Dementophobia • tyler joseph •

seventeen // 5, 6, i'm done with this

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

It felt like I've been on the bus for days, but in truth, it had only been three hours and the sun was beginning to set outside.

My face was pressed up against the cool glass of a window and my knees were drawn up to my chest. The bun on top of my head was starting to give me a headache as I glanced around the small lounge area that I apparently laid claims to. A few people have walked through and said hi, asking if I needed anything, which I was grateful for, but I haven't seen Tyler or Josh since I climbed on the bus.

They were probably in the back lounge with the rest of the people on this bus. We had three buses with us. Bus one, which was the one I was in now, was for Tyler, Josh, Jenna, some guy that I didn't know, and myself. Bus two and three were for the crew.

I was glad I was being left alone because I had to think about what happened between Tanner and I. I was a deer caught in headlights once he stepped away from me. I didn't even utter a word, I just took off, leaving him staring after my fleeing figure.

Two years ago, I would have loved it if Tanner actually felt something for me, but now, I didn't know what to think. I don't even think I cared. I needed to get myself together before getting involved in a relationship.

"Hey, Courtney?"

I turned my head to see Josh sitting across from me, a gentle smile on his face. "Sorry, Josh. I was thinking about something."

The red haired boy nodded his head. "It's alright. I just wanted to tell you that we are planning to stop for awhile to get dinner. Tyler wants to go to Taco Bell. Is that fine with you?"

"Yeah, that's fine with me. I haven't had Taco Bell in years," I replied.

Josh looked away from me for a moment. It seemed like he wanted to ask me something, but wasn't sure if he should or not.

"Courtney, I don't want to sound nosy or whatever, but what was the mental hospital like? Tyler won't tell me anything."

I shrugged. "It wasn't a bad place honestly. I was there for about five years, so it did get boring after awhile, but we were treated well. I remember that they even let Tyler play his music sometimes."

I smiled at the memory, my heart filling up with sadness.

Josh twiddled his fingers. "I would like to apologize in advance for both Tyler and Jenna's behavior towards you. You know why Tyler is acting the way he is, but Jenna is just very protective. I can't hang out with him without her getting mad sometimes."

I smiled, weakly at Josh. "Thank you for talking to me, Josh. I just really want this tour to be a good thing in my life."

The bus came to a stop as we pulled into a Taco Bell parking lot.

"You've grown up so much since the last time I saw you," Josh remarked, standing up, rubbing his hands on his jeans.

I climbed to my feet as Tyler, Jenna, and the man I couldn't remember the name of came into the lounge, heading for the bus exit. 

My eyes stayed focused on my feet as I noticed that Tyler and Jenna were holding hands. I honestly didn't understand how I was going to survive this tour. Every day I was going to have to watch Tyler cozy up to his fiancée who probably hated me with every fiber  of her being.

"Hey," I looked up to see Josh looking down at me. "If you ever wake up and decide that you can't handle this tour or you just want to go home, tell me. I'll personally make sure you'll get home, okay?"

Josh's sweetness made me unbelievably happy. "Thanks for the offer, Josh. I'll be sure to keep that in mind."

I took a deep breath as I followed Josh out of the bus. I was determined. I could do this and I was going to be a bright light on this tour.

At least I hoped.

--Tyler's P.O.V--

Josh was making up for my bad behavior by being on his best, like he always was.

I felt bad. I honestly I did, but I didn't want to get attached to Courtney again, especially when I watched her best friend kiss her.

They didn't know I was there. After we all left to get on the bus, I had to use the bathroom, so I quickly ran inside while Courtney was talking to Nathan and did my business with Mrs. Akehurst's permission. When stepped back out onto the porch, Tanner was kissing her much to my dismay.

I vaulted off the porch as quietly as I could and bolted towards the bus, hoping not to be seen. Luckily, Tanner was watching Courtney's reaction and Courtney was too surprised to notice what was going around her.

You would think that Courtney's reaction would be a good thing for me. She practically rejected Tanner, but why did she exactly? That was the real question. Did she reject him because of me or because she didn't have feelings for him?

I didn't understand why I was so upset. I told Josh what I had seen as soon as I got on the bus and he spent most of the ride to this Taco bell, trying to get me to speak to her.

"Order number 321," the cashier called.

I stood up from our table to get Josh, Jenna, and I's order. Mark said he would be willing to pay for Courtney's meal as well as his. She seemed uncomfortable with this gesture at first, but she didn't protest.

"Thank you," I told the boy that seemed to be around eighteen or nineteen years of age.

I hurried back to our table and sat down beside Jenna, who was chatting away with Mark. Josh sat across from me. Courtney was sitting on his right side, staring at her lap, and Mark was on his left.

"Order number 322," the young boy called out once again.

Mark moved to go up, but Courtney beat him to it.

"It's fine. I'll get it Mark.'

Her slender figure jogged up to get the tray and I turned my head to look at the exchange between her and the young boy.

He smiled at her, mumbling something while pointing at the ticket. Courtney nodded, saying something in return before coming back to sit down.

She handed Mark his two hard tacos and sat her chicken quesadilla down before she resumed her seat.

"What's this?" Mark flipped the order ticket over. "Did the guy up there give you his number, Courtney?"

The blonde girl's pale cheeks flushed a bright red. "Um, yeah, he did. It was quite weird."

Josh shook his head, his mouth stuffed with food. "It's not weird. Males notice your attractiveness and you are also quite sweet, so they see that as the perfect opportunity to use their flirting skills."

Courtney's eyebrows shot up. "It's strange to me, Josh. I'm not used to getting flirted with."

But you are used to getting kissed.

I could feel my blood boiling and I clutched my fists. I was so sick and tired of feeling overprotective of Courtney when she and I had nothing going for us. Jenna and music were supposed to be the main things that I needed to focus on.

I shook my head. I just needed to quit worrying.

A/N: I just published a short Peterick story of any of you are interested! It's more of a friendship story than a relationship, but there is romance.