S L O W T O W N

Stick To The Walls

It didn't start until later that night, and Tyler was there early, he knew Josh's family wanted to know him better, or know him at all.

Tyler sat with his hands squished between his thighs, beside Josh, at the dining table while his mother prepared snacks and main dishes for tonight's event. Jordan, at the end of the table was eyeing Tyler, eyes flickering from Josh to his friend, smirking to himself as he sucked on the lollipop he had pinched from one of the party bags.

Abby, bouncing in her seat, couldn't stop staring at Tyler, the unnerving silence making Tyler anxious.

Josh, the first to speak, clears his throat and gestures to Tyler, Laura finally stopping to listen.

"So this is Tyler everyone, I hope he's everything you were expecting," Josh nervously laughs and Tyler politely smiles, looking from Abby to Jordan.

"Its nice to meet you all," he grins honestly and Jordan grunts in response, Abby waving at him.

"Hi Tyler!" She calls loudly and Josh smiles.

"You're little Abby I assume," Tyler leans on the table, matching her beaming, missing-front-toothed grin. "A little birdy told me that it's your birthday today,"

Abby gasps and looks to Josh and Jordan with shock.

"So, happy birthday," Tyler laughs as Abby bounces faster in pure excitement. Laura, standing behind Abby joins in on everyone's smiles.

Josh blows out a breath he had been holding a little too long, Tyler turning to look at him, shoving his hands back down between his thighs.

"So you live alone?" Laura strikes up and turns back to the oven, Tyler feels his pulse quicken a little, that nervousness from before hitting him like a truck.

"For now but my parents are coming home soon, they work in the music industry," Tyler stares at the table, praying no more questions were fired his way.

"Oh Josh's father used to work with musicians," Laura fondly smiles at the memory of her husband. Tyler nods, pushing the conversation from himself.

"What's his name?"

"Bill, well, William," Laura peeks over her shoulder and Tyler glances over to Josh who is in some weird staring contest with his brother, Tyler thought their expressions looked a little angry, Jordan twirling his tongue around the candy, Josh with a hard set jaw.

"Is he at work right now?" Tyler moves his attention from the brothers, Laura stopping and sighing.

"He passed away dear,"

"Oh," Tyler swallows. "Sorry," a guilty twitch in his stomach.

Abby points to Tyler, Josh breaking the  glaring at his brother once his peripheral catches Abby's little arm fly out and jab towards Tyler.

"What's wrong with your neck?"

Tyler immediately reaches up and covers his scars with both hands, eyes glueing themselves to his legs. His lungs fill to the top with fire, fear and fright in his eyes.

"Abby!" Josh snaps, his little sister not even caring about the fact Tyler was now trying to hide his insecurities behind his dirty feeling hands. Jordan turns to his sister and whispers something to her, a guilty look crosses her face and she too, whispers an apology.

Josh stands, tapping Tyler to try and gesture for him to also stand, which he does, and grabs Josh's hand in pure instinct. Josh quickly tucks both their hands behind his back, Jordan laughing, already seeing what Josh was desperately trying to hide.