" Your mom is going to kill you." I state.
Tyler winces as the needle shoots through his lobe. He acts as if the action didn't affect him the slightest by pulling his face straight again but I of course saw his reaction.
" And your mom is going to kill you. "he comments.
I take a deep breath in and wait impatiently for the needle to shoot through my navel. I feel a little pinch and hold in my breath but luckily it is over as quickly as it started.
" My mom already tried to kill me. " the guy behind the counter announces making all four of us turn to him with shock written over our facial features.
" That's deep." the guy comments who is busy with Tyler's earnings.
We all nod in agreement. That definitely took a turn for the worse.
" All done." the guy says in front of me.
He allows me to stand up from the chair I was positioned on to look at my new piercing in the wall length mirror.
" Prefect." I smile as I look at the shiny belly ring that is now attached to my skin.
I always wanted a navel piercing. Mom always threw the topic out of the window just as I brought it up. If she had to see me now, I would probably be the reason she is sent to an early grave.
Why Tyler got ear piercings I'll never understand. I just know Rachelle isn't going to be too pleased with him especially with the fact that he got it the day before Christmas eve. I can't believe the time went by so fast. We've already been here for 5 days and it feels like we only arrived yesterday. We're leaving the day after Christmas so today is the last day we get to spend doing what we want to do because tomorrow is the whole thing with the Christmas eve party and then it's Christmas the next day and then we have to head back to campus before driving off to the beach house.
" That looks hot." Tyler states from behind me. His eyes zoom in on my new piercing. He better not get any ideas. The wound has to heal before he can start playing with it.
It's a shame no one will see it for a while seeing as we're at the start of the winter season. I don't know why I decided today of all days to get the navel piercing but I did and I'm definitely not regretting it. Well not now at least.
Tyler pays for both our piercings, much to my dismay, and walks us out of the tatoo parlor.
" Aren't you going to comment on my earnings?" Tyler asks as he lightly bumps my shoulder.
" I was taught that when I don't have something nice to say I shouldn't say anything." I shrug.
I can feel the glare from my left side from where Tyler is standing.
I don't like the earrings.
Period.
I don't want to lie to the guy.
" You're just jealous. " he smirks before taking the lead and walking off.
Yeah right. As if I don't have three piercings in both my ears.
I'll just let him have his moment and keep quiet.
" We have to pick Hayley up on our way home." Tyler speaks up once he finishes typing on his phone.
I don't know how people walk and text at the same time. I'm way too clumsy for that combination to work. Either I drop my phone or I would walk into something or someone. I'd rather not take my chances.
" I thought she wasn't allowed to go out?"
" She snuck out." Tyler shrugs as if it's no big deal.
It probably isn't but with parents like Rachelle and George, I wouldn't take the risk.
We stop for some hot chocolate at a parked coffee van before escaping the cold weather and climbing into the warmth of Tyler's car. The two of us get lost into each other's light conversation while observing the people that pass us and drinking the warm liquid. Soon enough we start heading over to the location Hayley sent Tyler to pick her up.
It wasn't far from where we were so we easily reached our destination. I watch in pure shock as Hayley comes bouncing out of the two story house with a guy. She quickly lays down a kiss on his lips before skipping over to us.
This girl is just asking to be caught.
" You sneaked out to a guy's house?"
I didn't even hear Tyler climb out of the car. Only when he opened his mouth did I notice him walking up the driveway looking pissed off. I should probably do something.
" Tyler calm down." Hayley says as she puts her hand on his chest to stop him from moving.
" Calm down? You expect me to calm down after witnessing my baby sister kiss a complete stranger in front of me?" with every word he gets more ticked off.
Probably a good idea to step in now.
I open the passenger door and hop out. Nearly missing a puddle I successfully land on a dry piece of land.
" I'm not a kid anymore Ty! "Hayley cries out.
The guy who Hayley locked lips with looks extremely uncomfortable as he witnesses the fight between the two Anderson siblings. I walts over to him and watch the scene unfold in front of me. Tyler would spit out a few words which causes Hayley to grow more frustrated and bite back a few words. It continues like this for God knows how long before Hatley throws her arms up into the air and storms off towards Tyler's car.
" Welcome to the family kid." I say to Hayley's fiancé. I really hope it's her fiancé and not some quick hookup. That would be awkward.
The guy laughs awkwardly but immediately stops when he notices Tyler making his way over to him in pure anger.
" Would you look at the time. It's time to feed me." I cut in and wrap my arm around Tyler's bicep before he has the opportunity to strangle the poor guy.
Tyler doesn't seem to budge at my clear attempt of an excuse as he tries to pass me.
" Tyler. Now." I demand in a stern voice.
Tyler freezes for a second before giving up. Throwing a quick glare towards the guy, he walks off towards the car.
Don't mess with a girl and her food.
I give the guy a quick awkward smile before following Tyler. The car ride back home was incredibly tense. No one muttered a word. When we got home Hayley immediately rushed off to her room without another word and Tyler off to the kitchen leaving me to decide to who I'm going to talk to first.
I'll have a chat with Hayley later on.
" Tyler it's 2 in the afternoon." I sigh as I watch him take a huge gulp from the beer in his hand.
" Time is just a number."
" I think you got the wrong saying -"
" Ally please. I need this." Tyler sighs.
" No. What you need is to talk and not drink it out. " I say and remove the can from out of his grip.
I'm surprised the Andersons have beer in their house. I didn't expect them to be the kind that drinks beer. No offense to them.
Tyler doesn't say anything as he only stares at the can of beer in my hand. He lets out a breath before placing his elbows onto the counter and laying his head down in his palms.
I put down the can and walk over to him. Wrapping my arms around his waist from behind I pull him a little closer and lay my head down on his back.
" Kids grow up you know. They can't stay kids forever." I whisper.
This is a sensitive subject for him and I'm really trying my best to help him out here.
" She'll always be my baby sister." I hear him whisper back. I feel him take a deep breath in and then exhaling it slowly.
" That's true but that doesn't mean she's going to stop growing up just because you don't want her to. That's not the choice we get to make."
Tyler turns around in my embrace. I move my hands from his waist and place it on his shoulders. The look of pure sadness on his face breaks my heart and I can't help but pull him closer by the neck and laying his head down on my shoulder.
Everyone needs a shoulder to not necessarily cry on but just to get something off their chest, even Tyler Anderson.
" She probably hates me." he whispers into my neck.
The action sends shivers down my spine but I have to control my hormones and rather focus on Tyler's emotional health.
" She loves you no matter how big of a douche you are."
" Ouch." he chuckles as he lifts his head from my shoulder to look at me.
I laugh along. I'm glad I got to cheer him up a little. Even though I didn't do much he's at least smiling again. I'll just talk to Hayley later on and hopefully she and Tyler can go back to being those annoying kind of siblings.
" Tyler Venice Anderson." I hear the feminine voice of Rachell.
Oh shit.
Wait- his middle name is Venice?
Oh God.
" What is in your ears?" Rachelle questions as she comes to stand in front of a frightened Tyler.
" This is the part where I go-" I try and make a run for it but Tyler hooks his arm around my waist to keep me in place.
" She made me do it." he accuses me.
" What? I did not-"
" Yes she did. Mommy it was absolutely terrifying." he whines making sure to baby his words.
" You son of a-" Rachelle cuts me off by clearing her throat.
The two of us turn to look at her stern face. I can't seem to read one single emotion on her face. Damn this woman is good.
" Tyler you can't blame your poor life decisions on Ally. I don't care what you do to your body as long as I don't see it tomorrow night. Are we clear?"
" Yes ma'am ." he agrees quickly.
I have so much respect for this woman.
Rachelle cups my cheek before making her way out of the kitchen. I slowly turn around with a murderous look on my face. How dare he accuse me of forcing him to get ear piercings? That's low.
" Now Ally let's talk about this-"he pleads as he starts backing away.
" You're so dead. " I growl and leap forward.
Tyler is a step before me as he manges to dodge me and run off. I of course start chasing him like the real mature person I am.
Not.
***
" Dinner is served. " a man dressed in a butler's uniform informs us before walking out of the dining room.
The food is probably the best part of this whole trip. It's healthy but also very delicious. Very different from the fast food I live on back on campus.
We all start digging in. Light chatter goes around the table but I can feel the clear tension between Hayley and Tyler. They still haven't spoken a word to each other since the little fight they had today. I wanted to go up to Hayley's room and talk to her but chasing Tyler around the estate is time consuming. Before I knew it I was rushed up stairs by Rachelle to get cleaned up for dinner. I'll just talk to Hayley tomorrow before the Christmas Eve party starts.
" Tyler what on earth did you do to your ears?" Tyler's dad, George, gasps.
The table goes silent as we all avert our gazes onto Tyler's shiny earlobes. I still don't like the earrings.
" Ally-" he starts off but gets cut off by Rachelle's death glare.
" I'll take them out tomorrow. "he sighs before lowering his head and continuing to eat his food.
I want to feel sorry for him because I know he was excited about the earrings but the earrings just doesn't do it for me.
" So Ally tell me, are you an only child? " Rachelle asks me all of the sudden making my fork fall out of my hand and onto my plate.
" Mom-" Tyler interrupts but I put up my hand so that he can allow me to talk on my own.
" I had a twin sister who passed away recently. " I answer Rachelle.
I watch as her face drops after hearing my words. The famous look of sympathy crosses her face and I have to hold back a cringe because I know it's a normal thing to feel sorry for someone.
" I'm sorry for you loss sweetie. You've grown into such an absolute beautiful soul even through such a difficult experience." Rachelle states as she leans over to place her hand on mine.
I smile back at her, thankful that she isn't using the famous 'it'll get better' words. Before someone can break the oddly comfortable silence the doorbell rings and Hayley immediately shoots up from her seat.
" I'll get it." she says and dissappears before anyone can stop her.
I don't have a good feeling about this.
After a minute or so Hayley returns back. My breath gets stuck in my throat when I notice that someone is standing behind her. It's the guy she kissed earlier, which was the cause of her and Tyler's fight. I notice Tyler tense up as his eyes land on the guy. This isn't good.
" Oh Hayley is this a friend of yours?" George questions with a warm smile.
" Well-"
" You don't kiss your friends." Tyler states from next to me.
" Is he your boyfriend?" Rachelle asks a little nervous.
" Not exactly -"
" Please don't tell me he's a hookup. " George sighs from where he is sitting.
" Oh God."
" I will kill him."
" Where did my parenting go wrong? "
Hayley looks as if she's about to explode-
" HE'S MY FIANCÃ!" she cries out making everyone stop talking instantly and stare at her wide eyed.
Well that happened.
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