Air Catcher

I Don't Fall Slow Like I Used To

Alyx's pov

I looked around my room from where I sat on my bed. I had woken up early for once and didn't know what to do with myself for the extra few minutes before I had to start getting ready. I didn't want to wait around until my ultra-annoying alarm went off, so I had forced myself to get out from under my covers and at least try to think of something to do. I spotted my blue acoustic guitar in the corner of my room and hopped up to get it. I brought it back to my bed and started strumming it. After a moment of thinking the chords fell into place and I started singing quietly.

"Wise men say, 'only fools rush in,'" I smiled as I continued to play the song.

After I finished I put my guitar away and got dressed for the day. I couldn't wait until the weather got cooler, I liked my fall and winter clothes better than spring and summer. Mostly I just missed my hoodies and beanies. I sighed and settled for white jeans, a soft peach tank top and matching converse. After I laced up my shoes I threw on a lightweight grey cardigan because I couldn't help myself. I loved my soft comfy clothes.

I stepped into the bathroom to brush my teeth and do my hair and makeup before pressing my black framed glasses on and heading out the door without breakfast.

My backpack was waiting for me in my car when I got in and plugged my phone in to play music. I drove to school listening to Panic! at the Disco and Paramore, singing every word. I parked in my spot and walked into the cafeteria to wait for the day to start, scrolling through my phone.

"Hey." The voice was quiet and nervous. I looked up to see Tyler standing in front of me.

"Hi Tyler! What's up?" I found myself smiling a little wider than was warranted.

"Nothing much, really. None of my friends are here yet." He sat down across from me, taking off his red beanie and fidgeting with it.

"Same."

We sat awkwardly for a second before I smiled. "So, Taco Bell, huh?" I asked.

Tyler chuckled. "Absolutely! Probably my favorite place to eat!" He grinned and I couldn't help but notice how his whole face lit up and his eyes got all squinty. It was one of the most adorable smiles I had ever seen.

"I don't go as much as I should." I admitted.

"Now that is a problem you need to get fixed." His smile had somehow disappeared, but he didn't look unhappy. It was almost like he was trying not to smile.

"Will do. You play basketball?" I asked, gesturing to his shirt.

He glanced down. "Yeah, I'm on the varsity team."

"You any good?" I asked.

"People seem to think so. I like your phone case; I play the ukulele."

I looked at the picture of my guitar on the back of my phone. "That's so cool! I have a friend who plays the ukulele. My guitar is kind of my pride and joy. Do you ever write your own songs? It's always been something I wanted to try."

His smile reappeared. "Yeah, I do. My songs help me out a lot."

"You know now you have to play one of them for me, right?" I smirked.

"I don't know... My voice is kinda weird." He looked down.

I rolled my eyes. "I'm sure it's amazing. And now you can't get out of it. I will hear one of them."

"Alright, I'll work on something." He looked up at me, eyes shining. His eyes were gorgeous.

"Thanks." I smiled.