Raven's Song

Let's Party

I didn't want to go to the party. My dad was ecstatic that I was reconnecting with my old friends and thought it would be amazing for my return in the fall, but I could tell something was off with Tylor. He put on just good enough of a show for me to almost believe he was happy I was experiencing some normalcy, but there was a glint in his eyes that told me otherwise. Eyes really were the windows to the soul. Tylor could put on the best mask he had, but he couldn't hide everything from me. He felt something he wasn't telling me.

He walked me to my car, sliding his hands into his pockets while I leaned against the car door. I looked up at him as I put my hands on his hips and pulled him to me. He pulled his hands out of his pockets and braced them on the car on either side of me.

"I can stay here," I told him quietly. "We can watch a movie. Eat junk food. Forget about the world."

"No, Kenna. You need to go live your life. I've taken enough of it from you."

"When you say stuff like that, I get worried," I told him as I leaned forward and rested my head against his chest. His heartbeat was steady, but he took a deep breath.

"You don't need to worry about me, Kenna. I can take care of myself."

"I know," I murmured. "It doesn't mean you don't still need someone to worry about you."

His arms finally wrapped around me. "It's time for you to put yourself first, Kenna. You've put others first for too long."

"Please don't leave me, Tylor." I looked up at him, and he met my eyes. There was still that look, though. My gut knew he wouldn't be there when I returned. Even if I didn't go to the party, he would leave in the night. I just knew it despite the promises he wasn't going to follow in his father's steps.

"I'm never going to leave you, Kenna. I'm going to make sure nothing ever happens to you or your family." He bent down and kissed me softly before he pulled out of my grasp. "Go have fun at your party. No one is going to lay a hand on you again."

I didn't move as he reached past me to open the door. "Tylor."

"Please just go, Kenna."

I swallowed the lump in my throat before I threw myself into his arms. He wrapped his arms tightly around me, pulling my lips to his. I hadn't gotten to say goodbye to a lot of people, but he was giving me the chance. Maybe I should have pushed him harder to stay. Maybe I should have let him go easier. It wasn't going to matter. He was going to do what he thought he needed to. Nothing I did would stop him.

He pulled away first and gently pushed me to the car. I didn't let the tears fall as I memorized his face. It wasn't going to be the last time we saw each other. It was just going to be the last time for a while. How long, I didn't know. When he was ready, he would be back. When he thought it was safe.

With a deep breath, I opened the door. Tylor's hand caught it. I turned to look at him.

"I just want one thing," he said softly. I met his gaze. "Live, Kenna. Stop trying to take care of everyone. It's time to take care of yourself. Everyone else needs to learn how to stand on their own. It's not your responsibility."

I reached up and cupped his face, stroking his cheek with my thumb, before I kissed him softly. "You need to take your own advice."

"No," he said softly. "I have amends to make. You don't. That's why you need to start being a little more selfish."