17. New to me.

Tanner picks up his laptop.

With the companies reopening in a few days, he realizes he has almost forgotten he even owned one.

He's never given himself a holiday like this before, and it felt so freeing last night. But now? Now, he wishes he hadn't taken it at all.

He wishes he'd never stayed in this house—because that was the first mistake he made. Or perhaps the real first mistake was commenting on that picture seven months ago.

After a while, Tanner realizes he's just staring blankly at the screen, doing absolutely nothing. Frustrated, he sets the laptop aside.

"I might leave tomorrow," he murmurs to himself. "But before I do, I have to tell TAylor how I feel.

Not that I have feelings for her brother—that's absurd. But I should tell her to focus on her studies, and... that I'm not the right person for her." He sighs, running a hand through his hair.

"What exactly am I supposed to say to express my sincere apologies for what I've done? Ugh. I have to figure it out."

He paces the room, his thoughts spiraling.

"And then there's TYler. Why do I feel like I've always had these feelings for him? It's like... like they've been building for some time now, but that's ridiculous. I only met him a few days ago! Sure, I saw him in the picture that his sister sent, but I didn't feel anything like this back then. So why now?!"

The rest of the day drags by, filled with unanswerable questions and unthinkable scenarios running through Tanner's mind.

By dinner, he decides he'll announce his departure. Yet, every time he thinks about leaving, TYler's face pops into his head, unraveling all his plans.

○

When dinnertime comes, Tanner finds himself too restless to join the others. Hours tick by until, at 10 PM, still wide awake, he decides he needs to talk to Tyler.

He needs clarity, needs to resolve everything before he leaves.

He makes his way to Tyler's room, his heart pounding as he knocks softly on the door.

He doesn't want to risk Tay, whose room is just a few steps away, overhearing anything.

After knocking for what feels like an eternity without any response, Tanner sighs and turns to leave.

Just as he takes a step, the door creaks open, and Tyler grabs his arm, pulling him inside.

"What are you doing? Don't you know how risky this is? Your girlfriend is just a few steps away!" Tyler whispers harshly.

"What are you trying to mean by that?" Tanner asks unbelievably. "Yes, she's still my girlfriend— but you know the situation between us. Did you really have to phrase it like that?

Are you trying to make me feel like some terrible person? Someone who plays with others' feelings like it's all a game? Because trust me, I'm not that kind of person, even if I feel like one right now." He exhales heavily, his frustration evident.

"Anyway, I've been thinking__ You don't have to involve yourself in what happens between TAylor and me. It's my relationship, and I care about her enough not to keep lying about how I feel.

I'm ending it tomorrow, and I'll leave tomorrow too. Everything is just... too complicated."

Tyler stares at him, caught completely off guard. For a moment, he's speechless.

"Goodbye, Tyler," Tanner says firmly, walking toward the door.

Reality snaps Tyler out of his daze. "Are you being serious right now?!" he blurts out. "You mean... what happened between us last night didn't mean anything? You're just walking away like that, even knowing how much it's going to affect me?!"

Tyler knows, deep down, that letting Tanner leave is probably the best option. Ending everything now might spare them both more pain.

But the thought of losing Tanner, the one person who made him feel something so real, is unbearable.

"Tyler," Tanner says softly, his voice strained, "I wish last night didn't mean anything. I wish I could just walk away peacefully. But it did mean something.

I don't know what you want from me though. I thought we talked about this—that we'd help each other through it. But you started avoiding me.

Do you know what that makes me feel like? A terrible person. And maybe I am. But this... this isn't working. I think it's better if we end it here."

Tyler's chest tightens as he listens, his emotions swirling into a storm. "You think it's easy for me?" he snaps. "Tanner, I'm betraying my sister! I've already betrayed her by kissing her boyfriend. Do you have any idea what that makes me feel like?

She loves me. She's always there for me, always looking out for me. And what do I do in return? I betray her.

I'd never want to hurt her— But it's already happened." His voice softens, cracking slightly. "I don't know what to do, Tanner. I'm not ready to let go of whatever this is between us. But I don't know how to handle it, either."

"That's why I'm saying this is the only way," Tanner replies, his tone laced with exhaustion. "I need to leave—"

"Don't say that!" Tyler interrupts desperately. "Please, Tanner. If you feel even an ounce of what I feel for you, don't leave. Stay. Please."

Tanner looks at him, his heart aching at the vulnerability in Tyler's voice. "If I stay, we have to do something about this," he says after a moment. "We can't keep lying to sister. Neither of us wants to cheat her like this. If I stay, we have to tell her."

"Okay," Tyler agrees, his voice barely audible. "I'll tell her."

"We can do it together," Tanner suggests.

"No," Tyler insists. "I'll do it myself."

"Fine," Tanner agrees simply. "But I can't stay forever. I'll give it a few days. The companies are reopening on Monday, and I need to be back. Let's try to sort this out by then." He hesitates, glancing at Tyler. "Goodnight."

"Goodnight," Tyler murmurs.

As Tanner reaches the door, a wave of panic grips Tyler. His voice breaks as he calls out, "I love you, Tanner."

Tanner freezes, his hand on the doorknob.

"And no matter what I do or how I act... always know that fact won't change. You were the first person to show me what 'I love you' really means," Tyler continues, his voice trembling with raw emotion.

Tanner clenches his fists, fighting the overwhelming urge to turn around and kiss Tyler.

He knows he wouldn't be able to stop himself if he looks back. Without saying a word, he walks out, closing the door softly behind him.

And Tyler, standing alone in his room, feels the weight of the words he's spoken settle heavily around him.