The First Rule

Chapter 13a: The King and Queen of River High

“—and then, you know what baby?! I said can I help you? You like me or something?!"

Hill keeps on talking and talking, boasting about how wanted she is as a human being. In a deadpan expression, Tyler fixes his eyes on the road, occasionally stealing several glances at you through the rearview mirror. Keeping your cool, you just keep scrolling through Twitter and t****k back and forth with a blank expression. You notice how he finally parks the car.. then turns the machine off. For a moment he looks hesitant, but then he regains composure, removes his hands from the wheel, and announces,

"We're here—"

"Thanks for the ride."

Without even letting him finish his sentence, you cut in, and flash a slight smile to the both of them, not even giving a damn whether they see it or not. Seemingly in a hurry, you unlock the car door by yourself in haste—and scurry away. Leaving both of them in the car alone—can't blame you though. Just wanting to get away from them—as fast your legs could take you.

Tyler watches you from the window frame in alert. Everything seems to go silent as conflicts seep into his mind. 'Should I talk to her? Or later when we get home—should I—'

fuck this.

He takes his bag swiftly and flees, leaving the trunk open, intending to catch up with you—but a hand stops him.

"Ty? Where are you going? You haven't even turned off the car!"

"s**t—right—"

He hurriedly turns off the car, quickly looking ahead to find you—but you're starting to disappear from view, getting further away..

and vanish through the school door.

"Ok why are you in such a hurry?!"

"Later—"

Tyler hurriedly replies as he dashes away through the school halls, leaving befuddled Taylor behind. Cavill's been implying uneasy behavior since getting out of the car, even as they step into the school building. Irritated by assumptions, she rolls her eyes in resignation before finally climbing up the stairs.

In a panicked whisper, he mutters to himself, 'Class—she's in class.. Bio. Bio today.' Frantically looking around, he finally spots you at the end of the hallway as you're about to enter the classroom! He runs at full speed, and just as you're about to step into the room—he grabs your forearm, bringing you to a halt.

You turn to find him in ragged breathing, sweat trickling down his face. Unsettling expressions paint your face as you put your left hand behind your neck, clearly feeling uncomfortable. But as he supports his hands on his knees, you cautiously ask,

"Hey. Uh.. what's wrong—"

"You made me run all this way—and you're asking me what's wrong?!"

He vents his frustration, clearly exhausted as you let out a small sigh in response. "Just—let me catch my breath for a second," he adds, making a stopping gesture with his hand. After taking a deep breath and exhales, he looks at you, ready for an explanation. "Ok, tell me what's wrong," he pants, eyes narrowed, waiting for your response.

Clutching the straps of your backpack tightly, you divert your gaze to his feet. Also anxiously adjusting the straps of his backpack on his shoulders, he observes your sullen look with concern. After a brief hesitation, he sees you take a deep breath and exhale..

"I think you're right."

Tilting his head, he wonders in confusion and asks, "In.. what?"

"You don't have to pick me up anymore, bro. It's okay,"

Puzzled by your decision, he goes to scratch his head, briefly retracting it like a turtle. His gaze shifts slightly to the left before returning to you. Perplexed, he insists, "Why? I'm ok with that, It doesn't burden me to pick you and Taylor up,"

Heaving a big sigh, you struggle in trying to make him understand your perspective. So you run in circles, not wanting to reveal the truth as you affirm in different angles, "Really, it's ok. Taylor would've appreciate the privacy—"

"Ok listen—yes, she asked me to take her to school—and yes—ok I admit I just took the initiative so there'll be just the two of us—" he confesses, a hint of guilt in his voice. You're about to open your mouth, but he draws a hand before continuing his speech, "But I just realized that we became distant instead—we don't have time to hangout anymore," he kept explaining.

And then there's you.. engulfed in a whirlwind of conflicting emotions. Emotions piling up, you struggle to make him understand the most important part:

You just. really. don't want to go to school and back home as a trio.

"So Em, I think we should—"

"No. You don't have to force it—"

"Em—no listen—"

"I'm okay. I can find another ride—"

"Listen. I know what I said, but like you said—"

"You don't understand Ty—"

"We always go to school together, right? Before and after school is our time—"

"WELL NOT ANYMORE!"

Exploding with the piling emotions that have suffocated your chest, you yell, causing his mouth to snap shut. Panting as if you've just completed a marathon, you shoot him a piercing glare. His face contorts with a blend of shock and concern as he stands there in silence, taken aback by your sudden outburst. Seizing his momentary shock, you continue with a touch of sarcasm,

"We're growing up, right? Well, I do grown up stuff too now, I go to school by myself."

Catching the undertone of your sarcasm, he lets out a slight scoff. The two of you exchange guarded glances, silence hangs heavy after your verdict. Now.. each word he had spoken over these past few weeks echoes in your mind.. and all the strange feelings you're experiencing..

It's too much.

It's. just. too much.

And in that moment of reflection, a realization dawns. A recognition that.. this? This is the right choice. Wanting to put an end to.. everything, your glare turns stone-cold, accepting. Numbing yourself to every feeling, you steel yourself, before finally putting out the finality out of your mouth,

"If this is the time where we must grow apart too, then so be it."

...

The silence following your statement hangs heavily in the air as he struggles to process your words. His brows knit together, jaws clenched. The realization that his words have come back to haunt him adds more layer of anguish as he mutters,

"What did you say?"

It hurts. Because you can see his expression clearly from this distance. He's hurt. And when people hurt.. they tend to seek anything just so they can hurt as much as they are hurt—

"Is this about the bet? Are you jealous I still got a girlfriend first even after we stroke off the Rule?!"

Jackpot. To point out that fact.. the fact that you might not be lucky enough. The fact that you might not be attractive enough. Not like him. Not like his girlfriend.

Not like The King and Queen of River High.

Not only he had the upper hand at toying with your feelings, now he just had to make you feel insecure. You feel tears start to well up in your eyes. Yet you hold them back, your chin subtly trembling. Instead, you shoot him an icy glare and hiss,

"f**k you."

Surprised by the amount of hatred in your voice, he recoils. As you turn to leave him in haste, he grabs your arm, calling your name in plea, "Em—I don't want to fight. You know the rule—"

"f**k the rule! Let me go!"