Finally Found

6

Tyler

I hadn't realized what just happened until after the bartender was yelling for my attention. I quickly paid him before sitting down, running my fingers through my hair. I couldn't understand the situation even if I wanted too.

I went through the boy and I's conversation trying to figure out if I had told him my nickname was Tilly. I knew it was impossible considering I haven't even spoken of that name because it sounded so foreign in my mouth. It was his name for me and he wasn't here.

But the issue was, he was here. I didn't tell him my name and nobody could have known about it, except him. Unless it's a nickname for Tyler that suddenly became popular and I wasn't aware. Even if that was the case, it just wasn't true here. Because when he said that nickname it sounded the same. It instantly gave me the comfort only Troye could provide. And somehow just his presence provided it.

At the airport I knew that he looked special. And from all the people in this party, from all the people with masks on... I once again found him. I actually found him.

  And although a part of me knew it had to be him, I was still skeptical. Why after seven years would my best friend run away that quickly? He wouldn't do that. It just didn't make sense. Nothing made sense.

  I had a million questions to ask him and I didn't even know if I was ever gonna see him again. I was tempted to go search for him, but from how fast he was running away, I figured he was long gone.

  Which leads me to a more important factor- What am I going to say to his parents. It wasn't an option not to tell them he was alive. They needed to know that their son, who we've been looking for, for seven years was alive. I just didn't know how to tell them.

  And what scared me the most, was what if it wasn't him? It turns out that I misheard and I never found him. He's still missing and has been dead all this time. My stomach immediately felt sick at the thought and I pushed it out of my mind. He's not dead. If all of this is completely wrong, I know he's not dead.

  I continued to reassess the event that took place in my mind as I stared blankly at my drink. I couldn't take a sip, knowing that being intoxicated could supply a false thought. I wouldn't take that chance. 

   " Ty babe?" A voice spoke next to me. I turned hoping it was Troye, but instead a concerned Hannah sat beside me. "Are you okay?"

  I nodded not wanting to get into conversation.  She clearly didn't believe me but she smiled and slightly tugged on my arm.

   " Come on. Let's go home." She spoke lightly in my ear.

  I glanced up at the staircase he ran up, wondering if I stayed longer he would come back down. I didn't want to loose him again.

    " No Hannah. I'm gonna stay for a bit more. You go on." I noticed her eyebrows draw in, about to protest before I continued. " Lifeline."

  Lifeline was a rule my friends and I had. We got one moment to say it in our whole friendship where the others couldn't question or try to talk them out of something. It was important if not the biggest thing to them that they couldn't explain.  I haven't used it yet, and I have had plenty of times where I almost but realized it wasn't worth it. I was saving it. And I think I knew I was saving it for him.

  Troye was my lifeline.

  Hannah froze for a moment, trying to process before she just nodded and left with Ingrid walking beside her. I let out the breath I was holding and inhaled once again.

It took a while for me to gain enough courage to walk up the stairs. I couldn't decide if I was nervous it was him or if I was more afraid it wasn't him. It was a seesaw of thoughts and I didn't know which side was gonna win.

  I've made a lot of mistakes in my life, but the one that sticks out the most is deciding to walk up 10 flights of stairs instead of using the god damn elevator. Don't get me wrong, I love some good exercise, but this is psychotic. Especially in a suit.

  I pushed open the door of the 11th floor, and turned the corner. I was originally planning on just taking the elevator down and searching each level to see if I could find him, but fortunately I didn't have to do that. A boy was standing by the window looking out, and I recognize the mask on his face.

  "Troye." I squeaked out, not realizing the name had left my mouth.

  He turned around quickly with his mouth held agape. I was in shock realizing that he actually turned to the name. Was this really him?

  " Tyler, you need to leave right now." He spoke backing away. "I'm not safe."

  I shook my head instantly not caring what he had said, I needed to see him.

  " Is it really you?"  I said trembling. It felt like all the air in my body had left me. "Please."

  I watched as his fingers went to his face and peeled off the mask. I felt a tear fall from my eyes when all my thoughts were confirmed.

Until this moment, I had no idea what beauty looked like. I mean I'm one for admiring strangers looks, but I was left breathless by his appearance. It was like I was seeing him again for the first time.

I remember studying the ocean like it had been the only thing I was capable of. The way it made me feel free and amazed all in one. The color alone ran shivers down my back, but even then it had no comparison to the eyes that held my gaze. The ocean blue that every person fell in love with, wasn't close to describing how mesmerizing his eyes were.

  I crave to see his mouth form the smile that his soft plump lips could hold. It didn't seem like I would ever get to see that smile I fell in love with seven years ago, but now that he was standing in front of me, I wondered if I would get the honor

Soft curls fell loosely over his face, shaping his jaw line in the most prominent way. I imagined tracing my fingers along the outline of his body only stopping to remind him how gorgeous he was. I'd be careful not to break him because his skin would look so porcelain that I'd forget he wasn't actually a doll.

  " You're alive." I said out loud. It seemed like it was more to myself than him.

  Troye nodded and that's when I noticed his eyes were watering.

  " Listen Ty, I need you to leave."

  " Why? I just found you."

  My voice had gotten so shaky, I wasn't sure if he could understand me.

  " I know. I want to explain everything but I can't right now."

  " When?" I asked.

  He bit his lip thinking for a second. "Tomorrow at 3 o'clock pm. Meet me at Cane Café."

"Okay." I spoke immediately.

  Troye glanced down at his watch quickly before speaking again. " Now go- quick he's going to be here any second." He had pressed the button for the elevator not giving me another option.

  " Who?"

   He never answered me though considering when the door open he pushed me in, grabbing ahold of my hand. Our fingers intertwined instantly and I felt him squeeze my hand tightly. I wished he would never let go, but when the door started closing I watched as are hands separated and saw Troye disappear once again through the crack of the elevator.