Title: The Shooting Star That Destroyed Us All
Author: ramen.scurge
Rated: M for Mature
Disclaimer: I do not own anything from The Covenant. All original characters are mine.

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Blue-eyed sun shines on me

In the morning

Can't help but feel a little cold

Thinking of you

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Tyler held the entrance door to the mall open for Adelaide, the smaller girl storming passed him with a beyond irritated look on her face. They'd run out her favourite flavour at Baskin and Robbins, some kid had spilled grape juice all over her new skinny jeans and the new make up she bought had given her a rash. He sighed and let go of the door, chasing after her. He'd let her stew for a while, get all her frustration out of her system before he made any attempt at conversation.

He stuffed his hands into the pockets of his sweater as Adelaide continued to grumble crude obscenities under her breath. He resisted the urge to stop and shake her, and let her know that some things just weren't worth getting this upset over but held back. He could do without a broken nose.

After a few minutes of intense stress relief, Adelaide finally inhaled, taking in a large gulp of air. Her chest puffed out and Tyler couldn't help but let his eyes wander. Like the first time he had seen her outside of school, she was clad in a pair of skinny leg jeans, except this one had a few holes in it. Her feet were covered in a pair of brand new looking Chuck Taylor's with brightly coloured shoelaces. Though he noted what was on her bottom half, his eyes refused to stray away from her top. Her torso was covered in a black pirate shirt that seemed almost two sizes too small with a vintage looking leopard print cardigan that clung to her body in just the right way.

He felt something come in contact with this arm and shook his head slowly, his vision focusing on a confused looking Adelaide. "Hmm?" he asked, trying to sound as though he'd been listening to the whole time.

Adelaide furrowed her brows. "I wanted to know if you were hungry?"

Tyler quickly plastered a smile onto his face. "Only if you're buying."

He watched as Adelaide shoved her hands into the pockets of her jeans without any more complaint and continued to walk aimlessly down the semi crowded streets. Occasionally Tyler would ask a question, just to keep things from getting awkward and she would answer him just to keep the tension level as low as possible.

Eventually they came upon a small, quaint looking Cajun restaurant. Tyler looked over at Adelaide, uncertainty staining her face as they neared the entrance. In his head he tried to list all the reasons why she could possibly feel that way but came up empty handed.

Adelaide halted in front of the front door and opened it, motioning Tyler in. He silently thanked her. He waited for her to enter before they approached the front desk. But before they could even open their mouths a tall, preppy looking boy approached them. Tyler felt Adelaide's arm brush against his, a slightly uncomfortable look marring her features.

"Table for t-" the boy stopped in mid-sentence, his eyes landing on Adelaide. "McCarthy?" he asked, uncertain, bending over so he could catch the small girl's eyes. A grin bright enough to light up the night sky stretched across his face as he nudged Tyler aside and gathered the dark haired girl into his arms. "Adelaide, baby, it's been too long!"

Tyler watched with slightly wary eyes as Adelaide forced herself to hug him back. "Yeah," she mumbled into his shoulder before he put her back onto the ground and gave her the once over. Tyler felt his cheeks flush in both embarrassment and anger at the mystery boy's shamelessness.

Before he could interrupt them, he felt something warm slip into his hand. He looked down saw Adelaide standing beside him, her small hand wrapped around his larger one. He felt her fingers tighten around his and couldn't help but respond.

"Could we just get a table?" she asked, suddenly in a hurry.

The mystery boy cocked an eyebrow at the couple but didn't comment as he motioned for them to follow him. "Hurry up, then."

The pair followed the waiter in silence, Adelaide's hand slowly loosening from Tyler's before she slipped it out of his completely. He couldn't help the blush that stained his cheeks as he sat down across from Adelaide, the light radiating from the lamp above to her doing things to her he couldn't quite describe in words. He quickly grabbed a menu off the table and propped it up in front of his face, hoping she wouldn't notice.

"Don't mind Felix." Her voice was hoarse, as though she'd chain-smoked a whole pack of cigarettes. "I come in here a lot, though most of the time I'm alone. So, you know . . ." she trailed off, her eyes straying away from the table to some far off place he knew he wasn't allowed to follow.

Tyler peeked over his menu and watched as she tucked her straight hair behind her ears, a nervous habit she had but didn't confront or admit to. He knew he should be angry with her for what she'd done to him, what she was doing to him, but it was moments that these that made him forget about that anger. He liked her best when she vulnerable, when she was real, when she was human . . .

"You know what you're ordering?" she asked, straightening out in her crossing her arms over the table.

Tyler nodded; the corner of his lip's tugging slightly. "Yup."

Adelaide quirked an eyebrow at him, her nose scrunching up a little. "Why the fuck are you smiling like that? You look a bit constipated." She wiggled her nose. "You're not constipated are you?"

Tyler chuckled softly. "I'm not."

Adelaide re-folded her arms and leaned over the table a little more. "Ever since Biology you've had this really sketchy look on your face. Are you sure you're feelin' alrigh?"

Tyler feigned hurt. "Are you implying something?"

Adelaide snorted. "Wake up from that dream, Simms. All I'm sayin' is that if you're catchin' somethin', Hell'll freeze over before I play nurse." She leaned back into her chair, slouching down a tad. "You can bloody well take care of your own dam self."

Before Tyler could reply, Felix materialised in front of their table with a Long Island Ice Tea for Adelaide and a complimentary coke for Tyler. The brown haired boy took this time to give him the once over, his brotherly instincts kicking into gear.

Felix was tall, a good few inches taller than Tyler. Leaner too. He had long brown hair was tied in messy ponytail above his head much like the art geeks at Spencer. Tribal tattoo's littered both his arms, a plain black t-shirt cutting them off at mid bicep. He wore a pair of new looking acid washed jeans, a dirty white apron wrapped around his waist with a matching pair of white sneakers on his feet. His big feet.

"Sorry about earlier," Felix apologized, pulling Tyler away from his thoughts. "It's just been too long, you know?"

"Whatever," Adelaide answered, with an absent minded waved of her hand. Tyler caught her eye, his eyes taking on a pleading shape as he silently urged her to introduce him. The dark haired girl sighed. "Felix," she mumbled, catching the tall boy's attention. "This is Tyler Simms," she gestured with her hand. "Tyler, this is Felix Thomson."

Tyler casually saluted Felix with two fingers. "Hey."

The brown haired boy just nodded before turning back to Adelaide. "Are you retarded?" he demanded. "A Son of Ipswich? Do you want your father to have to send you away again?"

Adelaide straightened out in her seat, her eyes becoming hard. Tyler had seen that look before. Felix had struck a nerve. "What goes on in my house behind closed doors is none of your bloody business. I had no quibbles about you banging that Snider bitch so who I choose to spend my time with is none of your concern." A nerve in Adelaide's cheek twitched, as she reached over and snatched his menu away, slamming it into Felix's mid section. "You've said your 'hellos', now either take our order or send over someone who will."

Tyler looked up at Felix as discreetly as possible. His faced was red, his lips pierced into a thin line. "What'll it be?" he asked, his voice strained.

"Burger and fries," she answered shortly before crossing her arms over the table, an imaginary wall forming between her and Felix. "Tyler?"

"I'll have the same. Thanks." He added, hoping his courtesy was enough for his food not to get spat in.

"Coming up." Felix smiled stiffly as he stuffed the menus into his apron and turned on his heel, heading toward the kitchen.

Tyler looked over at Adelaide, her face scrunched into an unattractive scowl as she moved her eyes over the buzzing room. He chuckled almost uncomfortably, reminding himself of the first few times he had laughed around her, and leaning forward on the table slightly. "So . . ."

"I didn't fuck him, if that's what you were going to ask." Adelaide growled, mirroring his movement.

Tyler's face turned a deep scarlet at her words. "I wasn't going to ask anything like that!"

Adelaide snorted. "You were thinking it."

He wasn't going to deny that the thought crossed his mind, but whom she chose to spend her time with outside of school was none of his concern. Adelaide would open up to him when she was ready, and despite the bumps in their relationship, she was getting there. He sighed softly, about to lean back into his chair when she spoke.

"Felix is Edward's half-brother …" her voice was soft, almost strained.

Tyler shifted in his seat, his interest slightly peaked. "Edward …"

Adelaide took a deep breath. "Edward is my old man's partner, my step father." He watched with alert eyes as she paused, waiting for the shock to register on his face, for him to get up without a word, to laugh. But he didn't. There wasn't anything funny about what she was telling him. He just sat there and waited patiently for her to continue. These were the moments that made all his efforts worth it. "This restaurant is his pride and joy; don't know what he'd do without it."

Tyler swallowed. "Felix seems pretty young, well, compared to your dad anyway. I mean, if your dad and his partner are about the same age, then Felix's mom must have had him really late in life." He rambled.

The corners of Adelaide's lips tugged slightly. "Felix is twenty seven."

"Oh." Tyler mumbled lamely, his palms suddenly becoming clammy. Why did he feel so nervous all of a sudden? "Do you always eat alone?" he asked, unable to help himself. He knew she would explode on him for asking such a personal question, but he needed to know how far he could push the envelope. He needed to test his limits with her.

"Of course," she said as though it were the most natural thing in the world, as though he should have known that. "You think everyone in school, or out for that matter, is as bizarre as you? No one's stupid enough to eat a meal with me, for all they know it could be there last with all the crap that comes out of their mouths. I know that you think I'm a total hard ass but unlike those pricks at school, 99.9 of the shit that comes out of my mouth is justified and true."

"I like eating dinner with you." Tyler shrugged.

Without warning, Adelaide reached over the table and covered Tyler's sweaty hand with hers. Her fingers curled around his hand, giving it a small squeeze as the most unbelievably true smile crawled onto her face. "That's the nicest lie anyone's ever told me."

"I wouldn't lie to you …" Tyler's hand responded to hers, giving it a small squeeze back.

Adelaide clucked her tongue. "I have eyes, and they see right through that false façade of understanding and compassion you have up. I know people in this town know about my father and I know they treat me differently because of it. If you feel uncomfortable about it, say it. I wont be mad," Tyler could see the tears welling up in her eyes. "Because your opinion is the only one that matters to me. And if you tell anyone about this conversation or the fact that I have the ability to cry, I will neuter you."

Tyler smiled despite the seriousness her tone held. "What goes on in your house behind closed doors is none of my business. I love you because you're Adelaide, and nothing can change that."

Adelaide grinned, and leaned over the table, pressing a small kiss on the tip of Tyler's nose. "I guess not."

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Light Surrounding You © Evermore

I had to post something ...