Down In The Forest

Chapter 6

Tyler's P.O.V

'I was just getting started,' are the words I hear in my head when I wake up. I don't  want to go to school, but I don't want to tell anyone and I won't. My mum would
NOT let me stay at home for no reason. Maybe I could walk half way and just...disappear? I know! If I walk with Josh then maybe he won't kill me

'Are you Ok to walk to school?'

I'm too anxious to eat breakfast, so I skip that and I get dressed. I don't  need to get my bag ready because I leave all of my things in my locker. I hear a vibration coming from my phone. My hands are shaking as I check the text.

'Sorry, I can't today, but I promise we'll do it tomorrow. Sorry Tyler'

I feel my heartbeat quicken.
"You're dead."
I am dead. I have no one to protect me from him and I can't stick up for myself. I have no chance, but I'm already late so I need to get going. I take a deep breath and exit the house. 
"It's not Jason's fault you're easy to pick on,"
"Not helping..." I say quietly. Why do I talk to it? I walk slowly, anxiety ever building up in my stomach. Each step I take I'm getting closer to the worst minutes of my life. I'm going to get there eventually, no matter how slowly I walk.
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I stand and stare at the iron gates of the school from the corner of the road.
I can't keep on letting him win. As I approach the gates, I try to think if there was any other way to get in as I can see Jason and his clique waiting. I probably should've stayed inside my house. They see me, It's too late to turn around and run. 
I walk past them, hoping that maybe they forgot about it, but of course they hadn't. I feel someone's hands pull my hair and I am jerked backwards. 
"You don't know what you've gotten yourself into freak." He drew his arm back in the air and I brace myself for the pain. It's not like there were many people to see it, I was very early. I shut my eyes. Suddenly I see Gerard launch himself at Jason and knocks him sideways. 
"Back off our friend, Jason." He said. He pronounces Jason as if it's an insult. Soon the rest of my friends walk over, our group is bigger than his, and he notices.
"Whatever, this isn't over. And you," he says pointing at Gerard, "You better stay on that side of the street motherfucker," he motions to a pavement on the opposite side of the street, "Or I'll knock you out."
"I don't think you will," Michael states defiantly. 
"Ugh," Jason and his gang walk off.
"You Ok?" Pete asks.
"Uh...I'm fine. Thank you."
"He's such an asshole." Patrick says.
"You can say that again." Josh says.

Josh's P.O.V

We line up for the coach to go to swimming. Usually I would go in a three with Brendon and Ryan, Melanie would sit with Michael and Patrick would sit with Pete, but this time I wanted to sit next to Tyler.
"Do you want to sit next to me on the coach?
I ask.
"Yeah, if you want," he replies shyly.
"If I didn't want to I wouldn't be asking would I?"
"I guess not," he smiles at the ground. Why is he so fricking adorable? 
"Great!" We line up in alphabetical order. 
None of my friends are next to me or close to me in the register so I'm stood alone. Out of the corner of my eye I can see Tyler looking at me. When I turn to face him he looks away. Finally our teacher completes the register and we board the coach.
"Do you want to sit by the window or what?" I ask.
"Is it OK if I sit by the window?" 
"Of course."
The engine of the coach starts as the teacher lectures us on how phones are not allowed and how me must keep our seatbelt a on. It's only a 5 minute drive to the place we go for swimming. We could walk there in 10 minutes and it would cost less, well nothing. 
"You any good at swimming?" I ask.
"Meh, I'm Ok. I don't really see the point, I mean I can swim, I won't drown if I fall in water, but that's all I need to know. Why do I need to learn the different kinds of strokes and things if all I need to do is float? It's not like it's what I want to do in the future." I hadn't though of it this way.
"Yeah, I know what you mean. What DO you want to do in the future?"
"I'm pretty set on becoming a musician of some sort."
"Really? What do you play?"
"I sing and play the piano, ukulele and a few other things as well."
"Wow, impressive." I wonder if I'll ever get to hear him sing.
"Will I ever hear you sing?"
"Maybe," he said smiling a little.
"I play drums. That's what I want to do in life and that's what I am going to do in life. I've got no plan B, I can't have it any other way."
He nods.
"Will I ever get to hear you play drums?"
"Maybe..."

Tyler's P.O.V

We arrive at the swimming centre a couple of minutes later. It's cool how into music he is, like me. I wonder if he's any good. I'd imagine so. We enter the building and the boys split from the girls into their separate changing rooms. They are small and cramped, there is barely enough room for all of 10 boys, let alone 23. As I get changed into my swimming stuff I notice to my confusion marks on the skin of my thighs. Oh God, the cutting scars. I run to the toilet ms to try and sort out the problem. I stared at the scars, hoping that's if I concentrated hard enough they might disappear within the next couple of minutes. How will the others react when they see? And Josh? 
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It's been a couple of minutes now and the cuts haven't faded in the slightest.
"You could just hide here forever,"
I can't hide in here forever, I'll have to go out at some point. I turn the handle reluctantly and present myself to the rest of the changing room and walk over to my space. Josh is already changed and my jaw drops slightly at the sight of him without a shirt.
"You Ok? Tyler? Tyler are you Ok?"
"Huh what? Yeah I'm fine..." It's only a matter of seconds before he notices...
3....
2....
1....
He looks at my lower thigh and his mouth hangs open slightly for a second before looking up to my eyes again. I feel ashamed, I feel utterly ashamed of myself. I feel as though I have disappointed him, and for me, that's the worst feeling in the world. 

Josh's P.O.V

I can see the look of shame on his face. I know that look all too well.  
"Please don't judge me, you're the best friend I ever had," he pleads as tears start to push through from behind his eyes. I don't judge him for that, I couldn't. 
"Don't worry Tyler, I'd be a pretty crap friend if I let that change anything, and you deserve better." I'm just glad Jason isn't here to see this.
"Thanks."
"But listen, if you need help just call or text me, I'm here for you and I want to help. Do you understand?"
"Yes..." he says as he nods his head slowly. I put my hand on his shoulder reassuringly.
"Come on let's go,"

Tyler's P.O.V

Despite Josh's talk, I'm still incredibly self concessions about my scars. I just want to get it the water.
"Everyone can see them, everyone."
I'm lost in my thoughts so I can't hear what the teacher is saying, although I have heard the words 'diving' and 'partners'. Josh nudges me at the word partners.
"yeah," I mouth. He probably had actually listened so I follow him.
"So, what are we actually doing I kind of zoned out."
"What is it that goes on in your brain?" He joked. I just shrug.
"We're practicing diving before doing a relay."
"Oh right."
Josh tries first. He positions himself and then dives perfectly. Once he is out of the water I clap, he bows. I'm Ok at diving I guess, not the best though. I position myself at the edge of the pool. Josh puts his hands on my hips and adjusts them slightly. I think I just died on the inside.
"That should be better." I feel my face burn bright red.
"Tyler, you're blushing."
"Am I? Oh God sorry." He giggles and ruffles my hair. 
"Try it now." I launch myself off the floor and dive in. From what I felt it didn't seem too bad.
"That was good!"
"Not as good as yours though."
"Nah, mine wasn't THAT good."
"Please," 
Afterwards we move onto relays, our clique makes up one relay team, and we win 3 out of 5 times. After some more useless things we do, the lesson ends and we get changed back into our uniforms and back on the coach.

Josh's P.O.V

We get back on the coach and Tyler sits by the window again. 
"You're really good at swimming," He says.
"You're pretty good as well, but as you said before, it's useless for me. The teacher once again repeats the information we hear before every coach journey we make before we set off back to school. Tyler stares out of the window; he looks deep in thought.
"So what's going through your mind now?"
"I honestly have no idea,"
"Yeah right,"
"Seriously, just random stuff like people, places, songs, and stuff like that."
"People like me?" I over exaggerate a smile.
"You're one of them."
"Aw,"
He leans against the window and carries on staring. I lean against his shoulder as well. I don't know why, it just feels right.