10 Years (Zerkaa/TBJZL) (A Sidemen Story)

Chapter 10 - Revelation

Josh approached cautiously and knocked on the door to the sidemen house. The door swung open to reveal Simon, still considerably upset by what Josh had said a few weeks ago.

"Um... hi Josh, come in... we're all here."

Josh could hear the sorrow and Simon's voice and he felt incredibly guilty. He had done that. He had been horrible to his friends when they didn't deserve it and he had had to deal with the consequences: strained relationships, less interesting content produced and most of all a considerably empty heart and soul.

He walked with Simon into the main room, all the others waiting for him.

"Hi guys" he said meekly. The others merely mumbled a "hi Josh" but did it with so little emotion that it even shocked the usually unemotional Josh. He then locked eyes with Tobi, Josh could see the sadness in him, yet he also sensed some kind of hope from Tobi. Tobi stared right back at Josh, right into him. Josh felt bare and Tobi could see the same heartache he had felt in Josh, they had emotionally connected and they didn't even have to say anything.

"It's time I apologised" said Josh, regret evident in his voice. He had the others' attention and he carried on: "I'm so sorry for how I acted a few weeks. It was unacceptable as you all mean so much to me. I have the best time of my life with you guys and your friendship is something I took for granted by going crazy when you were just trying to help. Everything I said I didn't mean. You all mean loads to me. I'm sorry for everything that happened. Simon, I'm sorry for what I said to you, you're a great friend and you were just trying to look after everyone, you're not self-centred, if anything, I was. JJ, you may get hyper, but I love you for it, you're always fun to be around and I treasure your company. Ethan, never stop laughing. I don't hate your laugh at all, you light up the room when you come in and you should always be you. Harry and Vikk, you guys are so helpful to me and I am grateful for your help everyday. You two are absolute legends. And finally, last but not least, Tobi. You're a friend I treasure so much, you're funny, kind and caring and I love you so much for that, you're like a brother to me and I want us to go back to how we used to be, two friends who'll never turn their back on each other. What I'm trying to say to you guys is that I'm so sorry for everything and I want to start with you all again, I'm so sorry." After this heartfelt speech Josh started to cry lightly.

The other sidemen burst into tears, all of them, they also gave Josh a round of applause, showing how much they appreciated the speech. They were all incredibly touched by Josh's words and they all hugged him each individually, the crying was so intense, it was like they were mourning at someone's funeral, they all let Josh know his apology was accepted and each of them wanted to say something to him.

"I'm glad you're back Josh, you mean a lot to me too" said Simon, heavily touched by Josh's heartfelt apology.

"You're a great guy Josh, it's good to see you're back" said JJ, uplifted by Josh's speech.

"Never leave again Josh, please." said Ethan, happy this seemed to all be over.

"That took some balls mate." said Harry, pleased everyone seemed to have recovered.

"Good to have you back Josh, we need you" said Vikk, heavily relieved.

"You're my best friend Josh. You keep me going. I'll always be with you somehow and you mean the world to me. We need you. I need you" said Tobi happily. He hadn't felt this good for a couple of months and it seemed like he had just transformed instantly into his old self. He then smiled his signature smile, summing up the general feeling of the house.

"That's the smile I wanted to see" replied Josh elated, he then embraced Tobi again for a long time, savouring it.

"Er... Tobi, can I speak to you privately?" said Josh, wanting to lay his cards on the table and wanting to express his feelings.

"Of course." They both went up to Josh's room.

"What's on your mind Josh?" said Tobi, now curious.

"Well since we've... been apart, I've had a lot of time to think to myself. And it's about your feelings for me"

"Look Josh, it's ok I understand, you can't feel the same way and besides, we'll always and I mean always, be friends" said Tobi smiling, he hadn't forgot his signature smile, just like how one doesn't forget how to ride a bike once they've learnt.

"Well erm... actually... Tobi... I er..." Josh felt so strongly about Tobi and wanted to see what could happen between them.

"I think I feel the same way"