Approaching Normal // third book in Dementophobia series

seven // he's the one who likes all our pretty songs

--Bowser's P.O.V--

"Um, come in," I told my uncle whose hair was a vivid purple color at the moment. "Mom and Dad just went to town, but Emma, my friend, and I are here."

Josh smiled at me, stepping into the house as I made sure to close the door behind him. "I'm sorry that my visit seems very unexpected, but I came to talk to your father about something."

"He'll be back soon," I told him.

He turned to look at me, his eyes studying my face. "It's really great to see you again, Bowser. I would hug you, but I know that you aren't very comfortable with touch. You get that from both of your parents."

"Both of my parents have grown out of their "no touchy" phase, which is the main reason why I have five siblings," I remarked.

A laugh escaped Josh's lungs and I couldn't help but crack a small smile.

I loved Josh. I loved Josh more than my real uncles to be absolutely truthful, but I still possessed a little bit of resentment towards him. I hated the fact that he ran off to California to be with some girl instead of sticking around for us.

My dad felt the exact same way. I knew he did although he wouldn't admit that to anyone, not even my mother.

Hanna timidly appeared in the doorway of the living room and that's when it dawned on me that Josh and I were still standing in the middle of the foyer. "Uh, Bowser, I hope I'm not intruding. I can go on home if you want me to."

I shook my head. "No, no, it's fine." I lead Josh into the living room and he took the chair that positioned next to the couch. "Hanna, this is my father's best friend, Josh, which I guess you already know by your expression."

Hanna's eyes were the size of soccer balls as she stared at Joshua Dun, her mouth opened in an O shape. She slowly turned to me. "I love being with friends with you so much. You do not understand."

I chuckled. "You are certainly a unique friend to have, Hanna. That's for sure. Anyhow, will you do me a favor and go check on Emma and tell her that Josh is here?"

She nodded, getting to her feet and making her way up the staircase. Both Josh and I watched her go.

"So is she like your girlfriend?" My uncle hesitantly, knowing that the topic of relationships was a touchy subject for me.

"No," I responded, quickly. "She's just a good friend. I'm not ready for another relationship yet."

Josh nodded, not pushing the subject any further, much to my relief. He cleared his throat, itching the back of his head. "Last time I came to visit, you and Benji were discussing colleges and career opinions. Have you guys figured out what you are going to do? Are you guys staying together or?"

"There is no way in the world that Benji and I are separating from one another. He may get on my nerves constantly and I may get on his, but it feels very strange to be away from him more than a few days. So we've decided to go in the same profession."

"And what would that be?"

My career choice was something that I typically didn't like to discuss with anyone. I only talked to Benji about it to a certain degree because he didn't need to know exactly why I chose the career path that I did. It wasn't just because I was a superb swimmer.

"Benji and I have decided to be rescue swimmers for the coast guard."

His eyes widened, but he nodded anyway. "The coast guard, huh? How did your mom take that? Both of her firstborn sons going to a field of work that could cause them to possibly get killed?"