In a week's time, Ella had shown up at Josh's every day after work- teaching Tyler new words and practicing with him the ones that were more of a struggle.
When Sunday came around, it was cold and rainy, and Ella had left from home a bit earlier for another signing lesson with Tyler.
When she arrived at the house, she suppressed a smile as she approached the door, ringing the bell.
The past week with Tyler and Josh had gone wonderfully; Tyler was picking everything up so quickly. She had taught him how to introduce himself, how to say please and thank you, and how to carry on a small conversation about the day and weather.
The man was becoming more and more cooperative with her, and she was looking forward to when the two friends could communicate with each other once again.
Her excitement, however, faded away when Josh opened the door, eyes to the ground, tears streaming down his cheeks.
"Josh! What's wrong?" She questioned.
He held the door open for her, before signing brokenly. "See for yourself."
She stepped inside to find broken glass on the floor, objects knocked over all around the living room.
"What happened?" She muttered. It looked like someone had tried to rob the place.
"He had a bit of a...breakdown.." he came over to her, sniffling. "Now he's just in his room crying his eyes out.."
"He was doing so well.." she murmured. "I thought he was, at least..."
"This is tearing him apart.." Josh sobbed, his voice breaking.
He began to cry softly, and Ella immediately gave him a tight hug, which he fell into.
"I shouldn't be crying.." he mumbled. "I'm not the one who lost everything.."
"Thus is stressful for you, too, Josh." She replied in a whisper. "You're his best friend..."
"He's lost his entire life."
"He still has you."
"And what am I going to do?" He questioned, before sighing.
"Just be there for him. That's what he needs right now."
Josh nodded, taking a deep breath to compose himself as he pulled away from the hug. "Do you want to see him?" He mumbled as he rubbed the tears from his eyes. "Maybe you can cheer him up."
She nodded with a small smile. "Yeah."
"I'll just stay here for now.." he sighed. "I need a minute."
"Take all the time you need." She nodded at him before making her way down the hall.
As she approached the closed bedroom door, her heart sunk to hear Tyler's sobs. She opened the door to take a peek inside, her eyes meeting the sight of him laying in bed, a pillow held close to his face as he cried in loud, gasping sobs.
Tears began to full her own eyes, but she blinked them away. The image of her own mother flashed through her mind; and she hated to relive it.
She stepped inside, shutting the door behind her as she carefully made her way to the bed, reaching out to touch him.
He was startled by the sensation, and when he saw who it was, he sat up, rubbing the tears from his eyes to hide the crying he had done.
He took a short, shaky breath as she sat beside him, signing Tyler.
It was the only thing she could sign to him that meant anything right now.
He picked up his notebook which lay next to him, writing quickly.
Go away.
She shook her head at him.
Please, he wrote.
She shook her head again.
GO AWAY.
She reached for the notebook, and he held it away from her. She took a deep breath to compose herself, opening up her binder and pulling out a sheet of blank paper.
Tyler, I'm here for you. I want to help.
I don't want your help.
You don't mean that.
Yes, I do.
Things will get better.
You don't know that.
She reached over and held Tyler's hand.
They will get better, I promise, she wrote with the other.
Tyler pulled his hand away from hers.
I don't want your help.
Tyler, I'm here for you, she signed.
He wrote as he shook his head. I don't know what that means.
She took the pen from his hand, writing his notebook this time.
I'm here for you.
He looked into her eyes for a moment, his own eyes growing weary. He then looked back at the floor, those eyes filling with tears.
I can't do this anymore, he wrote below her words as tears dripped onto the paper, bleeding the pen.
She wrapped a hesitant arm around him, pulling him closer as he began to cry. All she knew to do was attempt to console him by rubbing his back softly.
More and more he reminded her of her own mother, the woman who inspired her to teach sign language.
She just couldn't watch him end up like she did: The universe still needed him there.
Tyler, please keep trying. I promise you'll be okay, She wrote in his notebook, showing it to him as tears filled her eyes.
He stared at it before lowering his head, nodding slowly and solemnly.
YOU ARE READING
silent // tyler jøseph
Fanfiction"and nøw i just sit in silence." in which the singer of twenty one pilots loses his hearing, ultimately losing his ability to do everything that he loves. after tyler's best friend decides that he needs help, he hires a woman to teach him sign lang...
