The Summer Moon
Chapter 27 -

Malia

When I got back, I decided to spend the afternoon reading. My phone was still off and while I was itching to turn it back on and see if there were anymore missed texts from Ty, I willed myself not to, and instead went to join my dad and Savanah for dinner.

After dinner, I had a bath, then locked the door to the patio and went straight to bed. Nothing in my head felt any clearer, but tomorrow I would turn my phone on again and hopefully figure some things out. Hopefully, I could talk to Emily some more and maybe she could help me sort through this. I drifted to sleep, hearing the wolves howling once again in the distance.

The next morning I was amazed to see I had slept in until nearly 10am. I awoke to a loud knocking on the patio door. I jumped out of bed and ran to the door, swinging it open to reveal Ty standing there with messy hair and tired eyes. "Malia," Ty reached for me but I stepped back and he looked me over briefly, a little surprised. "Malia, what's going on? Why haven't you been answering your phone?" I shrugged my shoulders, trying to act casual but failing miserably. "My chargers broken, I'm going to go to the mall and get a new one today," I lied. Lying was something I had gotten good at over the years with my mom, but lying to Ty just felt so wrong.

"Oh," Ty said. "I tried to come by last night too, your door was locked though," he ran his fingers through his hair. I couldn't help but notice how tired he looked, and I wondered if he had trouble sleeping without me too. The worried look on his face made my heart ache.

"I went to bed early," I blurted out, which wasn't a total lie. I hadn't heard Ty knocking last night so I was probably asleep by the time he got here.

"Are you sure everything is okay?" Ty stepped towards me again and I shuffled on my feet awkwardly.

"Everything's fine," another lie, and Ty looked me over. I knew he didn't believe me that time. Somehow, he could always tell, and right now the tension between us was thick.

"Lia tell me," his hand came up to cup my face, but I turned my head away. I wasn't ready to talk to him yet, partially because I feared that as soon as I did, this would all be over. And I wasn't ready to let him go yet. So I took a deep breath and willed myself to put on my best smile.

"I'm just having an off day," I said, and Ty looked over me curiously once more.

"Well, do you want to go to Al's this afternoon?" He suggested.

"I actually have plans to FaceTime my best friend from New York, Alana. Can't miss it, sorry," Another lie, I really was digging myself a hole here. I hadn't even been wanting to talk to Alana until I sorted things out with Ty. I didn't need any more doubt in my mind than what was already there.

"Oh okay, maybe I could come over tonight then?" He asked next and another ache ran through my heart. He seemed to be trying so hard, but a part of me still thought he was just trying to get in my pants. I had been an easy lay to him ever since we met, and I wouldn't let myself be that.

"Maybe, I'll let you know," I smiled, then closed the door before Ty could say anything else. Go back and talk to him. I heard a voice whisper in my head but I pushed it away. I needed more time.

When I went to the kitchen to get breakfast, I found my dad sitting at the kitchen table and, of course, he had to ask the one question I really didn't want to talk about. "So how are things going with Ty?" He asked it so casually as he continued to flip through the paper so I just shrugged my shoulders. He looked up at me curiously, so I continued "We're just taking things slow."

"He's a really sweet boy, Malia," Savanah said, wrapping her arm around my shoulders and giving me a squeeze. "He and his poor family have been through so much this year," she sighed and took a seat next to my dad at the table. I paused pouring my cereal and looked over to them.

"What do you mean?" I asked slowly. Ty hadn't mentioned anything to me. In fact, he almost always seemed so happy.

"Uh," Savanah stuttered and looked over to my dad as if she was unsure what to say and he was quick to fill in.

"Ty's older brother Jordan recently, uh, died" my dad explained.

"I'm sure he'll talk about it when he's ready," Savanah jumped in and I felt my heart sink in my chest. Ty hadn't once mentioned his brother, but I had told him so much. We had so many good talks, why wouldn't he tell me? Suddenly my chest began to ache even stronger than before. Was this just another sign that Ty wasn't all that serious about me? After all, people in relationships usually share a lot with each other, and Ty truly wasn't being very open with me. Or, maybe it was me. Maybe he just didn't feel comfortable enough with me to open up.

I sighed and took my bowl of cereal back to my room, unwilling to continue any further conversation. My mind was in knots once again, and my heart continued it's dull ache. As I entered my room, I noticed a phone charger sitting on my bed that hadn't been there before and my heart only hurt more. Ty must have left it for me after I told him mine was broken. I let out a sigh, picking it up. He really was so sweet.

I was starting to get a headache from all these mixed feelings. One minute, Ty was being super mysterious and sending me mixed signals about whatever was going on between us, but now he's leaving me this charger because he wants to talk to me. I turned my phone on to see several missed calls and texts from Ty, as well as a missed call from Emily. I clicked on Emily's contact and redialed her number. I really need some girl time right about now.