Air Catcher

Will You Buy Me a House of Gold

Alyx's pov

We pulled up to Five Guys at the exact same time Mere and Josh did. I would be lying if I said we weren't racing each other there.

"We totally beat you!" Josh laughed.

"Not a chance!" Tyler countered.

"Oh yes there is." Mere grinned.

"I'll fight you, we were so much faster." I laughed.

We walled in together and sat down at the only long table where Patrick and Hannah waited. Merritt and I sat next to each other, across from our boys.

"Hey guys!" Patrick smiled "I was just arguing with Hannah about how I'm going to be a broke musician in a year. She thinks I'll actually make it somewhere." He laughed.

"Patrick, I've never heard you sing, but you could become famous just from your adorableness." I laughed.

"Oh, um, thanks." He reached up and straightened his fedora.

"And when you and Josh and Tyler are all rich you can buy us all mansions!" Mere grinned.

"Deal. As long as it's by a Taco Bell." Josh agreed and we all groaned except for Tyler, who high-fived his friend.

About then Patrick and Hannah's burgers were ready and she slipped out after practically punching Patrick to get him to stay in his seat while she got up to grab them. We started talking about music and such and eventually backed poor Tyler into a wall.

"Tyler, Panic! is one of the best bands ever. If we go to a concert you have to come." Merritt argued.

"But that's not even my taste in music!" He complained.

"Than what is?" I asked.

He smirked. "Your face."

"You, sir, are an actual five year old." I threw a peanut shell at him.

That was a mistake. He threw one right back, and then another at Josh, who in turn hit Patrick right on the bridge of his glasses and made one land on Merritt's beanie. Soon we had a full on peanut shell war going on that Hannah was roped into when she came to sit back down. The whole restaurant was staring at us and the floor was a mess by the time we called a truce.

When Tyler and Merritt walked to pick up our burgers Josh and I scrambled to pick up all the shells on the floor. They got back and we started eating, each couple sharing a cup of fries. We were deep in conversation, discussing the musical importance of kazoos when a girl only a few years older than us walked in the door and smiled at us on her way past.

"Aw, all of you are such cute couples!" She commented.

Merritt and Tyler exchanged evil grins that scared me before Merritt took my arm, suddenly very close to me, and Tyler kissed Josh's cheek.

"Thank you! She's pretty great." Merritt smiled convincing at the lady.

"Don't know what I would do without him." Tyler said with a dorky grin.

The lady became visibly uncomfortable able and muttered "Have a good day," before hurrying to the counter to get her food.

"So we're switching dates?" I asked.

"Yes. And we have to keep it up the rest of the meal." Merritt laughed.

________________________

"Can we go to my house for like an hour?" Tyler asked. "I picked out another song I want to show you and my mom wants to meet you. Then I'll take you home."

"Yeah, sure." I agreed.

"Awesome. I should warn you, she might be a little hard on you. It took her months to accept Josh."

"Back when you two were a thing?" I raised my eyebrows.

"She wasn't a fan of me having a boyfriend." He laughed.

When we got to Tyler's house we headed straight to the basement. He sat down behind the piano and began playing a high pitched intro.

"He stays home from work this time, he never really told his wife; he never really told a lie but this time he decides that it's alright... it's alright." His voice was deeper than I was used to.

I sat down on the floor next to the piano and watched him get lost in the music as I did the same. He was gorgeous when he played.

"Get up cause the world has left you lyin' on the ground. You're my pride and joy. You're my pride and joy. Get up Johnny boy because we all need you now."

By the end of the song I was swaying and singing along. He smiled down at me as he played the last notes. I jumped up onto the bench next to him, and wrapped my arms around him.

"That sounded amazing." I smiled.

"Better than Panic!?" He asked teasingly.

"Quite possibly." I broke into a full grin and leaned in to kiss him softly. I felt his arms wrap around my waist and smiled into him as he pulled me closer.

Naturally, that's when we heard someone clear their throat. I pulled away fast and whipped around to see Tyler's mom scowling at us from the other side of the piano. Tyler took my hand and squeezed it.

"H- hello, Mrs... Mrs. Joseph. I- I'm Alyx." I smiled sheepishly and awkwardly.

She looked pointedly at Tyler. "A boy's name."

"A beautiful name." Tyler countered.

"Tell me about yourself, Alyx." Mrs. Joseph prompted.

"I'm seventeen, I enjoy art, and I play the guitar. I love music and actually like school most of the time." I felt myself grow slightly more confident.

"Hmm..." She eyed my maroon v neck and ripped jeans critically. After it had been just long enough to make the awkward silence suffocating she let out a small breath. "It's late Tyler. Take her home."

"Alright." We stood up and walked out. Tyler made a point of not letting go of my hand.

"I'll talk to you about this later." She called after him.

We practically ran out of the house and into Tyler's car. I let out a long held breath.

"Note to self:" I muttered. "No kissing in front of mom."

"That might not have been the best first impression." Tyler agreed as he started the car and we took off.