One Too Many Thoughts

Chapter Seventeen: Sing to the Sky

The sun shone through Tyler's window. He blinked at the scorching sun and frowned, upset it was the next day.

How did I get here? The last thing I know, I was sleeping.

Tyler shook off the thought as he grabbed his beeping phone to see a text from Ashley.

Explained to your mom what had happened. I just said you might need some time to recoup and that you'll come down when you're ready. I called the ambulance and they took you home after making sure you were okay since you were a victim of the fire. Hope you're okay, ty :)

Tyler smiled at the nice message. He slapped his phone down and stretched, moaning as he did. His soft blankets rubbed against his still sweat pants covered legs.

Blinking in shock, he got up and decided to take a shower, at least do something today.

Tyler hopped into the prickling water, feeling the hot moisture rub his back softly. After his shower, he threw on some clean jeans and a t-shirt and sat down on his bed, not knowing what to do.

He glanced at his laptop, slick and sleek. Squinting, he grabbed his laptop, opening and linking himself to the video when he sang Drown and Blasphemy.

A grin spread across his tearful face. Wiping them off, he clicked to notes. Stretching his arms, he typed in what would become a new song.

"Tyler?" His mom crept into the door.

He swung his laptop down and shoved it under his blankets to turn around to see his happy mother.

"H-hi." He stuttered.

"How're you doing?" She asked, but continued before he could talk. "Someone's downstairs to see you. Nathan Quintet."

Tyler raised an eyebrow, not knowing who Nathan was.

"Okay, can you send them up?" He mumbled, rubbing his face.

"Sure!" His mom smiled vanishing into the dark hallways.

Tyler stared into the darkness, confused on who would be entering his room. A figure appeared, cracks the door open. He had curly blondish hair, hazel eyes, and a strange t-shirt with NASA on it.

"Nero? What the hell are you doing here?" Tyler screeched before Nero shut the door, looking very guilty.

"Tyler, please shut up before your mom comes up here." Nero hissed with a frown. "We need to talk."

Shutting his face with a glare, Tyler nodded, using all his willpower to not punch Nero.

"Please, Tyler." Nero gulped, tears forming in his eyes. "I'm sorry."

Tyler raised his eyebrows, clearly not believing the devil in front of him.

"Nero, you pushed Josh out of a building, kidnapped Josh, almost killed Josh, made me feel-" Tyler started, about to start screaming.

"I was forced." Nero burst out crying, slipping to the floor. "Harry said he'd kill my step-sister, Elena. My step-mother and my step-dad. Everyone I love. Including Josh. I couldn't let him kill my real brother, even if we aren't friends, even if he hates me."

Tyler looked at him with sincere eyes. The boy he once knew as the villains, his enemy, was known asking for forgiveness. For hurting his best friend. For hurting him.

"How could I ever forgive you?" Tyler breathed, straining from crying.

He glanced up at Nero, who was rubbing his red nose full of tears. Nero was just like him, faking every day, hurting others to save his family, hurting Josh to save Josh, hurting Josh to save Tyler. Unless Nero wasn't faking and just wanting to be forgiven to not be turned into the cops. And now, everyone's lives depended on Tyler. If he forgave Nero, if he was pretending to be sorry, then Josh would have his life even more ruined, which Tyler didn't know was even possible. If he wasn't preceding to be sorry, then maybe he could help. And if Tyler didn't forgive him, Nero would suffer from regret.