Intro: Narrator's POV
Since the day that Tyler had started going back to school, after his attempt, things had gotten a bit better than they had been.
Tyler could now speak to Josh with a stutter that was hardly noticeable, unless they were in public that is, and Tylers cuts and bruises had been healing well. They were still noticeable, but the brunette managed to keep them well hidden.
As for Tyler and Josh's relationship, the boys had obviously grown closer but neither of them were confident enough to bring up the topic in conversation, not yet at least.
Josh however had been taking the time to look for apartments near their school and they had finally found The One. Although it was still empty and they needed to move their things in, the boys were excited as they walked up the stairs to their new home.
Josh's POV
I ran my cold fingers through my thick, curly, newly dyed hair as I watched Tyler,the boy i had come to know and love, practically jumping up and down with excitement. We were finally going to get our own place and get out of Jenna's hair, although her cooking,and company, would be dearly missed.
Tyler turned to me once I got the key to the door out of my pocket, as we stood in the hall,in front of room 112. I watched his eyes spark as he beamed up at me. I turned the key and opened the door for him to walk in ahead of me.
This apartment wasn't just another set of rooms for us. No,this apartment meant freedom and safety for the both of us. Which was the reason Tyler was so ecstatic.
My eyes widened as I saw how homey and perfect this place was.
It was very modern in style and it was honestly the kind of place I had always dreamed of living in.
Upon stepping through the front door there was a wall to the left with a mounted coat rack and further along that same wall was a small wooden bistro table just big enough for two. To the right there were light grey painted cabinets with what imitated black marble countertops. A kitchen island sat in the middle-right of the medium sized room and the counters were along the far right wall and wrapped around to the fridge which stood beside the door.
The wall that separated the livingroom from the kitchen was only two thirds of a wall that started from the far right corner of the kitchen.
Walking past the bistro table to the left the wall turned into a hallway with three small stairs that let to the two bedrooms and a bathroom towards the end of the hall.
Tyler followed behind me as I turned right, from the hallway into the livingroom, which had a high ceiling and a balcony with a large glass sliding door on the furthest wall. In the far right corner of the room was a small fireplace with white distressed looking bricks surrounding it.
Tyler couldn't contain his smile,
"Josh ohmygod I never t-hought that I would live i-n a place like this! It's so perfect! I- Thank you so much Josh."
I smiled at his excitement and at his adorable expressions,
"Tyler you know I'd do anything for you. You mean more than the world to me"
At that he blushed and tried to cover his face with the -much too long- sleeves of his white sweater.
Tyler's POV
The house that Josh had found was absolutely perfect. If I were to describe my dream apartment this would be it.
Once Josh made his statement I started to fidget with the sleeves of my sweater as my face heated.
Josh continued to walk further towards the back wall and I watched him. The way the light was shining off of his newly dyed purple hair,the color that he let me pick while we were in the store.
The memories of the things that had happened between us flooded back through my mind and I didnt realize I was smiling warmly,at the wooded floors until Josh giggled at me.
"You're too cute"
He said in between his laughs.
After a short while I ventured off on my own to see the bedrooms and the bathrooms.
I walked down the hall as my black vans tapped on the floorboards.
The first room was on the right and was a decent size,not too big to feel empty,but not too small as to feel cramped. The walls were a pretty cream color. The door was in the center of the wall once you walked in and there was a nice sized closet on the right wall with a full body mirror hanging from its door.
I stepped out turning right to walk down the hall and then left into the master bedroom.
My eyes widened at the size of this room,it was almost the same amount of space as the livingroom.
It even had it's own bathroom off of the far right wall and the left wall was just one giant mirrored sliding door for a closet.
Walking in the room I noticed the door on this wall was to the far left almost in the corner.
There were two arched windows on either side of the back, brick feature wall of the rectangular room.
As I walked towards the bathroom I let my arm stretch out to touch the pastel blue/grey walls.
Walking into the master bathroom I first noticed giant mirror that went across the back wall over the counter and two sinks. To the right of the counter there was a beautiful clawfoot tub, which was quite a bit larger than most, that I adored.
I finally ventured out of the master bedroom to the end of the hall and then into the guest bathroom.
This bathroom had a stone tiled tub and square shaped shower head,but only a single sink.
Eventually Josh met back up with me as I sat with my back against the one brick wall in the master bedroom,as he sat down beside me.
I smiled up at him,
"I cant believe this is a-ctally happening...we're moving in to-gether."
Josh returned my smile,
"The best part about moving in so soon is that we can celebrate your birthday here before I take you out somewhere."
At that I blushed,I had been so in awe that I had completely forgotten that my birthday was coming up in just three days.
"Y-you want to take m-e somewhere for my b-irthday?"
I asked excitedly as curiosity began to consume my thoughts.
"Of course I want to take you somewhere for your birthday Tyler,and by the looks of the weather it will be snowing that day,so school should be out again since it will be a monday. So you better get ready for, what I hope will be, the best birthday you've ever had."
He replied very humbly.
I giggled and nodded as my cheeks retained their warm tint.
After a few minutes of sitting there and just 'taking it all in' we decided it would be best to move in our things. Including the mattresses and furniture that we had brought with us from our parents homes since they no longer had any use for it. Also Jenna and her family had chipped in a bit and given us the couch that they kept in storage along with some other things, so we were all set.
That night Josh and I curled up by the fire with a warm fluffy blanket. Josh sat me in his lap with his arms wrapped around me as I read an interesting novel. Josh began lightly kissing my neck and I giggled.
"Josh t-hat tickles!"
I spoke quietly through my laughter.
To which Josh replied by setting the book aside,turning me around in his lap and pressing a kiss onto my lips.
All I could do was smile but I enjoyed every last second of it.
I woke up breathing heavily after having just had a nightmare ,in which I was taken away from Josh to live with my father just as he had begun to beat me. I turned clicking on my phone to see what time it was.
Midnight
I stepped out of the smaller bedroom that was now mine, and into the larger one,since Josh had more things he had moved into the master bedroom.
I gently shook the older boy's shoulder as he woke up,immediately worried and slightly panicked.
"What is it Tyler? Are you okay? Did you get hurt? Is something wrong?"
He questioned me, in his gravelly, tired voice to which I had grown accustomed.
"No...well...I mean...i-ts nothing that serious...I just h-ad a bad dream..."
I replied,I hated waking him this late,especially since it was only because of one of my small problems...plus tomorrow was Friday meaning we had school...
"Awwh I'm so sorry Tyler"
He told me as he took my hand,before adding,
"Well...if you want you can sleep in here with me? But you definitely don't have to if you're not comfortable with it...or if you simply just dont wa-"
I cut him off there,
"Please? That would really help..."
I told him gently and he nodded his head and smiled.
I slowly crawled into his bed as he cuddled me, his arm around me with my back facing him.
I lay in his bed listening to both of our hearts beating, and watching the shining stars through the glass of the window as my eyes fluttered shut and I slipped into the comfort of sleep.
