Chapter 1

Jeremy shuffled into the school hallway the following morning. It was just like any other morning. A burning sensation jabbed his stomach. Jeremy couldn't deal with everything that happened over the last year. It was bad enough that he lost his parents, yet his Aunt had to die too? That seemed beyond cruel. Jeremy just couldn't fathom life at times. It seemed like the universe just wouldn't let him be happy. He couldn't understand how good things just happened to some people while other people struggled every second of the day. It was annoying to say the least. He sighed.

He barreled down the rest of the hallway before he arrived at his locker several moments later.

Jeremy did the locker combination, after which his locker door swung open. He grabbed what he needed for his morning classes before he shoved the contents into his backpack. He didn't even care when the locker door slammed shut behind him. He tugged at the straps of his backpack while he slithered away in the opposite direction. Jeremy wasn't paying attention to anyone or anything. He ended up bumping smack into someone. He looked up at the guy. It was Tyler Lockwood. It was the person he would never want to run into. Their complicated history was no secret.

He shot him a glance. "Oh. I didn't see you there. I'm so sorry Tyler. I should have watched where I was going. It won't happen again."

Before Jeremy could dart away, Tyler grabbed his nemesis' right arm. "That's not what I'm worried about."

Jeremy furrowed an eyebrow. "Excuse me?"

His cheeks became flushed with a red color. "I might be a lot of things but I wouldn't be that much of a dick. Not to you. After what happened at the end of the last school year."

A lump pricked his throat. Jeremy was unable to swallow it. "Thank you. Anyway, I don't mean to be rude or anything but I have to get going to first period. My teacher is a real asshole. He'll mark you absence even if you're a minute late."

Tyler bit his lip before he responded. "You aren't afraid of me, are you?"

His heart thumped inside his chest. "No. Of course not."

He glared at Jeremy more intense now. It was almost as if he was about to be vaporized. "Anyway, I'll see you in art later today?"

His jaw shook a little. "Yeah. That sounds like a plan."

Jeremy darted away in the opposite direction.

Tyler looked on. He would never admit it out loud, but a part of him almost cried at how Jeremy couldn't get away fast enough. He might have appreciated the fact that Jeremy was trying to be polite, but Tyler wasn't an idiot. He saw Jeremy trembling with his own eyes. An itched burned up his neck. Tyler proceeded to scratch it while he thought about Jeremy some more. He couldn't imagine what Jeremy was going through since Tyler knew that he was the last person that needed something bad to happen to him. Tyler drew in another breath. He would never admit it but he knew that he mistreated Jeremy. He wasn't proud of it. But then he realized something. He would have to do something to change things with Jeremy. There was no need to continue the same dysfunction. He would be there for Jeremy, whether he wanted him or not. There would be no debate.

Jeremy stormed into art class several hours later and almost gasped in horror when he saw that the only seat available was the seat next to Tyler. He clicked his lips together. He knew that it wouldn't be that bad. The class was less than an hour. He could do it.

He made his way over to the seat. Jeremy and him made eye contact, which lasted for a few seconds longer than it should have.

Tyler immediately took his backpack off the empty desk and placed it on the floor.

Jeremy whipped out the chair before he plopped himself down on it. He gazed at Tyler for a moment. He couldn't take his eyes off him. Tyler's muscle shirt and basketball shorts really made his appearance pop. He took his eyes off Tyler and pulled out his sketchpad from his backpack. He placed it on the desk.

Tyler turned to look at Jeremy. "Funny how we both have art in common, isn't it?"

He didn't take his eyes off his sketchpad. He just nodded his head. "Yeah it is."

His eyes widened. "You aren't going to even look me in the eye?"

Jeremy continued to sift through the sketchpad. "It's rude to stare…"

Tyler extended his arm. He gave Jeremy a gentle pat on the shoulder. "Come on Jer, it doesn't have to be like this."

His hairs pricked up on his back. "Only my close friends call me Jer. Anyway, if it's okay I'm really not in the mood to talk. If we keep talking, I'll never get this new sketch done."

"Don't you know this is an elective? You're supposed to have fun and socialize a little. Besides, I don't think the teacher really cares either way." He yanked his hand off Jeremy's shoulder. His eyes were still fixated on Jeremy even if he was unable to look him in the eye.

Jeremy took his right hand to wipe his eye. He couldn't even bring himself to respond.

Tyler's chest bounced up and down a couple of times. "I might not understand your specific situation, but I do understand grief. I lost my Dad and Uncle Mason."

"Yeah. That must have been awful." Jeremy scratched his nose for a second while he attempted to suppress a sneeze.

He returned to his sketchpad as he grabbed his pencils. He started on the still life assignment. Tyler decided not to say anything for the rest of the class. He didn't want to come off as desperate. It was bad enough that he felt something for Jeremy even if he couldn't quite put a specific word to it.

The bell rang some time later. Jeremy got up from the chair. He pushed everything into his backpack. Tyler whirled his body to face Jeremy. "If you ever want to talk or hang out the option is always there."

Jeremy didn't even have to force a smile. "Thanks. I'll keep that in mind."