the florist ❀ joshler

(16) aloe

healing, protection, affection

❀

josh did not want to go to school that day, and neither did tyler, really.

they were both in miserable moods, and they both had something to confront each other about. essentially the same thing, actually.

josh's dad was taking a day off work, and whenever he was there in the mornings, he made pancakes for everyone in the house. so at least josh had a good breakfast to look forward to. tyler remained sloth-like in getting ready.

mornings were always slow for him, though, so it wasn't much of a change from his usual routine. this one was just held down by something.

neither tyler nor josh knew how or when they'd approach one another. maybe at the end of the day, or during their one class together. no, the latter might draw attention. maybe lunch?

the whole point was, the two were both equally resentful to the idea, but they both equally felt it was the right thing to do. obviously.

❀

"and... je suis fini. no more of that bullshit."

"dude, it's j'ai fini. you basically just said you're dead but alright," josh laughs. "why'd you leave  this project to the last minute anyway, ash?"

"because i can. also fuck off with your basic french knowledge. it's not my fault i'd rather say i'm deceased."

josh shrugs, pushing his food around. "alright."

"you do you, hon," dallon says as he pops a grape in his mouth.

"i will, and that includes finishing a project the lunch before it's due, josh," ashley shoots a glare at the aforementioned boy.

"i'm just saying, i'm pretty sure that project is worth, like, at least five percent of your grade, so..."

"your point is...?"

"i can't win with you."

"ex-actly."

"that wasn't—" josh cuts himself off when he feels someone grab his arm.

"josh, can i talk to—"

ashley's expression becomes sour. "what do you want now, tyler?" she practically spits.

"i just want to talk to josh," he responds quietly.

"yeah, well i'm sure he doesn't want to talk to you. so kindly fuck off."

josh sighs. "actually, ash, um, i-i'm gonna go with him."

ashley's expression falters, but it stays mostly irritated. "are you sure, j?"

"yes, ash. i'll see you in bio," josh gets up taking his lunch with him. both ashley and dallon watch him throw out his food before disappearing off with tyler.

"i should've punched him harder. he doesn't even have a bruise," ashley mutters, clearly upset.

"i think you should calm down, in all honesty. violence isn't always the answer, ashley frangipane," dallon tuts. "besides, i think josh is capable of making his own decisions."

"i know, but i don't want him even breathing the same air as that asshole."

"we can't all get what we want, ash."

"well i mean..."

"what did i just say about violence?"

❀

"so now that you're out of ashley's attack range, what'd you want to talk to me about? this better not be about me forgiving you, 'cause i still haven't."

"i... i wanted to have a proper conversation about this whole thing."

"that's... that's it?"

"uh, yes?" tyler looks at josh confusedly.

"sorry, i was just saying that because i was actually going to approach you about that too, i just... didn't end up doing so," josh chuckles weakly.

"josh, i—" tyler takes a deep breath. "i wanted to tell you this maybe for the past while now? i already said it, i guess, but you didn't hear so i suppose it doesn't count, but i... i kinda, uh, sorta, um, like... you. if that makes any sense."

josh stays quiet, having no idea how to answer. he could see some panic and perhaps some disappointment start to set on tyler's face.

"oh my god. i've made it more weird now. i-i'm sorry, i really shouldn't have—i should of left it when i told you at your house; the words were out, yet you didn't hear them, and—"

"i heard it. that you liked me. i heard that when you told me the first time," josh blurts.

"you... you what?" tyler's voice breaks into a whisper.

"i didn't want to say anything. i-i didn't know what to say anyway," josh continues. "i'm so sorry, i really should of said something earlier. then, actually, would have been better. i'm sorry, i really didn't think anything through."

"no, you didn't," tyler replies, monotonous. "guess that makes two of us."

"but, um, tyler?"

"hm?"

"i kinda-sorta like you too."

❀

sorry for another late update i think my teachers are out to get me
also sorry for my gross writing ✌️
and, haha, french. i snuck it in there. oops.
before i forget i published a book called "plus vite que ton corps" a few weeks ago (??) even if u don't wanna read it check out the song it's by pierre lapointe it's good i stan his music so much its not even funny his voice is so soothing and u gh
anyway, i gotta get going. see y'all later

-parker