Changing Directions

Chapter 2

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Chapter 2

“And then the French attacked Germany and…” I start to nod off. Studying at 4 in the morning was not a good idea.

“Come on.” Tyler says. He starts to pack up my stuff and I just stand there, watching. Since my friend, Sarah, dropped me off, we walk to his car and jump in. He was speeding down the road in a few minutes. Oh well, maybe the test will be multiple choice anyway.

“Em, wake up! We’re here.” He looks over and smiles at me.

“Thanks. It’s good to have you back, Ty. See you tomorrow?”

“I would hope so. I need my best friend on my first day!” he smiles even wider and waves goodbye. Then he drives right next door and walks inside his house. It felt good to call it his house again. I lazily walked into mine and climbed the stairs to my room. As soon as I saw my bed, I became dead to the world and slept until morning.

**Tyler’s POV**

“Hi, honey! Did you see Em?” my mom is probably the only person I know who gets up at 4 to scrap-book.

“Yea, I helped her study at the coffee shop.”

“Wow! You’ve been back for not even a full day and you’ve reunited with your best friend! Good for you!” she said as she glued a bunch of lacrosse stickers to the page. Lacrosse was my best sport, and I was captain at my old school.

“Hey mom?”

“hmm?”

“Can I go over to her house tomorrow? You know, like I used to?” I ask. I would always go over to Emma’s house for her mom’s famous waffles and scrambled eggs.

“Sure! I bet Em would love that!”

“Mom…” I start.

“Well hone, you’re going to have to tell her you like her eventually.”

“Mom, that’s not how it works, if dad were here,” Nice going, Ty. Why’d you bring up dad?

“Well, your father’s not here now is he?” she had tears in her eyes.

“sorry.” I mumble and walk to my bedroom.

 My dad had died in Afghanistan a few years back. The whole reason we moved in the first place was because of him. It was hard without him, especially for my mom. When we found out his plane crashed, I would go into her room to find her crying, surrounded by his photos. I just didn’t like to talk about him. My sister would try to cheer mom up, but she would yell at her and then I would have to protect Tess. But that was almost four years ago. Tess is fifteen and I am almost eighteen. Things have gotten better. Walking into my room, I touch my father’s flag that was on his casket and fall into bed. I might as well get one hour of sleep before my “first” day.

**Morning**

“Tyler! If you’re going to Em’s house, you’d better be up now!!!” my mom yells up the stairs. I had just finished combing my hair and grabbed my backpack and ran down.

“Bye Tyler!” Tess yells.

I walk into the kitchen and give her a big hug. Even though she was getting older, I still treated her like she was little. After my dad died, she was never the same and I feel like she needs protection.

“You be good, kay?”

“Kay. You too!” she kisses my forehead and I head out the door to Emma’s house.

I knock on her door and wait. Her mom answers.

“Hi, Ty!!! Come on in!!!” she says.

I step inside and smell the waffles. Her house was just like it always was. Then Em walked in and I think my heart almost stopped. Her hair was curly like always, but she had on a little make-up and, to be honest, she had a…figure.