anti-hero// joshler

36

word count: 273

"hello?"

"hi tyler."

my hand freezes. ashley stares at me. 

"who is it, t?" she mouths.

"h-hi," i say.

"me and your brothers want you home for christmas."

"i... i..."

"tyler?"

"im.. i'm still here."

"is that something you think you can make?"

"it's been three years? why haven't you called prior to now."

"your father died."

"..."

"tyler?"

"i'm. here."

"don't have that attitude with me, young man."

"i-i'm sorry. this is just all so sudden."

"yes. well, you shouldn't act so surprised. you knew he was sick. he was sick when you abandoned this family."

"you abused me- you hate crime me everyday when i lived-."

"i don't need you lecturing me. you will be here for this family whether you like it or not. i don't need you being more of a failure."

"i-i'm sorry.. when did he pass?"

"december first."

"my birthday?"

"how could you be so selfish and bring your own birthday up. your father DIED."

"i know but-."

she hangs up on me.

"was that your mother?"

i nod, my voice caught in my throat.

"what happened t?"

"my dad died... on my own birthday... and my mother wants me to attend his funeral... probably. but they want me home for christmas."

"don't go."

"i don't want to."

"they aren't your family."

"i know- but i owe it to.. to..."

"you owe them nothing."

"they.."

"they didn't believe you about hunter. you owe them nothing, tyler joseph."

"okay."

"you can post your lovely dad a message on his obituary or something. if that'll make you feel better."

"it would. he's the only one i missed. i love- him."

"i know you did, honey. come here."

ashley puts their arms around me and swallows me whole. i can feel their heartbeat in my ears and it calms me until i'm no longer sobbing and making her shirt soggy. 

a/n: i can't believe the end is near.

the beginning of the end.

10 more chapters.