forum Roses and Thorns

Started May 19, 2019 by @PrettyLittlePyro

tune

(Cool!)

Tyler stood by her doorway. He knew that she would be startled, and maybe scared, but… he needed to talk to her.

Kenzie had woken up on the right side of the bed, and she'd decided not to worry about the roses. They were still on her counter, and she had every intention of leaving them there. The past was past, it was over and she couldn't waste the day thinking about it. She grabbed her sweater, pulling it on over her top and grabbing her purse on her way out the door. She slid on her boots, grabbed the door knob, and opened the door.

Tyler smirked his famous smirk at her. "Miss me?" He was leaning in the doorway.

Kenzie froze, her jaw open and eyes wide. She stood there, for a moment, shaking slightly. Then she gathered herself, took a step forward, and slapped him. As hard as she could. Then she yelped, cupping her hand. "Why is your face so hard?"

When he saw her, it seemed as though he had never left. She seemed more tired, but that was okay.
Then she slapped him.
He almost didn't notice. He was used to hits harder, and had grown tougher.
"Why is your face so hard?" She shrieked.
Tyler blinked, a grin breaking over his features. "Not exactly the welcome I was expecting."

She held her hand close to her, glaring at him with shocked eyes. "Why are you here? No, nevermind, Tyler, I'm done talking to you." She pushed past him with both hands, shoving away from her. Once she was past, she straightened up and ducked her head, walking with clipped steps to the elevator. She pressed the button and waited, staring at the closed doors.

Tyler groaned. He had known that she'd be like this, but… he didn't really have an excuse. He knew that he deserved it. Sighing, he ran down the stairs, waiting by the elevator.

Kenzie flinched when she heard him stop running next to her. She could see him in the reflection in the shining elevator door, but she refused to talk to him. She had nothing to say to him, he'd made his choice. Actually, she had a lot to say to him. But she knew she wouldn't be able to without crying, and she didn't want to make a scene in the middle of her apartment building.

Tyler crossed his arms. He needed to talk to her. He waited.
When she stepped out, he moved in front of her, not allowing her to continue. "Why are you running?"

"I'm not running. I live here, and I'm going to go grocery shopping." She stepped past him, into the elevator, and pushed the button for the first floor.

He crossed his arms, moving back in front of her. Anger flickered in his eyes, but he squashed it. He couldn't lose his head now. "Can't I talk to you?"

"You are talking to me." Kenzie didn't meet his eyes, knowing full well she was being unnecessarily rude. "Look, Tyler, I don't have anything to say to you! You made your choice, you got your own life. Why won't you let me live mine?" She blinked back the tears that immediately sprang to her eyes, remembering the early years when everything had been perfect.

"Because I-" he stopped. "You know what? This was a waste of time. I don't even know why I came here. And to see you of all people," he snarled. He turned away.

"Look who's talking!" She threw up her hands in exasperation. "Tyler, I waited almost a year for you to come back! I wasted some of my life, waiting for someone I thought I loved. Now that I've finally gotten myself back together, you come back. I was finally starting to be happy!"

"Then you can feel something I never will," he snarled, turning back to her, eyes flashing. "You got to be happy. Do you know how lucky you are? You had people who loved you! I was a toy, a tool, nothing more. I had no friends." He chuckled bitterly. "And then you came along. I almost started to have feelings for you. And then they came and offered me a chance at family. So I guess I should have stayed with them. They would have understood." He walked away, fuming.

"I was your friend! You left first, Tyler, you can't blame me!" Then his words sunk in. "Wait, Tyler, you left?" She ran after him, keeping up with him and looking at him.

Tyler stared at the floor, silent. He had said too much. His trainer's advice pounded through his head.
"Never trust anyone. Never let anyone get past your walls. Never tell anyone how you feel. They will take those secrets, and destroy you."

Kenzie paused by him, turning to stand in front of him. "I thought I understood you, Tyler. I thought I knew you." Her voice was barely a whisper, soft and gentle and asking him to tell her what was going on.

(Aww!)

"Guess you didn't," he said bitterly. He walked away, head bowed.

Kenzie clenched her fists. "Tyler, do not walk away from me. Get back here, sit down, and and tell me what on earth is going on." She growled the words, not turning her body but moving her head to follow him.

Anger burst through him, and he clenched his fists so hard his knuckles cracked and popped. He breathed deeply, trying to calm down. He was going to hurt someone if this continued.

She pivoted, facing him with her hands on her hips. "Tyler, I'm asking you. Just this once." Her voice was ice cold, but at the same time there was a note of desperation inside it.

He turned to her, eyes full of fire. "I don't have to explain a damn thing to you! You said to get out of your life, and that's what I'm doing. If you don't want me around, why should I tell you what I'm talking about?"