Chapter 17: 17
At Master's Lake Cabin
*Sun setting
Chris, Siena, Grey, Will:
Playing Volleyball on the grass
Tyler & Ryan:
Building a fire
Ryan:
*places some fire wood in the pit
*Eyes fixed on the fire pit
I'm really happy for the two of you…
Tyler:
*Looks slightly surprised
*Smiles
Oh! Thanks!
Ryan:
*Looks up
I mean it.
He's had feelings for you for so long…
And you've never looked so…
I don't know… happy?… comfortable?
Tyler:
*Starts fire
*Sits back on a blanket
I had feelings for him too…
Ryan:
*Sits on the blanket next to him
*Raises an eyebrow
Then why were you running around this town kissing every girl you could get your lips on?
Tyler:
*Pulls knees to chest and holds them
*Stares at the fire
My dad…
One of the few things I do remember about him from my childhood was him telling me that I was weird for wanting to be by Chris's side all the time, and that Chris didn't belong to me…
I started kissing every girl I could trying to feel the pain and mind melting kisses I've read about over and over again, hoping that would fill the ache I've felt ever since my dad told me that no one belongs to me… because that meant I didn't belong to anyone…
*Looks over to see Chris pass the Volleyball with a bright smile
I belong to him though...
He keeps saying "You're mine" and I know it sounds a little possessive… but it makes that ache fade…
*Looks to Ryan
My dad came to town for my birthday this year…
Chris and I came out to him together and my dad threatened him…
Ryan:
*Looks horrified
Tyler:
*Squeezed self tighter
I think my dad has been jealous and has hated Chris for a long time…
He said that he was tired of being rejected by me and I've been thinking a lot about that…
Ryan:
*Irritated
Are you blaming yourself for your dad's abandonment?
Tyler:
*Chuckles
*small smile
No… I'm just trying to make sense of why my dad reacted the way he did.
He didn't actually seem upset that I'm gay…
He seemed to be a lot more upset about the fact that I was in a relationship with Chris.
*relaxes arms and legs out sigh
I could be wrong…
I think my desire to be with Chris all the time when we were younger is when my dad started hating him.
Me fighting and being upset the whole time I was separated from Chris…
I think it made it easier for him to just leave me behind with the Masters though…
Ryan:
*Calm expression
So you've loved him just as long?
Is that what you're saying?
Tyler:
*Looks intently at the fire again
Probably not…
I know when we were younger and my dad left me with them for weeks at a time I hated being separated from Chris.
I just wanted to be near him and with his family.
*Chuckles
Did you know his grandmother sends me cards and money every birthday and Christmas?
I can't even remember what her real name is… she told me to call her Nina so long ago…
I've just always felt like Chris and I were family.
Ryan:
*Concerned
So… when did things turn romantic for you?
Because he's had a crush on you since I've known you…
Tyler:
*Closes eyes and smiles
I don't know when…
It kind of feels like it just happened naturally…
Like when summer fades into Fall,
It might feel sudden,
but in reality the temperatures are already beginning to shift and the plants are already changing,
Just underneath the surface where we can't see it yet.
Ryan:
*Smirks
Damn.
You got it just as bad as him.
I will no longer doubt that you're in love with him.
Tyler:
*Sits up
*Rest elbows on knees and chin on hands
He said you've known about how he felt for awhile…
How?
Ryan:
*Chuckles
*Leans back on her hands
*Head falls back to see the sky
You might regret asking… but I'll tell you anyway.
The day of your first kissing competition, it was also your first kiss, right?
Tyler:
*Embarrassed
*Nods head
CREATORS' THOUGHTS 
CoPey1419
CoPey1419 Meh. It’s feeling a little boring right now.. we will see how many more chapters I’ve got in me before I wrap it up.
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone