soulmates // joshler au

one - blue

tyler stared at the clock on the classroom wall, willing it to go faster. the universe seemed to be against him though, as he heard his screechy teacher's voice call his name.

"Tyler, care to answer number three?" The teacher smirked slightly, tilting her head at him.

Tyler quickly looked back down at the maths textbook on his desk, scanning the blur of numbers and words for question number three. He found it quickly and stuttered out an answer, which the teacher seemed to deem acceptable and moved onto another victim.

Tyler breathed out in relief, going back to doodling on his paper and glancing at the clock until the last bell of the day rang.

He quickly gathered up his things and sped out of the classroom, meeting up with his best friend Jenna in the corridor.

She immediately squealed, "Guess who got an A on her history exam!"
Tyler grinned at her, "Congratulations Jen! Your first A this year." He teased, leaning against the blue lockers.

Jenna rolled her eyes and shoved his shoulder lightly, "oh shut up! what are you doing after school today?"

Tyler shrugged slightly, unlocking his locker and putting away his textbooks.
"Want to come over? My mom probably won't mind."

Jenna agreed and they both started walking out of the blue school doors.

***

Jenna leaned over Tyler and grabbed the tv remote, before switching the channel to the news.

"The news? Are you kidding me, Jenna?" Tyler groaned, hugging his knees to his chest on his couch.

Jenna just shrugged,
"I just wanna see what's going on, okay?"

Tyler rolled his eyes but didn't protest, shrinking back into the sofa cushions.

"And the riot continues in California, with the protesters smashing windows and marching down the main streets. It is deemed 'unsafe' for any blues to stay in central California, and they should evacuate immediately."

Jenna's eyes suddenly widened,
"My mom's there, in LA! Oh my god, she's gonna get hurt isn't she?"

Tyler quickly shuffled over to her,
"No, no, she's going to be fine, Jenna! I promise, the reds aren't going to hurt her, ok? She's going to leave and she'll be safe. Why don't you give her a call?"
He tried to calm her down, which seemed to work as she loosened her grip on his arm, before nodding and leaving the room to call her mom.

Tyler sighed and leaned back, the reds' protests and riots were getting too violent and were going too far. At least the protesters weren't up in Ohio, but Tyler still felt slightly afraid.

Tyler quickly changed the channel back to random cartoons and rested his head on his knees, blue eyes watching the screen intently until Jenna came back.

***
Tyler woke up startled to find piercing blue eyes staring back into his own.
"Jeez, why are you so close to my face?" He asked the boy small in front of him.

Jay backed away from his brother, "you wouldn't wake up, and I need help with my homework."

Tyler groaned in response, "what time is it?"

Jay shrugged before glancing at the digital clock which appeared on the wall behind him, "5:43pm. Can you please help me now?"

Tyler groaned again before climbing back underneath the covers, "go find Maddy or Zack and ask them."

"They don't know, they're not as smart as you!"

Tyler opened his mouth to say something else but was interrupted by noise outside. He stood up and glanced out the window curiously, there wasn't usually a lot of noise or commotion in his small suburban neighbourhood.

As soon as he saw that familiar flash of red he was pulling the curtains closed and marching towards the door.

"Jay, stay up here, do not come down stairs, you hear me? And don't open the curtains!"

Jay nodded, puzzled and sat down on the bed.

Tyler's own hands were shaking as he opened the door before closing it behind him.
He walked on wobbly legs down the stairs to see his mum standing there, watching through the window at the street outside.

"Mom... what's happening?"

Kelly didn't answer, she just pulled the curtains closed and walked towards the kitchen.

"Mom! Why is there a red out there? What's happening?" His voice was just as wobbly as he felt and he started to fiddle with his sleeves, a thing he often did when he felt panicked or anxious.

Kelly just went to the cupboard and got out a mug, "it's fine, everything's fine, don't you get so worked up Tyler, it's nothing you have to worry about. I promise."

But Tyler noticed her hands shaking as she started making a cup of tea, and how pale she looked.

Tyler suddenly felt sick and he wrapped his arms around his waist.

They've come to Ohio. Their beautiful peaceful state is now corrupted and there is nothing they can do.