Not As Fine As I Seem

Chapter 12

Tyler's POV

I awake to the sound of chirping birds, my eyes are blinded by the morning sun when I open them. I sit up, my back aching from lying on the hard, wooden floor of my treehouse. I take a minute to stand up, it's so cold I can see my breath.

I quickly rush back inside, hoping my parents haven't woken yet. No one was downstairs, they were asleep.

I jump into my bed and try and get comfy, but whatever position I'm in, my back hurts.

"Tyler?" Someone calls a while later, "Your dad and I are going to work now, if you need us just call."

"Okay mum," I groan, I was finally getting to sleep.

As soon as they leave the drive way, I get changed and set off down the road.

Josh's POV

My dad's angry again, I'm just hiding in my room. Hopefully he's leaving for work soon, or wherever it is he goes.

Tyler: Hey, Josh. I want to see you

Josh: I don't think we should, my dad's home.... sorry

Tyler: Well I'm outside and it's FREEZING! Please let me in!

Josh: Just wait there a few minutes, my dad should be leaving soon

Tyler: He better be!

What did Tyler want? He shouldn't be here, my dad won't be happy if he finds out.

A few minutes later I hear the front door slam, my dad has left.

Tyler: Can you let me in now?

I hesitate, I didn't want to see him... not today.

Tyler: Please?

Josh: Alright, I'm coming

I quickly open the door, Tyler stares at me for a moment. He'd obviously noticed.

"Did... did he do that...?" He stutters, pointing at my eye. Yes... yes he had, he punched me in the face, now my eye it black and blue. There's no way of hiding it from him.

"No.... I tripped..." he looks at me, unconvinced.

He suddenly grabs my arm and runs, we slip all over the place.

"Tyler!" I'm fine.

"I'm taking you to mine, you can't go back there... not with him around."

I just let him take me, my dad will be angry but I want Tyler to be happy. But if my dad finds out he might.... hurt him.

When we get to his he sits me down on the couch, "I'll get you an ice pack," he says as he rushes into the kitchen.

A few moments later he comes back, "thanks Tyler," I say as he hands me the pack.

I rest it on my eye, it instantly starts to feel better.

"My parents won't mind you staying here for a while, we can just say that your dad needed to go somewhere for work for a few days," he says.

"Thanks Tyler, I really appreciate it," I say.

"It's okay, get some rest Josh," he says as he leaves the room.

I rest my head on the pillows and close my eyes. I feel safe at last.