unholy (joshler)

chapter five

That Saturday is football tryouts. Now that Pete has passed on Coach Hodge wants to fill his position as soon as possible. Talk about insensitive.

All the boys on the team and anyone new who wants a chance can tryout for captain can and all day Chris has been following Josh around his house pestering him.

"Please Josh, you could get the position easily."

"I can't Chris. I don't have the money nor the time."

"I can help out. I'll babysit and even leave my weed at home!" Josh scoffs.

"Wow Chris how considerate."

"I'm serious man. Imagine if Ashley found out you have this chance and you're not taking it."

Grabbing the jug of milk from the fridge, Josh glares at Chris at the mention of his sister. Chris takes the hint.

"Alright, no Ashley talk. Got it. What about Cindy? She'd be upset right?"

"Maybe, I don't know."

"Come on Josh. Please." Josh sighs and sits down, having done all the chores in the house.

"Chris I-"

"Hey Josh." Jordan says as he comes skipping in, Abby trailing behind him. She's still mad at him, barely talking. He's not sure why exactly but it's definitely making him upset.

"Hey J. Hey Abbs." She waves and when they sit down at the kitchen table Chris raises a brow. Josh shrugs.

"Hey J, can you help me fix my truck?" Chris asks and Jordan looks up with wide eyes.

"Can I Josh, can I?" Josh mouthes a thank you to Chris and nods to Jordan.

Once they're gone Josh sits in front of Abby.

"Hey, what you up to?" She shrugs and looks back to her homework. "Are you mad at me?"

Another shrug.

"Is it because I won't tell you about Mommy?" Abby looks up and stares at him for a moment before shrugging again. He takes that as a yes.

"Abby listen, I don't know when she's coming okay? Aunt Debra said soon and that's all I know."

"Why isn't she here all the time?" She asks suddenly, her voice small. Josh swallows harshly.

"I don't know angel."

"I'm not mad Joshy. I'm just a little sad."

"Sad? Why sad?" She smiles then and Josh feels a bit uneasy.

"Why won't you try out for football since that one boy is dead?" His eyes widen.

"What? I-I- How did you-"

"I'll be happy if you do. I'll even talk to you." Josh just stares at her, wondering if maybe Chris is behind all of this. But Abby's big eyes and her bribe is enough for Josh to nod.

"Okay."

"Yay! You better get going then!"

He takes money from his savings jar.

-

"FORTY PUSH-UPS NOW! GO! GO! GO! YOU MIGHT AS WELL LEAVE NOW HERNANDEZ YOU AREN'T MAKING IT."

Josh has never sweat more than he has now. He's done every work out correctly and quickly, even scoring the most touchdowns in their amateur game when he'd first got here around mid day.

It's almost five now.

"ALRIGHT LADIES WERE DONE. ILL HAVE THE NAME UP MONDAY BY THE FRONT OFFICE."

Josh is wiping his face with his shirt, panting heavily when Tyler approaches him.

"Hey." He puts his shirt down quickly.

"What are you doing here? Aren't you a basketball junky?" Tyler laughs. He looks less sad though the bags are still there, under those hazel, purple eyes.

"Indeed. But I thought I'd drop by to see who'd be replacing my best friend." Josh looks away, suddenly feeling guilty.

Is it insensitive to Pete and even Tyler to be here?

"Oh."

"You still coming to church tomorrow?" Josh's eyes widen. He forgot about his talk with Tyler, church hasn't crossed his mind.

"Uh.." He wants to say no, he really does because that's not really his scene. Who would he know there? Chris won't go and Cindy wouldn't either.

"I'd really appreciate if you did." Tyler speaks up again and Josh looks at him.

He's a inch or two taller, that same purple/yellow glow crawling over his skin like it's living and breathing.

He looks tired, run down even. Josh can't remember a time before that he's looked this way.

"Okay."

"Okay? Sick. See ya then." He turns and heads towards the boys locker room then and Josh grabs his duffle and starts the long walk home.

What did he just agree to? Not only that but what the hell is Tyler taking? There's no way he's naturally that flawless. It's unsettling really, the glow, the purple that swims in his eyes and his voice that can persuade anyone.

Even when he's sleep deprived and obviously a reck.

-

Josh angrily struggles with the buttons of his only nice shirt, his black dress pants riding up.

This whole church thing is and was a bad idea. His hair won't stay gelled back and his stomach is churning.

"Josh? You okay?" Jordan asks when he hears yet another frustrated groan sound from his brothers room.

"Fine, yes, thank you."

"Why are you getting dressed up?" Josh rips the tie off his neck.

"No reason. Doesn't matter. I'm not going."

"Okay..." He says uncertainly, closing the door back as he leaves.

Maybe Tyler won't notice that he didn't show, maybe he's already forgot.

Josh goes back to bed.