We’re laughing on my bed; I can’t
even remember what over. Tyler looks at me seriously,

“So what’s the story with this
guy you slept with?” My mouth nearly drops,

“There is no story, it was a
promise” I try to cast it away but the words flare in my heart.

“You don’t look like it was
nothing...” Tingles start all over my shoulders and neck, memories.

“Well, I promised him a few years
ago I would give him my virginity and I did just that. I never saw him again,
for a while I was scared that he would come back again. He was the first guy I
loved and, I’ve never loved anyone since.” I shrug my shoulders but Tyler is
unconvinced.

“Why haven’t you loved anyone?” I
think about it for a few seconds, looking deep into Tyler’s hazel eyes.

“I guess no one’s really given me
a chance” This emotional territory is getting to me and I’m slowly backing away
from Tyler but he realises and grabs my hand. I look into his eyes again,
searching for any insincere emotion.

“Just because no one loves you in
that moment, doesn’t mean you’re never going to be loved” I stifle a gasp, his
words were something else. I’ve never heard anything like it.

He does this weird thing that
makes me never want to be shy again and forget the personality changes. When
I’m with him I’m just... me, no improved personality. He makes me want to be
like that.

I’m quiet for a moment, I’m very
aware of his hand on mine but I can’t meet his eyes. Then I look up,

“How do you do that?” I’m barely
whispering, Tyler looks at me confused.

“How do you say exactly what I’m
thinking but make it sound so much better?” His lips twitch.

“My mind has stretched the
boundaries of reality; it’s kind of like reading minds but reading body
language on a deep level. Noticing your habits and what you do when you feel
certain things.” I move my hand slightly and Tyler quickly grabs my wrist, “Why
do you keep doing that?” He swirls his thumb into my wrist,

“Like I said, no one’s given me a
chance. So why would I give myself a chance? To be loved that is.” That catches
Tyler by surprise, sort of.

His hand climbs to my shoulder,
he reaches to my ear and whispers. “I know” It looks like he’s about to kiss
me, I prepare myself but stay still. My eyes are still open but fluttering
closed, then he smirks and sits up. “This isn’t going to happen until you learn
to love yourself” I scoff and throw pillow at him. We’re both laughing,

“What the hell Tyler!” I’m
laughing so hard.

“Don’t worry I’m going to teach
you” He sounds really egotistical and childish.

“That’s scary and cheesy” Tyler
smirks,

“How?” I walk over to him,

“I’m going to teach you how to
love” I try mimicking him and fail. Tyler laughs at me,

“I do not talk like that” I hear
a knock at the door, my mum walks in and smiles.

“Sweetie, just keep it down okay?
Order some pizza for dinner if you want” I nod my head and mouth an ‘okay.’

***

I grab another piece of cheese
pizza. “How many of those have you had?”Tyler looks at me expectantly; I look
down at the pizza and contemplate the answer.

“About four,” More than half of
the pizza was gone, which was good because it means that we will finish it.
Turns out we both love cheese pizza.

“Geez I only ever eat three or
four pieces, but I think you need to face it” I look at him as I lick my lips,

“Face what? Hmm,” I burst into
laughter,

“You’re a pig” Tyler smirks as I
scoff.

“Shut up” I poke my tongue at him
and shuffle away. I find it weird that I’m not my usual shy self, and I’ve
changed personalities so quickly but it’s all because of Tyler.

I have the strange urge to lean
over and quickly kiss him on the cheek. Instead I glow crimson and look down.

“You’re beautiful,” My eyes
flutter to his quickly and go back down.

“I thought you said I was
wonderful.” I try to laugh to get rid of some of the awkwardness, it doesn’t
work.

“Beautiful too, you can do a lot
with that combination” I scoff,

“I was always told that beauty
won’t get you far in life,” I mumble, my shyness comes back. There’s a pause
and I sit there playing with my thumbs.

“Why do you do that?” it’s not an
insult, he says it softly. “Why do you look really strong and then just as you
get into deep thought you go really shy” If only he knew...

“That’s just how I am I guess”
Tyler pauses, thinking about something. Then looks at my clock,

“It’s late, we shouldn’t keep
your mother up any longer” He lies under my black doona and I do the same. I
look at my clock, midnight... “What’s his name? The guy you slept with” Tyler
asks, I try to mumble through my sleepy haze.

“Zac” his name burns in my mind.

I soon drift off.

* * *

I shake off my nightmare half way
through the night, a thin layer of sweat covering me. I prepare for loneliness
to fill me and then I feel a shift around me.

I reach down to my waist and feel
Tyler’s arm wrapped around me. I smile and fall back to sleep.

I have the best sleep I’ve ever
had, no night mares.

Author’s Note: Sorry for the
short chapters, they will get longer eventually!