Archive of Our Own

----------

Tyler's Pov:

----------

I swear you gotta hate the Phantom Dimension, if you don't, you're fucked up in your head.

I continue to walk cautiously, trying to make as little sound as possible.

"Why didn't we just take the jeep to the store?" I groan quietly, dragging it out longer than needed.

Ashlyn sighs, probably fed up with my annoying ass. "Because, Tyler... we need gas too." She says, answering my question.

I groan again, wishing we were in the jeep. Just not near a cliff. Never a cliff...

I lol to my right where Logan is. Head hanging low.

He's been quiet. Well, he's always quiet, but he's been quieter than usual. It's been like this for about a week I'd say.

"Yo, Logan, ya good? You haven't said a word since we left the graveyard." I ask, nudging him lightly with my shoulder.

He looks up at me, out of whatever daze he was just in. "Huh? Oh, uh... Yeah, yeah I'm fine. Just not in talking mood. Got a lot going on in my head." He says, looking at me one last time before glancing down at the ground, a little frown forming on his face.

I raise my eyebrows, somewhat surprised by his answer. Normally Logan would try to deflect it or shrug it off and change that topic, but he didn't this time...

"If ya want, you could come over tomorrow," I suggest, trying to lighten the situation between the two of us. "My mom won't mind and neither will Tay. We can do whatever you want. You get to decide."

He looks back up at me, a soft, pathetic smile plastered on his face. "I, uh, thanks, Ty... But I think I may pass on the offer... Not a good time for me, you know? Thanks for the offer though, really." He replies, giving me a sad smile that doesn't reach his eyes and looking back at the ground.

"Oh... You're welcome, Lo. But can we try to hang out soon? Maybe plan it out better? You seen like you need it." I answer, placing a hand on his shoulder as we continue to walk.

He doesn't say anything at first, he just gives this small nod like he's thinking it over. "Yeah... that seems better. Thanks, Ty."

I smile to myself, for some odd reason proud of what I just did even though it's nothing special.

I suddenly notice how he keeps on stretching his back out, probably from the backpack being too heavy, an uncomfortable look on his face while doing all. "Hey, Lo... Do you want me to carry the backpack? You seem like you could use a break from it. You need a break from it." I say, already slowly sliding it off of him.

He sighs, probably conflicted between letting me help and say he's got this. "Sure. If you wanna take it, take it. I don't really care..." Logan mutters, helping me slide it off his soldiers, still staring at the ground.

Weird... Logan never talks like that, not that I'm aware of anyway...

----------------

Logan's Pov:

I stare at the ground, focusing on my feet moving.

Actually, I don't even know what I'm focusing on at this point. I should probably look up, I know I'm gonna get motion sickness if I don't, but I don't look up. I can't.

If I look up, that means I have to look at them. And if I look at them, that means I have to see the guilt on their faces, the disgust, hatred, shame, and embarrassment... all because of me.

I looked at Tyler a few minutes ago, and all I saw on his face was hatred, disgust, and shame. Just like how everyone else looks at me.

I know they probably don't actually look at me like that, but I can't tell anymore. The Phantom Dimension has been messing with my mind too much and it's finally catching up.

"Logan, how much longer do we have?" I hear Ashlyn call out to me, I glance at my watch, I stare at it longer then I should, but quickly snap out of my daze. "Four hours and thirty minutes," I reply quietly, shoving both of my hands in my pockets.

Everyone just keeps on walking. Walking. Walking. That feels like all we ever do anymore.

If I stopped walking, would anyone even realize? How long would it take for them to realize I'm no longer there? Would I have enough time to run into a Phantom and let it kill me? Could I find a cliff and jump and lie, saying I was trying to find them and slipped? Would they even care? Would they even come after me, or just leave me? Would they—

"Logan?" I hear Tyler say right beside me, snapping his fingers in front of my face. I jump a little, snapping my head up and looking at him. I open my mouth to respond, but I close it, nothing coming out. Instead, I just make a humming sound in response.

"You're trailing behind," Tyler says, stopping and waiting for me to get closer to him.

"Ah," I pick up my pace just enough that I'm caught up with him.

I hear him let out a sigh, one that sounds like relief, when I'm caught up to him.

We keep on walking, that seems like all we ever do now. We walk, and walk, and walk, and walk.

I hear a noise come from the woods, a branch snapping. Probably one that fell off a tree and broke.

I hear Ashlyn say something to the group, but I don't exactly catch it. Not that I'm hard of hearing or anything like that, just because I'm tuning everything out for the most part right now.

"So," Tyler starts off, carrying it out, "do you like someone?"

I jerk my head up and look towards him. "What?"

He chuckles awkwardly, "You know, do you have a special someone? Whether in the group, are school, or just someone you know?"

I stare at him, blush creeping up onto my face. "I—I rather not talk about it, Tyler..." I mumble, placing one of my hands on the back of my neck.

"Mind if I ask why?" Tyler asks, already asking his question. "You don't have to go into any details about them of you rather not, just a brief reasoning as to why you don't want to talk about it maybe?"

"It's... complicated, I can guess. On my half at least." I say, rubbing my neck. "It's just that... I really like him. He's sweet, kind, caring, and so much more in my opinion. I like I've known him my whole life." I let out a sympathetic chuckle, realizing how stupid this all sounds saying it out loud.

"I just don't think he likes me back..." I start off again when Tyler doesn't interrupt me. "Heck. I don't even know if he's gay. Where I know him from? He very popular there. And one thing he often talks about is his girlfriends, or the people he makes out with, or his ex's. And they're always girls... I'm not gonna stop liking him. But I think I'm just gonna admire him secretly and from afar." I say, letting out another sigh.

Tyler nods his head and hums in response. "Yeah, I see where you're coming from. I've done that before. I am right now actually." Tyler says, giving himself a small, sympathetic smile, probably feeling sorry for himself like how I am for myself.

My eyes widen just a bit at hearing that come from him.

He has a crush on someone? And he's not confessing? He could pull anyone of he wanted. He could go up to any of the girls in school to ask them out, or for help, an opinion, it doesn't matter what for, they'd say yes or agree with him in a heart beat.

"Why don't you just ask her out? You know she'd probably sat yes if it was you. You could pull any girl you want, Tyler." I tell him, wondering why he hasn't confessed yet.

He chuckles quietly, "Who said it was a girl, Lo?" He shakes his head while continuing to chuckle.

"What?" I ask dumfounded.

"I've never liked girls, Logan. I used to, I think when I was about nine or ten, I started to line boys, but I still somewhat liked girls. Then when I was about thirteen, I only liked boys. So there's my gay story in a nutshell I guess." He explains, a smile plastered on his face, trying to hold back a laugh.

"I know he's gay, he told me a while ago." Tyler adds, pressing his lips together.

"Then why not tell him how you feel?" I question. "If y'all are both gay, then there's a higher chance he likes you."

He shrugs, "Don't really know to be honest. He's dealing with a lot of things right now, and I am too. I also think he doesn't like me back because I wasn't that nice to him when I first met him..." He pauses for a brief second, letting out a depressing sigh (at least in my opinion it sounds that way).

"Plus there just hasn't been a good time to confess." He adds after a few seconds of silence.

I nod, not really knowing what else to say to that.

"Maybe they'd why I haven't confessed to, Tyler... Oh, who am I kidding? He likes someone else. The only things I'd get out of confessing would be embarrassment, rejection, humiliation, and maybe an apology from him if he felt guilty...

"Yeah," I start off slowly. "I can see what you mean. But I'd say if y'all getting together makes you happy, and hopefully him too, then do it. Confess to him."

He nods slowly. "It would make me happy. But I don't want to put him in that situation, especially if he doesn't like me. Now that would not make me happy."

I nod, understanding where he's coming from.

I wouldn't wanna do that to, Tyler... Would I? No. No, no, no, no. I wouldn't want him in that situation. Even if he did feel bad for rejecting me.

"I get where you're coming from. I don't think I could do—" Before I can finish my sentence, I get shoved to the ground and dragged across it.

When I finally still getting dragged, and can register what's happening, I realize I'm pinned to the ground by a Phantom.

That's when the pain finally kicks in.

My head feels like it's being crushed into the ground (probably because it quite literally is at the moment), and my stomach.

Oh my gosh. My stomach...

I have the worst luck with my stomach, don't I? Well, besides Tyler, I mean... geez, that was bad.

The Phantom's claw— or hand, whatever you wanna call it— is IN my stomach, not pressing on it, not hovering over it.

It's. In. My. Stomach.

I start coughing, feeling liquid pool up in my throat, but the cough soon turns into a gag.

I try to reach for my gun, that's locked onto my belt (somehow), and manage to unhook it and grab it.

I quickly take the safety off of it, pointing it towards the Phantom's head. Finger on the trigger, ready to pull.

Then I pause.

I stare at the Phantom wide eyed, tears streaming down my face.

Do I want this? Do I really want to get rid of this opportunity if it could kill me? I mean, if I die, its a win for everyone. I don't have to deal with this guilt, disgust, and hatred towards myself. And the group won't have to deal with dead weight anymore. Heck, the only thing I'm useful for is anything to do with a gun. Without a gun, what am I worth to the group?

With that realization sinking in, I slowly, unconsciously lower the gun.

I feel a small, pathetic smile form across my face. I feel bad for myself, but not bad enough to help myself anymore.

I start to laugh quietly at myself, still looking at the Phantom.

It tilts its head to the side, almost as if asking me why I did what I did.

"Go on, kill me..." I whisper to it, still crying, still smiling, and still wishing for it to Mom me right here and now.

It raises its claw  higher in the air, acting like it's testing me to see if I really mean it.

"Do it," I dare, chuckling one last time.

Its grin seems to widen, or maybe I'm just finally losing it. Who knows? I know I don't.

Everything starts to move in slow motion for me.

The Phantom starts to swing at me, I hear noises on the background. And then I see a hand stabbing something into the Phantom's head, making it fall to ground besides me, dead.

Then everything starts to move right again. The noises, or voices, I can't tell what the noises are exactly, are getting close real fast. I hear. I hear panting come from besides me.

It's Aiden.

He was the one who stabbed the Phantom in the head.
I'm surprised he had the audacity to get that close to it willingly.

Suddenly, the pain comes back, but much more sharper than before. But I ignore it.

Well, not really. Not consciously, at least.

"Logan!" I hear someone yell, but I can't figure out who it is. I'm too focused on the liquid leaking out of my mouth.

Is it tears? No... That liquid can't be tears. Don't be stupid, Logan. It's too warm, too thick... It's blood. It has to be blood.

"Logan," Aiden starts off, finally turning around to look at me. "Why didn't you..." He trails off, his smile faltering just a little bit, but enough that I notice.

He's looking at my stomach, eyes wide, mouth partially opened. Like he wants to say something but doesn't know what.

"Oh my gosh..." He mutters, slightly grimacing at the sight.

"Logan! Oh my gosh, you're alive!" I hear Taylor say as she gets closer, not yet noticing the scene.

I open my mouth to say something, I don't really know what exactly, but all that comes out is more blood.

"Ben! Where's Ben?! Get him over here now!" Aiden shouts, panic leaking through his voice.

I see Ben running towards us, confusion plastered on his face.

Probably wondering why Aiden called for him...

"LOGAN!" I hear someone, that someone being Tyler, yelling my name. Panic in his tone.

I try to sit up by pushing off the ground, but all I can mange is a few inches before pain surges through me and I lay back down.

"Logan, no, don't try to sit up or anything, okay?" Aiden says, hands hovering like he doesn't know what to do with them. "J—just stay with me, yeah?"

"Logan, are you—" I hear Taylor start off, but it fades once she gets closer, probably seeing my injury. "Oh my gosh..." She mumbles.

Ben finally reaches us, his face drops when he sees me, almost like he's shocked to see what happened to me. Which, lets be honest, he probably is.

Ashlyn reaches us just a few seconds after Ben does, and she has the reaction as Ben pretty much. "Omg..."

When Tyler finally reaches us, I don't know why it took so long, he's panting and his eyes look glossy, but I'm probably just imagining it.

The only time I've ever seen him cry is when he died, but that was because he was scared he was gonna leave Tay and his mom behind. There's no way he'd cry over this... Right?

Once he sees me though, his whole expression goes from panic, to... something? I wouldn't call it panic, but maybe something like it. He seems like he freezed up, doesn't know what to do, or what's really going on almost.

Ben is already working on me, trying to get stitches and a needle out. Wait... what? No.

"No, no, no. I'm not letting you sew me up, Ben..." I manage to get out, coughing at the end but only a bit.

Everyone looks at me in confusion and disbelief, they're all looking at me like I'm crazy.

"Logan," Ashlyn starts off, "there's a hole in your stomach! Let Ben sew you up!" She shouts.

I don't take it personally, I know there's a chance that she's probably just stressed, especially because we're like siblings. At least that's how I see our relationship.

"No, y'all know how much I hate that crap..." I mumble, glaring at Ben.

"Logan, let him do it." Tyler says, all of a sudden right by me.

I let out a yelp, which just causes me to spit up more blood.

Great. Just great...

"N-no... I rather die than get a needle in and out of me..." I say, not caring that the more I speak, the more I cough or spit out blood.

I open my mouth to say something else, but all of a sudden I feel something jab into me.

Ben put the fucking needle in me.

I yell out in pain. Actually, I don't even know if it's pain, or from the shock that Ben actually had the audacity to do that.

I feel tears threatening to spill over, but I don't let them. I just glare at Ben. Not in pure hatred, but more like a strong disliking of him right now.

My hand reaches out aimlessly, just trying to find something to hold onto I guess. But it doesn't find anything to grasp.

That's until Tyler grabs my hand and squeezes it gently. "Squeeze my hand if you need to, yeah?"

I stare at him like he's the crazy one now.

I look at our intertwined hands, not knowing whether to pull away, just let it be there, or to squeeze.

I choose to squeeze his hand.

Tears are running down my face, blood coming out of my mouth as well as my stomach, and my vision starts to darken around the edges.

I go limp, at least I think I do, I can't tell to be honest. All I know is that I can't feel my body, at least it feels like that.

----------------

Tyler's Pov:

I stare at Logan, tears threatening to spill over.

No. No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no... He can't die. He can't. Why didn't he try to shoot the thing? Did he try to attack it other than shoot it?

I feel him loosen his grip on my hand, head rolling slightly to the side.

"No, no, no," I mumble to myself. "I got you, Logan. I got you..." I say as I shift to be behind him, then gently placing his head on my lap.

I hear Taylor talking to Ashlyn and Aiden, something about how we're going to get him back to the graveyard.

"I'll carry him." I respond, not even glancing at them.

"Tyler," Ashlyn starts off. "Why don't we let Ben do that? He's the strongest out of all of us..."

I shake my head, still looking down at Logan.

"No. I wanna carry him. He's light, I'll be able to do it." I assure Ashlyn. Well, I don't know, I think it's more like I'm telling her I am whether she likes it or not.

I hear her groan, dragging a hand over her face. ''Fine, fine...'' She says, dropping her hand and looking at me. ''But I swear if you drop him, I'm gonna-"

''I'm not gonna drop him!" I shout without meaning to, flinching at my own voice.

Ashlyn covers her ears slightly, instinct, and everyone else just kind of jumps at it.

"Sorry, sorry," I say, my left eye still closed from the flinch. "Look, I got him, alright? I'm not gonna let anything happen to him. I swear." I explain, looking at Ashlyn.

Her gaze shifts between me and Logan, thinking over what I just said.

She sighs reluctantly, shoulders dropping, meaning I win this fight. "Fine. I trust you, Tyler... So, don't screw it up, okay? Otherwise, I'm gonna feed you to the Phantoms."

I chuckle a bit, it's not that funny, I guess it's just a reflex I do at times.

"Got it, carrot top."

--------------

Logan's Pov:

I blink slowly, almost cautiously it feels like.

I try to sit up to get ahold of my surroundings. I get maybe two inches before pain spikes through my body. I fall back onto the makeshift bed I've been placed on, a soft thud echoing slightly as I land on it.

I stare at the ceiling above, probably looking like I'm pondering my thoughts.

All of a sudden, I hear a noise come from one of the rows in the bus. My head turns instantly at the sound, almost like a reflex I gained overtime from being in the Phantom Dimension for so long.

Tyler suddenly pops his head out from one of the rows near the middle of the inside the bus. I flinch slightly, but still, it's probably noticeable.

He says something, at least I think he does. I can't tell, everything is still kinda fuzzy. All I can even remotely make out my name.

He scrambles out of his seat, nearly falling over in the process but catching himself before he can.

I try to sit up again and failing once more. I out a let out a quiet groan in defeat.

''Hey, hey, hey," Tyler starts out, hands hovering like he doesn't know what to do with them just yet. "Easy, easy. Take it slow, yeah? Do you want me to help you sit up?" He asks, hands coming closer to my shoulders now.

"Y-yes please...  Thank you, Tyler..." I mumble, suddenly feeling embarrassed about the whole situation.

He helps me up slowly, making sure to match my pace at all times.

When I finally do sit up, I feel like an old man trying to get out of bed.

Geez, is this what my grandparents feel whenever they try to get out of bed? Gosh, I really need to start helping them more if this is how they feel...

"There we go, nice and easy..." Tyler mumbles quietly, probably more to himself then to me.

We sit in awkward silence for a bit, both of us not knowing what to say. But eventually Tyler breaks the silence. "You feeling okay, Lo?"

I stare at him, mouth hanging partially open.

Excuse me? 'Am I okay? '

"Yeah, no, I'm okay. I only just got impaled by a Phantom. But yeah, I'm okay, Tyler. Thanks for asking'' I say mockingly, pressing my lips into a thin line.

He stares at me for a minute, processing what I just said like he doesn't quite understand why I used the tone that I did. After a few seconds though, he exhales, closing his eyes and pressing his lips in a small, sad smile.

"Yeah, sorry about that, Logan," he says, rubbing the back of his neck. "That was a stupid question, I shouldn't have asked that." He chuckles awkwardly, almost as if he's embarrassed.

I chuckle, then clutch my stomach because of the pain, "You're fine, Tyler. I needed the funniness anyway." I say, giving him a soft, sad smile.

He lets out a shaky exhale, probably meaning for it to be a laugh but not reaching it. "I guess I should word it better... How are you right now? Do you want anything? Water, food, more pillows or blankets?"

I think about it for a second, staring at the ceiling while I do. "I'm fine I guess... I wouldn't mind having some Tylenol." I say, looking back at him with a tiny smile.

He clicks his tongue, shaking his head slightly. "Yeah, you can. I'll go get you some." He says as he stands up from crouching.

"Or try to find the Tylenol... Gonna probably have to ask Ben or Ash where it is..." He mumbles as he leaves the bus.

I smile softly to myself at hearing that. Actually, no, probably not a smile. Just me pressing my lips together firmly and trying to smile.

When I know that he's out of hearing range, I let out a long, dragged-out sigh.

I try to ignore the pain coming from my stomach, but it feels like it's throbbing and it makes it hard to ignore.

I try to sit up straighter, not wanting to stay in this propped-up position. But the pain stops me halfway through my attempt.

Why didn't I just shoot the Phantom? Or why didn't I just try to escape? Maybe this is why I almost let it kill me... Because I always do something wrong... I mean, how did I mess up own suicide attempt? How pathetic does someone have to be to mess that up? I'm such a joke...

After what feels like five minutes, Tyler comes back with a box of Tylenol. "Sorry it took so long, Lo," Tyler says, walking towards me while trying to open the box up.

"Oh finally, my save; Tylenol." I say jokingly, chuckling softly.

He chuckles softly too, finally succeeding to open the box of pills. "And here ya go, Tylenol for the prince of..." He closes his mouth, not finishing what he was going to say. He glances towards the side, dropping the two pills of Tylenol in my hand.

I glance down at the two pills in my hand then up at him, curious as to what he was going to say.

He shakes his head and chuckles awkwardly, "I probably should've thought of what to call you before I said anything..." He rubs the back of his neck with his free hand and smiles awkwardly.

I swallow the pills, opening my mouth to say something, then immediately shut it.

Oh my gosh. Oh. My. Gosh... I just swallowed two pills, at the same time, without any water or any type of drink... I'm gonna be sick... This is worse than death itself, I swear to-

I immediately gag, hand coming up to cover my mouth.

Tyler glances back at me instantly, worry washing over his face.

"Logan, you good?" He asks, crouching down in front of me like how he was earlier.

I continue coughing but nod my head, holding up a finger from my free hand. I cough for about two more minutes, or what feels like two more minutes.

I take a quick glance at Tyler, finally getting the last of my coughing done, and the look on his face makes me feel a slight ache in my chest.

His hands are hovering somewhat over me, his face full of worry and concerned, and his mouth is opened like he wants to say something but doesn't know what to say. "Y-you good, Lo?" He asks awkwardly, probably not wanting to pressure me, but wanting to get a conformation of some type.

Now that I see how he's looking at me, I notice that he's looking at me in that concerned look he really only gives Taylor.

I nod my head again, letting out a sigh as I let myself get in a good bit of air. "Y-yeah... I think so..." I mumble, pressing a hand over my heart almost as if I'm heart attack. I'm not, but with how much embarrassment I've had in the span of probably an hour, I wouldn't mind having a heart attack and dying here and now.

"So did you just have like a coughing episode or something?" Tyler asks, sitting down cross legged.

I shake my head, taking in a deep breathe, holding it for three seconds, then let it out.

"No, I swallowed two pills without any water and almost made myself choke by realizing what I did." I explain, propping myself up just slightly as to not cough any more (or least I hope that's how it works).

He looks down at the floor of the bus, nodding his head slowly, processing what I just said, he doesn't say anything though. Actually, he just keeps looking down at the floor for a while, not looking back up at me.

A few minutes pass, I'd say about ten minutes. Then he finally speaks up, and what he says, it makes my stomach drop.

---------------

Tylers Pov:

"Why did you not shoot the Phantom, Logan?" I ask, finally looking at him, specifically in the eyes.

He freezes, mouth opening partially. I can see the exact moment all the color leaves his face. And I'm not really that embarrassed (actually I am slightly) to admit that it kinda breaks my heart to see him look like this.

Color drained from his face, eyes widening with the realization of what I just asked, and his mouth keeps on opening and closing every so often like he wants to respond but doesn't know how to reply. And the longer I look at his eyes, I start to realize his eyes are glassy.

Huh.

I know I probably shouldn't add anything on to that, just based off of how Logan reacted to those eight, plain words, but I decide to add something anyway.

"Why? Why didn't you shoot it, Logan? Or do anything for the matter? I know you had a gun, heck, I saw you point it at the Phantom. Why didn't you try to defend yourself?"

He closes his mouth at that, glancing away from me as well.

I don't say anything else, I don't want to push him, but there's a lot more things I wouldn't mind adding.

Why didn't you scream for help? Why did you lower your gun? Why did it look like you were smiling? Why... Just why?

I continue to look at him, chest tightening from anticipation, and I feel my chest tighten again. But this time for a different reason... guilt, I think. It feels like that anyway.

The look on his face makes my chest ache, he looks like a little kid who just got confronted for doing something bad, and it's so sad looking to me.

After a few minutes of silence (I don't push for him to answer my questions right away), he finally looks back at me, eyes still glossy. He opens his mouth, then closes it, thinking carefully about how to respond. Then, he finally does.

"Does it really matter, Tyler?" He asks while mumbling it, looking at me in a 'do we really have to talk about this' look.

"I mean, in my own opinion, yes. It does matter, you almost died, Logan... And if I'm being honest, no offense, it looks like you were wanting to die, almost like you were waiting for him to strike you." I say, realizing how stupid of an accusation that sounds when I say it aloud.

We both just look at each other, thinking different of the situation in front of us.

Logan probably thinking why I even decided to mention it, why I brought it up when I did, and why it seems like it matters so much to me. And then there's me, wondering why he doesn't want to talk about it.

I mean, sure, Aiden and I (mainly me) didn't want to talk about our deaths when we died. But Logan didn't die, he got hurt, yeah. And I'm not saying that him getting hurt wasn't scary for him, it probably was (I still remember when Logan got a scratch on his side by a Phantom and how he cried about it. It kinda reminds me about what happened around an hour), but he didn't die.

Actually, this is probably making me sound like a bad person, possibly narcissistic, I don't know, I'm just gonna stop thinking about all of this and act instead of thinking anymore.

He sighs, a long, dragged-out sigh that sounds like he's been holding it in him for his whole life.

"Is it really any of your business that I didn't try to fight the Phantom?" Logan asks in a sarcastically, giving me what I guess is supposed to be a glare. But it seems too soft to be a glare, so I'm just gonna say it's a soft-hearted glare.

It looks like he's trying to be mad but can't be at the same time.

"I'd like for it to be my business." I say bluntly, and in a somewhat angry tone, getting a bit riled up. "I mean, I'm not gonna try to force an answer out of ya, but I would like one, if that's okay." I add in a petty tone.

Once I really realize my tone, and how it must be sounding, I take a deep breath and close my eyes.

I can't get mad. Don't get mad.... He hasn't done anything wrong... He hasn't done anything to you in particular... You're only allowed to get mad at Aiden... Yes, Aiden... He punched you at the last sleepover... Get mad at him later for that... Beat him up... Yes...

I feel a small grin spread across my face as I nod in approval at the thought of beating Aiden up.

When I open my eyes, Logan is staring at me in the most JUDGEMENTAL way I've ever seen come from him.

I've never had a grin wash off my face so fast in my life. I realize just how crazy I much look. I mean, I'm smiling to myself, eyes closed, and nodding my head.

Omg... I'm going nuts like Aiden... Oh my gosh...

"Anyway," I quickly say, trying to get him to forget what he just saw. "You gonna say anything I just stare at me? Because if you're gonna stare then take a picture, Lo. They last longer."

As soon as those words leave my mouth, I bite my tongue and look down at the ground.

When I glance back at him, he's giving me the same look, but ten times more judgmental.

"We're gonna ignore everything that has happened in the last three minutes." I speak. No... Demand. "What happens in this bus stays in this bus, got it?" I ask, cause if Logan mentions this to the group at all? I'm throwing myself out the car and will gladly allow myself to get impaled by another tree.

He nods slowly, pressing his lips tightly together. "Okay..."

"Well," Logan starts off awkwardly. And if I'm gonna be honest, I'm hoping he's trying to move on from the past three minutes.

"I mean, I feel like a disappointment... Does that help?" He continues, looking away from me.

I blink, confused as to what he means. "Huh? What do you mean?" I ask, knowing it's a dumb question but asking it anyway.

"I'm a disappointment, okay? I'm useless too. Heck, the only thing I'm good at is using a gun. If someone took away my gun, how else would I help defend the group? Throw a book?" He says sarcastically, smiling in a self-pitying way.

I don't say anything, I wait for him to continue if he wants. Part of me hopes he does, but the other part hopes he doesn't. I can't stand it when anyone talks down on themselves... Especially Logan...

Fortunately, for one part of me, he continues with his explaining.

"I'm known for my book smart and my ability to use guns good. If I have none of that, what do I have, Tyler? I'll tell you. I already did the math." He chuckles quietly, shaking his head almost in a way like he's denying something. "Get it? Cause I'm book smart and nothing else. Funny, isn't it?"

"I'd have nothing." Logan says, staring in front himself. " I'd be useless, the most useless in the group. Ashlyn has her killies, Aiden has his knifes, Ben has his strength, Taylor has her... whatever you wanna call it, and you have your axes. If you take those weapons away, you're all still useful somehow. Ashlyn would still be the leader, Aiden would be willing to take risks and attempts, Ben would still be the medic, Taylor would still be able to do supply runs, and you'd still be a good fighter and supply runner...."

Logan blinks slowly, then looks at me.

"Why am I the only useless one, Tyler?"

I blink at him in shock, confusion rushing through my head.

What?

"What do you mean, Logan? You're not useless. You help us in so many other ways." I say, trying to reassure him that he's useful.

Because he is.

He laughs, shaking his head. "No, I don't, Tyler. I cry at nearly everything. I mean hell, Tyler, Barron was right, I am a wussy."

"Logan, that's not fair. You shouldn't talk about yourself that-" But before I can finish, Logan interrupts me.

"No, don't even give me that talk, Tyler." Logan starts off, voice cracking slightly, but not going unnoticed. And then I realize something, his eyes are still glassy, but this time it looks like he's actually going to cry.

"I don't wanna hear that dumb speech anymore. I hear it from my grandparents, the rest of the group... Heck, I even hear it from mom and dad- I mean Emma and Mike... And I don't wanna hear it anymore, I can't... Especially if it's coming from my best friend."

My mouth opens partially when I hear the words best friend.

I'm his best friend? Me? Dang... I would've expected Ashlyn or Taylor, maybe even Ben... But me? Wow...

"I especially don't wanna hear it coming from you, Tyler Kai Hernandez, when I know you talk bad about yourself too." He adds, sniffling quietly.

I gulp when I hear him say my whole name, not expecting him to have done that.

"Don't think I don't hear you talking bad about yourself in the bathroom at the group sleepovers, Tyler... Because I do..." He adds shortly after, pressing his lips tightly together as if not to cry.

I sigh, letting my head hang down.

Shit, I thought no one was up when I went to the bathroom... Time to start writing down my thoughts in the note's app or whatever.

A noise pulls me out of my thoughts. A choked sob.

I look back up at Logan only to see he's crying.

"L-Logan, what's wrong?" I ask, starting to panic. I lift my hands out of instinct but not touching him.

I've learned, actually I think all of us have, that it's always better to wait for a signal that the person you're trying to comfort wants to be touched. We've learned that all because of Ashlyn...

"If I get everything stripped away from me, my guns, smarts, and my..." He trails off, pausing as if searching for the right words.

Then he starts crying harder.

"That's all I'm useful for, Ty..."

That's all he says before burying his face in his hands and sobbing even more.

"If I got everything stripped away from, I'd have nothing... I'd be useless, dead weight, I'd be nothing... Am I really that useless, Tyler?" He asks, lifting his face out of his hands to look at me.

"Logan n-" But before I can finish what I was gonna say, Logan throws himself at me.

His arms wrapping around my waist, burring his face in my midsection. He lets out a low groan, probably from the pain, but continues to go back to crying on.

My arms are still in the air, unsure what to do. But eventually I slowly, carefully wrap my arms around him, caging him in a hug. "Shh... It's okay, Logan... It's okay..." I say, comforting him.

Crap, what do I say? Am I doing this right? Why can't he be crying to Taylor, why me? I don't know how to comfort people...

"I wanted that Phantom to kill me! And I thought it would, I thought that was one thing I couldn't jack up, and I did, Tyler! I still somehow messed that up..." Logan says in between his sobs, tightening his hold on me.

I freeze. Completely. I stop stroking his back. Obviously not on purpose, but hearing that come out from him, Logan, of all people to have said that he wanted to get killed.

"I thought if I could get it to kill me, then everyone would say it was an unfortunate accident, and no one would blink an eye. Because I'm dead weight apparently and I am useless! And I still messed it up!" He shouts, tears coming harder. He curls in slightly on himself, probably from pain if I have to guess.

I look down at him or try to. All I can see his orange, fluffy hair. I feel my eyes sting and my chest tightening.

What? What does... What does he mean by he wanted to die? No. No, no, no... He would've told someone, right? He would've told me... I thought we were close like that... Oh... Oh, Logan...

I don't cry, luckily, I don't want it to become about me even the slightest, but I definitely feel like crying.

He lets out another choked sob, tightening his hold on me ever so slightly. I quickly reciprocate by tightening my hold on him too.

"I-I thought maybe I could do something right, Tyler! I thought I could finally stop feeling like this! And then Aiden had to go kill it and ruin my one chance at getting myself killed!" He cries out, burying his, or trying to, deeper into my mid-section.

"I could've stopped being dead weight, Tyler! I would've stopped feeling like this if I had just been killed!" Logan shouts, then completely breaks down even more.

I bring him closer to me, if that's even possible at this rate, and cradle the back of his head and start to rock him side to side.

"Shh... Shh, Logan... It's okay. It's all gonna be okay... I promise." I mutter softly, subconsciously threading my fingers through his hair.

He hiccups, clutching me a bit tighter than he was a few seconds ago.

"And now that it didn't work, and that I'm saying all of this, it's making me feel worse!" He exclaims, shaking slightly in my arms.

I pause, taking a deep breathe in, and a deep breathe out before continuing to comfort him. "No... Logan this is fine, it's good that you're letting all this emotion out... Why is it making you feel worse?" I ask gently, then immediately cringe internally as it leaves my mouth.

"B-Because now you know why I didn't shoot it! And now I feel like you're gonna be mad, disappointed, or even sad!" Logan shouts, then instantly flinches at the loudness of it.

I continue to stroke my fingers through his hair, humming softly. It's not that I don't want to say anything, it's just that I don't know what to say.

"Logan, I'd never get mad at you for this... Or disappointed or..." I trail off, mouth staying open as if I want to continue.

He's right, I am sad at that he wanted to die... I never expected that to come from him out of all of us.

Dang, the saying you don't know what's someone going through, is actually true. Obviously, I knew that was saying was true, but I don't think I've ever met someone where that saying actually applied.... Oh, Logan... You poor thing...

I lean down instinctively, not thinking, obviously, almost pressing a kiss to his hair before realizing what I'm doing. I jerk back so fast I'm surprised I don't make us both topple backwards, face rushing with heat.

Oh my gosh. Oh. My. Gosh. There's no way I almost just did that. Oh my gosh... I have to be high or something... There's no way I would do that in my right mind. Right? I mean, I know I like him, love him actually, but still... Tyler Kai Hernandez, I hate to break it to ya bro, but you have got to be high...

Luckily, Logan doesn't notice me jerking back some, or if he did, he doesn't comment on it. His sobs grow just slightly, quickly clutching me even tighter.

He looks up at me through his tears, his eyes shining with the wetness within them. He sobs even harder, burying his face in the crook of my neck instead of my abdomen this time.

I hold him back even tighter, but enough that he doesn't feel trapped. I continue to thread my fingers through his hair and stroking his back up and down with my other hand.

"Lo, I'm not mad or disappointed, I swear. But I am sad, but only because you were feeling like this and I didn't know..." I pause, trying to let the words sink in for him and hoping that he doesn't take them the wrong way. Then I ask a question, "Why didn't you tell anyone you've been feeling like this? You know we would've tried to help you out, right?"

He sniffles, nodding his head then shaking his head, then nodding it again. "I don't know..." He whimpers, it's barely audible, but I still catch it.

"Why don't you know?" I ask, hoping it doesn't sound rude or weird. But knowing it's coming from me of all people, it probably does.

He hiccups again, but his crying is getting less frantic sounding.

"I-I don't know?" He starts off, voice shaking some. "I guess b-because I don't wanna burden any of y'all with how I feel, I guess? Because I'm supposed to be the therapist friend, right, Tyler?" He asks, looking up at me almost like he needs confirmation that he's supposed to be the therapist friend.

I hesitate, not really knowing what to say to that. "I mean, if you want to be considered the therapist friend, sure. But if you think that might be too much pressure on you, Logan? Then no." I say, or rather explain I guess, hoping he gets what I mean.

"But I do seem like the therapist friend, right?" Logan questions me again.

"You do," I say without hesitation. "You listen, actually listen, you give advice, you don't try to favor a side, you comfort, and you do a whole lot more that makes you seem like a therapist friend, Logan"

He unwraps his arms from around my waist and after a small pause, he cautiously wraps his arms around my neck instead.

He doesn't say anything after that, and neither do I. I just start to sway us side to side, slowly and gently.

What do I do? What do I say? Crap, I should ask Logan how to help me out with this. He's really good at... Oh. Wait, but I'm comforting him, so I can't... Fuck man.

After a while, his tears start to slow, no longer sobbing. More like a quiet, numb type of cry.

Eventually, Logan breaks the silence. "My grandparents and I got into an argument a few weeks ago..." He starts, his tone flat.

I hum in response, my fingers gently untwisting a knot in his hair.

Man, is his hair so soft. What is his hair care, because I mean dang, it's so soft. I really need to find out his shampoo and conditioner when an appropriate time comes around.

"They told me I was trouble." He says, bringing me out of my thoughts quickly. "They told me I was a pain to take care of. That they're old and they shouldn't be taking care of a fourteen-year-old. And that me getting bullied by Barron doesn't make it any more helpful. Because apparently all I do when I get home after getting beat up or bullied by Barron is cry to them..." He trails off after that, tightening his grip on my neck ever so slightly, but enough that I notice.

"They also said my sleep schedule made it like two times worse... Because now my grades are apparently slipping. I mean, they're not wrong. My grades went from A+'s to A-'s and regular A's, sometimes a B+ once in a blue moon... But I really thought I kept up with my grades, even with getting dragged to this hellhole each night..." He adds, taking in a big breath.

I look down at him the best I can with how we're positioned, and what I can tell, from what I can see, is he just looks done.

He just looks so miserable, so hurt, done with everything, tired, and in pain.

"They also said I made them spend a lot of money on astrology stuff..." He adds after a few minutes of silence. "On my telescope, books..." He pauses, probably thinking of what else his grandparents have bought him that's astrology related.

Hah, yeah right. As if there's anything else to name off. And if there are more things to name off, there's like two more things he can name at most.

"Some posters and I think that's about it..." He mumbles, almost in an embarrassing tone.

See, what did I say? Two things at most, and he only listed one.

"Well," I start off, pettiness slipping though my tone. "Clearly your grandparents don't know how money works now a days, Lo. How much do you think all of that stuff costed all combined?" I ask, hoping that he can somehow answer that and so that I can prove a point.

He glances at me, confusion written all over his face. "W-Why is that relevant at all, Tyler." He questions me, squinting his eyes in confusion.

"It's relevant, trust me. Just answer the question." I explain, still subconsciously threading my fingers through his hair.

He pauses, looking up, but no at me. He lets out a sigh, "Fine... Give me a sec though."

I nod approvingly, "Okay."

I start to hum without realizing. Not a song or anything like that, just a random tune I'm making up as I go.

After a few minutes, he finally speaks up. "Uh, I think all of it rounded up would be around two to three hundred dollars?" He says in an uncertain tone.

"Okay," I say blandly, letting the number process in my brain. "Now, is that over the course of a few years, would you say?" I ask, getting closer and closer to my point (if this goes the way I hope it does).

He blinks, looking at me like I'm nuts. Which I am, but not the point. "I-I mean, I guess? If we're not counting basic needs like clothes, food, toiletries?"

I nod, "Yeah, not counting those." My just tightens slightly in a good way, this is going exactly how I wanted it to go.

"So, your grandparents are complaining about spending two to three hundred dollars on one of your interests over the years? Not just one day? If you're asking me, that's stupid. That even seems under what they should've spent on your interests." I explain, tightening my hold on him just slightly without realizing it.

He stares at me; confusion plastered on his face. "Why is this relevant at all, Tyler?" Logan asks, his voice quiet.

"Your grandparents have no rights to complain about how much you've made them spend on your interests." I begin, looking down at him the best I can. "Also, your grades are still excellent, I don't know why they're even complaining about them if they're still all A's. I mean, heck, Logan, you're the smartest in the group and you're tutoring me."

He lets out a shaky sigh, "Tyler..." He starts off, voice shaking again, it's not as bad as before though. "I don't know why they complain about any of that..."

By now his voice is shaking again completely and his eyes are glassy once again. "I'm tired, my plan didn't work, and the stupid Tylenol hasn't kicked in that well yet... I just wanna go to sleep, Ty..." He says, almost in a pleading tone.

My hold on him unintentionally loosens without me realizing it.

"Ah, oh, uh, sorry, Logan..." I start off awkwardly, not having expected him to say any of that. "Yeah, yeah, I'll get you back on your back and give you more Tylenol for the pain and maybe some sleeping pills if we have any and give those to you too."

I start to let go of him and try to move my hands to his sides instead of his back, but he shakes his hands and tightens his hold on me before I can finish. "No, no.., I-I don't want you to let go of me, Tyler... Just, just keep holding me. And please don't give me any more pills, I know the Tylenol will kick in eventually, it just hasn't yet." Logan says, burying his face deeper into my neck, almost in a nuzzling way.

I feel heat rush into my face when I feel him nuzzling into my neck.

"Okay, yeah. Um, I'll keep holding you if that's what you want, Lo." I say almost in a weak way, my voice wavering slightly.

He sighs, relaxing into me even more.

--------------

Tyler's Pov:

It has to have been at least thirty minutes by now, or else I'm gonna lose my mind, I swear.

I'm still holding Logan, threading my fingers though his hair, and swaying us side to side. At some point, Logan stopped holding on to me, but he readjusted to where he's leaning on my chest. He's basically just slumped against me, he's not asleep even though earlier he said he was tired.

His eyes are still opened, mouth partially opened. He looks tired, but at the same time not.

I'm humming again, but this time it's an actual song, not a random tune.

"Ty, can we lay down please?" Logan asks, being the first one to break the silence.

His voice startles me at first, making me jump ever so slightly, not expecting his voice to cut through the silence.

"If that's what you want, then yeah, we can, Lo..." I mutter softly, my chest aching with how soft his voice sounded.

He nods against my chest, hand grabbing my sleeve and holding on to it.

I'm able to get myself on the mattress, finally having something soft under me instead of the bus floor.

But then it hits me, how am I supposed to get us to lay down together and be careful of Logan's stomach?

I pause, not moving, thinking about how to do this without hurting Logan or making his injury hurt worse.

"How... How do you want to lay down, Logan? On your side, your back, maybe even your stomach?" I ask, pressing my lips together tightly as I cringe as the words leave my mouth.

He hums, thinking about it himself. "I guess we could lay on our sides... But is it okay if we face each other?" Logan says, looking up at me for the first time in a while.

I nod my head, "Okay, yeah we can face each other if you want, Lo." I say softly, shifting us carefully to where we're on our sides and facing each other.

Once we're on our sides, I realize how there's a bit of room between us, and that we're not as close to each other as we were just a few seconds ago.

Frick, Tyler... Get it together man... Now is not the time to crush on Logan this hard.

Even though we're facing each other, Logan isn't looking at me, instead he's looking at the top of my shirt.

I almost frown, missing the warmth of him on me. I mean, there's still some heat radiating off of him, but it's not that same as feeling it pressed up against me.

Neither of us speak for a while, letting the silence fill the room. But after a few minutes, Logan speaks up, "What's your opinion of me, Tyler? Your honest opinion..." Logan asks me, finally glancing at me.

I blink at him, shocked that he asked that question. "What do you mean, Logan? Obviously, I like you. I mean, I hang out with you a good bit of the time, am I right?" I answer, chuckling awkwardly at the end.

He shakes his head, frowning slightly. "No, what's your actual opinion on me. Sure, I might be your friend, but that's not what I'm asking... Like do you enjoy my company, do you not? Stuff like that..." Logan explains, voice quieting down as he does so. He grips his stomach slightly, probably a small spike of pain hitting him, then he just lets his hand rest there.

I stare at him, somewhat surprised that he's asking me any of this. I look at him with shock and disbelief almost.

Once I can tell that he's serious and that he's waiting for a response from me, I start thinking of how to answer.

What do I like about him... I mean, obviously I like him, that's no secret for me. It should be easy to list a few things off, right? Yeah, it should be easy. I'll just wing it; it'll sound more genuine like that... Right?

I clear my throat, still feeling awkward. But then I start, "On a serious note, I like you, Logan. You're kind, sweet, smart, caring, and so much more." My voice sounding forced, at least in my opinion.

"You help us come up with theories for the Phantom Dimension, you comfort all of us, and you're patient with us when one of us don't understand something. Whether it's a theory or you're helping with a subject, you don't yell, you keep explaining in different ways until we do understand." I say, voice softening without me realizing it.

"And there's a lot more too. I mean, heck, if I were to name all the reasons why I like you, we'd be here for hours and hours." I add, smiling softly to myself.

"And in my opinion, there's so many reasons why I like you. I mean, you have such a good personality overall." I chuckle at shat I'm about to say next, not really thinking about it, "Also, don't even get me started on how you somehow made me get a crush on you."

--------------

Logan's Pov:

I stare at Tyler; my mouth opened with shock from what he just said.

He... HUH?! What does he mean crush?! He has a crush on me?! How!? When?! Omg... Oh my gosh... There's no way... There's no way Tyler likes me back... Oh my gosh...

The worst thing is, he just keeps on going about what he likes about me and how he likes me.

There's no way he's aware of what he's doing, right? No, no there's no way he's aware that he's saying this. He has to be out of it or something... His ego is too high for him to be confessing that he likes me when this is the situation.

He keeps on going, a smile slowly appearing on his face. And on as for my face, I feel it heating up with blush.

No. No, no, no... This has to be a prank; there's no way he actually means any of this. This has gotta be a prank. He has to have gotten a dare or something. Maybe a bribe from Aiden? Maybe?

"Oh, and don't even get me started on how many times I've thought you've caught me staring at you. I mean, whenever I do stare at you, it's always in a good way. You have this calm presence surrounding you, I swear, Logan." As soon as those words leave his mouth, I make a choking noise.

He pauses at that, which is good for me, worry washing over his face. "Hey, you okay, Lo?' He asks, slightly reaching his hand at towards me, almost like instinct.

I nod while coughing, heat creeping up the back of my neck. "Yeah, yeah. I'm fine, Tyler..." I start off, the coughing subsiding. "I wouldn't be having a coughing fir though if you weren't saying all of what you though." I add in a teasing manner but hoping he gets the hint of what he's saying somehow.

He looks at me with confusion now instead of worry, his mouth partially opened. "Huh? What do you mean by that? You asked me what my opinion was on you and I'm just being honest?" Tyler asks, taken aback by my statement.

I hold up a finger while I cough one last time into my other hand. "What I mean, Tyler, is the fact that I was completely fine not knowing you has a crush on me." I say, taking a glance at him to see his reaction.

As soon as those words leave my mouth, his jaw drops, eyes widening with shock. "W-What do you mean, Logan? I-I never said anything about liking you. I-I was just saying what my opinion about you was because you asked..." Tyler starts off, but this voice falters halfway through.

I look at him, and I can see the pure panic in his eyes when he starts to realize what he's been saying.

------------

Tyler's Pov:

No. No, no, no, no... Oh my gosh... This can't be happening. This has to be a dream. I'm in a coma and this is all a dream. Yeah... Yeah that's it... I'm in a coma and this is a dream.  Or maybe this is just a regular dream and I'm not in a coma.

I stare at him, so many emotions running through me right now. I'm ninety-nine percent sure that if I didn't feel my heart racing from embarrassment, then I'd pass out from embarrassment.

Then the realization actually starts to hit me.

I did say all of that...

Oh. My. Gosh... I just screwed myself over so bad... Tyler Kai Hernandez, congratulations, you fucked this up so. Good for you... Yay... So much fun...

I feel heat creep up the back of my neck and on my face. But Logan just continues to look at me, blush across his face as if he's embarrassed that he even had to bring it up at all.

"Oh my gosh..." I mumble to myself, sitting up and covering my mouth with my hand.

Logan looks at me; lips pressed together in an awkward way. "I mean, at least I kinda stopped you before you could say anything else that would've embarrassed you, right?"

I don't reply to his comment, I just continue to stare straightforward.

This is worse than when I got impaled by a tree...

I try to think about what I said exactly, but all of a sudden, I can't think of what I was just saying a few moments ago.

I slowly lower my hand from my mouth, "What all did say?" I ask Logan, finally glancing at him.

He looks back up at me, lips partially opened. "You said a lot... And even if I were able to list what you said, I wasn't even paying attention after you said you liked me, I was too flustered to." Logan responds, giving me an unsure smile.

I flop back down onto the mattress, covering my face with both hands and groaning into them. "Why did I have to say all of that, why couldn't it have been Aiden to Ashlyn?" I ask aloud.

Logan chuckles, then instantly clutches his stomach, letting out a low groan as he closes his eyes.

"You good? Do you need more medicine?" I ask Logan, even through my embarrassment.

He nods his head slowly, starting to relax after a few seconds. "Yeah, I guess it's just the Tylenol not kicking in yet..." Logan responds, unclutching his stomach but letting his hand rest there again.

I look at him a while longer, trying to decide, just by how he looks right now, if he's lying or not. But after looking at him for a few seconds, I decide he's not lying.

I run my hand through my hair, letting out a long, dragged-out sigh. "I'm sorry, Logan..." I start off, immediately feeling embarrassed because I don't know how else to continue. "I guess I let myself get carried away?" I add, questioning myself why I'm saying any of this.

"You're fine, Tyler," Logan reassures me, giving me a small, small, smile. "I just... wasn't expecting it, I guess you could say..."

We both just sit there in silence after that, neither of us knowing what else to say.

---------

Logan's Pov:

I look back over at Tyler without really realizing that I'm doing so.

Tyler... Likes me? He actually likes me. Me of all people? Wow... Why does my chest feel like it's tightening? Is that normal? It doesn't seem normal. He actually likes me... Oh my gosh. Tyler Hernandez likes me... I might actually have a chance...

I let out a quiet, happy sigh at that thought.

Eventually, I decide to shuffle closer to Tyler. To the point where I'm practically glued to his side.

I feel him freeze for a bit, and for a moment, I think about apologizing and moving away. But when I feel him relax into this, I decide to stay.

"I honestly don't really care that you said any of that, Tyler." I say out of the blue, shocking even myself when those words leave my mouth. He looks towards me, he looks stunned, almost like he didn't expect me to say that.

Then I realize how that must've sounded to him, and panic. "I-I mean, I obviously do care, Tyler. But like, it doesn't really affect us I feel like?" I add frantically, my chest now tightening with panic instead of that warm tightening feeling I felt earlier.

"Never mind, forget it. I'm digging my grave deeper then I mean to." I add, sighing again. I look away from him and up towards the ceiling instead, shifting to where I'm lying on my back instead of my side. 

Dang it, Logan, why'd you say that? Why did it have to come out like that and sound like that?

I hear Tyler shift beside me, but don't bother to look his way, too embarrassed to do so. But eventually, he speaks up. "It's fine, Logan. I get what you mean." Tyler says softly. "At least I think I do..." He mutters quietly.

-----------

A Few Minutes Later:

I look up at the bus ceiling, staring at nothing in particular.

And without even thinking about it, I blurt something out that should have never been said...

"I like you too, Tyler..."

As soon as those words leave my mouth, I instantly freeze. I feel heat rush up the back of my neck and onto my face.

No. No, no, no. Oh my gosh. Oh my gosh... There's no way I just said that... It's fine, it's fine. I mumbled it... There's probably a good chance he didn't even hear me at all. Yeah, yeah, he probably didn't hear me.

I feel my chest tighten with anxiety, hoping he didn't hear me. But the little hope I had fades away as soon as I feel him freeze not even a millisecond later.

I continue to stare at the ceiling, but this time I actually have a reason to stare at it. And that reason being the fact that I don't think I could look at Tyler without my face become burning red, even though it probably is already. Or even worse, throw up.

I close my eyes at the thought of throwing up, feeling my jaw clench.

Nope. Nope, we're not going there, Logan. Not today, not tomorrow, or ever. Just breathe, just breathe, Logan. That's all you have to do to calm down. Breathe... Breathe...

I feel Tyler shift against me, just a little bit, but it's enough for me to internally panic more then I already am.

Neither of us saying anything, making this moment more awkward than it already was to begin with.

I feel my eyes burning with tears, my breath coming in shorter pulls, like I can't get enough air.

No. No, no, no. We're not doing this today, Logan. If you cry from stupid embarrassment, then that just proves to Barron that you are a crybaby... This is fine, everything is fine. Maybe he freezed for a different reason... Yeah, yeah that's it...

"Logan?" I hear Tyler ask, voice so quiet and soft, almost like he's talking to a baby deer. And with how easy I'm able to cry and get scared, I probably am a baby deer at this rate.

I hum instead of answering him, not trusting my voice at the moment. Because if I try to talk right now, I feel like I'm gonna burst into tears and humiliate myself even more then I already have this whole entire night.

"Did you just say what I think you just did?" Tyler asks, turning his head to face me. I might not be facing him right now, but I catch him looking at me in my peripheral vision.

I don't answer him, I just continue to look at the ceiling. Actually, anywhere but him.

I shift my head enough to where I'm completely looking away from him, the back of my head now turned towards him.

I hear him shift behind me, but I don't bother looking at him. If I look back at him, I'm gonna see something I don't wanna see and that's just gonna ruin everything. Actually, what's left to ruin?

Is this how he felt when he realized what he said? No, there's no way. He doesn't let stupid things like this affect him... Dang it, Logan... Why do you have to be like this?

I stare at the floor, feeling tears finally run down the side of my face. My shoulders shake slightly from me trying to be quiet.

"Logan..." I hear Tyler mumble, his voice so soft, quiet, and so heavy with what sounds like guilt. His tone makes me want to curl even deeper into myself, even though I think if I curled more into myself, I'd break a bone.

"Hey, what's wrong? What's wrong, Logan?" Tyler asks me, gently placing one of his hands on the top of my shoulder.

I tense slightly at the contact, not really relaxing into it. Even with his hand placed on my shoulder, it doesn't stop the shaking of it.

I hear him sigh quietly, gently squeezing my shoulder ever so slightly. I feel him move closer to me, his arm moving down my shoulder and to my arm, rubbing it up and down.

"What's wrong, Logan?" He asks again, then he goes quiet. Probably giving up on that question since he realizes I won't answer it, at least not anytime soon.

'Come on, you can tell me... I won't judge..." He mutters quietly, almost as if he's saying it to himself. All I do is shake my head, trying not to make any noises.

I feel him press closer against me, but in a way that doesn't make me feel trapped or like I'm suffocating.

"Is this about what you said earlier? About how you mumbled that you liked me?" He questions, still rubbing my arm.

As soon as those words leave his mouth, I freeze instantly. It feels like everything about me freezes. My crying, my shaking, even my breathing.

He feels me freeze, and that's when I know that he hit the source of the problem.

"Oh, Logan..." I hear him say quietly, in a sympathetic tone. He stops rubbing my arm for a moment, but only so he can squeeze my arm softly.

I finally let out an annoyed groan, mad at everything that has happened tonight in the Phantom Dimension.

I sit up abruptly, making Tyler's hand fall of my arm, wincing at the pain in my stomach. I bring my knees up to my chest, wrapping my arms around them and pressing my forehead against them so fast and hard that I wouldn't be surprised if I get a headache in a few minutes.

"I'm sorry, Tyler." I blurt out, rubbing my eyes in hope that the tears will stop. They don't. "I shouldn't have said that. Or at least not like that... Gah, why do I have to be like this!" I start to rub my eyes harder than I should, feeling a pain behind my eyelids.

"Wha- Logan what do you mean? It's-" Tyler starts off, but I interrupt him without really thinking about it. "I should've just kept my mouth shut. I didn't mean to say that, Tyler, I swear!"

I feel Tyler's hand back on the same shoulder, but it doesn't feel nice how it did before, now it feels like he's doing it out of guilt.

I try to shake his hand off, but he's able to turn me just a bit to where he can place his other hand on my shoulder. Once both of his hands have a firm grip on my shoulders, he's able to turn me (without any problem from me, even though I try to stop it and fail. He's much stronger than me and I don't really try that hard to be honest) to where I'm facing him completely. But not looking at him, I can't do that yet.

"Why are you crying? You didn't do anything wrong. You definitely didn't say anything wrong..." Tyler says softly, almost in a whisper.

But I just shake my head violently side to side, my hair starting to cover my eyes. On the bright side though, I was able to get myself to stop crying, bad thing is that my eyes are probably going to more swollen than they were already going to be and now my eyes hurt.

"I should've just kept my mouth shut, or just thought it... Not actually say it..." I mumble harshly to myself. Tyler shakes his head, "No, Logan... No, no, no, you're fine. It's fine that you said it out loud. It's fine that you said that in front of me."

I shake my head again, but weaker than last time, but only because I'm starting to get a headache. "No, it's not, Tyler..." I mumble sheepishly, sniffling. I rub my eyes again, even though I'm no longer crying.

He hums quietly, tilting his head to the right. "And why is that? I don't see what's wrong with it..." He says in a certain type of calming tone, almost so tender that it almost makes me want to cry again at how gentle he's being with me. Especially with how much of a mess, I'm being right now.

I open my mouth to answer, but nothing comes out. My brain finally becoming rational.

What is wrong with what I said? I mean, he literally confessed his feelings for me almost three minutes ago... And it was an accident; he didn't mean for anything he said to have been said... So why does it matter that I pretty much did the same thing? It doesn't... I'm just being dramatic... Just like always...

I look down at the floor, heat rushing to my face from embarrassment again. "Nothing is wrong with what I said..." I mumble quietly, biting the inside of my mouth.

"Hm? What was that?" Tyler asks, gently squeezing one of my shoulders with one of his hands while the other hand rubs my arm up and down. When I finally dare a glance at him, his eyes are nothing but softness and concern.

"Nothing is wrong with what I said..." I say again, loud enough for him to hear this time though. I clench my jaw so tight that it aches, but I don't care, it's one of the only things that's even remotely keeping me calm right now.

His grip on me becomes even softer, if that's even possible at this rate. "See? Nothing's wrong with what you said, Lo...'' Tyler mutters softly, giving me a warm smile. "It was just a simple mistake..." He adds quietly, so quiet I almost don't catch it.

My breath hitches, eyes burning once again with tears. "I-I know..." I mumble, looking anywhere but Tyler. He doesn't say anything about what I just said. Instead, he lets silence engulf us.

After a few minutes of silence. Tyler's the first to break it. "Look, this is probably not the appropriate thing to say right now, especially with the situation, but stay with me." He says, smiling awkwardly almost.

I glance back up at him, curious as to what he has to say. "It's fine that you said you like me, Lo. I don't see it as weird or making me uncomfortable, I just see it as... you making a tiny little accident?" Tyler says, but I can tell as soon as those last few words leave his mouth that he's cringing.

I look at him, confused as to what his point is with any of this. "Okay...?" 

He sighs, closing his eyes and shaking his head. "Look my point is why are you so upset that you admitted your feelings when I literally did less than five minutes ago. Isn't that like a good thing almost?" Tyler says, giving me a look that says, 'I don't know what I'm actually saying so bear with me'.

We both just look at each other, neither of us knowing what to say exactly.

"We both like each other, Lo." Tyler says shortly after, finally letting go of my shoulders. "That's... kinda a big deal, right? And before you say anything, no."

I look at him, confused by what he means. "Huh? What do you mean no?" I ask, subconsciously tilting my head to the right.

"I mean no I didn't get dared to say that I like you. No this isn't a joke. No, I'm being honest, Logan. No jokes or dares are involved." Tyler answers.

I bite my lips, a nervous tick I've had long before the Phantom Dimension even started. I look away from him and down at the floor instead, feeling awkward about this situation in general.

I close my eyes, letting out a breath I didn't even know I was holding in.

This whole situation should've never happened... If I hadn't asked Tyler what he thought about me, he wouldn't have accidently admitted that he likes me. And if that happened, then I never would have done the same... This all has to be a joke. A big, dumb joke...

"But then my question is, Tyler... What does that make us? If we both like each other, and you claim this isn't a joke or anything, then what does it make us?" I ask, feeling stupid for the question, but not caring that much.

Tyler looks at me, but there's no confusion on his face. No, there just seems to be understanding, like he knows why I'm asking.

"Well... I guess it makes us whatever we wanna be?" Tyler shrugs, giving me a small smile. "Personally, I already know that I'd want us to be dating. But, if that's not what you want, Logan, then I won't force you into a relationship with me." Tyler says like it's the simplest thing on earth. Which it isn't, at least for me it's not.

"If you don't wanna be in a relationship with me right now, that's fine," Tyler adds, not sounding mad. He actually sounds gentler than anything else, like he knows he shouldn't force me into a relationship with him. "If you just wanna stay friends with me, I'll take it. I don't mind being friends with you, Logan. Or if you do wanna date, great. Heck, maybe you even wanna see what it'd be like to date me. Almost like a trial run." Tyler says, finally breaking eye contact with me after what feels like forever.

  I let all of that sink in. Really sink in.

We could... What? A trial run? Dating? Still being friends? Huh? I mean... even if we did a trial run. or whatever you wanna call it, and if it didn't work out... then does that mean that we couldn't be friends? Or that we could still be friends, but it'd be awkward...

I look down at the floor, feeling a stupid amount of weight on my shoulders (even though this is really nothing, and I'm just overreacting).

"I, uh..." I start off, not knowing what to say or how to respond to that. Because the way how I see it, there's too many risks to doing something like that. But then there's a major risk if we just go off and date.

"Like I said," Tyler stays off, "I won't force you. You make the decision."

I take a deep breath, deciding I'm just gonna say what comes to mind and not think about it.

"I wouldn't mind dating you, but I feel like that would just feel rushed kinda. But then if we do the practice run or whatever, I feel like that would be awkward, whether just for me or for you too. But then if I don't want to do any of that, then it's just awkward because now I know we both like each other, but I would have said I don't want to date you and I feel like that could make our friendship awkward or even make it break..."

I let in a needed breath after saying that, cheeks flushed with embarrassment. Tyler looks at me after I finish talking. His stare isn't harsh or cruel, but rather soft and understanding.

"Look, Logan, I'm gonna be blunt. I have a preference for what I would want us to do. I'd want us to date or do the trial run." Tyler says, his tone steady and unwavering, showing that he means what he's stating.

"If you don't choose those, that's okay. Now, will I be sad? Sure. But, as long as we stay friends, then I'll be fine. As long as we can stay friends, with no issues, I'll be just fine." Tyler adds, tone softening with every word he says.

I blink at him, not expecting him to have said that. But if that's what he considers being bluntly honest? Then I'm genuinely surprised, not by a lot, but surprised, nonetheless. Because with how nice and soft he said all of that, it didn't really sound blunt.

"But wouldn't things be awkward if we did either of those and it didn't work out?" I ask, anxiously picking at my fingernails.

Tyler doesn't answer straight away, possibly thinking about what I just said. And how to respond to it.

"In my own opinion," Tyler starts off. "It wouldn't be awkward unless we made it be awkward." I think about that for a moment, letting what he just said sink in.

He has a point, the only way for it to be awkward is if we make it awkward...

Silence lingers between us.

We both wait for the other to fill the silence, but we neither of us ever do.

Tyler's probably waiting for me to say my opinion, but I can't think of anything to say or share.

But eventually, I decide I'm going to speak up.

Right as I open my mouth though, Tyler speaks up instead. "Look, there's always going to be pros and cons, as you like to put it, Logan." He states, then continuing, "But, sometimes the pros outnumber the cons..."

I let out a shaky sigh, not knowing what to say or do.

"I-I don't even know at this point... I mean, I wouldn't mind doing wither of those I suppose. It's just I don't want it to fail and for things to be awkward..." I say, looking down from embarrassment.

But before I can overthink anything, Tyler grabs one of my hands, holding it firmly in his hands but not to where it hurts. His gaze on me only shows softness. "Not gonna force you. It's up to you..." Tyler whispers, tilting his head to the side.

I think about it for a while, a thousand emotions flooding through me.

Fear.

Doubt.

Anxiety.

Nervousness.

Stress.

Anticipation.

Hope?

I look up at the roof of the bus, not knowing where else to look. "Look, Logan, you're right. I'll admit that," Tyler says simply, shrugging his shoulders, "it is a big deal. Because I've wanted to say this for a lot longer than five minutes since we 'accidentally' found out we both like each other. I don't care about the risks personally. I just care about the person sitting in front of me and making sure he's comfortable with whatever happens next."

That should comfort me, it should. But it only makes me a little bit more anxious.

Come on Logan, dang it! You're taking too long. You're dragging it on longer than it should be...

"But-" I start, but very quickly get interrupted by Tyler. "Logan, look at me." he says, tightening his grip ever so slightly. Although looking at him is probably going to make things more awkward for me, I look at him. He slightly smiles when my gaze reaches his.

"We're already halfway there. We like each other, we're honest with each other... the only thing missing is the label... And if the label is what's scaring you, let me make it easy..."

I don't interrupt him or anything, I just let him speak. But once I know he's done talking (for now), I ask a question. "W-What do you..." I don't even finish it, but I know Tyler gets the point, I see it in his eyes. He chuckles quietly, shaking his head.

"I don't want a trial run of 'maybe'. I want to know if I can officially be the guy who walks you home, takes care of you, and takes you out. So... will you be my boyfriend, Logan?"

I stare at him, mouth opening with surprise. Sure, I knew that this was an option, but did I actually think I it was going to happen? No. Why would I ever think it would happen? I don't know.

Oh my gosh... Omg... No way... There's no way... W-What do I do? What do I say? Oh my gosh...

Heat rushes up my neck and to my face as what he finally just asked me actually hits me this time. It feels as if my heart actually dropped to my stomach. I continue to look at Tyler, eyes wide.

"I-I... What do I even sa-" I start but get off by Tyler once again. "You don't have to say anything, Logan... not gonna force you. Just say what you wanna say. I'm not ready, yes, no, can we do the trial run thing? Any of that, or anything like that, just be easy on yourself and say what you want."

For some odd reason, after he says all that, my brain finally stops being loud. Almost as if it got unplugged or something.

What do I want? What do I really want? Dating him... The trial run... Tyler's feelings and opinions... No. No, Logan, stop thinking about all of that. Focus on what you want. What would make you the happiest...

I take a deep breath and close my eyes, trying to calm myself down and not overthink anything too much.

When I open my eyes, I look at the floor, still thinking. But after about a minute or two of silence, I finally speak up. "If I were to say yes to either the trial run or to us dating, if that didn't work out, do you promise that we could still be friends with no awkward lingering feelings?"

He gives me a small smile, probably meant to be reassuring. It is reassuring, but at the same time, it just makes me a little bit more anxious than I probably need to be. "If we were to do either of those, and they failed... no, it wouldn't be awkward. I would try for it to not be awkward afterwards." Tyler responds, legging bouncing ever so slightly.

I take in one more deep breath, deciding if I actually want to do this or not. But eventually, I say my answer. "... Yes, I will be your boyfriend, Tyler..."

The look on his face when I say that is worth making a meme out of it, I swear. It's a look between shock, excitement, and even being flustered.

A smile forms over his face, the smile so big that his cheeks have got to be hurting st this rate.

"Yes?" Tyler whispers, almost as if he's making sure that I mean it, and that I won't back out. I chuckle awkwardly, not expecting it. "Yes, Tyler. Yes..."

He lets out a shaky breath of disbelief, his smile becoming smaller, but still filled with joy, nonetheless.

He lets go of my hand slowly, hand rising slightly in front of my face. He stops before fully cradling my cheek, looking at me before actually letting his hand touch my face. He looks at me, almost as if he's asking me permission if he can touch my face.

I nod my head just barely but noticeable enough that he can see it. Tyler lets me know he sees it by finally placing his hand on my cheek in such a gentle way. I instinctively close my eyes at the sensation of his cheek finally cradling my face.

Although I don't see it, I can feel Tyler getting closer to me. Our knees bumping each other, feeling his breath slightly. I open my eyes partially, not wanting to open them all the way, and I just see Tyler looking at me like one of the top ten most precious things he has ever seen. I smile softly, finding it funny but not wanting to ruin the silence with my laugh.

Tyler's mouth opens just a little, eyes flickering down towards my lips, then immediately looking away, blush creeping across his face.

And for a second, I think he might actually pull away from me. I reach up tentatively, almost nervous, but not at the same time, my fingers gently holding onto his wrist of his hand that's still cradling my face. I lean forward slightly, just enough to make the distance between our faces smaller.

His breath catches, not that noticeable, but since we're this close it is. His eyes meet mine again, like he's asking, 'are we really doing this?' I smile just a bit more, hoping he gets the memo. And he does.

He leans in, finally letting our lips connect. It's a hesitant kiss at first-soft and warm- before he lets out a quiet sigh, fully sinking into the kiss.

His lips are soft (surprisingly, I expected them to be more cracked and not so... smooth, I guess you would say?), tasting a bit like peppermint.

I can feel his heart beating between our chests, mine probably beating just as fast as his is, if not faster. His other hand comes up to cradle my other cheek; I let out a little sigh at that contact.

The kiss feels like it goes on for hours, or minutes, but I know logically it's only been a few seconds. But after what feels like forever, we both pull back hesitantly (almost like we never wanted to pull back at all. Which, I personally wouldn't have minded a few more seconds. But I'm not gonna complain about what I did get). We don't pull back far though, Tyler rests his forehead against mine, his eyes still closed, a small, breathless smile displayed on his face.

We're both so close that we're basically sharing the same air at this point. He lets out a tiny, soft laugh, the kind that's fueled by pure disbelief.

"I've been wanting to do that for I don't even know how long, Logan..." He breathes, his voice barely above a mumble.

I smile softly at that, letting out my own little laugh of disbelief. "Me too, Tyler..."

----------

Thirty Minutes Later...

----------

After a few minutes of us talking quietly, I eventually throw myself backwards, too tired and somewhat overwhelmed to keep on sitting up.

Tyler lays back down with me, and he's not at all sneaky with how close up against each other we are.

I feel Tyler scoot closer to me, letting his head rest against mine.

We stay like that for a while, both of us lying on our backs, sides pressing together, and Tyler resting his head against mine.

Eventually he shifts though. He angles his head a bit more, making it to where his nose is pressed against my hair. He nuzzles his nose against my hair, taking in a deep breath.

"Logan," Tyler starts off, mumbling so quietly I almost don't catch it.

"Yes?" I respond, my chest tightening just a little bit with anxiety of what he might tell me.

"You have got to tell me what your hair care is," Tyler says in such a serious tone it's funny.

I stare at him for a moment before letting out a quiet chuckle, not having expected him to say that at all.

We both chuckle after the words leave his mouth, even though what he said wasn't really that funny.

Once our chuckles falter, we settle back into silence, a comfortable type of silence.

After a few minutes, Tyler sits up. He stretches, letting out a low groan.

"You okay, Tyler?" I ask, instinctively sitting up and following his lead, ignoring the pain in my stomach.

He nods his head, rolling his neck side to side. "Yeah, I'm fine. I just can't lay on my back for a long time otherwise it starts to hurt a bit. I think I either did something to it and didn't know, or it got messed up after my impalement." He replies, scratching the back of his neck.

I nod my head a little, letting that information sink in.

He's looking up at the ceiling of the bus, not staring at anything in particular. My gaze follows his at first but eventually goes down to his shoulder. And without much thought, I lean my head on his shoulder this time.

I feel him tense up for around a millisecond before relaxing into it.

He lets himself nuzzle into my hair again, taking in a deep breath.

We sit in silence after that, just letting us be in each other's presence.

After a few minutes, Tyler shifts again. He lifts his head off mine but turns his head to look at me. He studies my face for a minute before speaking. "Are you good, Logan?" He asks, worry washing over his face.

I lift my head off his shoulder, confusion coming over me. "What? Yeah, I'm fine? What do you mean, Tyler?" I ask, curiosity betting the best of me.

He tilts his head slightly to the side, one of his hands coming up and cupping my face over so gently. "Your eyes, they make it look like you're crying..." He says softly, one of his fingers gently wiping under my eye, even though I'm not crying.

I huff out a breath, closing my eyes and shaking my head slightly. "I promise, Tyler, I'm fine..." I say softly, my hand subconsciously coming up and covering Tyler's hand.

He studies my face for a bit longer before his shoulders slump. letting out a sigh in defeat almost. "Okay, if you say so... But promise me you'll tell me if you're not?" Tyler says, giving me a small smile.

I chuckle quietly, leaning even more into his hand without realizing it. "I promise, Tyler..." I say softly.

"Okay, good. Because I don't want this to become a regular occurrence of you get impaled by a Phantom." He adds jokingly, laughing gently.

I laugh lightly, feeling a bit awkward at the mention of what happened earlier tonight. I suppose I just wasn't expecting him to add that at the end.

There's silence after that, neither of us knowing what to say probably.

-------------

A Few Minutes Later...

Within a few minutes, I realize something, me and Tyler are really close. Closer than we were a while ago. Close enough that our noses are basically touching. I don't know how we got this close and haven't said anything, but I'm not complaining.

I finally decide to break the silence, "W-We're really close, Ty..." I mumble, cringing on the inside as the words leave my mouth.

Why did I say that? Why did you say that, Logan? Why did it sound like that. I really need more of those social interaction classes from Taylor...

He chuckles at that, closing his eyes. "Yeah, we are... Aren't we?"  He asks jokingly, moving his head in just the right way that it makes his nose nuzzle against mine.

We look at each other after that. Tyler smiling softly and me partially smiling in probably the most awkward way known to mankind.

And to my shock, he shifts even closer to me. Our breaths now mingling together. If our noses weren't touching then, they're definitely touching now.

Okay. Okay... This is definitely closer than we were just a few seconds ago. Don't freak out, Logan. DON'T freak out. This is fine. Everything is fine. Everything is just fine...

We look at each other, studying each other's faces.

"I'm really glad you said you'd date me, Lo..." Tyler mumbled, voice low and calm.

"I am too, Ty..." I reply, smiling softly at him.

He leans in again, kissing me for what feels like the thousandth time this night. When we pull away, he leans his forehead against mine, smiling softly.

Tyler opens his mouth to say something, but before he can, Ashlyn walks into the bus. We both jump, pulling away from each other as quickly as we humanly can.

She doesn't look at us or anything, she just goes to one of the rows in the middle. She grabs something from a box sitting there, it looks like a flashlight, and then she says something that makes both of our jaw drops.

"Congratulations."

Tyler and I look back at each other then back to Ashlyn, not believing what we just heard her say.

I open my mouth to ask what she means, but she beats me to it. "I know you and Tyler confessed and kissed each other," she starts, inspecting whatever she's holding in her hands, "I won't tell anyone, y'all can do that for all I care."

Tyler and I don't say anything, I don't think we can at this point.

"Also, if you're gonna tell the group, don't tell Taylor or Aid, they have a bet going on right now and Aid is gonna owe Tay some money if they find out you're dating. Oh, but don't tell them you've kissed, they also have a bet on that, but Taylor is gonna owe Aid money." Ashlyn says, finally looking at us for the first time.

At this point, I don't even think I know what's going on. Same thing with Tyler I'm gonna assume.

She lets out a sigh, dragging a hand over her face in annoyance. "Anyway, I'm gonna get going... Aiden has a bucket on his head somehow..." Ashlyn says in deadpan tone. I hear her mumble something, but I don't quite catch it, but it seems like something about how he even got a bucket stuck on his head in the first place.

She walks off the bus, saying something to Ben (possibly) about what to do.

When she's finally off the bus, Tyler says, "Screw you, Ashlyn..." Crossing his arms over his chest in an annoyed gesture. Ashlyn doesn't respond to him over the radio, probably too focused on getting Aiden's head out of the bucket

I cover my mouth with one of my hands, laughing into it quietly, finding this all funny in a way. Tyler doesn't life with me, but he does shuffle closer to me again, wrapping his left arm around my shoulder and pressing me closer against him.

We stay silent for a bit, then he speaks up. "How much money do you think Aiden is gonna owe Taylor and how much do you think she's gonna owe him?" He mumbles, nuzzling ever so slightly into my hair.

I laugh again at that, not having expected that, but answer it anyway. "He probably owes her a hundred dollars, and she probably owes him fifty." I say, trying to catch my breath from the laughing.

He hums in response, mumbling, "probably..."

We sit in silence for about a minute before Tyler kisses the top of my head, almost as light as a feather. I smile softly at that, not really for any reason in particular, but just because it's calming in a way.

Maybe tonight didn't go as plan (at all), a lot of things happened... But it all came out to a good end... Yeah, I'd say this is a (somewhat) good way to have had the night turn out. Not the first half, not at all, but the second half? Definelty.

I let out a yawn, getting somewhat tired, allowing myself to close my eyes.

As my consciousness starts to fade out, I hear Tyler plant yet another kiss to the top of my head, saying:

"Go to sleep, Lo... I'll still be here when you wake up... Love you..."