Caged

Chapter 9

I laid my head on Joseph's lap on the quiet room while Tyler and Skylar talked about how he dealt with some things at his parent's funeral that Skylar might have to deal with. "I'm not gonna be that sad." She shrugged. "I'm not even upset that they're gone. I just agreed to go for a day away from this place."

"How could you not be upset? You alien!" Joseph yelled and Skylar laughed.

"I don't care because they wouldn't have cared if I was in their place. They hated me when they first found out about my teleportation and just denied my whole existence. I was equivalent to a bag of flaming dog shit that was left on their front porch as a prank." Skylar explained.

"I didn't mean... Fuck I'm sorry." Joseph slapped himself and looked down at me. "I'm a mess." He grumbled and I laughed, making him smile.

"We all are, boy." Tyler interjected, dragging out his 'Y'. I rolled my eyes and laughed lightly, shifting my attention back over to Skylar.

"So, are you excited to see anyone in particular?" Tyler asks her.

"Yeah, I had a girlfriend before I was sent here-" I didn't pay attention to the rest of what she was saying because I was too excited. Fuck yes she's gay!!

I pay attention again and Tyler says my name. "Yes I'm paying attention." I lie and they laugh.

"Then answer my question." Skylar challenges me.

"Umm.. Tyler?" I answer.

"Yes, I understand when you're feeling Tyler 100%." Skylar rolls her eyes. "Wait- no- I mean!" Her face turns red with embarrassment and everyone laughs.

"I think we all know that feeling." Joseph goes to his lover and I sit up and move beside Skylar.

"Anyways, I asked how you were feeling when people asked about where you've been." Skylar cleared it up for me.

"Oh, yes! Scared." I answered and everyone laughed. "I've missed you guys." I blurt out.

"I've missed you too, girl." Tyler pouts and I smile at him.

"We never really get to chill out with each other anymore." Joseph adds.

"Yeah, why do you think that they stopped and started again?" I ask and Skylar shrugs.

"You never know with this place." Tyler says.

"This is true." Joseph nods.

***

After a while of talking nonsense, Joseph's guard tells him it's time for his testing, and Skylar needs to go to therapy. Tyler and I sit there for a while, speaking about what they did during their time in the outside world.

"I've been wanting to say something for a while and I didn't know how to say it, and I never had the courage till now." Tyler took a deep breath, and out of the corner of my eye I see Ryder make his way, slowly, through the glass door. "I just... I- fuck..." Tyler trails off. "I though I had the courage to say it but I didn't." He laughs nervously and I put my hand on his knee.

"You don't have to tell me if you're not ready, but you can also always trust me." I reassure him.

"Hey, it's time for your walk." Ryder says and I look at Tyler and smile as I get up, then wave goodbye.