Dementophobia • tyler joseph •

sixteen // you're out of line

Dedicated to twentyonereasons because I love your writing! Thank you for reading this book.

--Courtney's P.O.V--

Everybody was acting like I tried to purposely hurt myself by not taking my medication. I got discharged from the hospital the same day I woke up and I've been spending the last two weeks packing and psyching myself into this tour that I was being forced to go to. The whole entire time it was like I was on suicide watch.

Eli and Nathan moved back into their old rooms just to be "close to me," and my mom made Ginger sleep in my room with me just to make sure that I took my medication. I think they were so worried because I was going to be put on a tour bus with the boy that ripped my heart to shreds. I wasn't worried enough to terminate myself.

My eyes scanned over my features as I stared at myself in the mirror. I was so different than what I was a year ago. A year ago I was a quiet, little girl that hardly spoke because she was afraid of what she would say. Now I don't think I honestly cared what people thought about me.

My blonde hair was twisted into a neat bun on the top of my head and it contrasted highly with my black V-neck shirt and black skinny jeans. My pizza converse were the only unique thing about my outfit. I didn't feel like standing out in the middle of the crowd in the first day of the tour.

I had a faint hint of foundation powdered onto my face and mascara covered my eyelashes. It felt extremely weird to wear makeup, but I knew I had to look good for this tour. Tyler, somehow, made me the opening act after all.

"Courtney, are you almost ready?" Ginger called up the stairs. "Everybody is waiting for you!"

I sighed. This was the last peace and quiet day for awhile. I wasn't technically sure when the tour was supposed to end, but it was going to be a long time. Well, at least in my opinion. We were going to states.

I pulled open the bathroom door and stepped out, my shoes squeaking across the hardwood floor as I darted down the stairs.

Eight people were in my living room, obviously waiting for me to get my butt downstairs. Tyler and Josh were settled on the long, white, couch along with Jenna and a man I didn't recognize. Tanner was leaning against the wall along with my three siblings and it sounded like my mother was in the kitchen.

"It took you a long time to get ready today," the boy with the eyebrows of Satan remarked. "But you look really nice."

Tanner's comment made my cheeks turn red and I saw Tyler shift uncomfortably. Jenna seemed to be staring daggers at me. I felt like I was intruding on this tour.

"You ready to go?" Tyler asked. "Your bags are already loaded onto the bus."

His voice was warm and kind, but I knew he did have his doubts about this tour as did I.

"I'm definitely ready." The silver bracelets on my wrist jiggled together as I picked up my guitar case from its familiar spot in the corner of the living room.

"Here, let me get that for you." I turned my head to see Josh Dun smiling at me. He reached for my case and shyly gave it to him.

"Thank you," I said, my voice very soft.

"No problem, Courtney."

The shyness I felt towards Josh was something I expected. Josh and I were introduced to each other a few times when Tyler was still in the mental hospital, but not enough for me to remember his face let alone feel comfortable around him. Besides, when he met me I had the social skills of a ten year old although I was fifteen at the time. I hardly said one word to him.