Something -Twenty One Pilots AU

five

Everyone seemed to stare at me in the hallways on my first day back to school since my world ended.

"Stop looking at me," I muttered under my breath. "Leave me alone."

I stared at my feet as I walked... and walked... and walked.

School was over now. All the students were leaving.

My sneakers padded along the tile flooring, squeaking every now and then. The floor was checkered white and green--I tried to only step on the green.

A few students trickled out doorways and down hallways, like tributaries meeting grand rivers, and eventually oceans.

My heavy backpack thumped against my back with every step. Thump. Thump. Thump.

I reached the front doors and shoved them open.

Tyler would've been waiting out front in his car for me. He would've been done with his school day at Worthington Christian and come to pick me up, at Northland High School.

His old car would sputter as we peeled out of the parking lot, Tyler grinning ear to ear. His laugh would sound like silver bells. 

I would throw my bag in the backseat and we would go to Graeter's Ice Cream. Tyler would get two scoops mint chip, and I would get one scoop of strawberry and one of vanilla.

I remembered when Tyler wiped his ice cream on my lips and volunteered to clean it off.

Tears escaped my eyes. A sob started to crawl up my throat and I started to shake. Once I started, I couldn't stop.

With brisk strides, I turned left and made my way down the sidewalk. It was going to be a long walk home.