you’re heart raced, and you felt numb. it sucked. it felt like you weren’t good enough as your eyes stayed glued to the test score. you had studied for hours and barely passed. were you not good enough?

tears welled up in your eyes and you didn’t even know you were heaving. your mind was too focused on the insecurities and insults the voices in your head spat. you didn’t even notice tyler’s arms embracing your frame until his voice met your ear.

“calm down, cariño. i got you…” he whispered, warm breath against your neck. his body engulfed yours in a tender hug. tyler was the last person you would expect this from, yet here he was reassuring you with sweet nothings. “you tried your best, that’s all that matters… besides, you’re perfect as is.”

tyler’s lips met your temple for a second and he pulled you against him. he let you melt in his arms, breathing with you to ensure you would stop shaking and calm down.

it hurt him to see you like this. you weren’t insulting yourself out loud but he noticed how your fingers trembled and gripped your pencil. he noticed how you chewed your lip and the complete change in your constantly bright demeanor. how could it not hurt tyler? you were so sweet and gentle.

you finally gathered your emotions, controlling your breathing. the warm, sentimental moment was soon gone due to the bell ringing and you both stood. tyler retracted his arm, sliding his baseball jacket off his shoulders to pull it over you.

you grinned up at him as if to lighten the mood, teasing tyler about being a ‘softie’. his only response was, “don’t push it… brat.”