Not As Fine As I Seem

Chapter 11

Tyler's POV

We stumble through the darkness, trying to get to my treehouse. I wasn't sure what he wanted, I was just happy that he wanted to see me and is safe.

"You first," I say, gesturing to the ladder, trying to be funny.

Josh climbs up the ladder nimbly, getting to the top in a matter of seconds. I try to climb up, it takes a while but I finally get up, I'm not the fittest of people....

"So why did you want to see me?" I ask him once we'd both sat down in the treehouse, it was pretty empty but there were a few pillows on the floor.

"Well I uhh... I'm sorry about earlier... and I realised that best friends tell each other everything.... so, I came to tell you about my mum..." he whispers.

"Are you sure? You don't have to!" I quickly say, not wanting to pressure him.

He takes a while to respond, "no... you should know," he finally says, "well my parents used to fight a lot but, they still loved each other, I knew it. One day I came home early and found my dad..... um...." his voice wavers.

"You okay?" I ask, worried about him.

"Yeah, yeah.... he, my dad was with another... woman.... he was having an affair, he told me not to tell my mum and that he was never going to do it again... but he lied," he whispers, possibly crying, it's too dark to see in he treehouse.

"I didn't tell my mum.... I'm not sure why, I guess I just didn't want them to get a divorce. Well I... stupid little me....gets angry at my dad one day and decides to tell my mum..."

"What's so bad about that? You're dad's not a good guy."

"Well... my mum was upset with me because I um.... hadn't told her... for 5 years..."

"Oh..." I say, shocked. That's quite a long time.

"So, she obviously got a divorce and kicked out me and dad, which is understandable. I'm a jerk...."

"No! It's not your fault! Please don't blame yourself, it's your dad's fault. You just didn't want to hurt your mum," I shout, trying to convince him.

"I wish I could believe that..." he whispers, now sobbing, "but my dad's right, it's my fault..."

"No! He's not, he's a horrible person!"

"Sorry... Tyler, I need to go... my dad might wake up soon," he says apologetically.

"Josh, please don't go! It's not safe there, stay at my house for a while, my parents won't mind!" I beg him, I just wanted him to be safe.

"I'm sorry Tyler, my dad will get angry.... I'll be fine, see you Monday?"

"Not sooner? Can't we meet again tomorrow?" I desperately ask.

"Probably best if we don't see each other outside of school... sorry, it's just what's best. I don't want my dad to.... uh... get annoyed at me for leaving all the time."

"Okay..." I whisper sadly, "if it's for the best...."

"Goodbye Tyler, I'll miss you."

"See you Monday..." I say as he starts to climb down the ladder.

I just lay there, in my uncomfortable treehouse, hoping that Josh'll be okay. He should be, he's a tough cookie.

I watch the stars twinkle in the deep sky, the moonlight illuminates the trees, it was beautiful. I could just sit here forever.... if only I had Josh.