routines ( joshler )

Chapter 6: Prom?

"Did you guys know that the moon is shrinking?"

"Tyler, don't make me have an existential crisis right now" Jenna spoke, putting her head in her hands.

The three were currently at McDonald's, as a celebratory dinner for Tyler. Jenna was sitting across from the two boys and was getting increasingly more annoyed by the 'fun facts' Tyler kept bringing up. Josh kept eating his fries, just nodding along to Tyler as he rambled at the table.

Josh was still wearing Tyler's hoodie, really not wanting to take it off. He wondered if Tyler would ask for it back or not. The boys were sitting close to one another, arms brushing against each other occasionally. Neither complained, or made any effort to move.

"So Josh...who are you taking to prom this year" Jenna asked, glancing over at Tyler as she spoke. Tyler tried not to make it obvious that he was waiting for a response from the boy.

Josh shrugged, popping another chicken nugget into his mouth.

"Im not sure, maybe Debby if no one asks her... it's still a bit away though"

Tyler tried his best to hide his disappointment. He knew Josh had to be straight, it was too good to be true. Tyler pushed his fries around on his tray as Josh continued on.

"I mean if someone asks me, maybe. I've just never had anyone show interest in me before, so I assumed I'd end up going with Debby. I'm way too shy to ask anyone else" he blushed, looking down.

Jenna cast a knowing look over at Tyler, basically yelling at him telepathically to ask Josh when the opportunity presents itself. Tyler's eyes widened and he shook his head slightly at Jenna. Tyler was way too nervous to ask Josh, especially knowing there was a chance he could still be straight.

"No one has EVER shown interest in you? You're attractive, you're sweet, you're talented, there has to be someone!" Jenna replied back to him, smiling.

"I've never been in a relationship or anything like that...and I've always been too shy to confess to someone. I appreciate the compliments though" Josh looked down, playing with the strings on Tyler's hoodie.

"That's a shame. I bet there are people who are interested though and are also just too shy to confess" she glanced in Tyler's direction again before continuing to speak.

"Hopefully a girl comes along that you can ask to prom!" she spoke, knowing this would answer Tyler's questions.

"Oh ... I'm not exactly... into girls." Josh scratched the back of his head, looking away shyly.

" Well then, I hope a guy comes along that you can ask!"

Tyler glanced down at his lap, having his own internal battle while Josh and Jenna continued to talk. He debated whether he should ask Josh to prom, or wait for Josh to ask him. He knew Josh was super shy, and probably wouldn't ask him, but Tyler was also way too nervous about being rejected. He hadn't personally known Josh for long, even if he had been crushing on him for years. He wasn't sure if Josh would like some grand gesture, or just asked casually.

"Right, Tyler?"

The sound of his name grabbed his attention, and he snapped his head up towards Jenna.

"What? Sorry I was a bit distracted"

"I said you've never had a boyfriend either, even though you're super popular"

Tyler nodded in response, looking at the two of them.

"Never been interested in anyone that's asked me out. I've had my heart set on the same person for years but I'm way too nervous to confess so I've just been single"