leaked (l.h.)

6

"Tyler," I yell, pounding on the door with my fist. "Tyler, dammit! Let me in!"

As I stand in the rain that begins to pour, I sigh deeply as I smell the familiar scent of wet pavement. I lean forward, resting my forehead against the door as I wait for his door to open, and after a moment or two I feel my phone vibrate in his pocket.

"Nvm," it reads. "Called into work. See you tomorrow? (:"

I let out a sigh of relief, almost feeling the sort of heaviness of my shoulders fall off of me. For a moment, just a tiny moment, I let myself feel relieved. But as I once again begin on my long walk home, I realize that I should probably give Luke an explanation.

So on my walk home, I dial his number into the keypad. I bring it up to my ear, listening to the ring as it defeats me. It's obnoxiously loud.

But it doesn't ring for long. Before I know it, it stops. And Luke's quiet voice greets me on the other side.

"Hey," he says, and as I listen while I walk home I hear a quiet beeping on the other side. "I was just thinking about you."

"Yeah, sorry," I say, letting out a shaky breath as I run my fingers through my matted hair. "Today was just... really bad." I gulp, closing my eyes as I feel the heat across my cheeks. "I hope you can forgive me for running out like that."

"Don't worry about it," he speaks quietly, almost as if his voice is hushed. "I'm sorry you had a bad day."

"Thanks," I gulp, and as I look up at the gray sky above me I let out a soft sigh. "I was wondering if the invitation to work on the project still stands?"

"Of course, but I don't think it can be at my place." He explains. "How about yours?"

"That's perfect," I reply. "Maybe then you can help me decide on a song to use."

"Right!" He says happily, relieved that I am finally beginning to see his creative vision. "I'll be over in a few."

"I'll see you soon," I smile, nibbling on my lower lip as I listen to his call end on the other side of the line. I find it sort of funny, how excited Luke is about this project. I never thought art was his thing, since he always struck me as the kind to skip school and go to dive bars. But looks can deceive.

When I get to my place, I know that I've got it to myself for a few more hours. But by the time my parents get home, Luke should be long gone by then.

I clear the room of any sign of Tyler, ripping photos of him off of from where it was nailed into the dry wall and hearing the gentle click of the nails hitting the floor. I rip them into pieces, watching them drop into the trash can. And for a moment, I feel freed. But I know that can only last so long.

I'm pulled away from staring at the trashcan when I hear a gentle knock on the door, stepping away from the photos and beginning my journey downstairs.

As I open the door, I see Luke's back faced to me. His eyes stare up at the blossoming magnolia tree above my doorway, one that was planted when I was born. Or so my mother says.

"Hi," I say, leaning my head on the doorway as I once again feel the room spin around me. I take a deep breath as I watch him spin around to face me, his eyes wide as he points to the tree.

"That is so pretty," he smiles. "I thought that was only something that, I don't know, Japan had."

"My Dad used to love magnolia trees," I explain, bringing him inside and closing the door behind me. "Apparently he planted that for me."

"Oh," he asks, furrowing his eyebrows together as he looks down at me. "Is he...?"

"No, he's not dead." I smile softly, shaking my head while I lead him into the kitchen. I pull out two Cokes from the fridge, handing him one before I pop it open. "But he might as well be."