Is Not Saving Someone The Same As Killing Them? || Joshler (Bromance)

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Tyler: Hey, man

Josh: Hey, Tyjo

Tyler: You wanna do something tonight?

Josh: Sure, like what?

Tyler: Idk. I just need to get out of my head rn.

Josh: Alright, maybe I could come over and we can shoot some hoops?

Tyler: That would work. My parents don't get back until late, one of my siblings has something idk

Josh: Alright, cool. See ya in a couple class periods

***

Josh waited for Tyler at the side entrance to the school, his back and one foot pressed against the red-brown bricked wall. Like those really grunge photos you always see on That Side of Tumblr that always have really heavy filters and obvious amounts of editing. He had his earbuds in as he waited and was just going to change the song when Tyler was at his elbow. Josh looked up and pulled out an earbud, realizing it was Tyler he beamed one of his radiant smiles and shoved his phone and earbuds into his camo jacket pocket.

"Ready, bro?"

"Yeah," Tyler waited for Josh to grab his bag from the ground and then they both headed out, south he thought, but who cares when you're just walking the same boring half mile from your high school to your own driveway.

About halfway there Tyler still hadn't said anything at all so Josh spoke up, "You alright, man?"

"Hm? Oh yeah, I'll be fine. Just need to get my mind off things." Tyler kicked a stone off the sidewalk.

"You know you can talk to me anytime you need to. About anything."

"I know." Tyler looked at Josh and smiled when he still held the same worried expression, "Thanks."

Josh smiled in return and they both walked on. Soon, they were in Tyler's driveway and they both threw their bags up onto the little step at the door. Tyler grabbed the basketball from inside the open garage, closing it afterwards so that they wouldn't have to chase the ball all the way in anytime they missed a shot. The goal was mounted on the front of the house, centered above the garage door at about eight feet high.

"Here," Tyler bounce-passed the ball to Josh who caught it, dribbled and took a shot at the goal. It clanged against the backboard, ran around the rim and finally dropped into the net. Dramatic.

"Do you wanna play Around-The-World or 'King'?" Josh asked as he rebounded the ball after Tyler's shot missed.

"King sounds good." Tyler still wasn't completely focused on the here and now.

Josh shot the ball into the basket, perfect 3-point swish. Tyler grabbed the ball and dribbled back to the spot that Josh stood, one foot poked out so Tyler knew exactly where to stand. Tyler shot. Missed.

"Ty, where you at, buddy?" Josh held the ball in his hands.

"Slowtown." Tyler answered before playfully smacking the ball out of Josh's hands and chuckling, "You better hold onto that better, butterfingers."

"I'll be holding onto your neck in a moment, jerk!" Josh laughed and got the ball just before it rolled into the currently empty street. It looked like it had just been repaved not too long ago. He took a shot from where he was standing 'just to see'. He missed, of course.

Tyler made the next shot, luckily Josh mimicked and didn't earn his own 'K'.

An hour later, Tyler and Josh were tied, both only needed a 'G'. Tyler paused before making his shot. He lowered his arms, ball still in hand, "Josh. What's the point?"

Josh didn't know what Tyler was talking about at first but then it clicked, "Well. Everybody's got purpose. Everyone's different. But maybe the beginning of our own purpose is defeating our demons and creating something Better. Better with a capital-B."

Tyler thought about it for a moment but didn't say anything more, just took his shot. Josh assumed what he said had been good enough for Tyler. Tyler just didn't want to bum Josh out; he still didn't see a reason.