//simplicity

chapter 9-- basketball

Tyler's POV//

Josh's smile turned when he heard a noise behind him.
"Son. We need to talk."
A gruff voice that was my fathers entered my ears. I nodded quickly.

"Josh you- you need to leave." I spoke in a soft voice.

"You sure Ty?"

"Just get out." I darted my eyes to his, anger filled them just like my fathers when he would see anything that upset him the slightest. Josh frowns and heads out of the room, getting into his car and driving off.

"Look son.. I just got upset. Your mother and I.. We're worried. We think you need to start back up again, playing basketball like your old man taught you." He ruffles my hair and I return that forgiving smile I always had when he stormed off then apologized. He's my dad, I couldn't ever deny him.
"Yeah dad. I will."

"That's my boy. Now 50 baskets. Or no dinner. I want to know you've still got it." He grinned, showing his whitened teeth. I smile and nod. Anything for dad. I ignore the burning sensation my cuts give off and pulled on a hoodie and some basketball shorts. I went out to the front, shooting the first basket. Score. I shoot 6 times in a row before missing the 7th. I sigh and start over. Yeah maybe I should just go back to how it used to be. To the good old days. The problem is, I never learned how to get back to those times.

My hoodie sleeve slides down revealing my cuts, I pull them up before the next shot. Because I'm insecure and I just.. I care what people think. I stay out there until 11, finally making all 50 baskets. I wipe the sweat off my forehead with the back of my hand, huffing lowly. I grab the ball and carry it inside, placing it onto a shelf in my room. 'The harder I try to go back to my old ways, the closer I am to the happiness I long for so badly' is the thought that ran through my head. I bite my tongue and walk into the dining room, a plate with chicken breast and rice laid out on a plate.
"It's cold but I saved some for you." My father mumbled as he looked up from the newspaper.

"Did you get all 50 baskets?"

"In a row." I reply confidently.
He simply nods. Not good enough. Maybe I should go shoot some more. Maybe 100? I run my fingers through my sweat-soaked hair.
"I'm gonna go back out there, shoot some more." He shrugs in response, eventually saying,
"If you're not in by 12 I'm locking the door I don't want anyone breaking in. It's a dangerous neighborhood, understand? I can't afford to buy replacements."

I put on a straight face, hiding the oncoming frown.
"Yes sir."

I grab the basketball and my phone, not wanting to play in silence again.

I grab the ball off the ground and slam my hand to my face in frustration.
"I was at 92.. I was so close to coming inside." I mumble under my short breathes. I shoot the ball, scoring.
"One."
Another.
"Two."
Miss
"I.."
I just sit down in the driveway, the music stopping. I frown and reach for my phone.
"A call..?"

Josh :^) incoming call

I contemplated answering, but I can't let another incident happen again. I can't have his pity. It's pathetic.
I click ignore.
Two minutes later:
One message from Josh :^)

Josh :^)  : Hey Ty, just wanted to check in on you. Did you bandage your arms? I also left your clothes on your bed and a jar of cookies on your bedside. You were hungry so I thought maybe you were running low on food or something. Call me when you can :^)

-----

I sigh and set my phone down on the cold concrete. It's 2 a.m now and all the doors are locked, even the windows. I should just keep practicing.

I shoot the 46th hoop, scoring once again. My back aches, my throat burns and I can't even feel my face. It's so numb. I can't stay out here all night. I pick up my phone and pause the music.

Tyler: Josh

I delete the message. I don't want to bother him.

----
Another 30 minutes passed and I couldn't feel my body, I was so numb. All over.

I ring Josh's number. I regret it every second I hear a ring, indicating he hasn't picked up yet. I grip my phone tighter when I hear his scratchy voice. I probably woke him up.

"Ty?"
I swallow hard,
"Josh. Uh can you- well my dad-.. Can you pick me up..?" I stumble over my words. I probably sounded idiotic. Like always. I heard shuffling and what I assumed was a door opening.
"On my way tyjo."

The phone hung up.

Tyjo?
What a strange nickname.. But he said it, so I'll accept it.

Tyler Joseph. Oh I see he took Ty from my first name and Jo from my last name. How come I've never thought of that? He's an odd boy, with his red tufts of hair and small nose ring, but the kind of odd that intrigues me. My thoughts were interrupted when Josh's car pulled in. I stood up, holding my phone and basketball. I walked to his car and opened the passenger door.

"You have a basketball?" He rose an eyebrow, he spoke drearily. My face painted red with embarrassment,
"Oh yeah hold on."

I jog to the basket and set it in the grass. I jog back, smiling reassuringly at him.
"Thanks for doing this.."

Josh smiled back and nodded.
"No problem Tyjo."

He plugs in his phone, playing a few songs I know. The one he finally lands on was "Move Along" by The All American Rejects. I loved this song. With the window rolled down and my favorite song playing, we pulled out of my driveway and onto the streets. These streets I've walked down, I used to meet good people on these streets.

A cold rush of wind pressed against my face due to the window being rolled down. I sung loudly, not having a care in the world. I couldn't care if Josh heard me. I just needed this feeling. This feeling of serenity. Before I knew it, he was singing along too. His voice was beautiful. I smiled and harmonized as best I could with his voice. It was perfect. We carried on like this till we reached his house, different songs playing but we knew them all. Once we finished the last song we got out of the car. My hair was wind tossed and my face was freezing but that's all right.
He unlocked the door and led me into the home. I shut the door and walked into the living room, sitting down on the soft couch.
"Tyler? Why did you need me to pick you up?"

I sigh,
"I was shooting hoops. I needed to make 100. I didn't make it in time and my dad had already locked the door."
His eyes widen.

"Your own father wouldn't let you inside? It's freezing out there!"

His eye brows furrowed in confusion. I just laugh and shrug.
"It's okay. It happens a lot." He tilts his head.

"That's not.. Not good." He looks at me with an indescribable look. I couldn't tell what he was feeling and it made me upset. I played it off like it was nothing.

"Why did you.. Make me leave?" Josh's voice was softer.

"I-.. I didn't mean to be rude about it.. I'm sorry." I started acting like normal, not like how I was told to act. Josh brought me out of my act. I broke down infront him.
"Hey hey it's fine bab- Ty."
I heard him start a word but he quickly recovered it with my name. His phone started ringing. I attempted to gain my composure as he answered.

"Oh hey Debby." He sounded slightly annoyed. I muffle my whimpers.

"I'm not taking you out tonight I have company.

No I didn't know my mom was becoming the cheerleader coach..

Okay whatever never mind I have to attain to my guest. Later."

He hangs up. I feel strong arms wrap around my small frame. I press my teary eyes to his chest and whimper quieter.

"I just want to be happy again. I'm.. I-I'm tired of being stressed o-out."

Josh pressed his warm lips to my forehead.
"It'll be okay. We'll make it far."
I blushed darkly, before moving my chin up, pressing my lips to his.