STRANGERS » JOSHLER

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Josh is sprawled all over couch, lazily flipping through channels. Melanie has been on the phone since the last ten minutes, and judging from the occasional giggles and laughs, Josh is sure she's talking to Ashley. 

After all, the blue-haired woman's everything that she'd talked about ever since they came back home an hour ago. 

Josh checks his phone for any message from Ashley .. Tyler seemed a bit off earlier and Josh was worried if it was because of something he did. He doesn't remember doing anything that could piss him off, but still. He can't get the brunette off his mind. 

There are no message notifications. Josh thinks for a few seconds and then groans as he realizes he forgot to give her his number. How was she supposed to text without having his number in the first place? 

"What's up?" Melanie says, plopping on the space Josh makes by scooting to the side.

"Nothing at all." Josh replies, eyes back on the TV screen. Yet the face of a familiar brown haired man kept flashing behind his eyes. Speaking of which, he still hasn't told her that his Tyler was her boss.

"Is there something you want to tell me, Josh?" Melanie asks, sweetly. Josh swallows, contemplating telling her. She wouldn't refrain him from seeing Tyler just because he was her boss, would she? 

"Um, no." Josh says, eyes still on the lit screen. 

"Are you sure, Josh?" 

"Y-Yeah." 

A minute of silence, before Melanie sighs. 

"Okay." She says nonchalantly, fixating her eyes on the television as well. 

The only sound in the room is the sound coming from the TV, and the slight tapping of Josh's leg as he bounces it up and down. He wasn't used to keeping things from Melanie, but he didn't want to lose his chances of seeing Tyler. 

"Stop fidgeting." Melanie mumbles, turning her head to the side. Josh mutters an apology and she breathes out, "Is there something bothering you?" 

Josh swallows again. Melanie would never do that to him. She's always been supportive of every decision he made. Why would that change now? 

He closes his eyes, inhaling deeply, "Actually, there is something I think you should know." 

"Oh?" Melanie simply says, and Josh regrets his decision. No turning back now. Melanie sits up properly, and shuts off the TV. She faces Josh and gives him a reassuring smile. "You know I'd never judge you, right?" 

"Yeah.. " Josh mutters, opening his eyes. He doesn't sit up, just stares at the ceiling. "You know Tyler? As in Tyler Joseph, your boss?" 

"Mm-hm, mm-hm." Melanie hums, and he closes his eyes again. 

"He's the guy from the cafe." He pauses, "The one who uh, you know, how do I put this?" He mutters the last part to himself.

"The one who you went on this supposed date because Jake didn't show up." Melanie says, stifling a chuckle which made Josh look at her with wide eyes. 

"Yeah .. how did you know?" He asks and she smiles. 

"Ashley told me about it."