Red Strings | The Group Chat x Reader

Chapter 14 | Painting Nails with Tanner

The last few days have still been filled with thinking about Isaac since our fight, and I'm starting to get sick of it. I need some sort of distraction, so as I'm finishing up work, I think about what I could do to get me to stop thinking about it for a little bit. It almost seems like perfect timing when my phone buzzes, and I practically jump for it.

Tanner: hey n/n how u doin

I've still been texting in the group chat, just a little less, while Isaac hasn't texted at all.

Tanner: can i come over

Tanner: im tryna get my nails did and gossip

Y/n: hey T

Y/n: yeah u can come over:))

Tanner: y/n quick

Tanner: fav fast food and ur order

Awwww, was he really going to get me something? I guess I won't say no to free food. I give him my order and I tidy up my house a little, freshening up a bit before he arrives. I hear a knock on my door and I make my way over, opening it up for Tanner.

"Hey N/n," Tanner gives me the biggest grin.

"Hey T," I give him a wide grin of my own.

Tanner places the fast food down on my coffee table and gives me a hug, swaying me a bit in his arms. I accept the hug and allow my body to be moved, sinking into the warmth he offers.

Tanner pulls back, but leaves his hands on my shoulders, observing my face, "you never responded to my text on how you were doing."

My face falls slightly, but I still manage to give him a soft smile, "I'm doing okay, I'm still kind of upset about what happened with Isaac, but I'll live."

Tanner pulls me to the couch and starts digging through the bag of food, placing our respective orders in front of us, "I get it, that's why I'm here. We noticed you weren't talking as much in the group chat and I wanted to make sure you were okay. The others did too, but I didn't really tell them I was coming because I wanted some alone time," he gives me a cheeky grin and it makes me blush at the thought that Tanner wants alone time with me.

"Thank you, Tanner."

"Of course pookie. Now, tell me what this moron did, because he won't say anything." Tanner leans back against the couch and turns towards me while eating his food.

I sigh, "it's stupid."

Tanner crosses one leg over the other and he becomes really expressive with his free hand. "Pretend I'm one of the girls." He puts on his impression of a girl voice, "men ain't shit. Now spill, girly."

I laugh at Tanner's silliness, but decide to give him the story anyway. I kind of wanted the distraction away from what happened, but maybe talking about it all will just make me feel better. Tanner remains silent and listens carefully to what I have to say; he's the quietest I've ever heard him.

He seems tense, but he leans forward and wraps me in another hug, "I'm sorry, N/n. We don't know what's wrong with him right now, he might just be going through something," Tanner pulls away from the hug and gives me a sympathetic smile.

All I can do is nod, because I don't really know what to say. Tanner doesn't let us linger on the topic though, because once we're finished with our food he starts pulling some nail polish out of his hoodie pocket.

"I didn't know you were serious," I laugh.

"Of course I am, I'm due for something new," he shows me his fingernails that have barely any nail polish left on them.

"Alright, let me go get my colors." I get up from my spot on the couch and grab any nail polish I own for my bedroom.

We set our combined nail polish on the table when I return, "I normally go with black, but I think I want something different." Tanner states, examining each color. "What's your favorite color?" He asks.

I look over the nail polishes and hand him the one that is my favorite color. "So what's your favorite color?" I ask him in return and he hands it to me.

"Let me paint your nails though," Tanner sets down the nail polish that I handed him and softly takes the one from my hand.

I extend my hand for Tanner, and he holds my fingertips gently in his hand. He looks the most focused I've ever seen him, with his tongue slightly sticking out as he paints each nail carefully. I'm slightly impressed when he's gone through some of the nails and hasn't messed up at all, because I'm sure I would have.

"How often do you paint your nails?" I smile at Tanner.

He looks up briefly to return the smile, and then gets back to work with a shrug, "whenever I feel like it mostly, but I'd say probably every 2 weeks or so. I just like to do it for fun. Sometimes I'll paint my nails with Larry."

I nod, "that's cute," I say before even really thinking about what I'm saying, but it makes Tanner's smile wider, so I don't regret it at all.

"So, what do you do for fun?" Tanner asks, requesting for my other hand now.

I raise my other hand for him, "I like to read, watch tv, or sometimes play video games."

"Ooo, what games do you play?"

"Some Overwatch, some Valorant, some League of Legends. I have been getting an itch for some Stardew recently, I definitely need some more chill games."

"No way, we'll have to play some Overwatch with the guys, that'd be so fun. How do you feel about horror-ish? Lethal Company would be so fun."

"I don't mind horror, sometimes jump scares get me though, and like some gore can be a bit much."

"Lethal Company is perfect then. It's not even really horror. I'm streaming later tonight, but we should definitely play games soon."

"I'm down," I smile at him and we quickly exchange discord usernames when it's my turn to paint his nails.

"You take really good care of your nails," I note when I start on his first name.

With Tanner's free hand, he flips his imaginary hair over his shoulder, "of course darling."

I chuckle at him, "my bad."

"Yeah, it is your bad," he sticks his tongue out at me.

I roll my eyes, but ignore him. "We should also put a clear glitter coat over our nails," I say, glancing towards my nail polish on the table.

"Of course, boo."

So with that, we finish up our cutesy nails and I take a picture. Tanner insists on taking a few pictures; like one of us holding hands, making a heart out of hands, and flaunting our nails for the camera. I smile and send them to Tanner, while we sit on the couch together watching a random episode of our favorite show. Tanner puts an arm around my shoulders and pulls me a little closer. I snuggle into his side and we joke around, about the show or just anything in general. It's comfortable and I'm a little upset when he has to go, but he said he told the BigT Nation that he'd be streaming.

"Bye Tanner. Thanks again for coming over, I feel a lot better. I need this little care day." I smile and lean on my door.

"Anytime, N/n. See you later, pookie!" Tanner gives me a small hug and a quick peck on the cheek, then skips towards his car.

Any suggestions or writing tips are welcomed! Have a nice day! :)