Deadly Silence (complete) Chapter 86

Theo spent a couple minutes typing out what happened, feeling awkward doing this in the presence of the girl who was at the middle of the issue, but what choice did he have? If Miriam had any insight on what was going on there was a chance she could help him fix it before he was dropped off. Waiting just wasn’t an option.

It took a few minutes before Miriam messaged again.

Miriam: \[That’s… weird. I don’t know what to think about that. Did Tyrell say or do anything?\]

Theo: \[He took a photo of us on the last ride, and Vivian wasn’t pleased about it but she didn’t get hung up on it either, if that makes sense. Then I took that selfie.\]

Miriam: \[I got nothing. I’ll see if I can get her to talk to me, but no promises. Especially if she doesn’t want me talking about it. Girl code and all that.\]

Theo: \[Got it. It’s just really weird for her to change so fast, isn’t it? You know her better than I do.\]

Miriam: \[Leave it to me!\]

Tucking his phone away, Theo glanced at Vivian again but she either hadn’t been paying attention or didn’t care that he’d just spent five plus minutes texting while they supposed to be hanging out.

She looked tired, he noted as she rested her head against the window. Maybe it was all in his head and she really was just burnt out from spending the day at the amusement park.

Theo couldn’t remember a time when he’d been quiet for so long. Whenever another person was present he tended to start conversations to keep things feeling chill, but with Vivian… He didn’t want to intrude on whatever was going on with her, and she wasn’t the chatty type on a normal day. What if she started hating him for not being able to sit in silence? Or he annoyed her with his constant chatter?

*When have I ever worried about any of that?*

Giving up on making any progress in getting her to see him as more than a friend — for the time being — Theo stared out his window, not really thinking about anything.

The drive felt so much longer returning than it had when the day had begun. When his house finally came into view and Tyrell pulled into the driveway, Theo wasn’t sure how to feel. Getting away from the tense atmosphere would be great, but he didn’t want to just leave Vivian to deal with whatever was going on by herself.

Making up his mind, he picked up the pink elephant plush he’d won and placed it on the seat between them with a smile. “Here. You keep him.”

Vivian finally looked away from her window to see the plush, then her eyes moved to meet his. “You don’t have to—“

“I want to,” he cut her off, letting his smile widen. He’d thought about what to say if he had the chance, how to let her know he was there if she needed anything, but nothing appropriate or not corny had come from it. “Consider it a thank you for letting me drag you to the park.”

She glanced down at the plush again before finally reaching out a hand and gingerly touching its ear. “Okay. Thank you.”

“I’ll see you Monday at practice,” he told her before turning to the driver. “Thanks for… I don’t know, doing your job? I’m not sure what to call what you did today, but thanks.” Tyrell let out a low chuckle as Theo opened his door and stepped out of the vehicle. “Bye!”

Theo watched the car pull out and drive away before turning and entering his house. Given the time, Pops would be in the middle of his mid afternoon nap, which was perfect; the last thing Theo wanted to do was explain why he’d come back so early.

With a sigh, he took the stairs two at a time to the second floor. As he entered his room, he pulled out his phone.

Theo: \[Can I ask you something?\]

It didn’t take long for a response to come in.

Miriam: \[You just did, but sure I’ll let you have another. What’s up?\]

Theo paused, his thumbs hovering over the screen as he tried to make sense of what was going on in his brain.

Theo: \[If you find out what’s going on, and it’s cause I fucked up, are you gonna let me know even if you can’t tell me what I did? Or am I just gonna be left in the dark…\]

This time it took a couple minutes before Miriam sent her response.

Miriam: \[I never thought you were the type to be so … insecure? Not confident?\]

He let out a grunt, not really wanting her thoughts on him as a person but an answer to the question he’d asked.

Theo: \[I’m a man of many talents.\]

Miriam: \[Yeaaah, sure. Look, I doubt you did anything bad. You gave me your side and it sounds like she probably got caught up in the energy and when she finally got a break she suddenly realized she was on empty. I’ll still ask her what’s up, but you need to relax and breathe or something. Vivian isn’t the type to get hung up on someone being a dick to her. Remember Abby?\]

Theo couldn’t help but agree with the last sentence and felt some relief. Abby had said worse to her and she’d just brushed it off like it was nothing.

Theo: \[You’re right. But now I have another question. What’s Abby’s deal with hating Vivian? I don’t get it. Is it a girl thing or something? Laurent is her brother so if it’s jealousy I’m gonna laugh.\]

Miriam: \[You really don’t know Abby has a thing for you?\]

Theo: \[She doesn’t. She’s always trying to get Laurent to hang out with her, not me.\]

Miriam: \[Omg. You are so dense. Theo, she’s the type to want all the male attention. What’s it called… a pick-me-girl? Bet she’s been paying more attention to you lately.\]

Had Abby been paying more attention to him lately? Theo thought about it but nothing came to mind.

Then again… he was always busy with something, wasn’t he? She had texted him a few times, but it was always when he was out for a run, at the gym, or doing something else that made him decide to answer later; only to never remember.

In person she was always with her friends, leaning into Laurent or Reagan for the most part. Except… she had a tendency to come see what Theo was up to when he sat with Vivian and Miriam, didn’t she?

Theo: \[I don’t think so.\] He paused for a second, debating on what else to say. It wasn’t that he didn’t believe Miriam and more that he didn’t *want* to believe. If it was true that meant the bullying Vivian had gotten was because he’d been hanging around. \[But if you’re right, should I stay away?\]