Falling Too {tyler joseph fic}

Six

Ari pov

I woke up with a jolt as my alarm went off, 7:20 flashing across the screen. Sighing, I pulled off my covers and grabbed a random hoodie and some leggings lying on my floor. Not bothering to look in the mirror I pulled my hair into a ponytail and grabbed my backpack.

Downstairs my mother had just walked out the door and I watched out the window as she got in her car and drove away. Not bothering to eat anything, I grabbed the salad I made for lunch last night and stuck it into my bag as I grabbed my keys and walked out to my car.

School was it's regular boring self. I half paid attention in my classes and handed in the math homework I had copied answers from online. I made slight gestures to people in the hallways and kept my head down as I rushed from class to class.

I had forgotten that I texted Tyler last night so when he sat down next to me in Biology I was slightly taken aback.

"Hey," he whispered softly, as if loud noises would scare me off.

"Hi," I managed to squeak out an even softer reply, and he looked at me for a few seconds as if he hadn't even heard.

Right as he opened his mouth the teacher began class. I exhaled in thankfulness, glad that I didn't have to come up with things to talk about.

After class I gathered my books and headed out the door to head to my car. I could feel him following me and slowed down a little, allowing him to catch up with me if he wanted.

"So I was maybe wondering if you wanted to hang out?" he asked slightly out of breath- I had a habit of walking faster than the average person.

"Um, I guess. Right now?" Please not right now I just want to sleep.

"Yeah. I mean as long as that works for you."

No. Sorry it doesn't, I have to wallow in self pity.

"Yeah sure. Um, what do you wanna do?"

"I guess I was thinking maybe just hang out at my place?"

"Yeah sure, I guess that sounds good."

He smiled, "Great! Do you think you could give me a ride um, my mum dropped me off today."

"Yeah sure," I unlocked my car and dumped my backpack in the backseat as Tyler did the same. As I sat down I handed Tyler the aux cord. "Feel to play some music, none of my stuff is very interesting."

"Oh it can't be that bad," he teased as he plugged his phone in and scrolled through his music.

We drove to his house is silence, but I could tell Tyler was trying to come up with things to say. I was content to focus on the road and attempt to ignore the small noises he made as he tried to start a sentence before deciding against it.

When we reached his house we went straight to the basement. I will admit it was a pretty nice setup, with comfy reclining couches facing a large TV screen and bean bags piled into a corner for easy access. In one corner sat an old looking piano, pages of sheet music stacked on and around it, the worn bench pushed neatly under.

I was confused for a moment but then I remembered that he mentioned he could play. I kind of wanted to ask him about it but was too shy and there was always the possibility that he actually sucked and I didn't want to embarrass him.

Tyler sat down on one of the couches and gestured for me to follow.

"So do you wanna play Mario Cart?" he asked once I had gotten comfortable.

"Um, sure. I'm not very good though I've only played a few times."

He smiled at me before handing me a remote, "Well, now's the perfect time to learn."

I smiled back as I took the remote and selected a random character. He outlined the basics of the game and I soon immersed myself in it.

After playing for a few hours we decided we should probably do some homework. I groaned as I pulled out my textbooks and sprawled out on the floor, Tyler joining me.

"So do you actually have any idea what's going on in this class?" Tyler asked me as I flipped my textbook to the right page.

"Nope. I usually just copy the answers from online," I admit as I write down the first problem.

"Well, that's one way to do it. I prefer to actually learn the material in the hopes of providing myself with a better future," he joked as he glanced at me, his eyes twinkling.

"Haha very clever. Well if you ever use the quadratic formula in your 'real world' job let me know and I'll give you an award."

We laughed and then actually started working, which mostly involved Tyler figuring out the problems and me copying them down.

After finishing math and bio homework, I got a text from my mum.

"Crap," I muttered to myself.

"What's wrong?" Tyler quickly asked, concern lacing his voice.

"I didn't tell my mum I was here and now she's kinda pissed."

"Oh. I-I'm sorry," He stammered out even though it wasn't his fault.

"Don't worry about it, it's not your fault." I sighed as I gathered my books together and stuffed them back into my bag.

I stood up and Tyler sprung to his feet, grabbing my wrist as I turned away, I flinched slightly at his touch from the bruises on my arm, but he seemed not to notice as he looked fearfully into my eyes.

"Um, before you go I, um, I was maybe wondering if you um, like, wanted to go on a date? Like an actual one? Or something?" He looked so timid as he glanced around the room before looking hopefully at me.

I felt my heart sink. I really wanted to say yes, just so I didn't have to say no and break his poor little heart, but I knew I had to tell him before this "thing" went any farther.

I pulled my arm away, "Oh, um, I don't really... think I'm ready for that kind of thing?" I phrased it more as a question as I tried to tell him I just wanted a friend. "It's nothing about you, you're amazing, I just um, don't really think I can handle a relationship like that right now. Um, I'm really sorry..."

He lowered his gaze, "No, um, it's fine. I get it. Friends?"

I smiled, "Yeah of course." He looked at me again, smiling softly. "I need as many of those I can get."