True Love

Chapter 2: Tyler

"Mom, I'm home." Tyler shouts out to his mom.He drops his bag onto the living room floor. Tyler finds his mom in the kitchen, she is making lasagna and adding some decorations. Tyler inhales the aroma, "smells good" he says practically involuntary.

"Thank you. Dinner will be ready when you finish your homework." His mom turns around, "everything's okay?"

Tyler looks up, "yeah, yeah I'm fine, just distracted." Tyler heads over to his room. He puts on his headphones, jumps onto his bed and starts to read a book. He reads thirty pages before resting down the book, someone emailed him. It was his best friend, Megan. Tyler quickly types a response and presses send.

Footsteps echoes in the hallway, someone was approaching. Tyler hides his book, replacing it with a textbook opening to the latest chapter and pulls out a sheet of paper. He closes his email and has an image of a complex calculus problem appear. He shakes out his arms and starts reading the textbook, absorbing the information.

"Ty," a small squeaky voice calls. Tyler looks at younger brother, five years old. "Mom says we're waiting on you."

Tyler laughs, "tell her I finished, I will be over soon." Tyler's younger brother runs away, happy he can send a message of good news. Tyler closes his books, he didn't finish but he has no will to do so. He glances at his computer and Megan has responded to his email.

He debates answering before dinner, he knows she would understand. Tyler's fingers hoovers over the small keyboard, he was anxiety about the email. Ty a voice calls. Tyler snaps out of it and walks down the hallway.

His parents, and little brother hold their hands together. "Ty can you pray today?" his father asks. Tyler nods and sits down, he gives a quick prayer and then reaches for a helping of lasagna.

Tyler's dad tries asking about everyone's day. They go around the table until it is Tyler's turn. "Good, I guess," he mumbles. He sticks his fork into his mouth to avoid any other probes on his day. Really it was like any other day from the past three months. Wake up from sleep, get ready for school, listening to the teacher's lecture, fall asleep or daydream about Megan, repeat steps three and four a few more times, get home and pretend to do homework. Weekends were practically the same, daydream, listened to music, and fall asleep.

Tyler finishes his plate and gets up to wash it, even though the rest of the family was still eating and only served themselves half the amount. "I am going to study for a bit," he lies and rushes back to his room.

Tyler remembers Megan sent him an email earlier, Tyler, I have received sad news today. My dad has a new job in Texas, he has signed a five-year agreement with some major company. Housing has been provided and we are moving there in two weeks not including today. Sorry.

Tyler sits still, holding his breath. Shock engulfs him and he starts to silently cry. He turns off his computer, and crawls into bed. Despite the earliness and the sun still floating above the horizon he falls asleep.

This chapter is dedicated to all my friends who moved away for whatever reason (whether military (thanks to all who serve, have served, or going to serve) or college (yeah, better education)).