Dear Dylan

viii. a cup of joe

A/N: changed my mind lol here you go

We have been driving around California for the past minute, looking for a secluded coffee shop. Unfortunately, we were catastrophic in doing so. Most of the coffee shops we encountered were either occupied by too many people or substandard.

I wanted to tell Tyler about the coffee shop Dylan and I stumbled upon a few days ago. I opened my mouth but not a single word came out of it.

Telling Tyler about the coffee shop felt so wrong and I didn't even know why. I felt like it was something confidential between Dylan and I since people barely went there.

My thoughts snapped back into reality when I saw Tyler turning on the radio. He looked at me as if asking for agreement and I just nodded.

Life's like a road that you travel on

When there's one day here and the next day gone

Sometimes you bend, sometimes you stand

Sometimes you turn your back to the wind

Tyler was singing along to Rascal Flatts' Life Is A Highway. If I said that his voice wasn't sensational, I would be dishonest. I closed my eyes and absorbed his voice. Even with my eyes closed, I could hear his soul and heart singing.

I opened my eyes and saw him gesturing to me. He mouthed the word "sing" and my eyes immediately widened. He pouted at me and I couldn't just resist it so I sang too.

There's a world outside ev'ry darkened door

Where blues won't haunt you anymore

Where brave are free and lovers soar

Come ride with me to the distant shore

We smiled at each other while singing our hearts out. We continued singing like this, our voices harmonizing with each other's. I haven't sang ever since my parents' deaths. Honestly, I haven't done anything fun ever since my parents' deaths. Not even with Spencer around.

When I met Dylan, Brandy, and Tyler, every hurt I've held onto just completely vanished into dust. I know that it seems so sudden but I couldn't just control my feelings despite my eagerness to. This was a mystery that I will never fully grasp.

Tyler and I smiled at each other before singing the chorus in a loud volume.

Life is a highway

I wanna ride it all night long

If you're going my way

I wanna drive it all night long

"I haven't had a duet like that for ages." Tyler let out a exasperated sigh and we bursted out in chuckles.

"Well, I haven't heard my voice for ages. It's a win-win situation between you and me." I winked at him and he rolled his eyes and looked ahead.

His eyes widened suddenly. "Will you look at that? Tom and Tom's Cafe."

We parked in front of a two-story building. The building wasn't that occupied but it had enough customers.

Tyler and I got out of the car before he locked it. The parking lot was five minutes away from the building so we decided to walk the short distance. None of us muttered a word to each other but it wasn't uncomfortable unlike with Brandy. Brandy made me feel awkward and nervous for God knows what reason.

When we were in front of the doors, we immediately walked in. The decadent scent of caffeine enlightened us. It wasn't as beautiful as Le Petite Coteríe Cafe but it was enough to attract a good number of visitors.