It Ain't The Speakers |-/ JOSHLER

15: but i can't when yøu all have...

JØSH'S PØV

I hope he'll come.

After all you've done? 

Fat chance.

What was I even thinking? Signing up solo on the very first day was a rash decision which I obviously didn't think through, and one I didn't have a plan for. After playing with Tyler, I started to wonder how I'd ever get on without him.

And now it's like I'm back to square one, but worse, and really afraid.

I really hope he'll come.

"It's ok, you can both go solo if you want to," Brendon had said. I had told him roughly what happened, and though he probably doesn't understand how I feel about the situation, he promised me that he'd make sure Tyler and I wouldn't be at a disadvantage, no matter what happens.

I stood at the back of the room with the other competitors, behind the large audience of perhaps two hundred students, while the three judges sat closest to the stage. Some band was playing a really catchy song.

crave craVE crAVE CRAVE
AAAHOOHH GUBADAHABOGAH

Yep, it's catchy.

And I wouldn't stand a chance if I was to go alone.

"Hey Gee, the lead singer kinda looks like you in blue hair," Ray whispered.

"Wha? Sorry Ray I can't hear you, the sound of MY hair's awesomeness is way too loud."

Frank and I chuckled, while Bob seemed mildly amused. He's never really amused anyway. Gerard had cut his hair short and dyed it white, which looked really good, and sort of matched their outfits too. I, however, was wearing a random red shirt, which looked really drab next to most other people which had actually dressed up in one way or another. I look like some random kid that just woke up and had to go grocery shopping or something like that. 

The trio was asked a few questions, and the next band went on stage. Stage fright was getting to me even before I stepped up there, which was pretty soon.

He probably won't come. Can I just hide in the toilet or something till it's all over? Does that disqualify me? I hope it does.

My phone buzzed and I immediately whipped it out of my pocket, hoping it was Tyler.

Debby 💛: sorry I can't come watch you today. good luck anyways. xx

*Sigh*

SpookyJim 👻: that's ok, thanks Deb

"Josh Dun, you're up soon."

Gee gave me a pat on the back and Ray told me I'll be fine, which was obviously false. I sort of forced a smile and put my phone away, following Mr Ross backstage to standby.

Tyler, please come.

You've killed him, remember? 

Off the cliff, gone. Just like Pi. 

"He's still alive, I know he is." I closed the door behind me, frustrated. "And so is Tyler, so stop bringing him up..."

I turned to see a boy in a blue shirt, expressionless hazel eyes staring back at me. My mouth opened to say something, but nothing seemed to come out.

TYLER'S PØV

Hey, how's it going? Of course I wasn't going to let you get out on stage alone. I'm sorry too, Josh.

My brain flashed the cue cards for the conversation I had planned out but my body wasn't cooperating. It was nice to see him close up again. Pink hair, C major lips, everything.

I thought I heard him mutter my name. He's talking to himself again, and it's never really a good sign, it seems. Hope he's fine.

Well, screw my script. I motioned for him to come closer to the stage with me, watching the band before us.

Look at me now
See the shame in my eyes
Looking up from the ground
Feeling, falling 
Leaving me here to drown
Cold, as the killer that hides
In his bones
And what esteem is left in me
Has kept me on this road

(A/N: I love this band but I don't usually recommend them to people because none of my frens like electronic-ish stuff. But here's their acoustic hehe)

Everyone's so good. Will we make it?

I had been reciting our lyrics and playing some air piano for the past hour. (it's like air guitar but a piano, and the way I do it makes me look insane.) A week without practising with Josh got me rusty. I bit my lip as we watched the three people exit. Mr Ross and Mr Weekes assisted us in getting our instruments on stage, and we got into position behind the closed curtains.

Josh was wearing a red shirt and I wore blue, just like we had planned in the treehouse. But we were still missing something, of course. I took out a white ski mask and put it on for the first time. I felt my face. It felt weird.

I noticed Josh swaying awkwardly on his side of the stage. I don't know, but he must be scared. Taking out the blue ski mask from my back pocket, I looked at him again. He looks so... What's the word for it?

He still didn't look at me. I wonder what's on his mind.