A Thousand Words

6.

Sounds of the city echoed through my ears. I refused to open my eyes because once I did, the memories of last night would be proven true. I knew it would happen eventually, but it was hard for me to grasp the fact that I had spent the night. It would be hard for me to accept that I had broken down in front of the man that seemed to have hated me since the day that he met me. I couldn't believe the fact that he had opened his arms for me and comforted me throughout the night. It just couldn't be true. 

Eventually, my eyes peeled open at the sound of my phone. It indicated that I had class in an hour, which I had no desire of going to. I silenced the alarm and looked at the room around me. It was his room. I was under his gray duvet in black sweatpants and a large white t-shirt. I remembered how he laid them out for me before claiming the couch for the night. I didn't plan on staying here but by the time my tears had subsided, we were both too worn out to find me a ride. 

Nothing but the sounds of cars on the street made their way through the apartment. Tyler was at work. I scuffled around and found my black dress that I wore the previous night. I quickly put on my shoes and called myself a ride. There was no way that I would risk the 10 minute walk in Tyler's clothes or a tiny black dress.

When I got to my apartment, I peaked through my front door, hoping Maddie wasn't there to question me. After a few seconds of waiting, I figured that she was in class. I made my way to my room, stripping off the clothing and wiping away the last signs of makeup that were left on my face. 

I made my way to the shower. The water was scalding, leaving red marks on my skin, but it felt refreshing. For a while, I just stood there. Soaking in the warmth and allowing memories to invade my thoughts. At first, they were just of last night. I remembered how Tyler held me, but with no emotion in his face. I couldn't figure out why he let me in that night, or how we managed to engage in that long of a conversation. Then I remembered the pictures of her. Jenna. I missed her. I missed her smile. I missed her snide remarks. Memories that I didn't expect to recall somehow made their way to consciousness. I remember driving to a football game with Justin Bieber on full blast. I remember roaming around the bookstore with her, hearing her read excerpts in strange, unrealistic voices. I remembered when we tried snowboarding for the first time, and how we fell on our asses every two seconds. Moments with her were full of laughter and sometimes even tears. When our first exes broke up with us. When I didn't make the cheer team. When her parents fought. There were bad times mixed in with the good. It was foolish of me to forget those moments. It was foolish of me to forget her when I was gone in college. My chest felt empty without her. 

The water turned cold after standing in the shower for so long. I stepped out, drying myself off. I changed into a sweatshirt and leggings. I didn't feel like dressing up any more than that, not like I normally would. 

I also didn't feel like going to class, but I also didn't want to stay in this empty apartment. I didn't want any more memories to cloud my mind. I didn't have work today, so that couldn't distract me. Instead, I decided to catch up on some homework at the coffee shop. 

My hands gripped tightly to the straps of my backpack. The familiar ding of the bell rang as soon as I opened the door. Tyler was working the register and didn't bother to look up. 

"Ella!" Lena called out. That managed to catch his attention. 

I nervously walked to the counter. I didn't know how things were between us. I didn't know if he would return back to his old self, or if we were past that. I skipped his gaze and looked up at the board, as though I was going to order something different today. 

"Could I get a medium peppermint mocha?" I asked, fishing out my wallet. 

"Yeah. Um, is that all?"

I looked at him straight in the eyes. They were deadpanned, just as they always were. There was something different about him, though. Tyler had shaved. He didn't wear his glasses, either. He looked...younger, you could say. His hair still sat messily on his head, but you could tell that he tried to tame it ever so slightly. 

"Yeah," I spoke, handing him my card. 

After signing the receipt, I found myself a table next to the window. I pulled out my laptop, logging onto my course website. I didn't have the motivation to start any of my assignments, but I had to at least try. 

"Here you go," a chirpy voice spoke. Lena set my coffee down on the table and left with a smile. I watched as her figure walked behind the counter, only to glance back at Tyler. He quickly turned around, as though he wasn't watching me. 

My shoulders slumped. I turned back to my laptop and searched for the assignment sheet for my essay. 

After about two hours of working on my assignment, I had only managed to write three paragraphs. My mind continued to wander throughout my time in the coffee shop. I found myself staring out the window and fiddling with my phone every few minutes. 

I heard the clink of a plate as it made contact with the table. A garlic cheese bagel. I looked up at the individual that had graciously gifted me with food. I thought it was Lena, or maybe even George, but I was wrong. 

"You looked like you needed a pick me up," a raspy voice uttered. 

"Ah...thank you," I hesitantly responded. Tyler's lips pursed, while pushing one side into a slight smile. He scratched the back of his neck before turning around. 

"Wait!" I called out. He paused, slowly turning back towards me. I could feel the heat rushing to my cheeks. 

"Thank you...for last night," I muttered. I didn't notice how stiff Tyler stood until his shoulders slouched back. He scratched the back of his neck once again. 

"No problem," he smiled. This wasn't the Tyler I was used to. Somehow, I have managed to see more emotion out of him in less than 24 hours, than the whole month that I've been here. 

"Ella," Tyler began. "I get off in a few minutes. Can I show you something?" He asked. 

My lips parted, as though I was about to say something. He wanted to take me somewhere. We would be in the same vicinity...again. Just the two of us. 

"Sure," I finally spoke. I would be stupid to push aside his offer. I remembered that I made it my personal task to help him. 

"Great."

He walked back to the register. I sat back in my chair, confused. 

What just happened?