𝙏𝙍𝙀𝙀𝙎 || 𝗝𝗼𝘀𝗵𝗹𝗲𝗿

13 - Party

Sunday, October 31st:

Josh sat in his car, his fingers drumming against the wheel, his nerves kicking in. He wasn't sure how in the world Tyler convinced him to agree to go to Maxx's party—Maxx, of all people—but he was certainly dreading it.

Tyler walked out of his house and towards Josh's car, a smile on his face when they made eye contact through the window. He was dressed up as a skeleton, as was Josh, seeing as they'd coordinated it.

"Nice costume," Josh joked as Tyler climbed into the passenger's side.

"Somehow, I think yours is kinda unoriginal," Tyler remarked. "Wonder why."

"Hey, need I remind you that dressing up like this was my idea," Josh replied, beginning to drive, the address in his GPS. It wasn't too far from Tyler's house, though.

"Yeah, yeah, whatever." Tyler rolled his eyes, a grin on his face.

As Josh drove, he noticed Tyler getting quiet.

"What's wrong?" he questioned, and Tyler shook his head.

"It's nothing," he muttered, but sighed. "I guess I'm just scared that you feel pressured into coming tonight. That wasn't my intention at all. If you don't wanna go, we can just go do something else."

"No, it's okay. I'm not gonna keep you away from a party with your friends. Besides, it might be fun. I promise I don't feel pressured into anything," Josh assured him with a small smile, one that Tyler returned.

"If you're sure."

Shortly after, they arrived at Maxx's house. Josh parked a little ways down the street, and as they walked up, they could hear the music already blaring from inside. There were people scattered around the house, holding cups that Josh was sure weren't full of anything legal for teenagers to be drinking.

He sucked in a nervous breath as they stepped inside, and Tyler was quickly met by Maxx, who slammed into him, his arm slinging around Tyler's shoulders and nearly knocking him over. Josh watched Maxx being overly affectionate, and it made him feel a touch jealous.

"Ty!" Maxx exclaimed. Josh watched as Tyler visibly stiffened at his touch. "So glad you could make it."

He seemed to be ignoring Josh's presence, which Josh was perfectly fine with. He didn't want to deal with Maxx anyways, especially not now, seeing as he was already seeming drunk.

Tyler scrunched up his nose. "You reek of alcohol," he commented, and Maxx laughed loudly.

"It's a party! Aren't you supposed to?" he asked, screaming to be heard over the music, maybe a touch too loud. Tyler winced.

It was then Josh realized just how uncomfortable with Maxx that Tyler really was. His movements were stiff, and he seemed almost withdrawn while he talked to the other boy. Maxx didn't seem to notice, too intoxicated to care, but Josh was sure that, if he were sober, he wouldn't be too happy about it.

"Gotta go get another drink! Bye," he said, leaving as suddenly as he came. Tyler just shook his head as he watched the blue-haired boy stumble away, in the direction of what Josh assumed was the kitchen.

"He's already pretty hammered," another voice commented, now addressing both Josh and Tyler. It took a second for Josh to recognize Cody under the dim luminescence.

"We can tell," Tyler remarked back, sounding a little annoyed. "He's basically just asking to get kicked off the team."

"Yeah, well, he doesn't think things through a lot of times," Cody said awkwardly, rubbing the back of his neck. "Anyway, I see you brought Josh. It's nice to see you, man."