The Brain Transplant

c h a p t e r | s i x t e e n

"Now we're slipping near the edge
Holding something we don't need
Oh, this delusion in our heads
Is gonna bring us to our knees
So come on, let it go
Just let it be
Why don't you be you
And I'll be me" - James Bay

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Recap

Derek held the door for us, and said, "As I was going to say before, let's put everything in the car and go have some fun!"

-🧠-

The car ride to the beach was eventful. Tyler drove while I sat in the passengers seat and Derek sat in the back. We listened to music, and of course Derek and I literally yelled out the words. Tyler just laughed at us the whole time. During a few songs, Tyler and I ended up harmonizing. That was when I realized he didn't know I could sing, and neither did Derek. It was funny seeing their reactions when I told them I could sing, and I have been since I was little.

Tyler parked the car. "We're here bitc-"

"Omg guys the water is gorgeous!" Derek screamed over Tyler, causing Tyler to roll his eyes. Tyler took the keys out of the ignition and we all got out. We took our bags and set them down at the perfect spot.

We all got lathered up with sunscreen and raced to the ocean.

The water was cool compared to the hot sand, and we all sighed in content. "This water is so clear, I can see everything!" I said in excitement.

We splashed and swam for hours, have so much fun in the water. We got out and reapplied sunscreen, ate, and then got back in the water. Derek had eaten a little too much, and didn't put quite enough sunscreen on, so he he said he was a "bloated lobster". He decided to sleep under an umbrella for a while.

It was just Tyler and I in the water.

I looked at my hands underwater. The water was distorting them, making them look funny. I always wondered how water could do that, yet it seemed like such a simple concept to understand.

"You look very beautiful, Day." Tyler's voice was quiet, yet I could hear what he said so clearly. I was choked up, and blushing furiously. How do I respond to that? I decided to take a risk and be playful.

"You don't look to bad yourself, Tyler." I smiled, and he smiled too. A real smile, one that reached his eyes. He laughed too, a deep and velvety laugh. The kind of laugh that sent shivers down my spine, one that would probably make any girl swoon.

I never noticed how green Tyler's eyes were in the sun. They almost looked like a dark green, with little specks of gold shimmering in the light. They were beautiful, and I couldn't help but admire them. It was almost like looking at a green forest with speckles of sunlight shimmering through the leaves. They were truly amazing.

"Your eyes."

Tyler cocked an eyebrow. "What about them?"

I stepped a little closer to him, and he tensed up a bit.

"They're beautiful." I watched his eyes as they flickered to my lips and back to my eyes.

Tyler took a step forward, closing up the space between us. His hand came up and gently cupped my face, making a blush arise on my cheeks. He dipped his head down to mine, our lips inches apart.

Then it happened, we kissed.

It felt so much different from other kisses I've had, which made it obvious I liked him.

Woah. I like him. I, Daykota Linnel, have a crush on Tyler Freeman. Ew, I hate the word crush. It's one of the most cringeworthy words, other than the word cringe itself. That's a whole other story, though.

Tyler and I kissed, and I didn't want it to end. His hands held my face and the small of my back, and it felt like those places he touched were on fire. It made me feel butterflies in my stomach, and I felt dizzy. My mind was so clouded I didn't hear Derek calling my name.

"Day!"

I couldn't hear Derek telling my name.

"Day! Come here!"

I was still trapped in my own little world, I couldn't hear him.

"Daykota! Your phone is ringing!"

I finally heard him, and reluctantly pulled away from Tyler. I looked at Tyler and gave him a small smile, which he returned. I was so confused about everything.

Derek seemed worried as I ran to him. He handed me my phone and I accepted the call. I was just in time, too.

"Hello?"

"Hello. Is this Daykota Linnel?"

"Yes."

"This is the hospital. We are calling you because we have some news about Sarah Finn."

My mood instantly changed, I was worried. This could be really good, or really bad.

"I-is everything okay?"

There was silence. You could hear a pin drop, it was like everything froze.

"No. We are very sorry, and we called you because she had you as her first emergency contact."

"W-what happened to her?"

My heart was beating fast. I was positive everyone around me could hear it. I was literally going to crap my pants.

"Sarah Finn has passed away."

That's when he'll broke loose.

I couldn't feel anything. I couldn't feel my phone slip out of my hand, or Derek rubbing my back. I couldn't hear myself crying, or Tyler telling me it was going to be okay, and that I had to explain what the doctors said. I couldn't hear or feel or think.

And to think if I wasn't so wrapped up in my feelings, I could've gotten to the phone just a minute sooner.

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Until next time,
Stella