Heart's Games

Heart's Games|Chapter 10: Can't Afford Being Scared

Chapter 10: Can't Afford Being Scared

I was sort of surprised to turn and not find Jerome. But imagine how surprised I was when I found out who was standing there. When he turned me around, I saw Tyler holding my arm. Yes, the same guy who left me to do whatever I wanted to...yet promised to be there waiting for me.

"Katherine?" he whispered so low, but I heard him.

He saw all those tears streaming down my face; it didn't take a genius to figure out there was something wrong. "Come here," was all he said as he pulled me into a hug. I let it all out right there, and he didn't say anything. All he did was run his fingers through my hair and hold me tight. We were like that for about a minute as I'd let his embrace take over me. My knees went weak, and although I was hoping he wouldn't notice, I was grateful when he tightened the grip to not let me fall to the floor. I thought I couldn't cry more, when he finally let me go and looked into my pleading eyes.

"I'm sorry," I said looking down at his shirt. My teardrops were all over his shoulder. "I ruined your shirt," I added with a sniff and a giggle. I didn't dare to look at him in the eyes, but when he hesitated to answer, curiosity cause me to build up my forces and look up. 

"It's okay," he said looking at it and then laughing. "It really is. Do you...um...do you want to talk about it?"

"Thanks for the concern, but I don't really want to bring up the subject," I said drying away the tears.

"Fine, but let me help you clear your mind. Please," he pleaded. I took a deep breath in and smiled.

"Why would you want to do that?"

Even though I asked, I was pretty sure this was a way for him to repay what he told me back there. Although the end was pretty sweet, what he said at first sort of hurt me. But the answer he gave me wasn't what I expected would leave a Stevens' lips.

"Because I am worried, Katherine. Please?" he asked. I smiled and bit my bottom lip before letting out a giggle and nodding my head.

"Only because you asked."

~*~*~*~*~*~

"Are you serious? I didn't take you as a rapper," I laughed at Tyler.

"Oh, I am not. And if there is one thing that I earned from that performance it must be the knowledge of the fact that I can't rap," he said as he scoffed.

We sat on the grass as we watched the amazing sunset. We had been here for hours already, talking about silly events that have happened in our lives- note: that does not include what happened to me last summer. He even told me about what he considered the most embarrassing moment of his life- which wasn't a big deal; he just fell on a big race.

Tyler seemed to be pretty clam when we were alone talking. He wasn't that same bratty, messed-up, hormonal freak. He was ten times better. Part of me wished he would always be like this, but the other part- the selfish part- was glad I had this part for myself. 

"What are you thinking about?" he asked me as I stared deep into him. I looked into his dark brown eyes and I felt my heart pounding in my chest. What is wrong with me?

"Oh, just...nothing," I lied as I looked back to the view. A small silence dawned on us. It wasn't uncomfortable. It was a sort of silence that sends you into the thinking mood. But just the knowledge of his presence made it all okay...and I could have stayed like this forever.

"Haven't you ever done something you regret?" I asked him after a few minutes of silence. 

"Of course I have," he scoffed and laughed a few moments later. He shut his eyes and shook his head. With his thumb, he caressed his lips before looking back up. "Is that why you were crying a while ago?"