*Tyler's POV*

Somehow I ended up where I always did, the bleachers by the football field. Normally, this was a pretty relaxing place. The only people that ever really came here when there wasn't a game on were couples to make-out, but thankfully none seemed to have planned a rendezvous today. It was just me, sitting on the slightly damp outdoor seats with my lips set in a tight line. The rain had stopped, but there was still a mist clinging to the air. It wasn't enough to actually soak you, just enough to make you feel refreshed. I had my eyes closed and my hands intertwined, cracking my fingers loudly. This was exactly what I'd needed, just a moment away from everything to clear my head. I mean, I still hadn't had any bright ideas, but at least now I wasn't overwhelmed with stress over the situation. 

I jumped, a loud bell sounding across the grounds. Break. I knew it was only a matter of time before the boys starting bombarding my phone asking where I was and I really was starting to get hungry, so I decided I'd better head inside. I hopped up, jogging toward the main building with a renewed vigor. I felt so much better now! 

The rest of my classes I actually did attend, though they flew by so fast I had to wonder. We did a bit of review work, but really it was just a lot of introductions and reunions for students. I didn't mind it at first, before I realized just how alone I was compared to my classmates. None of my friends were in my classes so I didn't have them to turn to and, though the rest of the student body knew my name by heart, none ever really talked to me. So while they were all talking and yakking about their summers, I was the one kid who stayed seated at his desk doing review work. I was surrounded by people, but completely and utterly alone. 

I held on to my good mood though, eagerly packing my things up when that time of day rolled around. I had to work after school and honestly I couldn't wait. It was probably weird to love your job this much, but I definitely did. I slung my bag over my shoulder, bounding down the hallways happily. I was utterly certain there was nothing that could dampen my mood, until I seen a familiar boy with someone pinned against the lockers. How could he even get into this many scuffs on his first day back? I didn't recognize the person he had pinned, though that didn't really lessen the guilty feeling in the pit of my stomach. Nobody deserved that. Caspar turned suddenly, his features lighting up when he saw me standing there.

"Hey, Ty! Come help me show this punk a lesson." I inhaled sharply, tentatively approaching. I hated how it was just implied I would help him hurt this random kid. I didn't even know why he was pinned up like this, but apparently that wasn't important. 

"Fight! Fight! Fight!" I cringed at the chanting around us, my stomach tightening as my lunch threatened to spill. I wondered how nobody realized how I was really feeling when things like this happened. Surely I wore it clear on my face. I sighed quietly, stepping up beside Caspar.

"Punch him, Tyler. He called your mother trailer trash." My eyes narrowed, locking with the stranger's as I took another step towards him. He was big for his age, his hair hanging long and curly in his face. 

"Is that true?"

"Well, you guys used to live in a trailer so it's sort of true, but there's-" I was done with his explanation. I pushed Caspar away, claiming this one as mine. I punched the kid in the jaw, relishing in the gasp the crowd gave in unison. Eventually Caspar placed a hand on my shoulder, alerting me to back off. I did, though it took a lot. I stood a couple steps away, watching as he slunk off toward the washroom. Caspar started hooting and hollering then, pumping his fists triumphantly like it was some sort of gladiator battle. I ignored this though, pushing through the crowd and heading straight for my locker. Maybe if I was fast enough I could get out of here before anyone questioned where I was going. 

The drive to the store was short and quiet. I wasn't really in the mood for music, which was a rare thing for me. It had definitely been an eventful first day, that was for sure. I really hope the rest of the year isn't like it. All I wanted was a chill laid-back year to myself, though it was already shaping up to seem like a pretty unrealistic wish. I got out of the car, strolling into the store happily. 

"Hey, Tyler!" Bruce greeted me, walking over to me with a fishing pole in his hands. 

"Hi." I mumbled quietly, my thoughts still a bit muddled by all that had taken place today. He seemed a little off-put though, not used to my me being so moody. 

"How was your first day back to school?" He asked, watching as I crossed the floor to the counter. I ducked behind it, grabbing my apron from where I'd left it last night. I shrugged it on, tying it in the back. I didn't get why it was necessary, but I wasn't about to question it.

"Long." 

"Well, now you have a nice long night of work to top it off, huh?" I smiled at his obvious attempt at lightening the mood. I suddenly felt a bit bad. Why was I trying to ruin everyone else's moods? Besides, this was my getaway spot. I didn't even have to think about the stress of school here. I could just be me.

"Oh, this is hardly work, sir!" I beamed, forcing myself to cheer up. I would not let stupid irrelevant people I didn't even care about ruin what was left of my day. He smiled back, giving me a gentle pat on the shoulder and mumbled something about taking off before all the good fish were gone. I just nodded, watching as he left through the door. I smiled happily, falling back onto my chair. I was going to sit here and enjoy myself, maybe even read a book or something. I would not let any of the drama from school today affect me, in fact I wouldn't even let it cross my mind.

That was what I thought, before the door swung open and the drama walked right into my life in the form of a human being.

Troye did not look anything like he normally did. He wasn't cool and composed at all, his emotions very clear on his face for once. He was fucking pissed. He stomped into the store, heading to the back where we kept the majority of the junk food. Stress eater? I smiled a little bit, happy with even the smallest new information about him. I propped my elbows on the counter, holding my face in my hands as I patiently waited for him to collect his things and come to the counter. I wonder if he'd be surprised to see me here. Probably. 

My smile brightened, seeing his brown hair just over the tops of the shelves as he approached. I really wish I could wipe this stupid smile off my face, he was going to think I was a freaking weirdo. I bit down on my lips, assuming my usual selfie face. It was my pokerface, and I really needed one of those right now considering my heart was beating a million miles per minute at the thought of talking to him again. This was getting ridiculous. 

He approached slowly, looking down at the armful of junk he'd scavenged. Yes, he was most defintely a stress eater. Either that or he was just a total fatass, but his slim figure made that very hard to believe unless he had the metabolism of a rock. He was about to run into the counter before he finally broke his eyes away from his purchases, looking up with a distanced expression. That quickly faded when he recognized me though. At first his eyes widened in shock, but then they narrowed again into a glare.

"Hi!" I said cheerily, ignoring his weird behavior and straightening up. He kept quiet and I bit my lip at the awkward tension, scanning the room for absolutely anything else to look at. Eventually my eyes fell back on his arms and I remembered what I was actually supposed to be doing right now. "Did you find everything you were looking for?" 

"Yeah, and some things I wasn't." He mumbled, letting out a seething hiss-like breath. I scoffed, furrowing my brows but getting to work ringing the items through. I smiled, seeing my favorite chocolate bar in the mix.

"These are good, huh?"

"Well, obviously I think so if I'm buying one." He snapped, shoving his hands into his pockets to retrieve some money. He handed a crinkled up bill to me, but I couldn't bring myself to take it. He left his hand outstretched though, nudging his head at it impatiently. "This is the part where you take my money."

"Did I do something wrong?"

"Wow, it's concerning that you even have to ask that." He dropped the bill on the counter then, leaving with his bags in both hands. I watched him leave with a trove of mixed emotions going through my head. What the hell? The last thing I did was save his ass from a bully and this was how he acted about it? I mean, I get it he's not a people person but this is just sad. I fell back into my chair, listening to the bell rattle as he closed the door behind him. Well, I guess 'slammed' would have been a better choice of words. 

So much for not letting the drama follow me home. 

I sighed, cracking my fingers nervously. It was a bad habit, but I couldn't break myself of it. What the hell was going on? Why was he so hard to please? It was like he wanted to hate me and would use any little excuse he could. That made the fact I wanted nothing more than for him to like me increasingly worrisome. What would I do if he just outright refused to give me a chance? 

My mind ran over all the possibilities of how I'd react, each one less appealing than the last. As much as I was angry with him for not explaining himself, my need to know him outweighed that. I had to get him to forgive me, though that could prove to be difficult considering I had no idea what I'd done. I also got the vibe that he was not the type to forgive easily. Why was he so freaking guarded? Why couldn't he just be open with me? 

A/n: Bleepbloopbop. Any guesses why Troye's pissy? You'll find out next chapter anyway though :) Sorry these last two chapters have been short. I originally planned to cover all this in one chapter but that just seemed too all over the place, you know? Okay, VOTE and COMMENT because it maaaakes me waanna update sooner ;)

ALSO, I'd like to promo my friend's new fanfic, it's called "Friendly Interactions- Troyler" by OnlyARandomFangirl. Only the first chapter has been posted but it looks like it's going to be really good and she also writes my faaaaaaaaave smutty oneshots of life, so if you're interested, head on over good friends ;) Okay, that is all, you may disperse to the comment section now. YOU HAD BETTER DISPERSE THERE, COMMENT BUTTS <3