𝙟𝙤𝙨𝙝𝙡𝙚𝙧 | 𝘴𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘳𝘢𝘻𝘰𝘳𝘣𝘭𝘢𝘥𝘦𝘴

<•> Chapter 2 <•>

Class soon ended as the bell yelled for everyone to change periods, Tyler got up at the obnoxious yet reliving noise, "So, what's your next class man?"

Tyler watched the curly haired boy scan a paper on the top of his binder, he began to walk towards the door, leaving Tyler to follow. "I have.. Band" he smiled fondly at the sheet.

"Ah, so what do you play? I'm pretty much everywhere music wise"

Josh grinned, he could talk about music all day but summed it up to, "I play drums.. but I think I'm going to settle for trumpet" Tyler nodded to his new friends words.

"hey, so I figured you're gonna be lonely during lunch.. You're free to sit with me if you want.. Brendon might be there with his friends, but don't count on it, they skip lunch and watch porn in the library" Tyler chuckled.

"Oh, um sure! That sounds great actually"

"See ya later josh"

The two parted ways, letting them get to class on time without really much hassle. Tyler had returned back to his quiet self, keeping his eyes down to avoid any judgmental stares.

————

Josh, he didn't have many problems today.

Josh walked into third, grinning as he spotted Brendon from afar. After taking a seat, the two talked about random shit, until Josh brought up the topic of Tyler.

"So, what about Tyler.. what's his story?" Josh hummed, scribbling a few lines on his paper to seem like he was working. It was Art, and his first day of it too, so he let himself slack off. It took Josh a second to realized that Brendon stopped talking, making him glance up at the boy.

"Tyler.. he... He's been through a lot" brendon finally said at a gentle whisper, meeting eyes with Josh.

"I don't mean to pry but.. what do you mean?" Josh's brows furrowed, he could read people well, but the fact he was right about Tyler having something going on made him deflate a little.

"I've been friends with him for god knows how long.. he's just- he's got a lot of stuff going on in his head 'n hates showing it to people. I've sat through so many of his episodes, listening him go on about being normal and stuff.. He is a normal person I promise ! just- has a lot of thoughts"

That was the first time he'd seen Brendon talk seriously, Tyler's mental state seemed like a sensitive subject to him. It made him think he wasn't always like this. "Mm.. sorry I asked.. I really hope he gets the help he needs" Josh said gently, flashing a sorry smile to only earn one back from Brendon.

"Yea, me too"

————

Soon the bell rang, letting hungry teens his age escape to the cafeteria to get some lunch.

Josh had followed brendon, until he parted ways with him at the library close to the cafeteria.

He spotted Tyler easily, he was sitting alone outside, but one thing he found odd was that the boy didn't have a lunch. Josh, who made sure to pack extra in case he stayed after school to get into clubs or what not- made a mental note to offer him something.

"Hey ty.."

"Hey jish.. uhm.. no brendon?"

Josh giggled at the nickname whilst giving a gentle nod. he sat himself next to the smaller boy, and gently placed his lunchbox down, watching Tyler's face show a slight disgust.

"Mm not hungry?" Josh asked, feeling a pit in his stomach, making feel bad for eating in front of the other.

"I guess you could say that" Tyler smiled sadly.

Josh nodded and slowly tucked his lunch box to the side next to him. He didn't want to make the other uncomfortable, he smiled politely.

The pink haired boy inhaled gently, he felt a familiar feeling crawl up his throat, Fuck, he really didn't need this right now. Josh didn't even know what set it off, making it sink into his lungs.

His anxiety was something Josh always dealt with, he took medication for it every morning to get him through the day. Today though, it seemed it got lost within the morning rush.

Tyler's fingers played at the tiny holes in the table, keeping himself busy since Josh wasn't talking. The boy being here was more then enough, he was kinda glad that the comfortable silence was there.

Fingers stopped moving when he felt the boy next to him put his head down, he averted his gaze over, nervous that he might've done something wrong. As soon as he heard the others breathing pick up he knew exactly what was happening.

A sad grin sat on his lips, feeling josh's legs gently bouncing under the table.

Tyler was annoyed with himself he didn't realize it sooner. He knew how anxiety attacks were, how painful and terrifying they can get.

"Hey.. Joshua..? It's Tyler.. Is it okay if I touch you?"

Tyler had been in his place before, he knew what to do. He watched the nod Josh gave him.

comforting fingers rubbed at Josh's back, he felt his heart sink when soft sobs left his lips.

"Shh.. You're okay Josh. Are you here with me?"

He nodded.

"I'm going to grab your hand okay? And i'm going to put it on my chest.. and we're going to breathe together." Tyler did just that, the older boy gently lifting himself up to face the other.

A face red with tears met him, Josh looked  frustrated with himself, probably embarrassed.

"Are you ready jishwa..? Just follow my breathing.." He inhaled "In," he exhaled, "Out."

Too busy following the feeling under his finger tips, he didn't even realize Tyler's hand over his. They repeated this a while, until josh was back on earth, smiling sadly at Tyler.

"I'm.. I'm sorry" Josh said softly, embarrassment truly setting in. He just cried and carried on in front of someone he just met not even four hours ago,

"Hey, don't apologize for something like that.. It happens to me too. You dont have to tell me what it was about, I'm just glad I could help  out"

The words left Tyler, and felt weird coming from his lips, normally he was on the receiving end, apologizing and sobbing. Josh wasn't sobbing though.

All he could think about was how sweet Tyler had been to Josh and Josh had barely even know him.

"Thank you.. Really"

The brunette hadn't realized but he they were still holding hands, nothing crazy, but when he did notice he gently pulled away, leaving both boys slightly embarrassed.

Josh opened his mouth to speak but was interrupted by the bell, smiling embarrassed. "Uhm.. thank you for letting me sit here, I really appreciate it"

"No problem really.. it gets kinda lonely here"

"I'll- I'll see you later?" Josh really didnt mean for it to sound like a question, awkwardly gathering his uneaten lunch.

"You bet" Tyler smiled, leaving them to part ways.