Loving Ty Rune was simple. It was like breathing, like second nature. Everything seemed to fall into place when we were together, and we’d been together since we were kids, chasing fireflies and waves, playing tag and falling in love. It was a love story for the books. One so sweet that even my best, Geri, rolled her eyes every now and then. But, I didn’t mind because even though I was just a teenager, part of me knew that Ty was it for me. People would argue that I was too young, that we had our entire lives ahead of us and anything could change. The way I felt about Ty, that was something that would stay with me forever. Like the smell of the beach, the sand between my toes and the laughter of my friends.
“What are you thinking about, Lyd?” Ty stood in the doorway to my bedroom. I was laying on my back, staring at the ceiling. My bedroom windows were open, the breeze of the ocean air causing the curtains to bellow open.
A smile curved on my lips as I turned to face the boy who had stolen my heart.
“What?” He chuckled as he sat on the edge of my bed. Sitting up, I crossed my legs and took his hands in mine.
“Do you ever feel like what we have could be the real thing?” I didn’t hesitate with my words. I never had to with Ty. Even before we became boyfriend and girlfriend, we were friends. Ty was my brother, Dylan’s, best friend, and Dylan and I were inseparable. So, by proxy, Ty and I were, too. And Geri, once she moved to town. A dynamic group that shared secrets, stories, hopes and dreams, and late nights on the beach stargazing.
“What do you mean?” Ty scrunched up his face and released my hands.
“Like our relationship. I know we’re young, but this feeling I have when you’re with me. Even when you’re not. It’s hard to explain.” I sighed and fell back onto my bed. Ty joined me; my double bed seeming smaller with him in it. I didn’t feel confined though. His presence always brought me comfort.
“Feelings have always been hard for you to explain, Lyd. It’s not the law or a rule that can’t be broken. Feelings are embedded deep within us, and I believe they never go away. They stick with us forever.” Ty perched himself on his elbows and glanced down at me. I was so close to getting into college and becoming a lawyer. My life had been built on law books and legalities since I was young. I worked best with facts. Ty was the only thing that challenged that side of me. “So yes, I know what we have is the real thing,” Ty added.
My eyes welled up with tears as thoughts barreled through my mind. What if we don’t stay together? What if when I go to college it doesn’t work out? What if?
“Stop.” Ty caressed my cheek. “We’ll always come back to each other. No matter what happens.”
“How can you be so sure.” I sniffed, fighting back the tears.
Taking my hand, he placed it to his heart. “Here. Feel that?” I nodded feeling the gentle thump of his heart. “It beats only for you.”
Swoon.
“Puke.” We both looked up, and there stood Dylan. “Mom and Dad will freak that you’re on her bed.” Ty smirked before jumping off, and I sat up.
“Got to go.” Ty kissed my forehead. Dylan came in and kissed my cheek.
“Later, Sis.”
I watched the two most important men in my life, well besides my dad, of course, as they laughed and walked out of my bedroom. Plopping back down on my bed, I closed my eyes and went back to daydreaming and relishing in the breeze. Placing my hand over my heart, I felt the same thump, the same rhythm that Ty’s had. No matter what happened, like Ty said, our hearts were in sync, beating for each other, and no distance, college, time, whatever, could change that. As I dozed off to sleep, I was content for the first time ever with my feelings and knowledge that, although I couldn’t see them, rationalize them or any of that, at the end of the day, I could feel, deep within me, and that was enough. Ty Rune would always be enough.
