The Black

Let It Sleep - Smile

Tyler wakes up from her nap and asks Josh if he wants to go to sleep. Josh immediately gets up and goes to sleep in the back of the truck. Tyler sits shotgun and stares at the road ahead.

"How are you doing? For our current situation, I mean."

"I'm fine"

There's a comforting silence as they both sit and ponder what's on their mind.

"I was gonna say I'm sorry. About him."

"Oh... Don't mention that right now, I don't want to think of him" the 

Again, the comforting silence returns. It's not a bad silence, like your teacher called on you while you fell asleep in math class and you just woke up and you didn't hear her question so you just stare at her with a blank stare until she repeats herself but you still don't know what the answer is because you were asleep when she taught the class that. It's the kind of silence where you're with your significant other and you're enjoying looking into each others eyes without even having to say words to fill awkward space because it isn't awkward. Although they weren't a couple, they were best friends.

Tyler looks over at Jackson and sighs.

"What's that for?"

"Just...I was wondering about her"

"She'll be fine. I don't want to think about her"

Jackson pays attention to the road again without any emotion on his face.

"Smile for me, Jacky"

"Please don't call me that again"

"I used to call you it all the time, why don't you like it anymore?"

"Because I grew up. And no I won't smile. I can't remember the last time I smiled. A real smile. It's been so long and now I don't know if it'll ever become a reality again."