A journey to change Autumn

14

After I tell Tyler about my past he stares at me for awhile. His eyes look like they are staring into my soul. He continues to look at me until I speak with a shaky voice.
"Tyler? Please say something."
He continues to stay in his daze. I start to stand up giving up on my new friend then break into a run home. I decide to skip the rest of the school day. About halfway home I hear someone following me. I start to pick up my pace. "Autumn!" The person calls. I continue to run with tears streaming down my face. I look behind me and see a distraught Tyler running after me. I run until I get to my house. I run in and don't even bother to shut the front door. I run up to my room,grab a beanie, a jacket, and my journal. I shut and lock my door. I open my door to my balcony and wait for Tyler. I don't want to see or talk to him right now but I also don't want to be rude. So I wait to put my plan to action. I hear the front door shut. Knowing my aunt and uncle aren't home, I suspect it is Tyler. I go onto my balcony and hear him."Autumn. Open up." he says. That's my cue. I climb up to the ledge and try to make myself smaller. I hear my door open. "Autumn?" Tyler asks worryingly. I don't answer. How did he get into my room. I thought I locked it. Then I remember the key above my doorframe. He must have found it. I am so deep in thought I don't notice Tyler on my balcony. He stares at the trees. Anyone can see the beauty in that. He is so mesmerizing to watch. I pull out my phone and snap a pic of him. "What did I do wrong?" He asks himself. Nothing, I want to tell him. He sighs and walks back in with his head down. He goes into my room and then about a minute later I hear Nala barking. "She's not here dog." Tyler states. The barking gets closer and so do the footsteps. She's going to give me away. Nala comes out onto the balcony. I try to make myself feel smaller. She looks around then stares at me. She barks as loud as she can. No please don't give me away. Tyler comes back out and looks at Nala. He follows her eyesight and spots me on the roof. "Autumn?" Tyler asks. I ignore him hoping he will leave. He just stares at me. He doesn't leave. I sigh, knowing that he saw me. He climbs up the ledge and sits down next to me on the roof. "Autumn." Tyler says sympathetically. I look down at my poems journal. I can't stand it anymore. All the hate of everyone that called me names and hurt me. I will always have to live with the scars. The physical and emotional scars. Tyler could sense my stress and says," let it out." I think about for a second then obey. I cry. This must be a weird scene for people passing us. Two teenagers sitting on the roof crying with a dog staring at them. "Autumn. I meant to answer you when you told me everything. I did. But I just couldn't believe everything that had happened to you. With the bully's and the thoughts of suicide. I assumed that you had fallen and broke your arm and nose but that. Oh I am so sorry. I can see why you would run from me after not answering you. Please forgive me. I should have made you stay." He says. He looks down. I stare up at him. He has tears in his eyes. Why would he cry over me. I am just a fragile girl with a messed up life. He looks back up at me. "I just want you to know I am always here for you." He says then puts his arms around my frail torso. I cry into his shoulder while he whispers calming words in my ear. After a few minutes I finish crying and sit back up.
"I need to ask you something." I say
"Anything."
"Why would you cry over me?"
He laughs. Was I funny? "I care about you and I think you are too beautiful to have to go through what you did. And to do it alone. Wow. I admire you for being so strong and brave." He said. And at that moment it felt as if the world had stopped. I was staring into his hazel eyes and all was at peace. "Let's get you inside." He said. He stands up then helps me up. I grab my things and start back inside. Once inside I mentally thank Nala for leading Tyler out to me. I look at the time. 3:52. Great. School is over. We head down stairs and see Luke with uncle Adam and aunt Mia.
"Autumn. We need to tell you something." Aunt Mia says.
"Yes." I ask hesitantly
"It's about your mom. She is dead."
Once I register it I suddenly see the floor coming towards my face.