I Don't Do Sadness // Jyrus

poignant

Cyrus' step-mother dropped him and Buffy off that Saturday night at the community center where Jonah was performing on a little stage in front of rows of fold up chairs. They were early upon Cyrus' request and picked seats near the front row. 

Cyrus' knee bounced up and down in excitement as he looked around at all of the different colored stage lights. Buffy was on her phone, texting Andi to hurry up so that she wouldn't have to be alone with Cyrus much longer. She was glad that he was happy again, but it was a lot for her to handle and she wasn't sure of what to say or what to do out of fear that he would fall back into his depression.

Andi showed up minutes before the show started, clearly not enjoying herself, but still smiled along to Cyrus' enjoyment. Jonah came out and performed with a band, Bowie playing with them, and when the mood shifted, Jonah sat on a stool and pulled out a guitar.

He smiled around and said, "I would like to dedicate this song to an amazing person and great friend of mine."

Buffy and Cyrus smiled at Andi. "Cyrus Goodman." Andi felt her heart sink as she looked over to Cyrus' smiling face. Buffy put her and on Andi's leg and gave her a sad smile. "He's always been there and I wanted to thank you with this song."

When he started strumming along, Cyrus felt tears in his eyes as he swayed along. He was oblivious to the song itself and just stared into Jonah's eyes, but Buffy's mouth dropped when she heard the lyrics. Phrases like, "you are mine" and "hold me close." Andi seemed to notice as well, and looked at Buffy, confused.

When the show was over and Cyrus turned to the girls and said, "That was so good," it occurred to the girls that he hadn't heard the lyrics or else he'd be freaking out.

Andi disappeared, saying that she wanted to talk to Bowie, and Cyrus slowly drifted backstage with Buffy following while they talked. "Cyrus, did you hear the song he sand you?" 

Cyrus turned to her and smiled. "Yeah, he's so sweet." But, he kept making his way over to where Jonah was taking care of his mic. Buffy reached out and grabbed his hand to stop him. Once she had his full attention on her, she said, "Cyrus. It was a love song."

Cyrus laughed and shook his head. "No it wasn't."

"Yes it was. He said, 'hold me close' and 'you are beautiful.'" Cyrus' mouth dropped and glanced over to Jonah, who was now talking to Andi.

"You mean...he likes me?"

"I think so."

Cyrus and Buffy both turned to look at Jonah and saw Andi slowly leaning in and kissing him. Cyrus felt his jaw drop and he covered his mouth with his hands. Buffy was equally as shocked, just not showing it as much, and she set her hand on Cyrus' shoulder, both of them still staring at them. When they broke apart, Cyrus turned to Buffy with tears in his eyes. "What was that?" He quietly asked.

Buffy was at a loss of words and shrugged, triggering Cyrus to run out of the building. Buffy turned back to see Jonah and Andi quietly talking before following Cyrus outside. She found him with his phone pressed against his ear and him pacing back and forth. She watched him worridly chew on his thumb knuckle and hang up the phone.

"My step-mother isn't answering," he said as he continued to pace back and forth. 

He was breathing heavily and Buffy went over to him and put her hands on his shoulder, stopping him. She looked into his eyes and said, "Cyrus. Take a deep breath and calm down."

He pushed her arms off of him and turned to sit on the curb of the street. Buffy watched him slowly climb back into himself, he stared at the side of the road and kicked at the rocks with the tip of his shiny shoes. Buffy went over and sat beside him, swinging her arm around his shoulder. He turned and dug his head right into her chest, feeling in despair.