Chapter Fourteen

                                    

                                          
Warnings: Some swearing
                          
Word Count: 1241
                          
July 8th, 2017
                          
You carefully stepped off the stool and returned to your spot behind the counter. The bookstore was empty, as it always seemed to be on summer afternoons. People just preferred to be out in the warm sun instead of looking at books, it seemed.
                          
Tyler had left the day before. He had come over and given you a quick goodbye, promising that he would be back in a timely manner and that he would be sure to text often. You hoped it was true, but figured it was best not to get your hopes up too much. The mistrust was still sitting in the back of your mind, but with each passing day it got a little better.
                          
You were sitting behind the counter, making some notes about the store when your manager walked up to you. He was carrying something under his arm, and looked a bit disgruntled. Then again, he always had the tendency to look like that.
                          
"A customer came in earlier today and said that he wanted me to give this to you when you came in."
                          
He set a book down on the counter and slid it across to you. You recognized it instantly: your favorite book, the same one that you had read a hundred times over and never loved any less. You had lost your copy a few years ago when you and your mom had been cleaning out your room to find things for a garage sale. You hadn't told anyone that it was missing, nor had you picked up another copy yet, so it seemed odd that a customer had dropped it off.
                          
"Did they say who they were?"
                          
Your manager shook his head, "Nope, just that he wanted this to be given to you when your shift started."
                          
"Thank you," you said, grabbing the book.
                          
Your manager grunted before walking back to his small office in the back of the store. You bent down and grabbed your bag so that you could put the book away, but just as you were about to do so you noticed a piece of paper sticking out of the top. Curiosity getting the better of you, you pulled it out.
                          
The so-called piece of paper turned out to be an envelope with your name scribbled on the front in Tyler's unmistakable handwriting. You were just about to open it when the bell over the door chimed. With a sigh, you hastily stuffed the envelope back into the book and stuck it into your bag. It would have to wait until you were off work.
                          
Work seemed to draw on forever now that Tyler's note was sitting in the back of your mind. A million questions were running through your head and you were itching to open it, but you knew that your manager wouldn't appreciate you doing personal things during work hours. He already seemed bothered enough by having to give you the book in the first place.
                          
You practically sprinted to your car once your shift ended. Your fast pace attracted a few stares, but you brushed them off; the only thing on your mind right now was getting to your car and opening Tyler's letter. What had been so important that he couldn't tell you in person?
                          
You slammed the car door behind you and began to dig through your bag until you found the letter. Your heart was beating furiously in your chest, both from your practical sprint to the car and the anticipation of what the letter said. You took a second to look at it before you opened it, taking advantage of your last moments of ignorance.
                          
The envelope opened easily, and you pulled out the folded piece of notebook paper that was tucked inside. As you unfolded the letter, a smaller piece of paper fell into your lap. You picked it up and began to read it.
                          
"No way," you gasped. "No fucking way."
                          
The smaller piece of paper had turned out to be a plane ticket to California for the end of the month. You were in shock and disbelief. Your hands shook as you read the letter.
                          
Y/N,
                          
I know you told me that you wanted some time to think, but I figured that you could also use a break from your life at home. There's no pressure for you to come visit, but I figured I would give you the plane ticket just in case. We can buy you a return ticket when you're here, because I wasn't sure how long you'll want to or be able to stay.
                          
And because I know you're wondering why I gave you a letter for this instead of telling you in person, you and I both know there's no way you would have accepted this in person. We may have been apart for ten years, but I still know how you are.
                          
Oh yeah, and enjoy the book.
                          
-Ty
                          
You could hardly believe what was happening. Never in a million years did you think you would ever be able to visit California after your dad got sick. It had always been a dream in the back of your mind, but that was it: a dream.
                          
You grabbed your phone from your bag and dialed Tyler's number. Hopefully he wasn't busy, you really needed to talk to him. Thankfully, he picked up after a couple rings.
                          
"Hello?"
                          
"Tyler, are you fucking with me?"
                          
"Come again?"
                          
"The plane ticket, the letter, it's a joke, right?"
                          
Tyler laughed quietly on the other end of the line, "No, Y/N, it's not a joke. I want you to come visit."
                          
You took a deep breath and leaned back against your seat, "I'm actually going to California."
                          
"Yeah you are."
                          
"Thank you so much, Ty. I owe you."
                          
"No, you don't. You gave me a second chance and that's more than enough for me."
                          
"Are you sure?"
                          
"I've never been more sure of something in my life."
                          
"Ok, I need to get home before my mom starts worrying. I just had to call to make sure this wasn't a joke."
                          
"I'll see you later this month."
                          
"Bye, Ty."
                          
"Later."
                          
You hung up the call and tossed your phone onto the passenger seat. After one last long glance at the plane ticket, you pulled out onto the street and headed home.
                          
Your mom was in the kitchen cooking when you arrived home. You set your stuff down by the door and walked into the kitchen, the plane ticket clutched tightly in one hand.
                          
"There you are," your mom smiled. "How was work?"
                          
"Work was slow, but I got some really exciting news."
                          
"You did?"
                          
"Look at this."
                          
You set the plane ticket down and slid it over to where your mom could easily see it. She took a second to look it over before her eyes went wide and she looked up at you.
                          
"Where did you get this?"
                          
"Tyler. He wants me to come visit."
                          
"You're going to California?"
                          
You nodded. Your mom's eyes began to well up and she walked over to pull you into a hug. Deep down, you knew she had always felt bad for holding you back, even if it wasn't her fault.
                          
"I'm so excited for you, sweetheart." She released you from the hug and held you at arm's length, "When do you leave?"
                          
"The end of this month."
                          
"How exciting," she smiled. "You're finally making your trip."