🍁"I Can't People Today" 🍁

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Bryce's P.O.V.

"Hey Bryce bear", Kyler said as soon as he picked up the call. I closed my eyes. Something melts inside me.

"Let's talk", I said.

"I'm all ears. Thanks for calling", he said.

"Why are you so good to me, Kyler?", I asked. I felt my vision blurring. I felt vulnerable.

He should be angry at me.

"Because you're my favourite person", He said.

"I'm a horrible person. I never treated you well. I never gave you the right amount of respect you deserved", I said.

"Remember, you told me once that I've to earn respect from you. You don't sell them", he said and it hurts. 

I'm such a bi**h.

"I'm so sorry Kyler. Please forgive me. I only give you trouble, nothing else", I said.

"Don't be sorry Bryce. Whatever I did was my wish. I like you. You never asked me to like you. So if I take up troubles to save you then it's my wish as well. Why are you sorry?", He asked.

"Why do you like me? I don't deserve that", I said as a silent tear rolled down my cheek. His words were healing my internal wounds bit by bit.

"Have I earned respect in your eyes?", He asked.

"Yes. You've all my respect. I've lost respect for myself though. I can't face myself", I said. I held the pillow tight to my chest and took deep breaths. I don't want any sort of breakdown in front of Kyler.

"Bryce, I don't know why do you always do this?", He said as he left a deep sigh.

"Do what?", I asked.

"Pushing people away. Be it your family or your friends. You always pushed Yasmine, Luke, and even your dad away. They care for you because they like you. You're important to them. You can't choose for others. They choose you and kept you on the priority because they wanted to. Why do you like to look only at the bad side of life?", He asked. I stayed quiet.

Because I'm a bad person.

"Kyler, you deserve best. I'm bad news to you", I said. My inner self judged me immediately. Isn't this always me? I drown myself in so much self pity that it hurt others. That's what I do. I hurt people. 

"Bryce, I won't repeat myself. So hear me out clearly. I just want you to stop blaming yourself for anything. My heart likes you and it has decided to be always there for you. I didn't ask you to reciprocate my feelings. If you can't like me, then don't. It's completely okay. But never ever ask me to unlike you. I don't know how to do that. I don't care if you can never be mine. Just so you know that I'm yours", he said. His words melted every piece and bit of my cold-hearted wall. I felt my heart swelled up. His words healed me.

"Kyler-", I tried speaking but he cuts me off.

"No, don't speak anything. Just let me finish. You liked Caleb even though you knew that he will never like you back. These are feelings, Bryce. You can't control them. If your one-sided crush is genuine then so do mine. You can't be a hypocrite", he said.

"I'm sorry", was all I could say.

"It's okay. Also, you aren't bound to give any reply. I know your answer. I just don't want to be rejected on the call. I need to go. Bye", he said and I bite back my tongue.

"Bye", I said. After a pause of five seconds, he hung up.

***************

I woke up the next day with a heavy head. I slept for only two hours last night. My mind was a mess. The conversation with Kyler was a bad idea. I overthink the whole night about him only. I went back to my memory lane and thought about my each and every meeting with him, our conversations and my bad behaviour towards him.

I am a certified sadist.

I was guilty of my misbehavior with Yasmine as well. She's not related to me with blood but whatever she does for me, my biological mother would never do that. My parents never made me feel so safe and secure but Yasmine somehow did. Luke made me feel welcomed. I was ashamed of myself. Kyler made me realise my mistake.

I left my bedroom after taking a deep hot shower. I threw my bag on my shoulder and walked downstairs. Yasmine as usual was making breakfast for Luke and me. My dad was also sitting at the breakfast table for a change. I took a seat and sat next to Luke. My dad was sitting in front of me.

"Good morning", Luke chirped happily as he saw me.

What's even good in the morning?

"Morning", I replied and started stuffing the sandwich in my mouth. 

"Bryce, how's school? Is anyone troubling you?", Dad asked.

"No. Every thing is fine", I replied. The guy who used to trouble me is not coming to school. I'm again back to my unknown self. I hate to admit but I low-key miss Kyler.

"Bryce, we care for you. If you have any slightest problem, we're one call away", Yasmine said as she walked to the table with a cup of coffee in her hand. She handed it to dad. 

"Thank you", I said and gulped down my juice. 

After the Nate's incident, I apologized to Yasmine and Luke for my behavior. They forgave me without a second thought. They are very kind people with big hearts. Their forgiveness added more guilt to my heart. I deserve some punishment.

After having breakfast, I made my way to the school. I took the bus today. Yesterday, I dropped my car at the service station. As a result for the next few days, I'll be taking the bus. I reached school in no time, thanks to the music blasting in my ear and my wandering mind busy in its own thoughts.

 I get down at the bus stop and started walking towards the school. I got a call from Kimberley as soon as I reached the parking. 

"Hello", I said tapping the green button.

"Have you reached school?", She asked.

"Yes", I said and my steps halted as I saw Kyler's bike parked at my usual spot.

He's back in school.

"Kyler is also coming today", she said.

He already reached.

"Yeah, I know", I said as I walked inside the school entrance.

"I think you should talk to him", she said.

I've already talked to him.

"Where are you?", I asked.

"I'll be there in ten minutes", she said.

"Okay. See you then", I said and hang up.

I made my way to the locker room. I picked out some books and kept them in my bag. I turned around and my eyes settled on a familiar face. 

Kyler was standing at a few distance from me. He was surrounded by his friends. Kenneth, Jimmy, Hana, Melissa and a few other classmates were huddled around him. He had a very beautiful smile on his face. His eyes found mine and I immediately looked away. I was embarrassed as he caught me staring at him.

"Kyler is really handsome. I must go and ask him out on a date", I heard someone talking behind me. I turned around and saw two girls fangirling over him. They didn't even notice my presence.

"What are you waiting for? Just go now. You're pretty. He won't deny you", her friend said. I observed them both. They're another definition of beauty. I couldn't even find even one imperfection in them.

"You think!", The first girl said again.

Why do pretty girls doubt themselves? We average girls have the rights to question our appearance.

"Of course", she said. "He's coming", she nudged her friend. I was so immersed in their conversation that I didn't notice Kyler and his group made their way towards us. 

I pulled my hoodie over my head and again opened my locker. I acted to be busy.

"Hey Kyler", I saw the girl walking in his direction.

"Hey", Kyler said. I looked in their direction. He was smiling looking at her. He was giving her one of his heart warming smiles.

Why is this so unpleasant to my eyes?

"Can we talk?", She asked. I was staring at them without even blinking. Kyler looked at me. I looked away.

"Sure", he said. The girl and Kyler stayed behind whilst rest of his group left. I noticed all of them giving me death glares. I gulped nervously.

God save me from his friends.

"If you're free after school, can we hang out together? There's an amazing cafe near our school. We can go there", the girl said. I don't know her name. I've seen her in one class of mine.

"I'd love to. Just give me your number. I'll call", Kyler responded and I scoffed. Really? How can he say yes to anyone just like that? He even asked for her number. Atleast have some respect for yourself.

"Such an easy catch", I whispered to myself. I shut my locker and without looking at him, I walked past him. 

Kyler disappointed me, I thought.

Look who's even talking? What about you? You disappointed a lot of people, my inner self commented back.

**************

I sat down with my tray of meal during lunch in the canteen. Kimberley was standing in the row to get her order. Kyler's friends were sitting at the table in front of me. They all were glaring at me and were whispering amongst themselves. Only Jimmy gave me a friendly smile. Why won't he? He's dating my friend Kimberley afterall. I left a deep sigh. I earned some enemies without doing any effort at all.

How lucky am I?

My eyes settled on another table where Kyler was sitting with his fan. The girl who asked him out was having lunch with him right now. How clingy is she? He already agreed to give her company after school. Exactly how much human interaction does she even need from him? He seemed to be enjoying himself as he was laughing and smiling molar to molar. 

"Her name is Emily", Kimberley caught me off guard as she sat in front of me.

"I never asked her name", I said looking at her.

"You're staring at them without even blinking your eyes. Can you be anymore obvious?", She asked and I silently gulped my juice.

"I'm concerned for Kyler, as a friend. I don't want him to get involved with anyone wrong", I said.

"Sure. I believe you", She smirked.

"What?", I asked.

"You're jealous", she said casually and I scoffed.

"Me? Jealous? Why would I be?", I asked.

"Because you like him", she said.

"I DON'T. He can go and date anyone he wants, I don't care", I stressed my words.

"Since morning, I've been noticing you. You seem lost and sad. Now I know the reason behind your upset mood", she said as she glanced at Kyler and Emily.

"You're delusional. Kyler has nothing to do with my sadness", I said.

"I know. Emily is troubling you", she said and I shook my head vehemently in negative.

"I've an idea. I can prove that you've feelings for him", she said.

"Why do I need proof? I know me", I said. She ignored my comment.

"Kyler asked you out for two dates. They're still pending. Go and ask him out", she said and I looked at her dumbfounded.

"Bad idea. I'm not doing that", I said.

"You owe him a very serious apology, Bryce. You must treat him well", she said and her words sank in my mind.

"I'll ask him for a friendly lunch then", I said and she smirked.

"Sure sure. Go out on a friendly lunch", she mocked. I felt restless inside my stomach.

Will Kyler go out with me?

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Hey cupcakes. Hope you love the chapter.

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