unholy (joshler)

chapter fourteen

"You should really quit smoking." Josh tells Chris as they sit in back of the school between classes.

"It's a Monday, I don't need your lectures." The boy laughs and shoves his best friend lightly.

"Whatever man."

"Yeah, whatever."

The smoke swirls around them as Josh watches his shoes smack against the brick beneath where they hang.

He has a test in English today which he didn't study for. He was up all night with Tyler who was to scared to sleep.

"You doing to Dallons party this Friday?"

"Probably not. I'll have to see what Ty's doin." Chris nods, breathing in the cigarette before turning and looking at Josh.

"You guys are serious, huh?" The smoke tumbles from his mouth with each word and Josh tilts his head in confusion.

"What do you mean?" He shrugs.

"It's just that you've never been this...infatuated. I mean I get why but are you guys serious? Long term serious?" Josh understands what Chris is asking, are they in love.

"I think so. I'm not sure." Once again, he nods.

"Okay."

Josh hopes so.

-

"Joseph?" Josh is walking to third hour when he sees Tyler get called to the side by Mr. Jake.

He meddles around, acting as if he's getting a drink of water so he can hear what they're saying.

"Yeah Coach?"

"You're grades are all D's. I know we've talked about this but I'm serious. If you don't have them up by next week you're not going to be able to try out at all. There's only two games left before Basketball season and we need you."

Josh sighs internally. He wishes that the world could understand that Tyler just needs a break. He's going through a lot right now.

He waits for Tyler's usual response of I'm sorry Coach, I'll try harder, and is more than surprised when he doesn't get it.

"I'm not trying out this year." Silence.

"W-what? You're talkin nonsense kid." He tries to laugh it off, to change his mind but Josh knows that once Tyler's made a decision it's set and stone.

"I'm sorry Co- Mr. Jake. I have to get to class now." He begins to scurry away and Mr. Jake, dumbfounded, yells after him.

"Joseph, your scholarship. You'll lose it!" Only Tyler's around the corner and Josh is following him with a frown.

He catches the boy as he's slipping into the men's room. When he opens the door he finds them alone, Tyler leaning against one of the many sinks.

He looks as if he's been in a fight. His eyes now sunken and ringed black, his lips cracked horribly worse and his skin pale.

"Ty?" Josh steps behind him and Tyler slowly spins around.

"Hey."

"You're quitting?" He looks away, nodding. "Why?"

"I don't know...It's not a priority right now. I can't focus let alone win a game. Dallon can do it."

Josh doesn't fight him on it, despite how much he wants Tyler to chase what he loves he knows that support is all he really needs right now.

Josh is also confused on how they always end up here, one of them crying in a public bathroom and the other running to comfort them. But he doesn't mind, he holds Tyler against his body and tries to find the source of the problem so they can conquer it. Together.