Next Semester

11. awkward

1597 words

The two were chatting happily as they re-entered the cinema's lobby. Josh was laughing at something Tyler had said as the younger blushed when they heard, "Hey, Ty!"

"Oh, hey..." Tyler mumbled awkwardly, glancing at Ashley who was standing behind both Jude and Hayley with her arms crossed. Hayley pursed her lips a little and shook her head as she whispered, "Don't worry about her." She turned her attention to the man next to Tyler,
"Professor Dun! Nice to see you," she waved politely and Jude smiled at him as well, but stayed quiet. Josh smiled at her, "Hey, Hayley. I remember having you in my creative writing class a few semesters ago."

"It was a great class," she nodded, "I wouldn't have expected to see you here tonight."

"Oh, I love The Dark Crystal," Josh smiled, "one of the best worst movies out there."

Jude nodded, "Yeah, that's what we love about it," he spoke dismissively before turning to Tyler, "Ty, are you feeling okay?"

Josh noticed how Jude's attention fully shifted to the boy next to him. His eyes were intense with concern and caring, and suddenly the man understood why Tyler was so uncomfortable being around him: Jude's feelings for Tyler were practically seeping out of his pores.

"Uh, yeah...I'm all good." Tyler mumbled. Josh cleared his throat and held his hand out, "You must be Tyler's roommate, Jude. I'm Professor Dun."

"Oh," Jude took the man's hand and shook it awkwardly, "Uh, yeah, I am. Nice to meet you."

"I've heard a lot about you," Josh nodded with a smile, and Tyler glared up at the man for a second before saying, "Well, we should get going."

"Right," Josh nodded and turned to face Tyler, "I'll see you tomorrow, hm?"

"Y-Yeah, see you tomorrow. Thanks again for tonight." Tyler blushed lightly as he smiled at the man. Josh shook his head with a smile, "Don't mention it," He lightly touched Tyler's shoulder before saying, "take care of yourself." The man walked away out the door and as soon as he was gone, Hayley squealed behind him, "Oh my god!"

"What?" Tyler blushed as he looked at the floor, a smitten smile still on his lips.

"What was that!?" Hayley asked excitedly, "That little shoulder touch?"

"Oh, he's done that before," Tyler was still blushing and smiling as he shook his head, "it's nothing."

"Can we go now?" Ashley huffed. Tyler and Hayley went quiet as Jude led them out of the theater door.

"Are you sure you're alright, Ty? How's your stomach?" Jude asked again as they approached the small parking lot next to the cinema. Tyler nodded with a weak smile, "I'm alright, Judy. Thanks, though."

"Yeah, Jude, he's fine. Professor Dun fixed him up-" Ashley started, but Tyler cut her off quickly,
"Can you actually shut up for the first time in your life? What the fuck is your issue?"

"You're my issue, Tyler." she hissed and stepped closer to him. Jude was mumbling for them to stop as Hayley stood behind Tyler frozen in place.

"Why! What have I ever done to you!" Tyler yelled. Ashley rolled her eyes and scoffed, "You know exactly what you've been doing, Tyler. We all do."

"Why do you have to bring it up tonight and ruin everything for everyone? Couldn't you have sat me down and had a fucking conversation with me instead of being a passive-aggressive bitch all night?" The boy threw his hands up, stopped dead in the middle of the parking lot. Ashley crossed her arms, "Probably because you'd sense that I was going to have a real conversation with you and avoid me for the next 2 weeks."