choke ↣ joshler ✓

5. Class

Tyler sat in his fourth period— Advanced English II —with his phone hiding under his desk. Brendon had sent him a video of Josh doing something dumb in their math class and he couldn't help but smile. The two had given him their numbers the day before in art class and instead of just ignoring him they had actually texted him— first too. It was a miracle.

Tyler may have only been there for three days but he had already gathered that his teacher, Mrs. Lowe, despised cell phones with her whole body. She was old and bitchy and Tyler wasn't a fan but he stayed respectful and quiet. Besides, he's had his fair share of teachers who hate technology. He knew how to deal with them.

After class was over it was lunch and Tyler would be sitting with people instead of alone for the first time in months. When he lived in Louisiana he always sat by himself at lunch. It was easier than making friends. That is, until Josh came into his life.

"Tyler."

The brunette looked up and saw Mrs. Lowe staring at him. He thought he had gotten busted for his phone being out but she had a cocky smile on her face. "Yeah?"

"Can you define the claim in the paragraph on the board?"

Tyler quickly scanned the small selection of text. "...is why we the government should ban same-sex marriage," he looked up at her, stoic expression on his face. Of course she would call on him to read the thing about faggots. About him.

Her smug expression turned serious when he had gotten it right. It was an extremely easy question. He had learned claim in 7th grade back in Texas. He figured even the advanced classes in Scarlettesville were dumbed down. "Good job," she nodded and Tyler sat back, turning her out as she droned off.

Glancing back down at his phone he saw he had another text from Brendon.

Yo Josh told me to tell you to meet us by the library so you know where we sit

Tyler typed back a response before locking his phone and putting it in his hoodie pocket. He didn't want to get his ass beat by his no younger than 65 year old teacher.

Time passed back agonizingly slow before the bell finally rang, causing all the sophomores in the room to breathe out relived sighs and begin packing their things up. "Don't forget to read chapter two of Animal Farm tonight!" Mrs. Lowe's shrill voice reminded as the students began piling out.

Tyler quickly tucked his things neatly in his bag before zipping it up and slinging it over his shoulder.

"Nice work today, Tyler," Mrs. Lowe told him as he was walking out.

"Thanks," he smiled politely. Maybe she was the dumb one and not the students.

Tyler continued out of the classroom and made his way towards the library. He hadn't been there for long but the school was relatively small and the library was right in the center of it. It wasn't hard to find.

He spotted his friends— friends, that felt weird yet comforting —right away. It wasn't hard. Josh was easily 5'11 if not six feet and he had pink hair. He had seen a few people with colored hair at his new school but Josh's stood out. Brendon was next to him, flicking him and causing him to laugh. Suddenly Brendon turned and caught his eye. He was smiling widely. "Tyler!" He called. Josh shoved him slightly resulting in Brendon flicking him on the head again.

The brunette smiled to himself and made his way through the flood of people in order to reach the two. He approached them and Brendon slung an arm over his shoulder. "Hiya, Ty-Guy," he grinned, steering them towards the lunchroom.

"Ty-Guy?" Tyler asked, laughing. He saw Josh was grinning and realized it was the first time he'd seen him genuinely happy.

"Yep," Brendon nodded, giggling. "Ty-Guy."