Do you know what I hate? Big cities. Not big cities like New York or Paris, but big cities like Columbus, Ohio, where I was stranded. Every day I am reassured that Columbus is a big city full of opportunities, but all I see are constant office buildings and the uneventful routines of Columbus' residents. Do you know what else sucks? Living in Columbus' suburbs. Let me tell you, it is one of the most boring places for a person like me. I want to get out into the world, see the unknown, you know? Of course, that's hard when you are one of those people who hates leaving their rooms, and dislikes the company of other people. Also, I don't have the money to make it further than Kentucky. There's also the problem with my boyfriend Joe. Joe has to be the dullest person ever. The only reason I had decided to start dating that plastic model of a boy is because he'll be off to Harvard in a year, and my Dad loves him. Joe is a suck up, and he will go and play the perfect Ken doll around my Dad and his girlfriend. I have wanted to break up with him for a very long time, but my dad would probably be upset about that, and all I want is for him to be happy.
Today was Monday, which means a full day at 'Columbus' Number 1 Office Depot', also known as eight hours in hell. It was also Six Thirty Four in the morning, which meant that I needed to stop moping for no reason in my bed and go waste a good eight hours of my life.
I sat up in my bed. If I could describe my room in one word, it would be Thrifty. I don't think that there is a single object in my room asides from my phone and laptop that is not from the Salvation Army thrift store. Second hand wardrobe, second hand clothes, heck, I've even got a second hand mattress. I dressed in a hurry. I threw on my 'Columbus Office Depot' shirt, which was light red with a grey collar, and my blue skinny jeans.
'
Nice job Emily', I though to myself as I watched my reflection put my black hair into a ponytail. When I was finished. I analyzed the task ahead; How not to wake Henry. Henry is my little step brother. Back when I moved in with my father and his girlfriend five years ago, Henry was absolutely adorable. Now, he is the child of Satan. Don't get me wrong, I love him, but when woken up before seven thirty, he is dangerous. I needed to sneak out of the house without waking him, or else I'll be stuck with taking care of him for a week. I slipped on my black flats and slowly opened my door. It let out a tiny creak. I froze. Henry lay asleep in the bedroom across from me. I sighed in relief and kept going. One step, silent. Two steps, still silent. I picked up my black shoulder bag by the front door, and left so quietly, it was like I was never there.
I walked out onto my front yard. I had trouble finding my bike. Usually it was locked up on my fence.
'Oh great!'
Of course my bike had been stolen. I stood out on the grass in frustration. Should I sneak back into the house to find the keys to my dad's car and risk waking the sleeping dragon (Henry)? It wasn't worth the effort to turn back, so I walked. It would only take about an hour. I groaned as I started to walk.
About four blocks later I began to hear music. It was very faint, and coming from someone's garage. I was curious as to why someone would be playing music at seven o'clock in the morning, so I tried to find the location of the music. As I continued walking, I began to hear a voice. I still couldn't hear what it was saying, but it sounded... Beautiful. I took a few more steps.
"Open the slits in your face, and start your day..."
Damn, that was really good. I finally pin pointed the garage that the music was coming from. Walking towards it, I found the melody of the piano.
"Look in the mirror, and ask your soul if you're alright."
How come I've never heard this guy before? He only lives a few blocks away. I finally saw the man playing the piano. Well, I say man. He looked about nineteen or twenty, around my age. He was wearing a white button up shirt and blue jeans, and he was playing an old wooden piano. A taller boy sat behind a set of drums. He had messy brown hair and was wearing a dark red polo shirt and khaki shorts. He had his drumming sticks in his hand, but he wasn't playing. The boy on the piano continued to sing.
"...and in your mind, you're singing, la da, la da, la da, la da da."
Then he stopped. I stood still, dead centered in the street. The boy on the piano looked up at me.
"Oh my god," was all I could say. I had no words to describe what I just whiteness. His music made me feel something inside of me, like an urge to fight something, but I didn't know what. The brown haired boy smiled at me.
"Was that a good 'oh my god', or a bad 'oh my god'?"
He asked me in a quiet voice. I smiled back.
"Definitely a good one." I walked up to him.
"My name is Tyler. That's Josh over there."
Tyler motioned to the boy on the drums, who waved at me.
"Hey." He greeted me with a soft voice.
"Are you guys like, professionals or something? Because you honestly should be." I commented. Tyler chuckled.
"I hope someday we are. We're trying to form a band, you see? We've been working on our first album."
"Wow, impressive." I really was impressed. I looked down at my watch.
"Shoot! I'm going to be late! Sorry, I have to go, but it was nice meeting you guys." I began to walk away.
"Hold on, I never got your name!" Tyler called to me.
"My name is Emily, Emily Chapman." I turned back to him.
"Do you need a ride or something?" He asked. I considered having to walk another hour.
"Sure, if you don't mind." I responded.
"Not at all."
YOU ARE READING
Don't Let me be Gone //Tyler Joseph// (#Wattys2016)
Fanfiction::COMPLETED:: Columbus was never a home for Emily. All she had was her alcoholic father and younger step brother. She never thought that things would get any better, until she met Tyler.
