We all have our masks [Twenty One Pilots]

Chapter Twenty Five: All you had to do was stay

Lena was trying to muffle the sound of her sobs into the pillow when someone knocked on the door. Quickly, she stood up and feverishly tried to wipe away any trace of tears and smudged makeup from her cheeks before going to open it. On her way, she stopped in front of the small mirror to check herself. Her eyes were red and swollen, and she thought of splashing her face with cold water, but it wouldn't do much at that point. 

She shuffled towards the door, and opened it before going straight back to the unmade bed. Josh was still at the door frame when she finally looked up at him. He, on the other hand, looked down at the nearly full suitcase and the still empty sports bag, before joining her. He didn't say anything at first. He just laid his arm around her shoulders, and they stayed there in silence for what felt like hours. Lena thought she would really miss him. And all the boys, too. Yes, Tyler included. 

"So..." Josh sighed, "do you really want to leave?"

Lena shrugged. Of course, she didn't want to leave. Well, not really. She felt great here. She felt home, here. But after what had just happened, she couldn't really impose herself. Because as much as she wanted it to be, this place wasn't her home and she was just a virus who hopped on the first people she saw. They were nice enough to let her stick along as long as she caused no trouble, but it was now time to go. 

"I'm not leaving the US, if that's what you mean..." she started, trying to be positive. "I mean," she couldn't help adding, "not just yet."

Josh let out a long breath, apparently relieved, even though Lena couldn't quite figure out why. Sure, they were friends now, at least she thought they were, but it was not like they had known each other for a very long time, and Josh would have quickly forgotten her if she'd left anyway. Lena felt her eyes water again, and she got up and started packing just to get her mind off those things. Josh watched her silently for a few minutes. 

"And... what are you gonna do exactly?" He then asked, shifting from his position on the bed. "Where are you gonna go?"

Lena stopped her movement, turning her head towards Josh. He looked like a puppy who had lost his favorite toy, and the girl couldn't help but smile sadly. She dropped the pants she was folding and sat back down next to him, sighing in the process. 

"I don't really know... I guess I'll just stay in a motel for now, try to find a job as a waitress or something, so I can at least get my own place..."

"So you're staying in Columbus?" Josh asked in response, his eyebrows shooting up. He put his arm back on Lena's shoulder, hugging her lighlty. 

Lena didn't answer. Actually, she was still wondering if it was a good idea. But it wasn't like she had any place else to go. So instead of getting anxious over that matter again, she just laid her head against Josh. They didn't talk for a while, and Lena was amazed by the fact that the simple presence of that boy made her feel slightly more okay. He didn't even need to talk, he was just there, and he was calming her. 

"Why don't you stay here?" Josh broke the silence.

Lena looked up at him in bewilderment. He didn't really mean that, she thought. Why would he ask her to stay when she just had a fight with his best friend AND band mate? That didn't make any sense at all. 

"You could find a job while staying here. You wouldn't even have to pay..." He started, shifting again so he could face her. "I mean, Lena... We're friends now, right?"

The girl nodded, unsure of where Josh was headed. "I don't think everyone here still wants me to stay, Josh..."

"Lena..." Josh rolled his eyes. "You're wrong. We all want you here. Even Tyler. Especially Tyler."

It was now Lena's turn to roll her eyes, but Josh didn't let her speak and continued to prove his point.

"When you left with Maddy this morning, we were all there in the living room and you know, that rarely happens. So Tyler used the opportunity to ask if anyone would mind you staying here for an indefinite amount of time."

Lena raised an eyebrow, unable to say anything. She let Josh went on about the fact that everybody agreed, of course, and that many of the guys thought she seemed like a cool chick, and although those words were very nice to hear, the only thing sticking in her head was Tyler. He asked. Tyler asked if she could stay. Tyler.

"So?" Josh asked impatiently. "You agree? You stay?"

She smiled at his squinty smile. She was still very confused, but somehow Josh had managed to ease the feeling a little bit. Could she say no to such a sweet heart? 

"Lena... I swear - and I don't swear much so hear my words - I swear that this is all a misunderstanding. Tyler's not a bad guy, really. And he cares. He cares a lot. He's just... clumsy? And uhm..." He hesitated and blushed before going on. "You also attacked him on a topic that's very sensitive so..."

Lena looked down, ashamed. Sure, Tyler had been "clumsy". Sure, he had hurt her by judging her and her secrets, or by not trusting her enough. But she'd been rough to him as well, she had to admit it. It's just that she couldn't handle the judgments. She judged herself way too hard as it was, she didn't need other people - people she liked especially - to do it as well. Suddenly, Lena felt her eyes wet but this time, she couldn't stop the tears. Soon enough, though, Josh was hugging her tight and whispering soothing words into her ear. 

"It's okay, Lena... It's gonna be okay, I promise..."

"It's just..." Lena sniffed. "I don't want you guys to judge me. I've changed, I'm not that girl anymore, I swear, I-"

"Shh... I believe you. We all believe you."

After a few strokes in her hair and Josh's calming voice, Lena finally dried her cheeks and forced a smile, automatically drawing a smile on his face, like a mirror effect. 

"All right, now put your clothes back in that closet, and I'll call you when dinner's ready." Josh said, gently kissing her forehead before leaving her alone with all that mess. 

Sighing, Lena put on some music on her computer, and started tidying up the room. Tidying had always been a calming thing for her, and after a while, she even put out some dance moves while folding clothes before putting them away. She didn't know if it was Josh's words or the music alone, but she definitely felt better. So, when the door opened again after a few knocks, letting Tyler in, she didn't even freak out. 

"Hey uhm... Josh told me to tell you that dinner's ready" he said swiftly. 

"Oh, ok. I'll be down in a few seconds. Thanks."

Tyler nodded, his gaze on anything but her eyes. He took a few steps back, hesitantly, and he was closing the door when he stopped to speak again.

"Lena... I'm sorry. Really, I didn't mean t-"

"That's okay Tyler. I'm sorry too."

Tyler smiled without showing his teeth and hesitated again. 

"Do you... D'you want to go out with me?" he asked.

Lena's mouth dropped, but before she could think of anything to say, he continued.

"Maybe tomorrow night? So we can... speak?" His eyes shifted from the ground to his hands, then the ground again before he looked up and right into Lena's eyes. 

Speak? Her heart tightened. About what? About all this, probably. Let's not make this a big deal, Lena thought. It's just a casual dinner date between friends. She smiled.

"Sure, Tyler. I'd love to."

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I've been asked quite some times so here's my answer: no, chapter 24 wasn't the end of the story. Of course not! I still have things in store for you guys. I'd say maybe 5 or 6 chapters, maybe less, maybe more, still trying to figure that out. 

I can tell you that I'm really excited to publish the next chapter, I can't wait to see your reactions to that one. I hope you'll like the ending I have planned for you guys.