unholy (joshler)

chapter two

"Damn! Come on Mixton bring it back!" Cindy yells at the screen, her hands flying wildly. Not that Josh looks much different.

It's the next day, a Saturday, and the Buckeyes are playing. College football is a big deal in the Dun home and today is the first game of the season.

Practically every shirt Josh owns is a red one with the Buckeyes symbol on the front, he lives and breathes this team. Maybe one day he'll play on it.

"YES!! GO JOHNSON GO! GO!" He yells as the man on the screen makes a touchdown.

Just then the doorbell rings and Josh walks away to answer it, his eyes trained on the tv the whole way, a cookie hanging out of his mouth.

"Hey!" Chris, Josh's best friend, yells when the door is open.

"Hey," He mumbles distractedly. "Come in."

He does and as soon as he sees the game and he small crowd he understands. This is an annual thing at the Dun home.

"Buckeyes playin?" He asks to make conversation.

"Yep. Make yourself at home."

It's when the games over that things settle down. The Buckeyes have won by three and that puts a happy atmosphere in the house.

The kids run around and Ashley makes talk with Debra, their aunt. A few other relatives litter around but Josh is focused on Chris's story.

"-and so he gave me the blunt but before I hit it I saw that it wasn't even rolled right! The moral of the story is that Brendon Urie is not a stoner kid like me. Just a drama nerd with an adventurous side." Josh nods.

"Good to know."

"Have you heard about Tyler Joseph? He's already talking about basketball tryouts later this year and he might have some competition in Dallon Weekes. It's making for a tense lunch period."

Chris has always been the gossiper. His eyes have constant bags under them, he carries more weed on him then he smokes and almost everyone likes him. Dark hair and brooding features. The girls love him.

"Oh? Aren't they besties?"

"Not as close as Tyler and Pete but yeah, besties. Unless he makes captain then Tyler will dump him for sure."

"I don't know..." Josh says from the back porch swing as they talk aimlessly. "Tyler doesn't seem like the type to ditch you for something so simple." Chris snorts.

"Simple? Basketball is his life dude. Well aside from our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ." Josh shrugs at his snarky remark.

"You're right."

"I'm always right."

"Oh, choke Brimmings."

-

Later that evening Debra asks Josh if they can talk.

"Sure." He mumbles nervously as she pulls him into the living room where no ones around.

"How have you been?" That question isn't as simple as it seems and Josh knows the trap in front of him.

Debra has been trying to take Josh and his siblings for years now. When her sister first skipped out and they went to Cindy she claimed the woman wasn't capable, being so old. But they made do and every since she's been trying to find a flaw in their system.

"Good. Great actually." She raises a brow.

"Are you still taking care of Abby and Jordan full time? How are your grades?" Josh just sighs and stands up.

"Listen Deb, I know you're trying to help but we're fine. I have to clean up the kitchen now."

"Josh please." She pleads as he starts to walk away. "I have a big house, money and a lot of free time. I can help."

It's tempting really. Josh could be a normal teenager again with no worries.

But the kids love Cindy and going with Debra means a change of school as well. He can't do that to them.

"I said we're fine." Then he closes the living room door.