The Hitchhiker

Harry's POV

It has been a few days on the road with Tyra. We stopped at a bunch of little towns on the way, spending our days roaming around, seeing and learning new things.

I told her about my mum back home and my sister, I told her about my friends and the crazy things we got up to in school. She told me about Friday night football and the long evenings by the lake. Though none of us spoke about the reasons we left those memories behind, heading for a life on the road.

We grew close even though it has only been a few days. Being with someone 24\7 will do that to you, getting to know that person quite well in such a short period of time. I have learned that when Tyra had enough sleep, and is in a good mood, she will be goofy and laugh at about anything, playing along with my stupid games, and singing along to any type of music. I learned that when she is tired, she is more likely to share one of those theories she constantly comes up with. I also learned she is a lefty, she hates snakes, loves cookies and that she is not going to share her big secret she is keeping from me. But I don't ask about it, knowing that when she is ready she will share.

"Get this- they have a ball!" Tyra points to a sign on the side of the road. We were just coming into a little town in north Carolina called 'Maybe Town' Which we were cracking jocks about for the last half an hour since the first sign telling us of the town came into view.
"Will they have a ball? Or just maybe?" I sigh, and send Tyra into a chuckle. I had her sunglasses on while she wore my cowboy hat.

"I think we should go check the ball out," She says when I quietened.
"Maybe," Is my answer. She glances at me, right when I peek over the lenses and we both go back into giggles.
"We should find a place to stay first," I finally reply in a serious tone. Since our first night together went by well, we decided to continue sharing rooms since it saves on money.

She is looking out the window at the passing streets.
I think we better ask for help," She finally says, and I look around for someone to point us at the right direction.

"Sorry, do you know where I can find an inn around here?" I call out the window at a boy not much older than me. He had dark hair and darkish skin. He walked up to the window and smiled at us.
"Hi there, you can find it if you'll take a right, then drive all the way to the end. If you're staying at 'Maybe' you might want to check out the founder's ball, it is the highlight of the season," He then offers us a flier with everything we should know about it.
"Thanks! We just might," I smile back at him, trying my best not to burst out laughing again as he mentioned the town's name.
"Thanks man," I bumped his fist, before continuing the drive.

The inn is small just like the town, and its outside walls are blue.
"How odd," I state, looking up at it through the front window.
"Maybe they're in to blue buildings here," Tyra suggests, which sends us laughing once more.
We climb out the car and walk in through the front doors. It is nearing twilight, and we know we better hurry up if we want to check out the ball.

"Hi," Tyra sends the boy at the front desk a wide smile. He smiles back, looking her up and down, though when he notices me next to her, his smile dims.
"How may I help you?" He questions me, throwing small glances at Tyra. I notice a smile tugging at the corners of Tyra's mouth, though she did her best to keep a straight face.
"We would like to book a room," I replied.
"Oh- ha, one room?" The boy repeated making sure he heard correctly.
"Yes, one room, thanks mate," I certified.
"Can you please tell us how to get to the ball? We would like to check it out," Tyra grins.
After the boy explained where we must go, Tyra and I went up to our room to freshen up and change.

After her shower, Tyra put her jeans back on, and a white tank top. I watch her pull her boots back on, her hair dripping.
"Ready for the maybe ball?" I ask. She looks me up and down before nodding.
"How are you ready? you need a dress," I state pointing at her jeans.
"No I don't, I'm fine as I am," Tyra pulls a face.
"As you wish, come on," I hold open the door for her.

When we get to the party aka Maybe ball, all the women were dressed in these old maiden dresses. There were hay stacks everywhere, and the men wore vests and tucked their pants into boots.
"I guess we are both under dressed," I smirk at Tyra.
"May I have this dance?" Someone came up to her just then, offering his hand. She glances at me before smiling at the guy, and letting him take her hand in his.

Tyra's POV

I feel Harry watch as I dance with the boy. I didn't ask for his name, and we didn't really talk, he was just smiling up at me as we moved around. The music changed to a slow song, and I was starting to get uncomfortable.

"May I?" Harry offered his hand. I meet his eyes. Then I offered the boy an apologetic smile before taking my hand from his and placing it in Harry's palm. Harry brings a hand around my waist.
"Took you long enough," I mock him playfully.
"It seemed to me you were having a lovely time, it didn't feel right for me to spoil it," Harry teases.
"Wow Harry, I had no idea you can dance," I wink after he twirls and catches me again.
"You too love, which is a surprise to me, since you can never walk anywhere without falling,"
I stick out my tongue, and place my hand back on his shoulder. He is taller than me, but not that much taller, which makes us perfect dance partners.

The song finishes, and we decide to take a look around. It was somewhat beautiful the set up, and the people of the town Maybe were very friendly and welcoming.
I stroll along leaving Harry at a table, to look around at the art displayed along the far wall.
It was so pretty and different from the way the town seemed.

"You came!" A voice behind me cheered. I turn to see the boy who gave us directions to the inn, and who offered us the flier about the ball.
"Yes! Not every day I get invited to something like this," I beamed at him, spreading my hands pointing to the paintings, and photographs.
"Ha, the art work… This is what really brings the people to us, the art made by the kids," He smiled.
"By the kids? This is made by kids?" I exclaim, it was so amazingly wonderful I was sure professionals made it.
"This is extraordinary," I marvel, and the boy nods, agreeing with me.
"People from all around the county come to the ball so they can take a piece of art home with them, the money goes to education."
"That is such a good idea, this is amazing," I tell him, not being able to get over the fact young kids did this.

"I haven't introduced myself, my name is Calum," The boy offers me his hand.
"I'm Tyra," I shake it.

"So Tyra, how do you like our town so far? And you can tell me the truth," He chuckles.
"Well, when we drove in, the song 'Little boxes' by Malvina Reynolds came to mind," I say truthfully, a little smile on my lips.
"Oh?" Calum studies me, so I hurry and recite some of the words, "…. And they're all made out of ticky tacky, and they all look just the same..."
Calum still stares at me without saying a word.
"The song is about a town which everything in it is the same, the houses, the cars, the people…. I am sorry if I offended you, the town is lovely though!"I stumble over my words when I realized what I was saying.
"Its fine, you're not the first one to think that," He chuckled, "Actually you're not the first one to recite the song to me either, come to think of it," He crinkled his nose, thinking.
"Last year, there was this guy coming through town who said just that,"

I felt the prickles in my hands as excitement took over. Can this be?
"Was- this- the- boy??" I yanked out the photo from my back pocket and hold it up for Calum to see.
"Yes! That is him! So you're his Tyra! So nice to meet you! He couldn't shut up, telling me all about the things you two came up with, god! How is he?" Calum handed over the picture.
"Do you know where he went?" I ask desperately, the smile wiped off my face as anxiety took over.
"Wow, it was a year ago! He was headed to New York.. I thought he would have gone back home by now," Calum replied sympathetically.
"You must remember, where in New York?! I am looking for him!" I beg him to remember, feeling the tears at the back of my eyes and throat, choking me. He was here! And he went to New York!

"Ah.. I am not sure, it was a year ago kid.. I'll tell you what, he had I ride there with some of my friends, let me call around, do you have a number I can reach you with?" He questioned.
I shake my head. I had left my phone at home, not wanting her to find me before I find him.
"Um.. All right, here, this is my number.. Call me in two days, call me whenever, if you need help or you get into trouble call me, I owe him my life!" Calum touched my shoulder, then turned away.

I stand in place, the tears emerging once again. I was so close, and yet he is so far. And I can't help but run Calum's words through my head 'he couldn't shut up, telling me all about the things you two came up with," If that was the case, why did he leave me behind?

"Did you finally find your boyfriend?"
I turn to find Harry standing behind me, his hands shoved in his pockets as a sad look took hold of his face.
"What? What are you talking about?" I ask trying to hold my sobs.
"Don't play games with me Tyra, I know you're looking for someone, a boyfriend, why didn't you just tell me?" He inquired.

I look down at the photo still in my hands, and study the face that hunts me at night, while I hunt
it by day.

"His name is Niall, and he isn't my boyfriend… He's my brother,"

Notes

Hello!

So I decided to update a little faster then usual, to give you guys something more as you wait for the next chapter...

How do you like this story so far?
It seems that Niall saved Calum's life somehow..

You think he will be able to help Tyra find her brother?
and what about Harry? Finding out the real reason Tyra is out on the road.
And the most important thing!!! WHY DID NIALL LEAVE?

Share your thoughts and ideas with me down below!
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I might have typo mistakes and write things that don't make sense since I write my stories lat at night before going to bed so if you come across something like that- please tell me where so I can go fix it.
Thank you for all your lovely comments, it is truly amazing since I have only started this.
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