STRANGERS » JOSHLER

f i v e

"Tyler."

The said man looks up to see Ashley standing there with furrowed eyebrows. He scrunches up his own eyebrows as if to ask 'what' before going back to the papers in his hands. 

When he realizes Ashley isn't picking the hint, he sighs. Pushing the papers on the table creating yet another mess, he leans back in his chair. "What is it, Ms. Fragipane?" 

"Just call me Ashley, you idiot." The blue-haired woman rolled her eyes before asking, "Are you okay?"

Tyler's eyebrows raise. "Um, the migraine's gone, so yeah, I'm fine." Tyler says when Ashley shakes her head. 

"No, you seemed a bit off earlier when Melanie and Josh were leaving .. " Ashley trails off. 

Josh. 

That boy has been on his mind ever since he left with his 'friend'. It is just something about him that made Tyler's heart flutter. His brown eyes, his voice, his hair, his occasional blushing. He really liked the younger boy's company. 

However, Tyler maintained a poker face, saying, "I did not." 

"You did." 

"If anything, you should be the one off. I mean, the way you look at Marina- " 

"Melanie." 

Tyler waves a hand dismissively, continuing, "- it's so obvious you're in love with her." 

Ashley's jaw drops, "I am not in love with her!" She exclaims, and Tyler laughs as her cheeks tint pink. 

"Sure, sure." 

"I met her just today, Tyler. Just. Today. Since when do you believe in love at first sight?" Ashley's eyes narrow. 

 Tyler's mind immediately goes back to Josh and his awkward first 'date'. The way he chewed on his bottom lip, leg bouncing up and down in anticipation with running hands through his dark mop of hair occasionally.

"Since I met him." Tyler blurts out absentmindedly with a dazed smile on his face. Realization sinks when Ashley's narrowed eyes widen and a squeal escapes her lips. She rushes forward, sitting on one of the chairs on the opposite side of Tyler, leaning forward with a grin on her face. 

"W-What?" Tyler curses inwardly before clearing his throat.

"Tyler, who is this him?" Ashley's grin never leaves her lips and Tyler is well-aware of the heat creeping up his neck. 

"Ms. Fragipane, please leave the office I have work to do." Tyler tries but Ashley shoots him a glare. 

"That makes me sound old, so don't." The grin's back on her face, "Tell meeee." 

"Ashley, I am your boss so get out before I fire you." Tyler warns but Ashley sticks out her tongue. 

"Oh, please, Tyler. I'm like, the only friends who actually likes you for you and not for the money you possess. I'm the one who knows most of your secrets. I'm the one who sets you up on dates - which you mostly don't go on, by the way - wait, how many dates have you been to?" Ashley looks at Tyler who shrugs.