The day came so fast.
Tyler was out of hospital, his wounds still have a small aching but he was now free to do whatever he liked.
He was in the car with his parents, just looking down to the car floor and his mother caught a glimpse of him in her rear view mirror.
Her expression was filled with worry. She really believed her son didn't love her anymore... and try as she might, they may never share a bond again ever.
She gulped, and knew the simple truth she was afraid to admit.
To let him be free.
And not just freedom in allowing him to do as he pleased. But freedom to be him and to love who he loved.
She sighed heavily, as the car turned left to park in their driveway. She had to accept this, and she also knew, she had to let go for holding on so tight before was killing him on the inside.
As they got out of the car, she stood before him and Tyler nervously locked eyes with her.
"Tyler..." She uttered, and he stiffened up afraid. Was she to yell at him again? Make him hurt within. She immediately saw his panicked expression, so she reached out to him, enfolding him in a gentle hug as she whispered with encouragement, "Go and be with your friends, your girlfriend."
His cheeks quickly dyed red and he pushed his mother away from him nervously as he laughed uncomfortable.
"My girlfriend..?"
"I know she is, even if you never admit it."
He again laughed weakly, but gave a half sigh out and nodded his head. He watched his parents enter the house and he took out his phone, dialling the number he loved to ring.
"Hello?" Mei's sweet voice asked on the other end, and Tyler felt giddiness overcome him.
"Mei, it's me."
She smiled happily on the other end.
"So do you want to scale the city... go panda?"
"You had me at panda," She laughed and he chuckled himself as well.
~x~
It was minutes later the two were doing huge leaps throughout the city. Tyler was completely awestruck as he leaped so high into the sky, he swore he nearly reached the clouds.
Mei was by his side, laughing along with him.
They watched as the sun began its decent to the horizon that cut between the city and sky.
It was just amazing. Incredible.
But it sadly, would shortly be coming to an end.
~x~
Tyler realized his powers had gone the day after. He had been lying in his bed, looking to the ceiling he so often stared at, and usually he could poof whenever he wanted.
But no.. nothing happened.
The day after that was school, and he had sadness that this temporary gift he had been given was gone before it even arrived.
~x~
Life was moving on, like it always was. No age permanent, no certain feelings forever.
But the sadness of his loss had cut him deep.
At lunch time he sat at the table with the girls and they all chatted away about the craziness of the last few weeks.
"Yeah, crazy," He uttered in, just doing the bare minimum to be included in the conversation.
Mei could sense his discontent and when the lunch bell rang for them to return to class, she grabbed his hand, asking without words for him to sit beside her for a little while longer.
Tyler began to grow panic inside... was she upset over his bad mood? Would she DUMP him?!
"What is it, Mei?" He asked afraid and she just smiled at him.
She opened his hand up with her own and she traced his palm softly with her finger.
He watched in silence as she said, looking into his eyes.
"You will do so many great things... you will make so many people happy."
His mouth felt dry as she said these make believe words, but he needed to hear this, he wanted to.
"You will have more friends than you can count... and life will only get better."
He wanted to scoff at this, but hearing Mei's comforting words, he didn't say a thing. The only thing that was talking was his heart.
It was saying, she's the one! You know she is the one!
He slowly lifted his hand away from her, afraid of the feelings he had inside. When the bell went off again the two quickly got to their feet and headed fast to their classes.
~x~
In class, Tyler tried to pay attention but his whole insides were pulsing with emotions and feelings.
He was happy, yet he was sad. He was scared, yet he wasn't afraid anymore.
He forced himself to do his work. HE FORCED HIMSELF.
When he had finished filling out his Math sheet, the teacher gave a distant forlorn look at him as he said.
"Actually finishing your work now, Tyler? Hmm?"
Some students chuckled at this away and Tyler pulled his hoody top over his head, begging to stop hearing the taunts.
But what goes around, comes around.
He was a bully no more, but that didn't stop others from taking up the mantle.
Finally when the bell rang one last time for the day, he quickly caught up with the girls and he and Mei parted from them after ten minutes, deciding to walk to the temple that day without taking the bus.
Mei could feel something in the air around them as the two walked on the side walk towards her home that was another twenty minutes away.
Once they had gone a bit of a distance, Mei touched Tyler's upper arm, indicating for him to stop and he did, with wonder.
She slowly took out something from her school bag and hid it behind her back, saying to him with a warm smile.
"Guess what I have for you..."
Tyler's eyes quickly lit up and he guessed quickly, "Money? Gold? Golden money?"
Mei knew he was only teasing with his guesses, and she shook her head. She finally pulled her hands out from behind her and revealed the surprise.
Tyler's face was beyond disbelief when he saw it.
"THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU!"
4 Town's new album.
"I know you wanted the real thing and not just a copy," Mei went on, smiling timidly at Tyler as he hugged the CD case to his chest.
Once he stuffed it in his bag, he lunged at Mei, giving her such a huge bear hug she thought he'd squeezed all the air out of her.
The two looked shyly between one another then, as Mei turned back the direction to the temple, but Tyler slowly reached for her hand and pulled her towards him as he began to sing.
"I've never met nobody, like you,"
Mei felt her cheeks balloon red, her heart beating fast.
"Had friends and I've had buddies, it's true,"
Mei smiled, looking shyly into Tyler's joyful eyes.
"But they don't turn my tummy, the way you do!"
She couldn't believe this was actually happening right before her eyes. Tyler pulled her close to him now, as he finished the verse with completely in love eyes.
"I've never met NOBODY, like YOU!"
Mei only kissed him then, and when their lips broke apart she said to him, her cheeks still burning red.
"Ditto, Tyler... ditto."
Their foreheads pressed together gently and the two continued on their way.
~x~
You're never not on my mind, oh my, oh my
I'm never not by your side, your side, your side
I'm never gon' let you cry, oh cry, don't cry
I'll never not be your ride, or die, alright
