But Who Would You Live For?

I Can't Help Falling In Love With You

Tyler:

"You look stunning." Jenna tugged the ends of the collar of the black polo I was wearing.

"Thank you."

I smiled down at her. Wrapping my hands over her own. Her returning smile was slow to come but worth the wait. Jenna's smile could do amazing things to me. But tonight it didn't have its usual magic. Instead of completely ridding me of my nervousness, it only toned it down a few levels.

Maybe that was because I was looking for someone else to be here consoling me. Though I loved her smile, it wasn't the one I was looking for. Wasn't the one I needed right now.

Where the heck was Josh?

I told him that Jenna volunteered me for this stupid showcase at the diner tonight. He promised me he would be here to see me perform. I couldn't perform without him. I was so much better at that stuff when he was around. Even if he wasn't performing with me, his presence made me improve. Like when he would watch us practice in my basement.

Jenna, being the angel she was, noticed my standing discomfort. She lowered our hands to hip level. Holding my gaze easily. I couldn't look away from her if I wanted to. Not with those eyes. Did I mention how much I loved Jenna's eyes? They were miracles in themselves. That was why I didn't want to look into them.

She was so good at reading me. Her eyes were like a crystal balls directly connected to my soul. I was afraid that if she stared long enough, she'd know exactly what was wrong. She'd know that I needed Josh here right now instead of her. I'd never openly admit that to her at the risk of hurting her feelings. I would never do that to her.

"What's wrong, Ty?"

"I'm a little nervous."

She laughed at that. The sweet sound relaxed me a little more. But still not all the way. "You've performed in front of thousands of people. You're nervous about a couple dozen?"

"A crowd is a crowd." I said sheepishly.

"Is there anything I can do to help?"

You can go get Josh.

"Just stand here by my side. That Would be enough."

"Okay. I won't leave your side."

"Actually, could you maybe get me a drink?"

"A drink?" She frowned. Probably thinking I was talking about alcohol.

"A water or maybe lemonade if you can find it."

"Okay." She dropped my hand. "I will leave your side for only a moment."

"Be haste, my dear." I said in my best medieval accent.

"Until we meet again." She played along. Reaching out for me dramatically while simultaneously back stepping.

I dropped down into the nearest seat. Near the back of where the makeshift stage was. Everyone else in the diner was focused on the person performing right now. It was a pretty brunette girl sitting on a stool with a guitar in her lap. Even if I wasn't exactly paying attention, I could tell she had a lovely voice.

My eyes darted towards the door again. Hoping if I wished hard enough, Josh would appear. Of course he didn't.

Where was he? I told him to be here by nine-o-clock and it was half past that. I didn't understand what was going on with him. I knew he might still be upset about the Jenna thing. But Josh was supposed be my best friend before anything. And best friends supported each other. They didn't lie and promise the other person that they would be there to watch them perform. And then blow them off with out so much as a call or a text. It just wasn't like him.