tyler was laying in his bed, per usual.
his chin rested against the palm of his hand, staring outside at the sun's rays shining through his window.
the sunset and sunrise was the only way he was motivated to continue living anymore. things were hard after half of his family left earlier than expected. he always felt as if he should join them, as his life is pointless without them.
but for once, his daily schedule of thoughts and depression was interrupted. a noise echoed throughout the small hallway outside of his door, causing him to sit up and look.
he dragged himself wearily out of bed, yanking open the door and seeing nothing but..
an open door.
but it wasn't just an open door.
it was his sister's; a door that hasn't been touched or opened since her passing.
tyler rubbed his eyes with a confused expression, wondering if his dad needed something out of the room. his feet scraped every inch, tiredly stepping a few feet to the door entrance.
but his dad wasn't in the room; it was a girl.
she was carrying a bag and touching some of his sister's things.
"hey!!" he screamed, angered by the lack of respect for her belongings. "why are you here? who are you?"
the girl jumped, and quickly turned around. her face exchanged a surprised look for a relaxed one. "hello, tyler."
"how do you know my name?" he furrowed his eyebrows. "and who let you in here?"
"i have to stay here for a while," she avoided his questions. "you have to let me. i have no where else to say."
"dad?!" tyler screamed down the stairs, but this time she ran up to him and placed her hand on his mouth. he opened his eyes to hers and his dad yelled upstairs, "you okay?"
hesitantly, she muttered to him and let go of his mouth gently. "please don't tell him." she whispered.
he swallowed, "uh, nothing, sorry, just a bug in the room. i got it." he yelled back, trying to make an excuse but sounding dumb.
it was quiet for a minute so they figured he went with it.
"i promise i won't be a bother." the girl started again, walking to her bag and unzipping it. "you just can't tell anyone i'm here."
"but i don't even know you." he sighed. "you could be anyone. how can i trust you? and again, how do you even know my name??"
she stopped in her tracks. "i can't stay at someone's house without at least knowing their name..." she scratched her head, facing him. "besides, your name is everywhere on these walls."
pointing to a drawing his sister created months ago, tears slightly formed in his eyes.
she noticed and gulped, regretting pointing it out. "i'm sorry, anyways..."
"don't talk to my dad and don't even think about touching her things." tyler started walking outside the room. "and don't talk to me."
he shut the door behind him.
//
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