Hope (Tyrelliot)

Chapter 26: The graveyard

I usually wouldn't do this, but this is an emergency.
Whenever somebody talks about their family I start thinking about mine and how it's not... 'complete' anymore.
Shit, it's getting stronger.
I won't be able to hold it in for much longer.

I grab Tyrells wrist and take him to the graveyard.
That's where my dad is now.
I can hear him let out a small 'whoa' when I start pulling him with me.

We're at the gates.
We still have a fairly long way to go.
A first tear rolls down my face when we're halfway there.

Here we are.
In front of a black gravestone.

Edward Alderson

5/9/1949 - 2/28/1995

"I-is this your...?"
"Y-yes..."
"Oh..."
Tyrell seems shocked.
"L-Last time we moved, it was with my dad... He drove the car and h-helped me unpack my stuff in our new house..."
"Oh my god Elliot, I'm so sorry..."
"I-I remember that he helped me s-set up my computer and he screwed my sh-shelf and my b-bed together..."

Now it's over.
My emotions start bursting out.
I cover my face with my hands and start crying fully.
"I... I am so sorry for bringing this up, I didn't know you..."
I can't see Tyrell's face, but I can tell that he's speechless.
I would be too if someone told me something like this.

I feel awful.
I just want to curl up and disappear.
I can feel something warm closing in around me after a while.
I look up to see that Tyrell's hugging me.
Usually I wouldn't be comfortable with any of this, but this feels... nice.
I decide to hug him back.
I start sobbing onto his shoulder while he strokes my back with his left hand.

"Shhh, it's okay, it's okay..." Tyrell says in a soothing voice.
"Everything is going to be okay...
I'm here for you..."
I slowly stop crying.
Why does he care so much for me?
We barely know each other.
Although I am really glad that he does.
I haven't really told anyone about my dad before to avoid situations like this.
But why do I trust him so much too?
"Th-thank you..."
My voice is shaky.
I think I might be ready to calm down now.
Tyrell let's go of me.
"Do you... want to sit down?"
"Y-yeah, that'd be good..."

'Luckily' there's a bench right in front of the gravestone.
Tyrell and I decide to sit down there.
He puts his arm around me and I lay my head down on his shoulder.
I close my eyes and try to relax, wiping away the last tears that slowly stop rolling down my cheeks.

We decide to get up about 10 minutes later.
We didn't speak or anything like that, we were just enjoying the silence.
Some people looked at us in a weird way, but in that moment I didn't care.
Right now we are walking back to the exit.
"T-Tyrell?"
He turns around to look at me.
"Yes, Elliot?"
"W-would you mind um... Not telling anyone about this? I don't really want people to-"
"Of course. It's the least I can do" he says, doing a half-smile.
"Do you want me to bring you home?"
"I'd appreciate that."

We are now infront of my door.
"So uh... See you monday?"
I ask, already turning my feet towards the door.
"Definitely" Tyrell answers, smiling.
"Ok, I'm gonna go then..." I say, pointing towards my door.
"Alright then, see you next week!"
He's reaching his hand out for a handshake.
I look to my right and see mom sleeping on the couch.
Tyrell looks there too.
Since she seems asleep I might aswell do this while I can.

I hug him.

He seems a little startled at first, but then he hugs back aswell.

We let each other go after about 10 seconds.
Tyrell still seems a bit surprised.
"So um, I'm gonna-" he says, pointing behind him.
"Yes yes, of course um..."
He lets out a small 'yeah' before turning around and going his own way.

I finally enter my house, go to my room and lock the door.

If that last wouldn't have been that awkward, I would say that this might have been one of my most precious experiences so far since I switched schools.
After the moments with Shayla in the garden.
Not that I liked it overall, but I think it was important for me to talk about.

I hear someone yell "DINNER!" in the kitchen.