Red Hair and Black Paint

Chapter Two

It's nearly three in the afternoon when Tyler wakes the next day and he's tempted to sleep the rest of the time until he actually has to get up, but hesitates when his phone beeping gets his attention. He fumbles for it and squints at the screen.

Unknown Number: Hey, this is Josh. We sorta became friends last night.

Tyler: Hey! Yeah, what's up?

Josh: Nothing, binge watching X-Files, what time is the thing tonight?

Tyler has to take a moment to appreciate how cute this guy was. X-Files? Obvious alien nerd and that was really adorable in his own opinion.

Tyler: Around nine or ten. I'm not sure when I go on, depends on when they have slots open.

Josh: Okay, sounds good.

Josh: Question?

Tyler: Answer?

Josh: I let my friend borrow my car, would it be any trouble if you gave me a ride?

Tyler: Not at all, just send me your address and I'll be there to pick you up.

Josh sent his address and he memorized it, keeping it in my mind. He didn't feel like sleeping anymore, because he was too pumped up now. He was seeing Josh tonight and the thought sent his heart racing. Curse his mind, which reminded him that Josh probably wasn't even gay. He probably had a girlfriend and was just thinking that Tyler was a possible friend.

That thought paused Tyler from getting dressed, frowning deeply before he shook his head because, he never knew. He's been lucky so far, so why not? All he could do was hope. And if not, Josh did seem like a cool guy. He would be willing to be friends with him. God, what was he even thinking? He barely knew the dude and here he was thinking about the possibility of dates.

He was a full blown idiot.

During the hours he had left to spare, he ridiculed himself for being so stupid and lounged around, drinking cups of coffee and mentally preparing himself for tonight. It took some time for him to decide what raps and what verses he would go with, a usual debate. He'd try something new again. Wanting something fresh.

After his neck and hands were slicked with the black paint and his contacts were in--which he accidentally put in after he had paint on his hands, a usual mistake that he never seemed to learn--his favorite beanie on his head, he finally left his apartment.

It didn't take long for him to get to where Josh lived and he waited a few moments, reminding himself that he really shouldn't be getting his hopes up. He could find something about the man that he absolutely hated. Like, he put orange bedsheets with green blankets. It really wasn't something to despise someone over, but even Tyler knew that those colors definitely didn't go with each other. And he knew that he couldn't get too ahead of himself.

Tyler was reaching for his phone to alert Josh that he was here when it vibrated before he could even touch it.

Josh: You can just come up, I'm looking for something and I have to feed my cat. Door 201.

Tyler should've realized that Josh was a cat person and he knew that it would be harder to find something he didn't like about the guy. He didn't know either to be enthralled or irritated.

Many weird looks thrown his way and an old lady purposely avoiding his path later, he stood, patiently waiting for Josh to answer the door.

Josh seemed flustered when he answered and didn't say much, just motioned for him to come in and he bounded through the small apartment, out of sight. Tyler felt awkward standing there and wasn't sure if he should venture further or if he should just stay in his spot. He voted for the latter, not wanting to invade on anything. He was polite and insecure in that way. It was silent in the apartment, he could hear Josh's footsteps and a low rambling and it sparked curiosity within on what he was talking about. It was probably nonsense, but he wanted to know.