True Colors (joshler, multi-fandom)

3 - Waiting for the Morning to Begin

This is it. Today's the day. "Look on the bright side," he tells himself. "You'll see all your friends again and you won't be put in classes with all complete strangers." He gets up and turns on the tiny lamp on his bedside table. It's just as light in his room as it is in mid-morning with only the sunlight filling his room, except this little light is a sticky yellow. He stares at his closet and rubs his eyes. He rarely ever cares about what he wears, but on the first day back, it's his first impression. To prove the new freshmen he has himself together, and to prove his friends, classmates, and teachers he hasn't lost his mind or stopped caring about himself over the summer. Today and today only, he takes the time to decide what to wear: a light aqua green polo shirt with white stripes, and the one pair of light blue jeans he has. Bleached, yes, but it's better than the same five pairs of black skinny jeans he wears every day that can't be told apart though they're made by different brands, from different stores.

He puts his socks on. White instead of red or yellow, just so his soul won't fall through his toes. He slips his black Vans on, and heads out his bedroom door for breakfast.

His little brother Jay and little sister Maddy is already at the table, and because middle school starts later, Zach isn't up yet.

"Good morning, Tyler!"

Jay's in a good mood. He's only starting first grade. Tyler's just tired and a little bit afraid of how hectic the first week of school always is.

"Morning, little dude." Tyler says back and smiles. Oh boy, Tyler wants nothing more than for little Jay to stay as happy and innocent for as long as possible.

"You ready for school?" Entered Maddy.

"Oh, I'm ready as I'll ever be!"

Tyler obviously faked his enthusiasm. He just wants to sleep another hour, at least. But yet again, he woke up minutes before his alarm. Now he just looks forward to seeing his friends.
"I am too! I want all my friends to see my new stuff!"

Tyler pours himself a bowl of cereal. Reese's Puffs, to be exact. Only because they're also Josh's favorite. He sits down at the table with his younger siblings and tries to eat quickly so he can take his time with everything else he needs to do. And why not, since he can drive himself to school now.

"That's a nice shirt, Tyler." Maddy begun again. "It makes you look like pop-pop!"

Tyler smiled. Nobody else is as legendary as his pop-pop, and Tyler seems to follow in his footsteps.

He finishes his cereal. Every last bit, every last drop of milk. Then he goes to the bathroom and combs his hair, and heads his phone vibrate.

Josh: tag you're it (Delivered 7:08 a.m.)

Tyler: I'm just about to leave. You need a ride? (Delivered 7:09 a.m.)

Josh: I don't need one but I'll go with you if you want (Delivered 7:09 a.m.)

Tyler: alright. I made time just for you fren (Delivered 7:10 a.m.)

Josh: thanks fren (Delivered 7:10 a.m.)

Tyler's car is a copper colored, old Chevy. It's a hand-me-down from his dad. The sun is about to rise, making the eastern sky a light tangerine.

He unlocks the doors and puts his backpack in the back seat. Normally he would put in in the passenger seat, but Josh would be sitting there. He checks his phone for new messages before driving off, and there's one, but not from Josh.

Brendon: hey you're probably driving rn but wanna meet in the cafe on the first table where we have lunch on rainy days? (Delivered 7:15 a.m.)

Tyler: yeah I'll tell Josh b4 we get there (Delivered 7:18 a.m.)

***

Josh is waiting outside on his porch for Tyler, all ready to go, just passing his time by checking Twitter. He hears Tyler's car from down the street and watches him pull up in his driveway. Tyler unlocks the doors for Josh to put his stuff in the back, and gets in on the passenger seat. They do their really long secret handshake, but at the end when they pull in for the hug, their faces get a little too close for comfort. It makes Josh's heart jump, but Tyler couldn't tell.

"Uh, maybe kinda angle that a little better next time." Tyler smiled as he spoke with embarrassment. Josh noticed Tyler's face flushed a little.

There was a time when Tyler took his hand and ran out with him in the rain, there was a time when they jumped in the pool while embracing each other, and there was a time when he leaned on Tyler while waiting for the first bell to ring. They were alone together in the band hall, when Josh had a bad night, and was having a bad morning. None of those times had warranted a reaction like this. Maybe because it was unexpected. That must be it. Those other times were completely voluntary and didn't shock him like this.

"It was a slip-up, stop thinking about it." Josh told himself. He snapped out of it and they're already halfway to school.

"Tired?" Tyler asked.

"Yeah," Josh answered. "Still not used to this schedule."

Tyler nods. "Understandable."

Josh, despite his efforts, kept thinking about that hug and hardly spoke at all the whole time. He stared out the window, at the orange clouds, wondering if Tyler felt the same shock? Is Josh...?
No. That can't be true. It was just shock. Just shock. Then why can't he stop thinking about it?

They pulled into the student parking lot. "Oh yeah. Brendon said we should meet him at the front table where we have lunch on a rainy day." Tyler finally said.

"Okay." Josh nodded. Tyler pulled into an empty spot, they got their backpacks out of the back seat and headed inside.