Down in the Forest || Joshler [Completed]

17- Poem

"So, what's happening?" I asked as Mr. Roberts walked out of the cafeteria.

"Every year, on the last Thursday of camp, there is a talent show for the campers and counselors."

"Oh. That's cool."

"Yea, it's nice." I nodded along and Josh's eyes lit up. "You should do something!"

"What? Why?"

"You're super talented, Tyler. You should sing something."

"I never sing for anyone. Never," I repeated for emphasis. Josh smiled and looked at his hands.

"You sang for me," he said quietly.

"You're the exception," I replied. "The only exception."

"Fine. I won't force you to perform if you don't want to." He held his arms up in defeat.

"Thank yo-"

"But!" he cut me off. "You have to sing me a song after. Alone, of course." I stared at him in disbelief and he just smiled, smugly, back at me. I tried to say no but the way his eyes shone made me form the word,

"Okay." His smile widened and he pulled me into a hug. I hugged him back and my annoyance disappeared.

-----

"Okay everybody! The talent show is about to begin. All of the people performing have been working really hard these last few days to make everything great, so please be respectful and attentive." We replied with silence and Mr. Roberts took that as us agreeing. "Without any further ado, please welcome to the stage, Patrick Stump." I clapped wildly along with everyone else. I smiled as I saw Patrick walk up to the microphone with a fedora on his head and an acoustic guitar strapped onto his chest.

"Hey, everyone," Patrick said, adjusting the mic stand to his height. "I'm gonna do a cover of Therapy by All Time Low." I loved that song so much.

"GO, BEST FRIEND!" Pete shouted from the audience. Patrick stepped back from the mic and laughed.

"Thanks, Pete."

I sat in awe as Patrick strummed the guitar calmly and his effortless voice sang the words I adored so much. If I hadn't been watching him, I wouldn't have believed it was Patrick singing. It didn't seem to fit him, yet it also fit perfectly. The contradiction of it didn't bother me at all.

As he finished the song, Josh, Pete, Hayley, and I stood up and clapped. He stepped backward and bowed a bit as everyone applauded.

Kid after kid went up after Patrick and did song after dance after magic trick. It wasn't the best show I'd seen, but I knew they were just kids and kept a smile on my face. Josh was sitting close enough for me to notice his leg bouncing with boredom.

"Next up, Lucas Carlisle." I turned to Josh, confused.

"Did you know Lucas was doing something?" I whispered. He shook his head no and I turned back to the stage. Lucas walked up to the mic and adjusted it slowly. When it was at the right level, he pulled a crumpled piece of paper out of his pocket.

"Um, hi. I'm Lucas and I'm gonna read a poem that I wrote for my counselors, Tyler and Josh." Everyone turned to us and we smiled, awkwardly. I waved at Lucas and he waved back. Josh pat my thigh and smiled at me in a 'we did good' sort of way. As Lucas began, Josh didn't move his hand away.

I came to camp alone
and then I met you
I saw the other kids
And got to know a few

I came to camp alone
But you showed me the way
Playing games and telling stories
Enjoying every day

I came to camp alone
But you two were always there
You helped me when I fell
And showed me fun without a care

I came to camp alone
But Im leaving with you in my heart
This summer was the best
I can't wait for the next one to start

He folded the paper back up and I shot out of my seat, applauding loudly. Josh did the same, along with a few other counselors. I met Lucas's gaze and he had tears in his eyes. He got off of the stage and ran towards me. I held out my arms and pulled him into a tight hug. Josh hugged Lucas from the other side. We stood like that for a while. When we finally pulled away, I looked down at Lucas. He was smiling widely.

"Did you like it?"

"Are you crazy?" I said, laughing. "I loved it!"

"What about you, Josh?" he asked, turning so he could see us both.

"Of course I liked it, Lucas!" We hugged again before Lucas walked back over to where the other performers were sitting. I sat down again and faced Josh.

"I can't believe he did that! He's so sweet," I gushed.

"Totally," he agreed. I sighed and laid my head on his shoulder. He didn't reject the act and I smiled.

"Wasn't that sweet?" Mr. Roberts asked. "Our last performer is Lilly Jones." We all clapped as a little girl with pin-straight, black hair walked onto the stage. She grabbed the mic out the stand.

"Hello. I'm Lilly and I'm going to sing Not Alone by Darren Criss." A piano track began to play and I listened intently. I had never heard the song before and was eager to. She began to sing and I smiled at the soft sound. Her voice was smooth and graceful against the backing track.

Baby, you're not alone
'Cause you're here with me
And nothing's ever gonna bring us down
'Cause nothing can keep me from loving you
And you know it's true
It don't matter what'll come to be
Our love is all we need
To make it through

I looked up at Josh and smiled. It was dark, but I could see his face in the glow of the stage lights. He was watching intently and tapping along to the beat on his leg.

I still have trouble
I trip and stumble
Trying to make sense of things sometimes
I look for reasons
But I don't need them
All I need is to look in your eyes
And I realize

Josh looked down at me and I tried to look away, but couldn't. I was frozen in his gaze. I pulled my head up from his shoulder so that I was level with him. I wanted to kiss him. It was a perfect moment to do it.

Everyone began applauding and I jumped back a bit. I went along and clapped as well, turning to face the stage. I tried to push away the feeling of disappointment from being interrupted again.

"That was great, Lilly!" Mr. Roberts said, joining her on stage. "Let's bring out everyone who performed and give them another round of applause!" We clapped more and rose to our feet, again.

I snuck a glance back over at Josh and he had an annoyed expression on his face.