Chapter 2
"How is Avi taking the move?" Tyler asks as we walk into the store.
"It's definitely been a bit of an emotional rollercoaster for her," I say as I grab a shopping basket. "She was the one who brought up the idea of moving in the first place but I think the reality has hit her harder than she expected it to. I let her take control of every aspect of planning and I told her that if at any point she wanted to stop, she could. I was down for just coming up here this summer and selling the house if she wanted to stay and using the money to buy a house of our own in Florida. But she kept going, every step of the way. But actually saying goodbye to a school she's grown to love, her church she grew up in, all of her friends, and her family broke my heart to even watch. She's told me this is what she's wanted though every step of the way though so I just decided to trust her." I start to make my way down the first isle.
Tyler hangs his head as he follows me. "I guess I didn't think about how hard it would actually be for her," he says. "I was so excited when you guys said you were moving that I didn't think about what she would have to go through. You're gaining everything you've ever known back but she…she lost it all."
"Yeah," I whisper. "She's been a little distant about it too the past couple weeks, other than telling me she wants to move. I just hope she's not just doing this for me because she knew I was missing you guys or she didn't want me to cut ties by selling the house."
"Hey, she's a grown adult, Aly," Tyler says as he grabs some cans from the shelf, "she's big enough to make her own decisions and live with them. She knew what moving here would mean. It's a decision she didn't have to make but she still chose to. Don't feel guilty about the choice she made. But it is natural for her to have a hard time with such a huge transition. So just be there for her while she adjusts. Okay?"
"Okay," I say, letting out a sigh. "Thank you.
"You're welcome," Tyler says with a smile. "And if one day she decides she needs to move back to Florida, don't feel like you have to move with her unless you want to. If you want to, go for it. We survived you living down there for the time you did. But both of you are in good mental spaces and you both have people in your lives no matter where you are who can hold you up if the other isn't there. So don't feel bad if you two ever end up separating either. If anything, it shows how much you've been able to help each other out because you're strong enough to not need each other like you once did. And you will always be in each other's lives, you'll always visit."
"Is this your sales pitch to get me to stay if Avi decides to bolt back to Florida?" I ask, raising an eyebrow.
"Maybe?" Tyler says with a chuckle. "No, it's just something for you to think about because I know you. Just it's okay for you two to start growing in different directions should that happen. Or if you spend the rest of your lives living together even after you both get married and start families, that's fine too. Maybe a little weird, but fine." I laugh as Tyler winks at me and we continue to add things to the basket as we make our way down the aisles.
"Tyler? Alyson?" I hear a voice call from the other side of the isle. I turn to see Tessa waving to us as she comes down the isle towards us. "How are you two doing?"
"We're doing good," I say. "Getting some groceries for the old house."
"Is that right?" Tessa says with a smile. "Your uncle told me you and Avi were moving back here. Is that where you're going to stay?"
"Yep!" I say. "We actually got here today but there was absolutely no food at the house so we needed to make a supply run. Avi just decided to stay and unpack because she wasn't ready to sit in a car again after our five-day road trip."
"Oh goodness, I don't blame her," Tessa chuckles. "How is she adjusting?"
"Complaining a lot about the cold, but alright," I chuckle. "She'll be fine once she gets used to it, I'm sure."
"Or you'll just be in for it for the rest of her life here," Tyler says with a smirk. I roll my eyes and shove him a little as Tessa chuckles.
"And how are you and Michael doing, Tyler?" Tessa asks.
"Good!" Tyler answers. "Michael had to work today because they're actually promoting him at the restaurant and paying for the rest of his schooling so he's having to work longer hours but it's definitely worth it!"
"That is amazing," I say surprised. "How come you didn't tell me?"
"We only found out yesterday," Tyler says with a proud smile.
"I always knew he was going to do amazing things," Tessa says with a smile. "Well, I better let you two get back to your shopping. It was good seeing you both!"
"You too, Tessa," I say as we part ways. "I enjoy seeing her so much," I say as Tyler and I make it to the next isle. "She's come a long way too."
"She really has," Tyler says. I turn my head to see a dark figure at the end of the aisle. It turns around and I see its beady eyes and sinister smile as the store grows dim. "Is everything okay?" Tyler asks.
I turn my head to look at him before turning back to face the figure. The store brightens again and the figure disappears as I say, "Yeah, I think so."
Suddenly, I clutch my chest as it tightens with anxiety. "Woah, what's going on?" Tyler asks and I look up to see him clutching his chest as well.
"You feel it too?" I ask nervously. He nods his head as I add, "Where is it coming from?"
"I don't know," Tyler says, his nervous tone matching mine. "It almost feels like it's coming from the Voice."
"But how?" I ask. "Why are we both feeling it?"
"HELP!" I hear through the voice. I immediately recognize the voice.
Tyler and I lock eyes. "Avi!" we both say.
"Someone help me! Please!" Avi shouts again through the Voice. Without a moment of hesitation, we immediately drop our basket and rush out the store.
