5 days before

I sit in my room listening to music. I close my eyes and let the music go through me. "Knock, knock," Tyler says coming in. 

I smile and take out one earbud. "Hello," I say in a creepy voice to tease him.

He exhales from his nose. It's not exactly a laugh, but, it counts. "Whatcha doin?" He asks.

I stare at the wall. "Literally nothing," I say. "what do you want?"

He breathes in and smiles. "There's this girl."

My eyes widen and a smile creeps up on my face. "Yeah...?"

"Don't get super weird about it."

I cross my arms. "Fine. Just talk, boy."

"OK, so I havereally been thinking about asking her out. Do you think I should?" 

I smile. "How long have you liked this girl?"

"For a little over 6 months. And, and I can't stop thinking about her. She keeps me up at night. I-I really like her. Every time she enters the room I can't help but to smile. It saddens me when she's left alone, when no one sits next to her. I just want to come over to her and hug her all the time. I want to pick up her empty hand and hold it. I just want to be with her. I think I'm in love, Elata."

I suddenly realize I'm smiling like an idiot. "That's so sweet, Ty." I breathe in. I wish someone would think that way about me. "You should tell her how you feel. Especially if you're noticing that she likes you too."

"Good." He says. "I really want her to know how i feel, you know?"

I can't stop smiling for him. "Yeah, I do."

He pauses and looks at me. "Do you have someone in mind?"

I feel my face get red. "Of course."

"Who? Tell me?"

Brandon. I like Brandon. "I don't want to say. He doesn't like me back, I already know that."

"Well, just tell him how you feel, maybe he feels the same way about you."

"But--"

"No. You can't know for sure unless you actually ask him. Sometimes, you have to take a risk. If you love someone, you tell them. Even if you're scared that it's not the right thing. Even if you're scared it'll cause problems. Even if you're scared that it will burn your life to the ground. You say it. You say it loud."

"That was from Grey's Anatomy, wasn't it?"

"Yeah," He says looking down. 

"Take you own advice."

Present

I sit in the corner of the dorm room rocking back and forth. My music plays in my ears. I close my eyes and keep them closed. Tears start to fall. Tyler can't be gone. That's not possible. He was doing great. We never said goodbye. 

"Hey," Someone says knocking on my door. I don't say anything. I try to stay as silent as possible. I try not to cry anymore, but I can't stop. I cover my mouth with my hand in hopes it'll make it quieter. "Elata," It's Brandon. Brandon wants me. "Please," His voice sounds pained. I keep my mouth shut. I don't want him to see me like this. "Let me in."

"No," I manage to say.

"Elata, I'm here for you. Please, just let me in."

I cave in. Crawling to the door I manage to unlock it and turn the knob just enough for him to push his way in. I stay near the door but bring my knees up to my chest. 

"Elata," He crouches down next to me and hugs me tight.

Too tight. Almost too tight. Not tight enough. 

He picks me up and brings me to the bed. He holds me close while I cry into his shoulder.  "It'll be alright."