, "he maybe liked me at any point? That out of everything he told me and did for me, even a percent of it was sincere and true?"

I heard her sigh on the other end. "I know that you want me to tell you that 'Yes, he did end up liking you' and that 'Yes, there was a part of him that was sincere and true' but I honestly don't know."

I nodded, not being able to muster up the courage to say anything.

"Ava, I know that it sucks and that what he did was not...something that you deserved. I of all people know that it's difficult for you to open up to someone and to actually fall for a guy. You did that with Seth and it backfired and it sucks but just remember that you deserve so much more and that you are going to find someone who's going to give you that so much more."

"Thanks Kyla," I responded softly.

"And Ava?"

"Yes?"

"I'm sorry."

"What for?" I asked, confused.

"I'm sorry to push you to go on that stupid date because of that stupid anonymous note. I'm sorry for pushing you into getting moving things with Seth and getting into a relationship. I didn't realise that things would-"

"Don't worry about it, it's not your fault at all," I said, looking out the window as the car rolled to a stop.

"Okay, I have to go," I said. "I'll call you later tonight."

When I neared the restaurant, I pulled out my phone and texted Tyler asking him if he was here. His instantaneous reply stated that he was in the restaurant but he was coming out to get me.

As promised, a few seconds later the door opened and Tyler stepped out. All of a sudden, I felt underdressed in my hoodie and shorts. He was wearing dark jeans, a teal blue shirt topped with a leather jacket and fancy shoes.

"You're looking cute," he said as he held the door open for me.

A witty reply was ready at the tip of my tongue but I refused to say it. "Thank you," I said with a smile.

He pulled my chair out for me and after having a deep discussion about which pizzas to order, we placed our order and resumed our conversation.

"So, what do you plan on doing next?" I asked, causing his shoulders to drop.

"We're not even done celebrating one achievement and you're already on to the other?" he said, making me grin.

"Well, I like to see my students succeed," I responded, pretending to fix my imaginary glasses.

He laughed, faking an eye roll. "I'm keeping my options open for now."

I nodded. "Let me know if you need any help."

"Of course, who else am I going to go to?" he said.

I chuckled and said, "I'm honestly quite glad that I got sent to detention or else we wouldn't have met."

He thought about it for a moment before shrugging. "I don't know. I like to think that if we were meant to meet, we would've met sooner or later. Somewhere, eventually."

"So you're a believer of the whole-"

"Oh, yes," he agreed before I even finished my sentence. "A strong believer. I believe that everyone who comes into your life has a purpose and if they don't fulfil that purpose quick enough, there's a chance that you might end up kicking them out of your life."

"I certainly wish I kicked some people out of my life sooner," I muttered.

The smile on Tyler's face faded slightly. "You don't mean...Seth, do you?"

I exhaled and mumbled, "Of course I do."

"If you don't mind me asking," he began, "what happened between the two of you?"

I licked my lips before answering. "Things just didn't work out."

"I see," he said, not pushing it thankfully.

Just on time, our pizzas arrived and I could feel my tummy rumble. The first bite of pizza melted into my mouth and I moaned in response.

"You're right," I said after swallowing my bite. "This is delectable."

"Aha! I told you!" he exclaimed, pointing at me.

"Yeah don't let this get to you now," I said.

"I've been coming here since I was about eleven," he said. "My dad's friend owns this place but he doesn't come around as often anymore. He's got a reliable and trustworthy manager to do the job. I've never been to any place where the pizza is better."

"Is he Italian?" I asked, simply out of curiosity.

That, however, made Tyler laugh for some reason. "I agree that the Italians invented this joyous food but that doesn't mean that you necessarily need an Italian to get excellent pizza."

I chuckled. "I'm guessing he isn't Italian."

"That would be a no," he affirmed.

After dinner, he took me to an ice cream place nearby where I got caramel butterscotch and he got a plain old vanilla cone. We walked aimlessly for a while before I spotted a bench under a pretty ochre coloured tree. We sat positioned to face each other.

"What's your ideal boy type?" he asked suddenly, catching me off guard.

"Oh, um, I-I-" I stuttered as I tried to formulate my thoughts. "I don't really have an ideal boy type."

"No way," he said. "There must be something you'd want in a boy."

"Honesty," I responded.

He bobbed his head a few times, considering it. I could tell he was waiting for me to ask his ideal girl type but I didn't do so on purpose.

"My ideal girl type is someone who's understanding," he said. "Someone who is not going to judge me for my ways. Someone who is going to be there for me whenever I need her."

I kept my gaze on my ice cream but I made the mistake of sneaking a glance at him and had to force myself to press my lips together in a smile.

"I should get going now," I said. "It's getting late."

"Yeah sure, I'll drop you back," he stated.

"Oh you don't have to do that," I told him. "I'll get an Uber."

"Don't be silly, there's no need for that," he said and stood up. He outstretched his hand towards me. I stared at the hand for a moment before my gaze flickered up to meet his. Hesitantly, I placed my hand in his and pulled myself up.

He didn't let go of my hand till we reached his car and I didn't try to remove my hand from his grasp. I don't know why. I don't want to know why. I just know that it felt right.

His car rolled to a stop in my driveway and both of us got out of the car. I walked around the front and stood in front of him.

"Thanks for tonight," I said.

"No, thank you," he responded, "for everything."

I felt a shy smile form on my face. I pointed at my house's front door and said, "I should get going. I'll see you tomorrow."

"Yeah," he breathed out, leaning against the door of his car.

"Bye, Tyler," I said, backing away slowly.

"Bye, Ava," he said, raising his hand to wave once.

I turned around, holding the sling of my bag tightly. Taking two steps forward, I turned around again.

"Tyler?"

"Yes, Ava?" he asked, his arms crossed over his chest.

"W-would you like to go to the Spring Fling?" I asked.

I saw his left eyebrow quirk up in the dim street-lighting.

"Kian," I started, "actually got tickets for me without asking and he insisted a lot so I'm going. I was just wondering if you'd like to come. I know that you don't like stuff like that but if you want to...I could use some company."

I could make out the smile he was suppressing. "Sure."

I let out a relieved breath with a grin.

h"Goodnight, Tyler," I said, turning back around and walking away this time.

"Goodnight, Ava," I heard him call out.

A/N- Yesss, I'm back with a looong chapter! I hope you enjoyed reading that. I'm trying to explore Tyler and Ava's friendship/relationship. Also tried to show a bit of the vulnerable side of Ava. Do you guys like Tyler and Ava? Could it be a possible ship? :3

I hope you guys are enjoying it so far. Please please leave a vote, comment, add this book to your reading list so that other Wattpaders can get a chance to read it, share it. I'd really appreciate all the help. Thank you for reading! 

Love you guyss <3