anti-hero// joshler

5

word count: 333

"i brought you flowers."

"you shaved your hair."

"it was tiring."

"hm. are you going to dye it again?"

"probably," they say, putting the flowers in a purple vase.

"what color?"

"red.. maybe."

there's a knock on our door. i open it. there stands the neighbor. he has food in his hand. i don't know what kind because it's in a tin pan with tinfoil covering the food. whatever it is smells good.

"ashley.. the neighbor is here."

she shuffles to my side and smiles.

"hello?"

"hi."

"hi," they say back.

"i am your neighbor.. as this one," he gestures to me, "said."

"i'm aware. what's that in your hands?"

"oh.. it's just a casserole."

"come in.. i guess."

ashley steps aside and pulls me beside her.

the neighbor sets foot into our trailer.

it's a mess but i'm trying to focus on the way he's looking at us. his eyes are long, sad, and pretty. 

"where would you like me to set this?"

"just over on the counter by the flowers. that's fine."

i have nothing to entertain him with. no games. no tv. nothing for entertainment. nothing. zilch.

"what are your names?" he asks.

"you haven't told us your own," i say.

"oh sorry. im joshua."

"ashley."

"tyler."

"how long have you two lived here?"

he sits in my spot. i sit across from him in front of the window. ashley sits next to him.

"he's lived here a few years. i just moved in with him."

"oh."

he's noticing how quiet i am. i notice as he eyes me.

"do you like it here?"

even if i didn't. i'm too poor to live anywhere else.

"yes," i lie.

"oh."

he sounds disappointed. and i feel like i've failed this complete stranger. he stands up, and i do as well. 

ashley stands too, "would you like a drink? some water.. or tea or something like that?" 

ashley looks at me before taking joshua over to our fridge.

"waters fine, i guess," he says.

they drift off into their own conversation. i lean against the wall watching them as they talk like normal people.

i wish i could feel normal like they do.

i wish i could be normal like they are.

a/n: happy friday frens

how are you all doing?

i love you <3

stay street

stay alive !