By the next week both Tyson and I were back in school, like nothing had ever happened. Well that’s what we embedded into our heads that is. The first day we went back, there were cameras and news reporters everywhere. Even without our Dad’s advice about talking to the media, we already planned not to. Next was our- well my friends. They couldn’t make up their minds if they wanted to continue being friends with me or not, because I helped Tyson. The only people that stuck were Ashley and Craig. Then it was my teachers. Each of them had pulled me to the side after class and say if I needed someone to talk to I could reach them. Clearly they thought something was wrong with me, but even worse was the way everyone looked at Tyson, the way their judging eyes would follow him everywhere. It made me sick and want to cry, because I felt like it was my fault. Tyson always held his head up though and acted like no of it bothered him. His dad got him help before we were released from the hospital. Tyson was put through different tests and exams and other stuff. He was also put onto a program at our school. He complained about the whole thing and how annoying the people and questions were, but he knew it was for the best and deep down he appreciated it. I hope that one day soon, the kids at school would stop judging him and make friends with him.

“Don’t push it Keri, I’m not going.” Tyson told me.

“She’s right Tyson, you should get out. It’s good for the soul.” Craig agreed with me.

Craig, Mike, Ashley, and I were trying to convince Tyson to come along to a business party for my Dad’s company. We thought it would be good fro him since all he did was his tests and stay in his and Craig’s dorm all day long. No one from school would be there, just a bunch of drunken adults.

“Good for the soul my ass.” Tyson replied.

“Fine then we can stay in and drink all night long.” Mike said. “We can invite the guys over.”

“I would like to not get kicked out of school because you can’t handle your liquor.” Ashley said to Mike.

“Girl you need to check yourself before you wreck yourself.”

We all stared at Mike.

“This is why I can’t take you seriously. Why are you friends with him again Keri?”

“Because he’s basically my brother, that’s why. I really didn’t have a choice.”

“The line just didn’t make sense for the conversation.” Craig said with a sigh. “Anyway Tyson come on you need some fresh air.”

“Our window is more than enough.” Tyson said.

We sighed in defeat. There was no winning this time I guess.

“Can we go out for food then? There’s this food vender spot that opened last weekend. There’s a bunch a different food trucks set up, the food is awesome.” Craig suggested.

“Yummm Tyson, greasy food, your favorite.”

“Cute Keri, very cute, but no.”

“Arrgghh that’s it!” I jumped on Tyson’s back pinning him down.

“Uncle, Uncle!”

“No, not until you agree to leave this horribly smelling room and go get food with us because I’m hungry!”

“Fine I’ll go.”

“Our room doesn’t smell that bad.” Craig said.

“Pfft that’s what you think.” Ashley said.

I eased off of Tyson and agreed with Ashley, “Mike’s room smells better than yours and that’s saying something.”

“Gee thanks. Alright let’s go.”

Within the next five minutes we were out of the door and in my car with Craig giving me directions. The spot was only ten minutes away with a bunch of people ordering food. I guess the only logical reason is because it was Saturday night. Craig and I wanted some dessert before our main course so we went off to find the funnel cakes. We found a bench to sit at after we got out food.

“I know we haven’t really talked about what happened, but I have to ask. Are you and Tyson still a couple?”

I sighed.

I knew this was a question that everyone wanted to know the answer to; even Tyson and myself. Neither of us broke things off, but neither of us said we wanted to continue to date.

“I wish I could answer that question.”

“If you don’t mind my asking, what about Vic? I mean two years and then you kind of jumped into this relationship with a guy you knew for like a week. I know you still have deep feelings for Vic. How do you feel about everything that happened? Are you going to see someone?”

“Touchy topic Craig… I think that’s why I’ve come to love you so much, because you’re not afraid to speak your mind in anyway whatsoever.”

“Yeah and you haven’t answered my question.”

I continued to eat my funnel cake, thinking of a proper answer. Yes I still have deep feelings for Vic everyone knows that and yes I wanted to try things out again, but at the same time Tyson took a place in my heart. The other stuff about getting help, that was a definite no.

“I plead the fifth.”

“Cute.”

I chuckled, “What?”

“You’re going to have to make a decision soon enough. I’m just trying to help you think things through fully.”

“Thanks, but no thanks. I hate thinking.”

“You’re going to be a lawyer, you have to think.”

I shrugged.

“Your laziness never ceases to amaze me. So?”

“You’ll just have to wait and see.”

“There you two are. Do you know how hard it was to find you? Don’t you people know how to answer your phone?” Mike called walking up to the table.

“Sorry babe, I got so wrapped up in my funnel cake. What did you get?”

“Tacos! I got enough so we can share.”

“Isn’t he just the best?” Ashley asked.

I heard the sarcasm in her voice. Mike glared at her. Ashley got a hot dog, while Tyson got a burger which looked very appetizing.

“Can I have some of your fries Tyson?” I asked.

“Yeah, sure.”

We all picked at each other’s food and shared a lot of laughs. It was nice to see Tyson’s face light up without forcing it, the others too. Even though Ashley and Craig stuck around, I know they felt uneasy at times, but now there was no uneasiness just happiness. We all needed some right now. Soon we went back for seconds and even thirds of the delicious greasy food. I don’t know how we managed all that food, but I know for sure we all put on at least twenty pounds. Soon music started to play, so we joined a group that was formed in the middle of the area and danced. It was mostly Latin music, but it nice and so much fun. Later of course we ended back up at school, it was about eleven. On the ride back home Mike kept swearing up and down how he was going to stay over night, but I refused to let him since he planned on staying in Ashley and my dorm room. I couldn’t emphasize to him anymore about how we’d get in trouble and that he wasn’t even on the guest list. He won anyways.

“No one has to know.” Mike said as he made himself comfortable on my bed.

“I feel like I’m harboring a convict.” Ashley said while brushing her teeth.

“You’re not harboring a convict, but I can tell you what you can harbor.”

I frowned at Mike’s comment and threw a stuffed bear at him, “You’re disgusting.”

“I was going to say her toothbrush down her throat you perv.”

“Well maybe if you weren’t such a pervert, I wouldn’t have to jump to conclusions. This is why I hesitate to bring my girl friends around when you’re near.”

“Like Liz?”

“Who’s Liz?”

“I told you about her Ash, she was my best friend in high school then she moved to the east coast for school.”

“Oh right, right, the one with the really long brunette hair?”

“Yes.”

“If I recall Mike you have a huge crush on her, or am I wrong?”

Mike blushed and buried his face in one of my pillows.

“Awww Mike is blushing. This is the single most cutest thing I’ve ever seen him do.”
“I hate the both of you.”

“Can I trust to leave you two alone, I’m gonna go talk to Tyson for a bit.” I said heading to the door.

“Yeah, be safe.” Mike said.

“Okay.”

I headed out the room to meet with Tyson in the student lounge downstairs. He was already there reading a book. There were other students around, but they were the “emo” kids. I never really understood why or how that stereotype happened, they were just like everyone else, a little misunderstood, but the same.

“Hey.”

Tyson looked up from his book, “Hey. Come sit.”

“What did you want to talk about?”

“Well… I’m going back to Texas with Dad.”

“…Oh…”

“I think its best for the both of us, you know? I’m doing this mostly for me, but at the same time for you. I just… well, I’ve just created hell for you. Half of your friends left you because of me, everyone thinks there’s something wrong with you for making the decision you did and I hurt you-.”

“It wasn’t you that hurt me and I don’t care about who left me or who thinks I’m crazy.”

“Fine, but still I’m leaving and giving you back a normal life. I’m going to put college on hold so I can really focus on getting better.”

“When are you leaving?”

“Tomorrow.”

“Are you serious? Why did you wait till now to tell me?”

“It just seemed easier.”

“To wait till the last minute? What about us?”

Tyson shrugged, “There’s no more us. There really never was an “us” to begin with. It was us and Vic hanging onto you and hating me.”

“Is that really how you feel, honestly? Is that all you ever thought of this? Don’t answer that, forget it… Will you at least call me; send me a letter, or anything?”

Tyson shook his head no.

“So that’s it?”

“Yeah… I know it’s a dumb question, but are you mad?”

“…No. I have no room to be mad. You’re doing what you think is best for you. I just wish things didn’t end up this way.”

“Me too.”

“I’m going to miss you, you know.”

“I’m going to miss you too.”

I pulled Tyson into a hug that I didn’t want to break. Ever. Only for a few weeks I had known Tyson and took my heart and just like that he was leaving. It wasn’t fair.