The Sound Of Your Heart

FOURTEEN

MILES

After Tyler and I had dinner at his place, we decided to stop by his café. Undeterred, we approached the café, its tall glass windows providing a glimpse of the cozy interior within. Tyler fumbled for his keys, his eyes reflecting a mix of excitement and determination. "Want some Hot chocolate?" he asked, a twinkle of excitement in his voice.

"Sure!" I enthusiastically said as I nodded in response.

Curiosity piqued, I followed him to the side entrance of the café. With a careful twist of the key, the heavy glass door swung open, inviting us into the enchanting world within. The room was bathed in shadows, but the gentle glow of the street lamps delicately illuminated the space, casting a soft and mysterious ambiance.

We stepped inside, and the familiar aroma of freshly brewed coffee tickled our noses, even in the absence of bustling customers. The café's charm remained intact, with quaint wooden tables and chairs neatly arranged across the room. The modern yet aesthetic decorations whispered stories from the present, effortlessly blending with the shadows that danced playfully along the walls.

Tyler led me toward the counter, where he switched on a few soft lamps. Their warm light flickered to life, casting a gentle glow across the space. The room came alive with a sense of quiet enchantment as if it knew it was welcoming a special visitor after hours.

As Tyler prepared our hot chocolate, the silence between us was comforting, almost sacred. It seemed as though time had paused for this brief interlude, allowing us to savor the tranquility of the café devoid of its usual patrons. The subdued lighting made everything feel intimate and personal as if we had stumbled upon a hidden sanctuary reserved only for a select few.

I sat over the wooden table, my hands tracing the intricate carvings that adorned its surface. From my spot in this room, I could hear the distant echoes of laughter and music floating down from the vibrant party that was taking place upstairs.

"They must be having so much fun up there," I said to myself, looking up at the ceiling. I struggled to summon a smile to mask my nerves. It had taken all my courage to come to this event, and now I feared the possibility of facing the same bullying and isolation I had experienced in the past. I bowed my head slightly, trying my best to hide my apprehension from Tyler. Lost in my thoughts, I felt a sudden, gentle pressure on my hands. Startled, I looked down to see Tyler standing in front of me, his familiar smile reaching his eyes.

"You don't have to hide, you know," he whispered, his voice filled with compassion.

I sighed, feeling a mix of relief and apprehension. Tyler had become my rock, the source of warmth and comfort in a sea of uncertainty. His presence alone alleviated some of my fears.

"But what if they start teasing me again?" I managed to murmur, my voice barely above a whisper. Memories of past taunts and sneering faces haunted me, making every social interaction a minefield of potential humiliation.

Tyler's grip on my hands tightened reassuringly. "They won't, and even if they do, remember that you're not alone this time. I'm here with you, and we can face whatever comes our way together."

His words felt like a lifeline, pulling me back from the depths of my fear. I mustered up the courage to lift my gaze and meet his eyes. The confident determination shining in his eyes, mirroring my dreams of acceptance and belonging, gave me hope for a brighter future.

Taking a deep breath, I smiled even more as I hugged him. The scent of his cologne filled my senses, and I couldn't help but revel in the warmth of his embrace. The moment I hugged him, I felt his heart beating so fast, as if it were trying to escape from his chest. It took him a couple of seconds before he hugged me back, his arms wrapping around me with a tenderness that made my heart flutter.