Holding On To You (A Twenty One Pilots Fanfiction)

CHAPTER SEVEN

My parents were waiting for me in the living room, and greeted me with squeals and warm hugs. It felt good to be home. I'd been keeping myself so busy at college, that I hadn't thought much about how I missed it here. It was already almost dinner time, and as I predicted, my mom was cooking my favorite food, lasagna. I was starving, having only eaten a small Wendy's wrap earlier. 

I walked up the stairs to my bedroom and changed into comfy PJs. As I scrolled through the Instagram feed, a text from Alex appeared on the top of the screen. I totally forgot to call him. I hit the FaceTime icon next to his name. He answered before the first ring was over. He was in his dorm. I apologized for not calling him right away; I was so overwhelmed by my parents and tired from the long drive. After a short conversation, I made up the fact that I had to go for dinner and ended the call. 

Dinner actually was ready after all. My mom went crazy, blurting out a bunch of pointless questions about college. She asked so much, I barely had time to eat. I don't know why, but some part of me didn't want to mention Alex. Was I doubting my feelings? I quickly dismissed the thought and filled the conversation with talk about Kara, Julia, Josh, Tyler, and my classes. My dad who'd been quiet the whole time, then asked a couple of questions. I just nodded my head and told my parents what they wanted to hear.

"I'm gonna quick head to Wegmans and grab a few groceries and your favorite cake!" she said enthusiastically. 

"It's alright. I'm not that hungry, maybe tomorrow. Plus it's getting late." 

"No, I insist. I'll be back in a jiffy." 

After what seemed like forever she returned. We had dessert, and then I headed upstairs to go to sleep. 

****

The sun made its way through my sheer curtains into my bedroom. I woke up and trudged down the stairs in my pajamas. My dad was in his traditional chair reading the newspaper, and my mom was fixing herself a cup of coffee. My mom asked me to check the mail. After all, it was already after 11 o'clock. I'd slept pretty late. I walked out in my fuzzy socks. 

Tyler was outside on his front porch, clearly upset. He didn't see me at first until I stumbled over my own feet on the way to the mailbox. He looked up with red, watery eyes. Embarrased my my stumble, but concerned about him, I ran across the street.

"Tyler what's wrong?" I blurted out in a panic. 

He just sat there and looked up at me with sad eyes. I sat down next to him. I'd only ever seen him cry once before, besides when we were really little. It was on a Christmas Eve; I was supposed to come over to Tyler's to make last minute gingerbread houses. We were pretty old for it, but it was always our tradition. I got a fever in the afternoon and was too sick to make one.

Breaking promises or traditions was always one of Tyler's pet peeves. He always made Josh and I "pinky-swear" about everything. Once Tyler had it in his mind that something was going to happen, he got really upset if it didn't. 

To make it even worse, Josh's mom made plans with their family for Christmas Eve, and Tyler had no one to make his house with. I know it sounds like it shouldn't have been a big deal, but it was to Tyler. I remember looking out my window at the falling snow and seeing him sitting, just the way he was now on his front porch with tears in his eyes. We ended up making the houses after Christmas anyway, and since it was over, we ate them instead of putting them up for decoration. 

"Talk to me. What is it?" I asked again. 

He was quiet for another moment or two, and then he spoke softly. 

"Last night when I came out of the shower, my mom was out with her book club..." 

"And.... ?" I probed.

"I walked in to my parents bedroom becasue I forgot to get a towel. I walked in on my dad with another woman," Tyler said almost in a whisper.

I didn't know what to think. I was kind of relieved that it wasn't something worse. But Tyler's dad cheating on his mom? That was pretty bad. I wrapped my arms tightly around Tyler and told him I was here for him.

"Did you recognize her?" I asked. 

"No, but I left in a hurry. I never got to see her face." 

"Are you gonna tell your mom?"

"I don't know. It would break her." 

Then my mom popped her head out the front door, looking for me. 

"Hi, Tyler! So much for getting the mail Jessica!" she shouted.

"I'll be in in a minute!" I shouted back as Tyler waved, and she went back inside. 

Tyler asked if we could go somewhere. He just needed to get away from his parents. I told him I would, so I went home to take a shower and get ready.