Like I Can | Tyler Down

chapter two.

sawyer's walk to the park was a quicker walk than tyler's, so she arrived first. waiting, the blonde sat on a swing. looking around, remembering the location from hannah's tape. watching the slide and remembered how justin foley had screwed her over.

the blonde stood up when she noticed the curly haired boy in the distance. "hey" she smiled towards him.

he could feel her kindness, it was contagious. "hey sawyer, how are you?" tyler asked politely as the two started walking down the street.

sawyer didn't like spilling her negative feelings to anyone, she felt like she was putting her problems on someone else. but she practically felt safe with him.

"um, honestly, i could be better. but it's not a huge deal" sawyer shrugs for a second before continuing to talk to him "how are you?"

tyler didn't like the fact that she wasn't perfect, she deserved to feel perfect. but she respected her space and answered her question "well, bryce walker and his friends know i threw them under the bus on the stand so not looking forward to that"

"why are you so scared of them?" sawyer asks

"because while some guys may throw a few punches and get it done with, guys here are different. they won't just hurt you, they'll hurt everyone and everything you love. make your life a living hell" he shakes his head, clearly upset

"we don't have to talk about it, if you don't want" sawyer shrugs with a nod "nothing you're uncomfortable with"

"no" he pats her shoulder awkwardly "it feels good to have a friend. actually, um, when everyone found out i would be the first to testify...they left some bullshit threat in the dark room warning me that i shouldn't testify"

sawyer shakes her head, her hand swinging next to her body and gently touching his a few times "you don't have to worry about them, i got your back, remember?" she chuckled softly.

tyler's heart was beating so fast, almost too fast he didn't recognize the rain sprinkling down a bit.

sawyer started laughing as she took his hand, running quickly into rosie's diner, open 24 hours a day. however, since it was so late, it was an empty diner. they quickly took a seat in a booth towards the back.

"what a night" she laughs. he smiled to himself, glad he brought his wallet. maybe he could make this an actual date, even if it was midnight.

"well should we order something?" he suggests, earning the most beautiful smile he had ever seen in return.

"i guess it would be rude just to take up their hospitality and not order anything" sawyer chuckled before they both ordered milkshakes

she started new conversation after taking a sip of her drink "so, camera boy, how did you get your inspiration?"

tyler shook his head and shrugged "i guess i've just always has a love for photography, happiness isn't permanent but if you capture someone at a happy time. that picture is permanent. like right now."

he pulls out his camera "oh god" she says, covering her face.

"c'mon, sawyer, you're beautiful" the blonde blushes and lets her hands down and smiles before hearing a click.

they never mentioned the part where he called her beautiful again that night, but what they did do is talk for hours.

music, photography, sports, hannah baker, the future. everything.

it was 3 am by the time they started walking home. the rain had finally stopped and he walked her back to her house before heading back to his.

tyler down, the boy who had always felt alone. was starting to finally feel worth something to someone. maybe even felt genuine love towards someone.

sawyer flynn, the girl who had it all. taken by surprise when getting to know a boy she'd heard nothing but bad about. seeking something more than a simple platonic relationship.

both souls had connected that night, and whether it was romantic or platonic, they were gonna stick together

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