routines ( joshler )

Chapter 12: Boyfriend?

A week had gone by since the boys first "official date" and they had been inseparable since. To everyone but themselves, they were basically on top of each other. Everyone had noticed, and if they cared they hadn't bothered to say anything. It was currently Friday, the end of the school week, and Jenna finally had enough of Tyler's moping at the lunch table. 

"Dude just go sit with him or something, you both look miserable. You're all over each other in the hallways, none of us mind if you sit with him" 

Tyler gave Jenna a sad smile and pushed his fries around on his tray. 

"I can't do that to you guys... I'll see him after school it's okay" he tried his best to convince himself even though he knew it was pointless. 

He knew that he was clingy now that he 'had Josh' but he still wasn't one hundred percent sure that Josh felt the exact same. He invited Josh to his game tonight after their hangout in the music room, and he had unsurprisingly said yes. 

"Just ask him to be your boyfriend already, this is killing me" Jenna groaned, putting her head down on the table. 

Everyone at the table seemed to be listening because they all nodded in response, some throwing a chip at Tyler in shame. Tyler looked longingly across the cafeteria, wishing he was over next to Josh. What he didn't expect to see though, was someone he had never seen before, taking a spot next to Josh at the table. 

For some reason, anger washed over Tyler, and was soon replaced by panic. Who was that? Why was he so close to Josh? 

" Oh that's the new kid, Will. Looks like him and Josh became quick friends" 

Tyler couldn't keep his eye off of the pair. Will must have said something to make Josh laugh, because he was throwing his head back and covering his mouth, a sight that normally sent butterflies through Tylers stomach, but now made him sick. That should have been him making Josh laugh. 

Tyler couldn't help but feel like he had the upper hand though, especially when he took note of the hoodie Josh was wearing that had 'Joseph' written across the back with his jersey number. 

"Jealousy isn't a good look on you Ty... even more of a reason to ask him to be yours officially" 

He knew Jenna was right, she normally was. Tyler was afraid though. He wasn't sure if he could take rejection, especially if it was coming from Josh. Now with Will in the picture, he felt like rejection was much more likely. The bell rang, and unlike the rest of the week where Josh met Tyler to walk together, Josh walked out with Debby and Will. Tyler's thoughts started to crowd his brain, tossing any sense of confidence or self worth out the window. 

Tyler walked to his class silently, and only paused when he noticed Josh standing outside the door. Josh pulled him to the side and into a hug before Tyler was even able to think. Josh left a small kiss on the top of his head before letting go, and starting to walk away.

"Sorry I couldn't walk with you Ty, I'll make it up to you later, promise" 

Before he knew it, Josh was gone, and he felt empty again. The spot on his head the Josh left a kiss on was tingling as the feeling lingered. Of course, Tyler immediately noticed that Will was in his class, sitting right next to his seat. He let in a sigh and sat down. Realistically, he knew Josh was probably just showing Will around. He was just kind like that. Josh was always looking out for other people, even if nobody was looking out for him.

"You're Tyler right? Josh told me to sit here...he told me you'd be able to help me to my next class because we have the same schedule second half of the day... if not that's totally okay! Your boyfriend is super kind so I had a feeling you might be too..." 

Tyler's heart swelled hearing the boy speak. He was just as shy and anxious as Josh, which is probably why Tyler entrusted Will with him. He wouldn't admit that part of the reason he felt so warm was because Will called Josh his boyfriend. 

Why did he call him his boyfriend? Josh must have spoken about him right? Did he call Tyler his boyfriend?

"Of course I'll help you out, any friend of Josh is a friend of mine. Did Josh call me his boyfriend?..." Tyler trailed off.

Will rapidly shook his head, embarrassment now filling in face.

"No I just....assumed based on the way he was talking about you. Debby teasing him at lunch definitely helped... I apologize if I was completely wrong I don't mean to offend you" 

"No offense taken, I actually plan on asking him to be my boyfriend today so you aren't far off" 

Will's face brightened, and he clapped silently at the news. 

"Josh is a really great guy...and you seem like a great guy. I'm happy for you two!" 

Tyler smiled at the boy next to him and then the teacher walked in, pulling them from their conversation. Maybe Will wasn't that bad.

____________________

Class was over for the day and Tyler couldn't begin to describe how nervous he felt. He had already decided he would ask Josh to be his boyfriend, and he already knew Josh would probably say yes, so why was he freaking out? Will rubbed Tyler's arm in support before pushing him out into the hallway.

"Go get your man!" 

Tyler laughed before taking off down the hall, eager to see Josh. For once, Josh was in the music room first, partially because Tyler was stalling. As soon as he walked through the door, Josh stood up to greet Tyler. They both knew something felt different. Not in a bad way, but they could both feel the shift in the air. 

Josh brought Tyler into a hug, squeezing as tightly as he could.

"I'm sorry I didn't walk with you earlier... I wanted to show Will around. I should have told you first" 

Tyler gave Josh a tight squeeze back before letting go and shrugging.

"S'okay. I have a question for you though" 

"Shoot" 

"Be my boyfriend." 

Josh laughed and raised an eyebrow at Tyler.

"That was more of a statement than a question..." 

Tyler smacked the side of Josh's arm and groaned, shaking his head in response. 

"Okay, WILL you be my boyfriend?" 

"I thought you'd never ask" Josh chuckled.

The two smiled at each other and brought each other into another hug. They both knew they probably weren't going to have much time to practice for battle of the bands, but neither of them cared at the moment. All they cared about was the presence of the other, and they both knew deep down that wasn't going to change anytime soon. 

"We should probably head over to the gym, my game starts soon" 

"Oh shit, yeah, let's go" 

They both laughed, throwing their bags over their shoulders. No one missed the boys walking into the gym together, and they especially didn't miss the 'Joseph' on the back of Josh's hoodie. To everyone, this was just the natural order of things finally falling into place.