It Ain't The Speakers |-/ JOSHLER

17.1: but i dø nøt

TYLER'S PØV

"Josh Dun? Come here a sec."

We had just stepped out into the corridor, heading for Josh's place when we heard our teacher's voice. My best fren stuck out his bottom lip at me, wondering what he did wrong to make Mr Stump call him back after class. But hey, at least it was Stump. If anyone was called out by Mr Trohman or Miss Jackson, there's a 100% chance they're screwed.

Our math teacher was doing all the talking back at his desk while I watched Josh from afar, nodding at the paper in his hand.

"Hey, Jojo. Nice socks."

Fingers stabbed me in my sides and I cringed before turning around, knowing exactly who it was. So what if I wear my socks higher than everyone else? I put socks on my feet for a reason.

"What do you want, Debby?" I spat out her name. It tasted disgusting in my mouth.

"You owe me."

"I do not owe you anything, Deborah..." Hands behind me, one finger found its way under the white rubber band around my left wrist, snapping it. One...two..three times. Can Josh just hurry up already?

I hated it. Ever since that day she met Josh and I together at the canteen, she wouldn't let me be. She wouldn't even give me a chance to avoid her like I had been doing since we entered Zephyrus High.

"Trying to look brave, huh? Gonna run home and tell your Mommy on me again?" she smirked.

Four...five..six. I continued staring at her, maintaining the lack of expression on my face. Seven was a bit too hard. I hated how she kept cutting open old scars...

Remember Rule #3? Do something, Tyler.

"I've got no cookies whatsoever, so just go away, you pig."

She was stunned for perhaps a fraction of a second, but it didn't seem to be enough for someone...Someone who has made your simple existence a pain for the past six years.

"I'm not here for the cookies, idiot," she laughed, but the next moment her expression turned into one of utmost seriousness. "Stay away from my boyfriend, Tyler Robert Joseph."

My face twitched. "What? ...You think I am gonna steal your boyfriend?" It was now my turn to laugh. "I could do that if you'd like, Debby."

"You think you're better than me, Jojo?" she said, distraught.

Push her, Tyler.
Just like she did to you at the drain.
Just like every other time you
put up with her.

But that's... Mean.

Don't forget who started it, Tyler.

...so that I can be like her?

I had almost done something stupid when Josh finally came back, about time. "Hey," he noticed Debby's presence. She gave a dainty wave with visible unrest.

"I already am," I replied her earlier question. She shot me a look. I grinned just enough to annoy her, then linked arms with my best friend. "Let's go, Josh!"

Probably told myself this a hundred times before, but wow, my best friend has weird taste in girls.

"Dude, what'd he say?"

"I sorta failed the last math test," he shrugged. "and if I don't improve by the exams before the June hols, I'll have to go to the lower math band and join Miss Jackson's class."

My jaw dropped. "B-but... That means you'll be out of the band!"

"I guess so," he frowned. "And Brendon mentioned that Miss Jackson's quite nasty."

"...Then I'll teach you, if you wanna." 

"Really??"

"Yeah, anything to make sure you stay in the band." Math was the only class we had together, and it would be horrible if it was no longer the case... I would barely get to see Josh anymore. And that would also mean losing to Debby, since they had Biology together.

I felt slightly guilty at this moment. My inner thoughts sounded like I was only agreeing to teach him for my own benefit...not his.

"Great! Being taught by the math genius, I won't have to face Miss Jackson anymore," he laughed.

You're a horrible person, Tyler.

Sigh.

"You have less than two months, though... We'll have to hurry."

"What's the rush?" he threw his hands up. "Just slow down and chill, Ty! I've got a surprise for you at my place."