𝙏𝙍𝙀𝙀𝙎 || 𝗝𝗼𝘀𝗵𝗹𝗲𝗿

18 - Panic

Tuesday, December 14th:

Tyler and Josh were in Tyler's backyard, measuring their tree for the final time.

"I can't believe this is our last day," Tyler said with a sigh as he penciled in the final measurement. "I'm really gonna miss this."

"Me too," Josh admitted.

This was the last day they had to work on their project. Then they had to make a presentation and compile all the measurements, which Tyler had neatly put in his notebook, and they would present to the class. And that was it. They were done.

"At least we're friends now," Josh said, starting to head inside after covering their tree. Tyler followed.

"Yeah. It's not like we'll stop seeing each other," he reasoned, but it was still saddening to him. He wasn't sure he'd get the chance to see Josh twice a week anymore. Tuesdays and Fridays had become his favorite days, solely because that's when he got to see Josh. And, sure, they hung out from time to time on the weekends, but he didn't just want to see Josh on the weekends. He wanted to see him every day.

"Although, I'm dreading presenting to the class," Josh carried on, going into Tyler's room and sitting down on the bed. "And I know you don't like being the center of attention, either. I just hope it goes well."

Tyler stood in front of Josh, not hearing a word he was saying. He was somewhere between panic-stricken and enamored. He didn't want to stop seeing Josh. He didn't want to not see him at all over the break. And he realized just what this would mean. He feared that it would force them apart, that they wouldn't be best friends anymore. That things would go back to how they were. That Josh would hate him again.

"I mean, this is our final, so it better go well. Not that I have a bad grade in the class, but it'd still be nice to get a good grade, y'know? And Ms. Hale's a nice grader, so it'll probably go well, but-"

Josh was cut off when Tyler took a few steps towards him, stopping when he was right in front of him, took his face into his hands, and kissed him.

When Tyler pulled away, the reality of what he'd just done sunk in, and he took startled steps back, putting a stressed hand on his face.

"Oh my god, I'm so sorry," he muttered, in disbelief that he actually just did that. "I didn't want to ruin our friendship or anything by kissing you, but I just couldn't help it, and, oh god, please don't hate me. I'm such an idiot. I'm so-"

Tyler was cut off this time as Josh got up, pulled his hand gently away from his face, and kissed him again. Tyler, once he realized what was going on, was quick to melt into the kiss, one of his hands intertwining with Josh's.

As they pulled away again, Tyler just stared at Josh, his eyes big and confused and elated all at once. Josh smiled at him after a few moments.

"I've wanted to do that for a while," he admitted.

Tyler broke out into a grin. "How long's a while?"

"Since the first time I heard you sing."

Tyler felt himself blush, but this time didn't look away from Josh. That surprised him, of course. Josh had liked him for months.

"To be honest with you, I've wanted to do that since eighth grade."

Josh gave him a surprised look. "Wait, you've liked me for that long?"

Tyler nodded. "I always avoided you 'cause I just couldn't function around you. Not because I didn't like you or something."

Josh groaned. "I feel so bad. I always thought you just wouldn't give me the time of day or something. Like you'd refuse to acknowledge my presence. God, if I would have known, I'd have never treated you so coldly at first," he rambled. "I'm sorry, Ty."