Falling Too (Tyler Joseph)

Chapter 9

I adjusted my instrument bag before knocking on the door, but instead of Tyler standing on the other side, it was Chris.

He smiled informing me, "He's out back in the woods. If you want to see him before sundown you might want to go look for him."

I rose my eyebrows, but nodded, "Alright, thank you."

I stepped into the backyard, gazing out into the tree line for Tyler. I stepped into the underbrush, calling out his name as I made my way around. What was he even doing out here? What had his dad meant about seeing him before sundown? Does that mean he does this all the time?

While I continued to search for him I thought about how relieved I had been when I found out that Tyler's dad decided to support Tyler's decision to quit basketball, and that he didn't hold any grudge against me. He had said that it was up to Tyler to figure out what he wanted. A moment later I saw white just in the distance and I moved hastily towards it to spot Tyler standing in just a t-shirt and jeans. Was he trying to get sick?

"Is there anybody out there?!" He shouted up to the trees.

"Tyler? What are you doing?" I questioned him as I walked up behind him.

He jumped at the sound of my voice and whirled around to face me with a surprised expression. Instead of answering me he rushes over to tightly hug me.

I tried again, "Is everything okay?"

He pressed his face against the space between my neck and shoulder before nodding. I did my best to fight off the chill that threatened to race down my spine from the sensation and wrapped my arms around his slim torso.

I realized that he was shaking a few seconds later, so I gently patted him on the back murmuring, "Hey, let's head inside. It's freezing out here."

For a minute he didn't do or say a thing, but then like a flick of a switch he let me go and he had a smile on his face. I was so confused, what was with the sudden change in mood? Was he trying to fake it for my sake? I felt like I shouldn't press more on the issue, but that didn't stop it from bugging me. I followed him into the house and up to his room, watching as he went to his closet and pulled out a gray hoodie. From the look on his face, something was clearly bothering him and I was dying to know what it was.

He slipped on his extra clothing before asking, "So are we going to practice or not?"

I decided to push aside my worries and got out my ukulele. "Let's take this from the top then."

***

The next day I was glad to see that I had a text message from Tyler asking if I wanted to hang out with him and Josh. Also, I got one from Josh basically pleading for me to agree. I told Tyler sure and just to mess with Josh I didn't answer. I met up with them at the public playground near Josh's house and I found Tyler spinning Josh on one of those weird saddle style seats.

"I didn't think you were coming!" Josh shouted while doing his best to hang on and nearly kicked Tyler in the stomach.

Tyler stepped back, shaking his head at our twirling friend.

"Well, I'm here now." I laugh while watching Josh try to make his chair stop moving.

"Okay, somebody let me off!" He demanded as he started to lose his balance.

Tyler shook his head laughing, "You're on your own man."

I stepped over to Josh, grabbing his leg to halt him and when he got off the seat he stumbled before falling into me.

"Easy there, buddy. You're gonna fall over." I warn him as I did my best to hold him up. Having Josh's dead weight in my arms was getting a bit too heavy for me so I turned to Tyler. "Help me please."

He gave me an impish grin asking, "Why should I?"

After that Josh nor I could hold each other up and we toppled over into the mulch. I could hear Tyler laughing so hard that he was pretty much gasping for air. I moved Josh off of me and I could tell that he was still dizzy.

"Get him, Ashley!" Josh cried while starting to laugh himself.

I scrambled to my feet and ran towards Tyler, but then I suddenly remembered that he was a basketball player and a fast one. So catching him would be nearly impossible, but that didn't stop me from trying. He swiftly ducked out of my way when I reached him, his laughter never ceasing. I turned back around and attempted to catch him again, but now my own giggling was getting in the way. I was too concerned with how funny this all was to notice that I tripped over my own feet and I almost fell over again, but Tyler managed to grab me before that happened. He pulled me back into an upright position and when our eyes met I saw the smirk on his lips. It caused my stomach to feel like it just exploded with butterflies, I really wish I didn't find him so good looking.

I quietly thanked him before stepping out of his hold. I glanced over at Josh to see that he was back on his feet with a knowing smile on his face as he watched Tyler and me.

Thankfully Josh decided to distract us by yelling, "To the swings!"

Tyler took off running right after Josh did and I moved to keep up with them, smiling from ear to ear over how wonderfully childish we all were. Tyler ended up making us all compete in who could jump off the swing the furthest and surprisingly I won. While in the middle of my little happy dance I felt my phone vibrate in my pocket and I got it out to see that I had a text from my classmate and friend Dwane.

'Aye, where are you? Did you skip without me?'

"Crap!" I exclaimed, shoving my cell back in my pocket.

"What's wrong?" Josh asked looking worried.

"I forgot that I have an afternoon class today. I'm so sorry guys, but I have to be leaving."

"Wait what day of the week is it?" Tyler questioned with wide eyes.

"Tuesday." Josh and I say at the same time.

"You can't be serious! I feel terrible, but I have to be heading out too."

Josh waves it off, "Don't worry about it guys, we'll hang out again later."

We all gave each other hugs goodbye and I could have sworn I heard Josh chuckle when I embraced Tyler, but I decided to ignore it. I hurried to my car and when I drove off I may have gone a bit over the speed limit so I wouldn't be terribly late. I saw from my rearview mirror that Tyler was right behind me. I ended up finding a parking space before he did and I didn't waste any time as I yanked my backpack from my passenger seat. I locked up and ran as fast as I could, my class that only had two minutes until it started. In the back of my mind, I hoped that Tyler wasn't as late as I was.