tagged // joshler

(15)

(just a head up, this is a bit of a long chapter. enjoy!)

"it's just a storm. it's just a storm. it's just a storm," josh repeated to himself, growing more anxious with every passing minute. his mind was running a mile a minute, worrying about every little thing.

where is tyler? is he okay? is he really coming? did he forget about me? why isn't he-

josh's thoughts were interrupted by the sight of tyler's car approaching. he let out a sigh of relief and was instantly less anxious. tyler jumped out of his car and walked quickly to the passenger side of josh's, getting in and facing the boy in the driver's seat.

"josh," tyler began, picking up on the boy's anxiety, "how can i help you right now?" he reached for josh's hand, which was resting on the center console. tyler's heart sunk a bit when he felt just how much josh's hands were shaking.

"i-i just needed your company. i don't know how i'm going to be able to make it home i-if the storm continues on like this." josh reached up and wiped away some of the tears which had been spilling from his eyes for quite some time now.

"well, i can't make the storm go away, but i can certainly wait here with you until it's over," tyler said, watching as the corners of josh's mouth turned up ever so slightly.

"thank you for being so understanding, tyler," josh said. "you have no idea how much you being here helps me."

tyler rubbed the back of josh's hand with his thumb, trying to make the shaking stop. "of course, josh. anything for you." he paused for a minute before he continued. "i do have to ask, though... why did you have to leave so suddenly?"

josh tensed up at tyler's question. "well, um..." he stopped. he didn't want to hurt tyler with his answer. "my mom didn't know i was here. i told her i was with my friend ashley, but i guess she found out the truth."

a puzzled look crosses tyler's face. "that's it? it seems a little extreme to make you come all the way home for that."

"well... no, that's not it. my mom... she doesn't know for sure that i'm gay, but she's paranoid that i am. i think me being with you just fuels her suspicion. and it probably didn't help that i lied about it, either."

"oh," tyler said. "i understand. i'm sorry she's not very accepting."

josh shrugged and didn't say anything else about it. he was pretty used to it by now. he wasn't going to change her mind any time soon, so there was no point in being constantly upset about it.

"hey josh," tyler said a few minutes later. "i think the rain is letting up."

josh looked up and saw that sure enough, the rain wasn't as heavy as before. the sound of the rain pounding on the roof of his car gradually faded until all that could be heard was a light tapping.

"will you be okay to drive home?" tyler asked gently. josh wiped away the last of his tears before he spoke.

"yeah, i should be okay. ill text you when i get home." he looked out of his window and squeezed tyler's hand, not wanting to let go. tyler squeezed back and gazed at him lovingly. he studied every inch of josh's profile, memorizing every tiny little detail, wanting to savor his last moments with josh. he had no idea when he'd see josh again; he wanted to be sure he'd be able to remember his stunning features for as long as possible.

"i better get going," said josh, breaking tyler out of his trance.

"y-yeah, probably." tyler reached up and tilted josh's chin toward him. "drive safe," he said, and planted a gentle kiss on his lips. tyler pulled away and looked into josh's eyes, admiring the way they seemed to shine despite their dark color. then without another word he left josh's car and headed toward his own.

josh watched him drive off and missed him almost instantly. he took a deep breath before starting his car and heading home.

~

it was late by the time josh got home--way later than he'd expected. he knew he'd be in trouble for sure if his mom were still awake, so he sat in his car for a minute before he headed in, giving him time to prepare himself for the worst. once he felt okay, he got out of his car and walked into his house.

he tried to move quietly, unsure if anybody was still up. there were no lights on in the house so he assumed he was in the clear, but he wanted to be safe. he tiptoed his way down the hall and was about to open the door to his room but he was stopped by a voice from behind him.

"joshua."

josh froze, recognizing the voice of his mother. he turned around slowly, met by the scowling face of his mother.

"you're late, joshua. explain yourself."

josh sighed. "i'm sorry. there was a bad storm, i couldn't drive in it, i had to pull over for a bit."

his mom crossed her arms. "that's a lousy excuse. you just wanted more time with that boy."

"no, that isn't-" josh began to protest but his mom spoke again before he could get another word in.

"i'm sick of you lying to me, joshua. you're not to see or contact that boy again. and you're grounded for the rest of spring break."

"mom, that's ridiculous!"

his mother raised her eyebrows. "watch your tone with me. i want your laptop and your phone, right now."

josh rolled his eyes and went into his room to grab his laptop. he handed it to his mom.

"and the phone?" she pressed. josh reached into his back pocket and placed it into her hand.

"great. now get to bed, josh. i don't want to hear any more from you tonight." and with josh's things in hand, she returned to her own room at the end of the hall.

josh couldn't believe it. why was his mom being like this? he knew there was no way he could negotiate with her, but he wished there were some way he could talk her down. he shut his door and flopped face down onto his bed.

how did such a great day become so bad?

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hey guys!! i hope you enjoy this chapter. i personally dig it, especially because it's actually a pretty long one 😂

also yall last night i had a dream that everybody i'm friends with on facebook, family & all, discovered my wattpad account. crazy stuff.

as always, thanks for reading! love you all 💓

mik