Air Catcher

I Don't Want Your Way, I Want Mine

Tyler's pov

"How was it?" My mom asked when I got home. Like she wanted to know. She was sitting on the couch as if she had been waiting for me to get home.

"Sick." I managed a fake smile and started walking to my room. She had tried to stop me from setting everything up for the date. Something about spending enough time with 'that girl' already.

"Tyler?" She called.

"Yeah?" I stopped, but I didn't turn around.

"Come sit down. I just want to talk to you."

I rolled my eyes, turned around, and walked to the couch to at by her.

"Tell me about it."

"I mean we didn't do all that much; we ate and talked and I played her some of my songs." I shrugged. She didn't really want to know.

"How are those going?" She asked.

"Pretty well, I've written quite a few."

She nodded. "I love that you love music." She took a deep breath and started talking about what she really wanted to speak to me about. "When I was in high school I had a boyfriend I absolutely adored. I was closer to him than to anyone else. I wanted to spend every spare minute with him."

I could see where she was going and my mind was already formulating arguments.

"My father tried to tell me it wouldn't end well. He tried to protect me, but I didn't listen. When he broke my heart it hit me harder than anything else had up to that point. I was devastated for months." She gave me a pointed look. "I didn't struggle like you do when I was a teenager, and I don't pretend to know what it's like to have depression. But I do know what it feels like to be depressed, and I'm worried for you."

'I really don't think you do, mom.' I thought.

"All I'm saying is I don't know what will happen to you if this doesn't work out, and you don't need to be hurt like that when you're this young." She smiled at me.

"What do you want me to do?" I asked, though I had no intention of listening to any of it.

"There are two options. One, you could take it slow. Extremely slow. Don't spend every second with her and don't rely on her for your own happiness. Or... you could pull out before it's too late."

"You want me to break up with her." I said flatly.

"Tyler, I love you, and I'm not sure she's the best thing for you right now. She isn't the best influence on you." She was using the mom voice on me.

"You don't even know her." I said, struggling to stay calm.

"But I've seen the effect-"

"What? That she makes me happy? That she's kind and amazing and helps me be better?" My voice rose.

"Tyler. You're a senior. You're going to leave for college soon and how many high school relationships turn out well anyway?"

"You know I don't plan on going to college." I was suddenly calm again.

"Tyler." She was exasperated.

"I know you don't like it, but it's my life and I'm not interested in going to more school that won't help what I want to do."

She scowled at me.

"And even if most high school relationships go down the drain right now she makes me happy. Even if it doesn't last, right now it's a good thing. I'm willing to take the risk." I stared her down.

She shook her head in disappointment.

"Mom, I love you, and thanks for trying to help. If you take the time to get to know her and still think she's bad for me maybe I'll think about it. But you can't protect me from getting hurt my whole life. You're going to have to let me make my own decisions." I stood up and walked to my room.

I needed some sleep.

___________________________

Monday as I walked into school I saw Alyx just a few people in front of me, heading for the cafeteria. I sped up and caught up to her, giving her a hug from behind.

"Hey," She stopped walking and put her hand on one of my arms around her. "What's up?"

"Nothing much. How was your weekend?" I asked.

"Pretty good. You should hear about the dinner I had on Saturday." She smiled.

"I'm sure I can imagine it." I laughed. I let go of her and took her hand, walking into the building with her.

She was about to sit down in her regular seat when I spoke up. "I need to tell you something."

"OK..." She sounded uncertain and almost scared, but she looked around and led me to a nook in the back of the cafeteria that lead to fitness room in the back of the school. No one could see us.

"My mom..." Alyx already looked saddened. "Told me to break up with you." I breathed. The words fell like weights onto her shoulders.

She took both my hands and looked into my eyes, terrified. "Are you going to?" She whispered. Her voice shook.

I wrapped her arm around me and held her. She rested her head on my chest as I stroked her hair. "No. No, of course not. I just wanted you to know because now that she's gone this far she's not going to stop anytime soon. We'll get through it. It doesn't matter what she says, I care about you more than anything." I did my best to sound comforting.

"Right back at 'cha." She laughed sadly. She pulled away to look at me again. "Why does she hate me?" She asked quietly.

"I don't know." I admitted.

She cupped my face in her hands and guided me to her. One of my hands tangled in her hair and the other landed on her waist as we kissed.

When we pulled apart the assistant principal was standing there.

"Detention!" She shrieked.