One Step Closer to Gone: Amber

Chapter 11

"Tyler, you need to eat," said Minzy. She offered him a piece of chicken.

Tyler shook his head. "I'm not hungry," he said matter-of-factly.

"Come on, Ty. You've got to eat something..." Josh pressed.

Tyler only shook his head. "I'm not hungry," he said again.

Marli sat down beside Josh. "Hi, guys..." She said shyly.

All three of them looked at Marli. They were astonished to see her after I had told them, the night before, that she had amnesia. They sat wide-eyed with jaws hanging down in shock. They stared at Marli as if they had just witnessed a second head grow out of her neck. This caused her to shift uncomfortably in her seat.

"What? Do I have something on my face?" she asked quietly. The three shook their heads 'no' and closed their mouths. "Guys, don't worry. I got so e of my memory back. I remember you. You're Josh, Minzy, and..." She trailed off. Tyler looked at her, hoping she would remember him. "Oh, Tyler. You haven't eaten any of your lunch yet!"

Tyler sighed. He was both relieved that she had known who he was, and he was annoyed that people kept telling him to eat.

Tyler would not eat. Not now.and definitely not anytime soon. Too much had happened, and too much had affected him.

I sat down between Tyler and Marli. "Hey, guys," I smiled. I glanced at Tyler. He was staring at his lunch, longingly, but absolutely disgusted at the same time. I touched his shoulder, and he jumped. He just looked at me; I held his gaze."You need to eat." He looked away. "Please? For me?" He faced me again.

He looked at his tray and reached upwards. His slim fingers found their way around a somewhat small apple. He lifted the seemingly underripe fruit to his lips and bit into it.

"Thank you," I whispered. I leaned over and hugged him. He hugged me back. I let a few tears escape my hazel eyes.

"Amber, don't leave me," he whispered in my ear.

I nodded my head against his shoulder. "I won't if you won't."