Down In The Forest

Chapter 14

Josh's P.O.V.

I sit on the bed staring at the floor. He's not fine. He knows he's not fine. I know we've only known each other for just over a month, but we're really close so why can't he just tell me?  Five minutes later he's still in there. I get up and walk over to the door of the bathroom. I knock on the door.

"Tyler?" No response. I knock again but louder. "Tyler, please you're really worrying me." Once again no answer. I began to feel desperation. I need to know what's happening; I need to know he's OK. Another two minutes and nothing. I slam my first against the door.

"Tyler, come out!" I practically shout. "Please," I add, much quieter. The lock on the door clicks and the door opens. Out comes Tyler, looking as if nothing had happened.

"Can we pretend that never happened?" He asks. All I do is sigh.

"What happened," I say firmly. He looks at me intensely.

"It never happened," he replies just as firmly.

"You can't keep pretending this stuff never happens, because it does. I know it happens, so you can stop pretending I don't know." He nods slowly. I feel like there's nothing I can do. He won't tell me anything. He slowly and silently walks over to the end of his bed and sits down. My feelings of anger turn to feeling of sympathy and I suddenly feel sorry for him. I sit on the end of my bed facing him.

"Sorry if I triggered anything. I didn't mean to," I say. He looks up and smiles weakly.

"It wasn't your fault," he says. I move to sit next to him.

"As long as you're OK." I put my arm around him.

"Yeah, thanks. Sorry." 

"What for?" 

"It's not the first time this has happened. It's probably tiring for you."

"It's no problem, seriously."

"You're like the only person who cares," Tyler sighs sadly.

"That's so not true. Everyone in our group cares. Your family cares," I say a bit louder and happier, trying to lighten the atmosphere.

"Yeah..." My hand moves so it's on his shoulder. He rests his head on my shoulder. "Thank you" he whispers. 

"No problem."

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After the afternoon's activities and dinner we retreat to the our rooms. Tomorrow we have orienteering as our activity. It's going too quickly; I don't like it. Tyler sits next to me on my narrow bed as we watch the TV. The rain pounds against the skylight in our room as the evening takes over. No words are spoken for a while, but there's no tension. 

"I'm dying my hair soon," I say, breaking the silence. He turns quickly.

"Really? Cool! What color?" He asks, intrigued.

"Uh... Either red or blue, not exactly sure yet. What do you think?" He thinks for a bit.

"I like red, I think red would look cool on you."

"Yeah, I was leaning towards red."

"Is it allowed?" I shrug.

"Pffft. They can't really do anything about it after I've done it can they?"

"Rebel," he smiles.

"I know." For a few seconds we just smile at each other before facing back towards the TV. It's a terrible film but I don't really care at this point. It's relaxing hearing the rain outside. The teacher comes around and tells us we need to go to bed but once again we completely ignore her.