Everyone's Got Problems

[Zetti]

I want a chapter as well, hope you update soon x

[wrongturntaken]

I will try and update soon, i am working on the chapter, but there is quite a bit of filler in it which i don't like but without it, the story wouldn't flow or make any sense. I've written what i think is probably one of the biggeest chapters of the whole fic but it doesn't happen for a while so i really want to get there which in itself is making me want to write, but i am struggling a tad. I will try and finish the next chappy maybe tomorrow, but it could be in the late evening.

Thanks for commenting, it really helps to get the chapters flowing! If i ever feel i have writers block i'll go back and read your comments and it really inspires me to continue!

[wrongturntaken]

So FINALLY an update! ...and it's a long one!

Thank you for all the comments, they really do mean a lot to me! I'm not completely happy with this chapter but i hope you like it anyway... and there's an apology at the end from me...

Chapter 9.

“Hey,” Tess greeted Tyler in the corridor at school; reaching up to kiss him as he turned his head away.

“What are you doing?” he asked her with a soft smile.

“Uh, I was going to kiss you,” she said, frowning in confusion. “…I thought you were okay with us?”

“…I am,” he reassured her as he saw the hint of anger flaring up in her eyes. “I’d just rather it not be public knowledge yet,” he added; shrugging.

“…you ashamed of me or something?” Tess asked jokingly.

“No,” he laughed. “It’s just that as soon as people know you’re with someone, they label you and then you get weird rumours circulating. I could just do without the drama, is that okay?”

Tess smiled, “Yeah… that actually sounds like a good idea. But we can tell friends right?”

Tyler nodded, albeit tentatively. For once in his life, he was happy, because he'd somehow managed to end up with the gorgeous girl stood in front of him, yet he was still unsure of how to deal with that feeling.

“You are okay with this, yeah?” Tess asked at the hesitance of Tyler’s reactions towards her. “I mean, I thought we agreed yesterday it was what we both wanted. You do want to be with me?” she asked him tentatively.

“Of course I do,” he exclaimed immediately. “I want to be with you, Tess,” he told her, as he picked up her hand from her side and brought it to his lips where he kissed it softly, glancing around to make sure no one saw. She smiled. “It’s just gonna take time for me to get used to.”

“Okay,” Tess nodded.

“So did you get in trouble yesterday?” Tyler asked her, changing the topic of conversation and dropping her hand to their waists but still holding it loosely.

Tess groaned, “Grounded for a month, although only two weeks if I’m good, and they don’t even know the truth, I think they’d kill me if they did… …although Mum’s being a bit harsher than Dad.”

Tyler laughed, “I’m sure she just doesn’t want you to get hurt,” he told her wisely.

“Yeah, I know,” Tess sighed and looked down as there was a lull in the conversation. Tyler looked at her and brushed a strand of hair behind her ear, making her blush. “Do you want to come round after school to work on our English assignment?” she asked him, looking up in to his eyes and trying to restrain herself.

“Um,” Tyler hesitated not wanting the risk of bumping into Aden, “Can’t you come to mine?”

“Grounded, remember?”

“Uh,” he put off the answer again.

“We have to get it done, Tyler, the sooner we do it, the more time we can spend on… other things,” she said suggestively.

Tyler relented with a weak smile, “Okay then, I guess...”

“Great, I’ll talk to you later,” Tess said as the bell rang, She glanced around quickly to see that there wasn’t anyone in their sight before kissing Tyler, allowing it to linger on for a bit longer than necessary for a good bye kiss.

“See ya,” he answered her watching her walk away before he took off in the other direction.

“Tyler!” he heard his name being called from behind him. He kept walking. “Tyler!” it called again. He stood still, there was no way he could pretend he hadn’t heard that. He closed his eyes and waited for the sound of the footsteps to appear next to him. “Hey,” Aden greeted.

Tyler turned around to face him, “Hi,” he said, smiling politely.

“I haven’t seen much of you this last week, you keep avoiding me,” Aden told him.

Tyler shrugged, “Sorry, didn’t mean to, just been busy you know.”

“How’s your head?” Aden questioned conversationally.

Tyler shrugged, “Fine.”

“…and how are things at home?” Aden continued concernedly.

“Uh… also fine, why?” Tyler answered suspiciously.

Aden sighed, “Look… did your Mum tell you I went round to see her the other day?”

Tyler was shocked in to silence for a millisecond before anger burned up inside him, “You did what?” Tyler yelled. “What gives you the right to check up on me and my Mum?”

“Tyler, calm down. I just wanted to help,” Aden explained slowly.

“Really…?” Tyler snapped, “Well, if you want to help… stay the hell out of my life!” he demanded before turning on his heel and walking off.

Aden ran a hand through his hair and sighed. He knew he might have got that reaction but he was hoping it could have gone differently. He’d just have to hope Tyler would give him another chance.

*

“Hey, so are you ready?” Tess asked Tyler outside the school gates and the end of their day there.

He nodded reluctantly.

“What’s up?” Tess asked, narrowing her eyes in concern.

Tyler sighed, “Do we really have to do this today?”

“Yeah,” Tess said. “If we don’t then we’re screwed. It’s not just your grade now Tyler, it’s mine too, so if you’re not gonna even make the effort…” she continued rambling; annoyed at his attitude.

“Woah, Tess…” Tyler exclaimed. “Okay. I’m sorry, it’s just been a long day.”

“Well let’s go and get this done then,” Tess told him and he followed her out of the gates and all the way to her house.

“You’re really lucky to live so close to the beach,” Tyler told Tess, looking out at the ocean view.

“I know,” Tess told him. “My parents used to live in the apartment above the drop in centre but when they started to have a family we moved in here. It’s not massive or anything, but its home,” she explained.

“It’s nice,” Tyler told her honestly and she smiled at his sweetness.

“Hello?” Tess called to the house, getting no response. “Great, no one’s home!” she smiled and turned to face Tyler, wrapping her arms around his neck and kissing him.

Tyler pushed her arms off of him, laughing, “…I thought we were meant to be working?”

“We will,” she reassured him. “…my Dad’s gonna be home any second, so I’m just taking chances where I get them,” she kissed him again.

“Your Dad’s gonna be home?” he asked her worriedly.

“Yeah, is that a problem?” Tess asked, holding back a laugh.

“No,” Tyler told her quickly, wanting to avoid raising any suspicions. She had yet to question him about why he’d stayed here the other night… he wanted to keep it that way. “Shall we go up to your room?”

“Eager, aren’t we?” Tess joked.

“I didn’t mean,” Tyler said suddenly, feeling horrified at what he’d implied, “I didn’t want to… I don’t think that …”

Tess put a finger to his lips, “Shut up,” she laughed, “I was joking… Let’s go,” she added, taking a hold of his hand and leading him up the stairs to her room.

“Your rooms cool,” Tyler said walking around the single bed which was parallel to the door and protruded into the centre of the room from the right hand wall. He glanced at the cluttered mess on her desk which sat at the far side of her bed, and picked up a small fairy ornament. As he looked down he saw that it was acting as a paperweight for something. He picked up the piece of paper and looked down to see it was a letter addressed, ‘Dear Tess’ before turning around at the small gasp of Tess behind him.

She looked upset that he’d seen the letter but unsure what to make of it.

“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to pry,” Tyler started to explain; feeling guilty.

“It’s okay,” Tess said unsmilingly as she sat on the end of the bed. “It was a letter from my Mum… …my biological Mum… It’s all I have of her,” she told him. “Well, that and the ornament,” she added, averting her eyes to the item he was twirling around in his fingers.

He stopped and put it back, realising she probably wouldn’t want it to get broken.

“You can read it if you like,” she suggested with a small smile.

“I don’t have to… if you don’t want me too…” Tyler said.

“I want to share it with you,” Tess told him determinedly. “You can read it.”

He did as she said.

Dear Tess

I hope that you will never have to read this and if you do then I am so sorry for failing you. I never wanted to hurt you. I truly loved you with all my heart. If I didn’t make it; I asked Aden two things… that he would always take care of you… and that he would give you this letter when he felt you were old enough to understand. Fighting my addiction was the hardest thing I ever did but when I became pregnant with you… I was only 16 when I had you and that whole time you spent inside me, you meant more to me then anything… …which is why I knew I had to stop taking the drugs. That’s when I found Aden. He helped me so much… with fighting the drugs, the withdrawal, even the hospital appointments and scans. He was always there for me and I hope that he’s always been there for you. I write this letter now because your father is back in my life and I fear I may not be able to stop myself as I never can when I’m around him. I know that he is bad for me… I know he may start me into the drugs again, but I can’t help it. I am so sorry because you never deserved to go through this. You have always been so beautiful and I hope now, that I’m watching you from heaven and seeing the beautiful woman you’ll grow to be. You will have a better life with Aden and Belle than I could ever offer you.

There are only two more things to say, I am sorry and I love you.

Laura x

“Wow,” Mark breathed, “She really cared about you, didn’t she?”

“I think so,” Tess told him. They sat in silence for a moment before she spoke again, “I know it’s stupid but Dad told me that when I was born, she’d taken her own blanket for me to be wrapped up in. It was purple because she didn’t want me to be a girly girl…” she laughed softly.

Tyler looked around the room, “…and that’s why your room is purple,” he finished for her.

She nodded before reverting the subject, “…anyway, shall we crack on with that essay?”

Tyler groaned, “Do we have to?”

“Yes.”

They’d been working on it for about a quarter of an hour when they heard the front door open and someone come up the stairs. There was a knock on Tess’s door.

“Come in!” she called in response.

Aden walked in, “Hey, Tess…” he greeted and then paused as he noticed Tyler, “Tyler,” he acknowledged, “…So your Tess’s English partner?”

Tyler nodded, feeling awkward about their previous conversation but was saved the prospect of speaking when Aden’s phone rang.

He answered it and continued a conversation on the phone whilst stood in the doorway.

“That was Vicky… she can’t work at the diner tomorrow night which means we’re one short.”

“…even with me there?” Tess answered him back smarmily.

“Stop being bitter Tess,” Aden laughed at her. “A bit of hard work won’t kill you… …but I’m going to have to get someone to cover and it’s really short notice,” he said and then looked at Tyler who was now engrossed in the laptop screen. “Hey, Tyler,” he called to get him out of his stupor.

Tyler’s head snapped up, “Yeah?”

“Do you fancy working a shift at the diner tomorrow night?” Aden asked.

“I don’t need charity,” Tyler told him as Tess looked between her father and her boyfriend curiously, not really understanding why Tyler had suddenly become so defensive.

“It’s not charity,” Aden said. “I’m really desperate…”

“Come on Tyler,” Tess said; smiling, “I’ll be there… I can show you the ropes.”

Tyler looked at her quickly and then back at Aden before realising it would actually be a good idea, if nothing else, he needed the money, “Yeah okay then.”

“Good,” Aden said smartly and went to walk away before he turned around, remembering something. “Oh Tess, remember Nic, Geoff and Rachel are coming for dinner tonight.”

“I hadn’t forgotten, Dad. What time are they coming?” she asked.

“…bout six,” Aden looked again at Tyler who had gone back to the laptop. “Why don’t you join us, Tyler?”

“Um… I don’t want to intrude,” Tyler tried to weasel out of it.

“You wouldn’t be intruding… Belle’s making roast pork,” he tried to sway him.

“Belle…?”

“My wife,” Aden explained.

“Yeah… stay Tyler,” Tess tried too.

Tyler sighed in defeat, “Okay then… thanks.”

No problem,” Aden said before going to leave. “…and Tess, door open,” he commanded, wrapping his knuckles on her door as Tess rolled her eyes to the disappearing back of her father.

*

“Hey!” Belle exclaimed to Nicole, Geoff and Rachel when they walked in the door, hugging them all one by one as Aden offered to take their coats and gestured for them to take a seat in the living room where Nicole and Tyler were sat on the couch next to each other.

“Dinner will be about another ten minutes,” Belle told them as they took seats. “I’m really glad you could come, I’ve missed this,” she smiled. “Do you want a glass of wine?”

“That would be great, thanks Belle,” Nicole said, smiling.

“Yeah, thanks,” Geoff added, holding on to his wife’s hand as they sat together.

“Rachel?” Belle asked.

“Uh, coke please?” Rachel answered.

“Sure,” Belle smiled and walked back in to the kitchen.

“Guys, this is Tyler,” Aden told them all, gesturing to Tyler who raised his hand in greeting shyly. “Tyler, this is Nicole, Geoff and Rachel,” he introduced them all before looking at his watch, “…and Mark should be home by now,” he sighed. “Has he texted you?” he asked Tess.

Tess shook her head, “No, but maybe training went late or something…”

“Hmm…”

Belle came back in with the drinks and gave them to everyone.

“I’m sorry we did this on such short notice, guys,” Nicole began to explain. “It’s just that I didn’t know what my work schedule was gonna be like and this is the only night I have off in a while.”

“Its fine, Nic,” Aden said. “It’s just good to do it again.”

Nicole smiled.

They continued to chat for a while until finally dinner was ready. They moved in to the kitchen and sat at the dining table in the corner.

“It looks great, Belle,” Geoff said.

Nicole laughed.

“What?” Belle asked suddenly.

“Nothing, Its just… do you remember that first dinner you made for us just after you got married?”

“Yeah,” Belle sighed, restraining a laugh. “So I hadn’t got the hang of home made cooking then… sue me!”

“Yeah, but none of us could eat in the diner if you were working there for a month after that!” Nicole continued taunting.

“Well, it’s a good thing I was only working there very rarely whenever they needed the help considering I was also in full time work.”

“You’re telling me!” Nicole said.

Tyler was determinedly not drawing attention to him self and trying not to speak unless spoken to, which thankfully, didn't seem to be often. Aden’s wife had been very nice to him so far and it wasn’t hard to see where Tess had got some of her personality from.

“So Tyler,” Nicole said excitedly. “Are you and Tess an item?”

“Uh…” Tyler stuttered.

“Yeah,” Tess told them confidently and Aden choked on the piece of meat he was eating before managing to swallow it.

“Since when?” he asked and noticed how uncomfortable Tyler was looking now.

“Since that party,” Tess told him.

“So were you the one that got Tess drunk?” Belle said suddenly angry.

“What? Mum, no!” Tess defended quickly. “He’s the one that helped me.”

Belle looked at her daughter and then slowly turned her expression into an apologetic one as she looked at Tyler, “Sorry, overprotective mother mode,” she explained.

Tyler gave her a weak smile which quickly vanished. He stayed silent as the others continued talking. He suddenly couldn’t stand being there any longer. It was as though he was getting a taste of something he knew he could never have. They all seemed so happy, they were a real family, there was emotion in this room he just couldn’t stand to be around because it made him realise just how little he had and how dysfunctional his family really was. He quickly finished his meal.

“Thank you for dinner and everything, it was great, but I really better be going,” Tyler spoke to the table at large.

“Oh Tyler, don’t go yet,” Belle said. “There’s still dessert.”

“Thank you, but I ought to be getting back,” he told her politely and stood up. Aden also stood up, “Aden,” Tyler nodded his head unsurely towards him at his angry glare. But as Tyler looked at Aden he saw the angry glare lighten in to a smile and a laugh and he realised that Aden had been faking it to scare him.

“It’s okay, Tyler. As long as you treat her well and behave responsibly then it’s fine with me,” Aden told him kindly.

Tyler looked back to Tess who smiled at him and then back to Aden, “Thanks.”

There was a loud bang outside and all occupants of the table turned their heads to see a wobbly Mark coming through the door.

“You’re late, Mark,” Aden said sternly, immediately averting his attention from Tyler.

“Yet I see you’ve found my replacement…” Mark said looking at Tyler jealously.

Aden didn’t laugh and Tyler was suddenly scared of the stern expression plastered on his face.

“What am I late for…?” Mark said as a grin lit up his face.

“You knew that Nicole…” he stopped shortly as he looked at Mark teetering. “…are you drunk?”

“Nooooooo,” he drawled and then laughed. “…maybe a little bit,” he held up his index finger and thumb and decreased the gap between them to demonstrate.

Aden stared at him angrily, “Why the hell are you drunk?” he shouted and Tyler flinched.

“…because the guys wanted to go out after footy training,” Mark explained naturally.

“So you’re drunk because you decided to go out with the team instead of coming back here to have the family meal we told you about yesterday?” Aden said in a growling voice.

"Family meal?!" Mark exclaimed, "Who's this guy?" he pointed at Tyler who stood still, unsure what to do.

"Answer the question," Aden demanded strictly.

“Yes,” Mark said simply as Nicole, Geoff and Rachel averted their eyes, trying not to intrude.

“That’s it, you’re off the team,” Aden told him firmly.

“WHAT?” Mark exclaimed loudly.

“Aden…” Belle warned cautiously.

“No, Belle, if this is the kind of behaviour he’s gonna show us, because of the team, then I don’t want him on it.”

“…like you want me on it anyway!” Mark yelled.

“Do not raise your voice at me Mark,” Aden said in a tone of authority.

“Like you never got drunk when you were my age,” Mark tested the boundaries.

“This is not about me,” Aden told him. “You are underage and you broke the rules. No argument, you’re off the team.”

There was silence for a moment where Mark and Aden stared each other out before Mark finally snarled, “I hate you... …You are the worst father in the world!”

Aden was taken aback and a hate he hadn't felt in years welled up inside of him, thinking of his past, “You have no idea what a bad father is,” he said, clenching his teeth to stop the volume increasing.

“Then why don’t you tell me, Dad,” Mark said arrogantly.

Aden didn’t speak.

“Oh that’s right,” Mark said in mock realisation. “We don’t talk about your Dad, do we?”

Aden still stayed shockingly silent.

“That’s enough, Mark,” Belle came in, in her most powerfully authoritative, motherly tone. “I want you to get a glass of water, then go straight to bed and sleep it off. I’ll bring you some food up later.”

Mark continued to glare at his father.

“NOW, Mark!” Belle yelled and he finally turned on his heel and left the room.

“Maybe we should go,” Nicole suggested.

“No, Nic, you don’t have to go,” Belle told her politely. “I’m sorry about that.”

“Its fine,” Nicole smiled weakly. “Not like you could do much about it.”

Tyler continued to stand awkwardly at the tableside, unsure of how to react to the new side of Aden he’d just seen.

“I’ll walk you out,” Tess said suddenly, standing up and taking Tyler by the hand. He smiled gratefully at her.

“Bye Tyler,” Aden called plastering a smile back on to his face, “See you tomorrow.”

“Bye,” Tyler replied hesitantly and walked out the door.

Aden sighed. “I’m really sorry,” he said as he sat back down.

“Don’t worry about it,” Geoff said. “Let’s just eat.”

After Tess rejoined them, the tone of awkwardness slowly disappeared as they made their way through dessert and to the end of the night.

“Thank you for dinner,” Geoff said to Aden and Belle politely, shaking Aden’s hand and giving Belle a hug and kiss on the cheek. Nicole hugged both of them as did her daughter as they adorned their coats and left the house.

“Well, I’m going to go to bed,” Tess said. “See you tomorrow.”

“Goodnight Tess, love you,” Belle said.

“Love you too,” Tess answered her before disappearing out of sight.

Belle turned to Aden, “We need to talk.”

“I know.”

I hope you liked it! As i said I wasn't completely happy with that chapter but i needed the stuff to happen to move the plot along...

I'm sorry i'm keeping you in suspense a bit longer about the Mark and Aden thing But next chapter! I swear!

Please leave me a comment! I love them! x

[Taniya_K]

Why are you not happy with that?! It was absolutely brilliant!

Loved it all - I can't pick out the bits that were best! But I've got to admit, the Mark and Aden argument got me leaning into to laptop screen just to read it more [stupid, I know] but that's how I felt! I just wanted to know more!

Cannot wait until the next chapter!

xoxo

[LAURZY!]

I am so intrigued about Mark and Aden now!!!

Still lovin Tess and Tyler they are so cute

You write Belle as a mum really well!!

Fantastic update as per hun, loved it

[Inactive User]

This chapter is good. I liked it I can't wait to read more soon. Can't wait to see what caused the tension between Mark and Aden in next chapter. Update soon

[xknomex]

WOW!!!!

That was once again a brilliant chapter!!!

Loved the dinner scene, somehow I knew that Tyler would end up staying. Tyler and Tess are so cute Loved how Aden nearly chocked when he heard they were together.

I really need to know whats going on with Aden and Mark. you wrote their argument so well. It was so realistic. wow.

Update soon

xxx

[whispered_envy]

Really loved this chapter. I love this whole fic- all the emotions, thoughts and feelings of all the characters are so brilliantly written! Can't wait for the next part!

[Lise]

That was really good. Nothing wrong about it!

I loved the argument between Aden and Mark.

Tess and Tyler are really cute. I loved the letter from Tess' Mum.

Can't wait for the next chapter.

[Jody]

Loved the Mark and Aden scene. That whole scene was brilliant. I can imagine Tyler being shocked by seeing Aden like that. And to think a while back he was feeling uncomfortable because they looked like the perfect happy family. For a moment there when Aden mentioned that Mark doesn't know whats it like to have a terrible father I thought he was going to accidently slip and say something about him. Love the way Belle told Mark to go to bed at the end.

Another nice thing was Belle accusing Tyler of getting Tess drunk. I liked how she immediately apologised and didn't doubt what Tess said.

Sorry overprotective mother mode - love that line.