swingsets and dance routines ; tyrus

chapter #8: the corridor

The moment Cyrus and Marty had entered the room again, TJ swooped in and started fussing over Cyrus, checking and re-checking if he was okay. The boy had brushed him off, smiling slightly, and although TJ seemed reluctant he had nodded and backed off.

They helped a few of the teachers pack up all of the equipment used backstage, Buffy looking conflicted the whole time as though she wasn't entirely sure what to say. She asked him if he was okay, biting her lip when all Cyrus did was smile and nod. Marty was right by his side the whole time, talking to him about whatever crossed his mind in attempt to distract him.

Eventually, when the sky outside had faded from a colourful gradient to pitch black, the teachers thanked them for their help and they all walked out of the building together, Marty and Cyrus talking animatedly while TJ and Buffy hovered awkwardly by both of their sides.

They were by the school gates when he felt a gentle hand on his shoulder, and he turned around to face TJ.

"I kinda forgot something in my locker. Wanna come with me to go get it?"

Cyrus raised an amused eyebrow. He couldn't help but think TJ was using that as an excuse to get him alone, but he nodded his head in agreement anyway.

"Great! We'll be right back guys," he said, rolling his eyes slightly at the smirk on Marty's face.

That's how they ended up where they did, with Cyrus walking slightly ahead of TJ as they crossed the basketball courts. The wind was picking up now, whipping their hair and clothes about as they headed towards the building.

"I'm so sorry, I should've helped sooner and I should've asked you about it after that basketball game because I knew that's what it was but I didn't want to pry and-"

"TJ," Cyrus interrupted, whirling around to face the boy. Even he almost winced at how harsh the word sounded, but TJ had been rambling for the past 2 minutes and Cyrus was well past the point of exasperation.

"Listen to me, okay? I'm not mad - you really don't have to keep apologising."

TJ drew back slightly, his expression shocked, and Cyrus thought for a hopeful moment that he had finally gotten through to him.

"Wait a minute..." TJ trailed off, his eyebrows furrowed with worry. "Is this our first fight?"

Cyrus snorted, which earnt him an accusatory glare.

"We're not fighting TJ," he responded, trying hard to keep the laughter out of his tone. "Now let's get to your locker before this wind decides to get any colder."

The taller boy just folded his arms stubbornly, remaining rooted to the spot. "If we're not fighting, then why are you trying to walk ahead of me?"

"Maybe I'm just a faster walker than you."

TJ raised an eyebrow. "You really wanna go there?" he asked.

"No," Cyrus admitted, smiling slightly. He hesitated for a moment, before turning back around again. It was getting late now and it had been a ridiculously long day - he wanted nothing more than to get home, curl up with some tea and read a book. Or scroll through twitter. Either would work just fine.

"Let's just go, okay?" he said, but a gentle hand wrapped around his arm, preventing him from going anywhere.

"TJ," he warned, not unkindly. "What are you doing?"

"Cy," the boy mimicked, except his expression was soft now. "There's obviously something bothering you."

Cyrus bit his lip, unable to deny the fact, so he continued to look stubbornly in the other direction. There was in fact something on his mind - something he hadn't stopped thinking about since TJ's fight with Buffy.