The Ghøst in Apartment Twenty Øne

10- I Didn't Notice

A/N- When the All Time Low guys are mentioned later, imagine fetus ATL. Funny haircuts, clothes, and everything. Ah, good times.....ALSO CAT ON A BALCONY IS LIKE 70 READS AWAY FROM 5K!!! THAT'S INSANE THANK YOU GUYS SO MUCH!!!

Tyler's POV

On my way to the park I stopped at a small kind of sketchy-looking gas station to grab a big water bottle to sip on throughout the day. Once I reached the park, I unloaded my stuff and headed back to my usual spot. While I quickly re-tuned the strings on my uke, I thought of what song to sing first.

I decided on an original I hadn't played in awhile called "House of Gold" that I had written for my mom. After I finished tuning the strings, I cleared my throat, pushed my sunglasses back up on the bridge of my nose, and began to play.

A few couples walking by stopped to listen for a moment and some people just dropped some change in my jar and kept going. After I finished the song, the people who had stopped to listen clapped, gave me some money, and moved on.

And that's how things went the whole day. I always had someone standing and listening to me, which was a little unusual, but very good.

The best thing to happen was a guy who I recognized from the other day came up to me and introduced himself as Vic Fuentes. He asked me if I could play "Can't help falling in Love" again when he came back in a few moments with his girlfriend; he wanted to propose to her afterwards.

Of course, I whole heartedly agreed. I was excited to be able to be involved in such a big moment in their lives. As promised, he soon returned holding hands with a girl who had naturally red hair and brown eyes.

I finished the random little tune I had been playing until Vic returned and started into the Elvis song. With smiles on their faces and their hands intertwined, they stood and listened to me, the girl rested her head on the Vic's shoulder as she watched on. After the song was over, he turned to face her.

"Danielle, I have something to ask you," he slid down onto one knee, his shoulder length brown hair flowing slightly in the wind. Danielle's eyes began to water and she held the hand he wasn't holding over her mouth.

"It's been an absolutely amazing two years with you. You've supported me during the hard times, and celebrated with me during the good. You're my best friend and partner-in-crime. You know all my flaws, love me anyways, and make me a better man every day. You're breathtakingly beautiful, kind, and a little bit sassy. And, as cheesy as this is, I couldn't help but fall in love with you from the moment I first saw you. It would be an honor if you would spend the rest of your life with me. So my question is this: Danielle, will you marry me?"

She couldn't even speak; she just nodded with the most joyful grin I had ever seen in my life. They were an adorable little couple. Vic grinned and slid the ring onto her finger before standing up and pulling her into a sweet, loving kiss.

Everyone around clapped and a few people took pictures. The two love-birds pulled out of their kiss and just gazed into each other's eyes. I can't wait to have that with someone one day...to just know what it feels like to be unconditionally loved and appreciated by someone.

They kissed one more time before Vic turned to face me. He pulled me in for one of those bro-hug things.

"Thank you so much man, I really appreciate it."

"No problem dude, congratulations to you both." I looked over at Danielle and gave her a small smile. She also gave me a hug and her thanks. Vic pulled out his wallet and dropped a twenty in my jar. I tried to protest at the amount, it was too much, but Vic spoke before I could.

"Just accept it man, that's nothing compared to the gratitude I have for you." And with one more smile, the happy couple left to go start planning their future together. Leaving little ole single me to continue playing in the park alone.

Normally, I'm fine with being single and don't mind it all that much. I know the right person will come along eventually, but after that all that was on my mind for the rest of the day was my desire for a boyfriend. I want someone to hold me, kiss me, tell me things will be ok, that I'm attractive, and all the things that go with it.

My emotions reflected in the songs I chose to play throughout the remainder of my time at the park. All the songs had something to do with love, they varied between happy and sad songs, but they all stuck with the same theme.

Around six, I was practically starving so I decided to call it a day. I put my ukulele back in its case, picked up my jar, and began to make my way back to my car. I put everything in the backseat and slid into the driver's seat. Feeling too impatient to wait on something to cook at home, I decided to go into Taco Bell for dinner.

After I pulled into the lot, I pulled some of the cash out of my jar and shoved it into my wallet. I had made a little over one-hundred dollars today, and I had Vic to thank for that. A lot of people who had been watched left my some fairly big tips.

I walked in and my favorite cashier, a spunky kid who was a junior in high school named Alex, but just to annoy him I always called him by his last name. He's also an aspiring musician and is in a band with a few of his friends.

They called themselves All Time Low, and I will admit, they're pretty good. I think if they keep working, they definitely have a shot at making it big. They just need some better haircuts...especially Jack...

"Hey Gaskarth, how are you?"

"Pretty good, Tyjo. You want the usual?"

"Yup."

"Ok, that'll be $8.62, as always."

"It's pretty sad that almost everyone who works here knows me and my order. Maybe I should start going somewhere else." I chuckled as I hand Alex a ten dollar bill.

"Don't do that, we'd all miss you too much!" Alex laughed as he got my change out of the register. "I'll give you a free taco or something next time."

"You're just trying to make me fat."

"You caught me; I've been slowly trying to take out my competition. You're next on my hit list." Alex said with a dead expression as he handed me my food.

"I'll be sure to watch my back then, see you around Gaskarth." I said with a laugh before going to sit down and unceremoniously stuff my face; I was starving. A grin broke out on Alex's face.

"See ya Tyjo!"

I went over and took my usual seat by the window and began to sort out my food. As I ate, I thought back to what happened at the park earlier and smiled; that was just so cute.

You'll never get that Tyler. No one will ever want you.

I paused in mid-chew. Blurryface.

That's not true, leave me alone.

No, without Josh you have no way to make me. You're too weak and pathetic to be able to do anything on your own. Are you sure Josh is even trying to help you? You know people can lie Tyler, you've experienced it first-hand over and over.

Josh wouldn't do that...he's kind...

It's all an act. I can see him all of the time; I see the things you can't. He's just using you to further himself Tyler. If he can get you to snap, he gets to go to heaven instead of being stuck here with you. I'm the one trying to help you Tyler, not Josh. I'm showing you the world as it really is, so you won't get hurt by others later on.

I finished the last of my food, threw the trash away, and quickly hurried out to my car. I need to get home. I need to talk to Josh.

But...what if Blurry is right? What if Josh is only using me? He'll just tell me more lies.

No! No, no, no! Josh isn't lying to me! He's trying to help me, he wants me to live. To prosper like he never got the chance to. Although...

I was so distracted by the battle going on in my mind, that I didn't notice I was once again at the intersection where Josh had his wreck. I didn't notice the car that had run the red light and was hurtling straight towards the side of my car. However, I did notice the sharp pain in my chest before everything went black.