Tyler's Battle

Chapter 4 - Bad Feelings

Jody knocked tentatively at the Tyler's bedroom door but got no response. She open the door anyway and went inside. Tyler was lying on his bed, his face buried in his bed sheets. He lifted his head slightly just enough to peer through his damp curls.

Go away he sniffed

Leave me alone

Jodi edged towards the bed. She had no idea what to say she just wanted to hug him tight.

Tyler lifted his head again, brushed back a fringe of curls to reveal puffy red eyes.

I said Leave Me alone he roared

Tyler I'm sorry about your mum. I just wanted you to know I'm here for you

Get out get out get out he bellowed.

He was shaking with emotion and began to climb out of bed.

Just leave me alone. If it hadn't been for you I would have gone to meet my mum. She would still be alive

He seemed to be looking at her in disgust

Jodi could feel the tears pricking her eyes and ran from the room. Tyler threw himself onto his bed and began to vigorously punch his pillow. Meanwhile Jody ran to her room down the hall almost knocking over Sasha and Charlie in the process.

Oi! Careful! cried Sasha

Watch what you're doing chimed in Charlie indiginantly

Jody barely noticed she carried on running until she was safely in her bedroom. She could hardly see through her tears, but she glimpsed the photos of her and tyler on the wall. She saw the happy face of Tyler on their last house trip to the beach and the two of them smiling in fancy dress for Halloween. She collapsed onto her bed, hugging her pillow as the tears continued to drip down her cheeks. How could Tyler blame her? It was nothing to do with her! His mum had been ill for many years, that's why Tyler was in care, she had had a mental breakdown and couldn't look after him. Would it really have made a difference if he had agreed to meet his mum instead of going to the park? Could he have stopped her or would she still have done what she did. He would have been breaking a dozen rules if her had met up with his mum and got in big trouble with Mike and May Li, not to mention the social worker. Jody's head hurt, and her eyes were tired and sore from crying, but her heart ached even more so. Tyler was her best friend, and now he hated her.

For the first time in a very long time Jody felt completely alone, isolated and helpless. Just like she had felt when Kingsley used to lock her in her room for days on end. Since she had moved to Ashdene Ridge she hadn't felt like that. She had Tyler, he understood her, and they had so much fun, he brightened up each day. It was worth getting out of bed each morning, just to chat with him and joke and laugh. He backed her up, if she had an argument with anyone at school or at the home. She felt safe and wanted. Not something she had felt before. When she had first moved into Ashdene Ridge she had been in awe of Tyler, his jokes and pranks, his confidence and sense of humour. She had followed him everywhere like a puppy, lapping it all up, eager to please him. At first it had annoyed tyler, she was like his shadow, he just couldn't get rid of her but they soon became good friends. Jody wished she could turn back the clock to the good times.

There was a tap at the door. Come in called Jody in a croaky voice, her throat was dry from crying. Charlie slipped into the room, followed by sasha, and closed the door carefully

Are you alright? asked Charlie approaching the bed

Jody shrugged, and lay back down. Sasha and Charlie exchanged glances.

Have you and Tyler had a fight? Asked sasha perching on the end of the bed

He blames me, reckons its my fault his mum died

What exclaimed sasha and Charlie in unison.

Mike and May Li just told us all what happened with Tyler's mum. Its awful, but its not your fault or Tyler's or anyone's really Charlie replied. She sat down on the floor by Jody's bed.

Yeah, Tyler's just had a shock. Don't mind what he says, he's not thinking straight. added Sasha