I need you, I need you, I need you

chapter 133-mrs. forever

April 1st, 2020
Rachel's p/v
Ever since Tyler got back from California, we haven't been the same. He hasn't called me love, I haven't called him angel. I want to push through and act like nothing is going on, but we're both stubborn. Just gotta put on my cutest outfit and hope the tension leaves with a kiss.

Black and white plaid cropped button up, black mom jeans, black docs, black leather watch, and black mini bag. Playing it safe with the color scheme. This is what you wear to call attention to the person you love.

Mary's p/v
Let's see if Darry can resist keeping his eyes off of me with this outfit. Brandy Melville black conner sport tank top, low rise dark blue baggy jeans, red/brown docs, and a dark blue denim hobo style bag. May he fall for the exposure of my shoulders. I put body glittery oil all over my body after my shower this morning for the extra touch. I'm going to walk into our lit magazine party planning meeting and demand a kiss. AirPods on, hair behind my ear except for a few pieces. Sarah Vaughan wrote Whatever Lola Wants about me for a reason.

I sigh and rest my cheek on my hand. Everyone is asking Darry a billion questions about what type of pins to print out and how to advertise the party on the school's morning announcement. I can't even spend time with him in a class we're both respected in?

That's it, I'm getting my kiss. Will You Love Me Tomorrow by The Shirelles is playing in my ears. You're mine, Sandoval. I get up and confidently walk over to him.
"Darry-"
I accidentally bump into Chrissy. She slams onto the wall.
"Oh shit, are you ok?" He asks her.
"Yeah. I just wanted to ask you..."
I sigh and walk away. Darry isn't the slightest interested in why I came over? But I wore the tank top he encouraged me to buy. Awkward Mary strikes in. She bumped into someone while trying to look like a baddie. Yeah, me and baddie do not go together.

Rachel's p/v
Tyler has on the gloomiest expression I have ever seen. Maybe I've seen gloomier, but this is up there. Has he caught on too?
"What's wrong?" I turn around. He settles into his seat.
"I can't live without my credit card or debit card. I only have $50 in cash."
"$50? You can go without spending it in a week."
"Impossible."
Is he being serious?
"Then let me help you. I'll show you how to be wise with your money."
"Let me try bargaining with my mother. She can't take away my cards, that's all I've ever known."
"Tyler, so many people don't have money. This isn't a serious issue for your case."
"I can't be upset for anything. People always have it worse."
"Well it's the truth! Or are you going to tell me you aren't being dramatic."
"I'm dramatic, I'm a spoiled teenager. But do I have to keep my mouth shut because someone always has it worse than me? I can never feel bad about something."
"You're not listening to me. We really are so different from each other, aren't we."
"So fucking different."

I pause. Tyler pauses too. Do something. He looks down. I turn back around and stare into space. We lashed out on each other. Who apologizes first? Who holds the other person accountable. The pending conversation is trying to make itself not pending. This isn't the attention I wanted. It's a reality check.

Tyler broke the silence; he apologized first. I followed right after. We agreed to just sit next to each other for all of brunch. At the q building, away from civilization. No speaking means we won't get into an argument. Neither of us said that, but it's implied. Why else did we choose to do this. "To feel comfortable again" my ass. There's a reason we both came up with that excuse. But he isn't ready to have that conversation. And by the looks of it, neither am I. Civilization better be appreciating what they have in front of them. We're trying to push our authentic selves behind us.

Heath's p/v
"So." I clear my throat."
Audrey half smiles. "So."
"Got any upcoming tests?"
"No. You?"
"Yeah, for geometry. Mrs. Quincy doesn't believe in study guides so I'm going to make my own."
"Good luck on that."
"Thanks," I frown, "hey, Audrey?"
"Mhm?"
"Why do we have nothing to talk about? Weirdly enough, I feel awkward. And I never shut up."
"Sorry, my head hurts."
"Do you want to go to the nurse's office?"
"I'm fine."
"Right. So um, do you want to go somewhere else? Maybe we're awkward because the quietness library is stopping us from talking a lot."
"If you want to then sure."
"Though it's really hot outside. Ok um, did I ever tell you what I want to be when I grow up?"
"I don't believe you have."
"I want to be an architecture, specifically in rural places."
She smiles. "Really? Do you know where you want to study?"
"Maybe somewhere in California. I haven't done much research. What about you? What does your future look like."
"I'd like to become an author like my grandmother. Specifically children's books, definitely. Maybe I'll write about Heath Campos, the architecture."
"That's amazing, Audrey. Exaggerate my accomplishments."
"My editor will fact-check my writing. They will have nothing to fix."