Aviary // Joshler

// CHAPTER ELEVEN

Classes at the Ballato Estate were similar yet different from the ones Tyler had done at home, before high school. Back then, he'd sit around at the dining room table with his mom and work through the textbooks with her. Here, he was on his own a bit more, which was unfamiliar but nice, and Miss Lindsey was still there to assist if he needed help. And, of course, there were the other children there with him.

After school, he'd usually go outside with them. The weather wasn't too bad, and so Tyler rather enjoyed being ou. Usually, they'd all lay around in the grass, talking or drawing or reading, or they'd just go to the garden.

Sometimes, a bird would fly down from the trees and land on the grass near Tyler, chirping in greeting. Brendon was absolutely fascinated with Tyler's abilities, it seemed, and one afternoon, he was able to coax a dove into letting the younger boy pet it. Jenna, on the other hand, stayed clear from the birds when they came, probably because they'd always eye up her moths like they were considering snatching one up as a snack.

Josh didn't join the other children, most of the time, choosing to stay indoors and read instead. This kind of disappointed Tyler, who was still intrigued by the yellow-haired boy. He wanted to spend more time with him, get to know him a little. He didn't know Josh's special abilities, even; although, he did know that wasn't something you could just ask. Josh certainly seemed to be a private person in that sense.

One afternoon, just as he had finished with studies, Tyler chose to go to the library rather than the garden. As he'd suspected, Josh was sitting in one of the window seats, book in hand. The library had huge windows, almost floor-to-ceiling, with bench seats littered with pillows.

"What are you reading?" Tyler asked as he approached. He twiddled his thumbs in the pocket of his sweatshirt.

Josh seemed startled at the other boy's appearance, and he snapped his book shut. "Nothing."

Tyler tilted his head slightly, and Josh sighed, surrendering. "Fine. I was reading Sense and Sensibility."

The brunette beamed brightly. "That's great! How do you like it?"

"I'm only on the second chapter." Josh sat up against the window, book in his lap, and glanced at Tyler. Slightly surprised, he realized that Josh was making room for him to sit, and he did so. It was warm, with the sunlight coming in through the window, and the tips of Tyler's combat boots were touching those of Josh's black vans. It felt almost intimate, and Tyler was practically giddy at the sign of companionship. He tried not to let it show on his face.

"It's a bit romantic for me," Josh went on after Tyler sat down. "I usually just read adventure stories."

"But do you like it?" Tyler pressed.

Josh shrugged. "It's okay. Well-written," he admitted, after a moment. "I can understand why you like it, I guess."

Tyler smiled. "I should read Huckleberry Finn, then, and give you my review."

"Maybe you should." Josh lifted the book up again and began to read.

It was comfortable there, in that window with Josh, and so Tyler didn't mind just sitting in silence. Stuffing his hands into the pocket of his hoodie, he tilted his head towards the sun, letting its warm rays soothe him for a few moments.

Eventually, though, he got bored, and his mind began to wander. Almost curiously, he nudged Josh's shoe with his own. His heart skipped a beat when Josh glanced up at him. "What?"

"Do you want to go out by the pond with me?"

Josh blinked. "Why?"

Tyler bit the corner of his lip, thinking for a moment. "Why not?"

A/N: I'm going on vacation seeya bois

Also if y'all are into Brallon maybe check out my new book? I would really appreciate it

Stay frosty xx