Air Catcher

You're Facing Down a Dark Hall

Alyx's pov

Thanks to spring break I didn't know what happened to Tyler for two days before I decided to figure out for myself. I drove to his house and walked quietly around to the back where his room was on the second floor, but he was sitting in the backyard. I sat down in the grass next to him. He was holding a notepad and pencil, but he closed it when I sat down so I couldn't see what he had written.

"How long are you grounded again?" I sighed.

"It was three months. But she caught me sneaking back in and now its indefinite." He looked up at me and smiled sadly.

"I'm so sorry. I never should have let you sneak out to come with us." I took his hand and squeezed it.

"It was worth it, I think. I had a lot more fun than I thought I would and honestly sneaking out was the most adventurous thing I've done in my life."

"Regardless, we shouldn't have done it." I paused. "What are you writing?"

"Oh, it's... it's a song I'm working on."

"Can I hear it?" I asked.

"Uh... it's. It's not exactly like the other songs I've showed you. I've done my best to show you the happy songs I've written, but this one is the opposite." He looked down.

"Not all good songs are happy. I'd still like to hear it, if you're OK with it. If you aren't it's alright." I smiled at him.

"It'll sound different without the piano, but OK I guess." He consented.

I smiled and waited for him to start. He took a deep breath. The look on his face kind of worried me. After another minute he started to sing.

"Now the night is coming to an end." It sounded melancholy and broken, but more honest than I had heard him sing yet. "The sun will rise and we will try again." His voice broke. "Stay alive, stay alive, for me. You will die, but now your life is free. Take pride in what is sure to die." He looked over at me with watering eyes matching my own. "I will fear the night again." He looked at the horizon. "I hope I'm not my only friend." I squeezed his hand to let him know he wasn't alone. His voice quieted. "Stay alive, stay alive, for me. You will die, but now your life is free. Take pride in what is sure to die." He ended in a whisper, leaving a thick silence in the air.

I wrapped my arms around him and hugged him tightly. "That's not all sad. It's encouraging and hopeful as well. It's beautiful." My voice wasn't quite a whisper.

"I'm glad you think so. I feel like most people would write it off as depressing." His quiet tone was identical to mine.

"Not me. I know you, Tyler. And I care." I whispered.

He kissed the top of my head. "You're amazing Alyx."

Behind us a shadow passed the covered windows.

"I better go before she finds us. I wouldn't want you grounded for the rest if your life." I kissed his cheek and stood up. "I'll come back sometime, maybe leave you a note or something." I assured him as I turned to walk to my car. "See you, Ty."

"Later, Lex."

I spun around. "What?"

"Lex. It's your new nickname. I like it." He smiled.

I rolled my eyes. "OK, whatever." When I turned my back again I grinned. I liked it too.

_____________________

For the rest of the break I went to his house at least twice a day to leave a note on his window and see his replies. By the end of the week his window was covered in sticky notes with cheesy things written on them. I signed the last one I left him 'Lex' and at school the next day he handed me one last sticky note.