come back // joshler

13: Josh

Josh woke up on Tuesday feeling happy as ever. Until he realized he had school, and didn't even go there the day before, that is. He wasn't sure how his mom would react when he told her because he hadn't seen him the last day. He checked the time from his phone; 8.09am. He still had fifty minutes until school starts. Then he checked his messages and smiled widely when he saw there was one from Tyler.

Tyjo: you going to school today?

Me: Yeah

Josh put his phone back on his nightstand and stretched his arms. He thought of yesterday and what had happened. He had told Tyler he was gay, and the boy didn't hate him. Probably because he was gay too. Josh found the idea quite exciting if he was being honest. Then he remembered how Tyler had comforted him and how they had cuddled together afterwards and blushed at the thought slightly. He thought of how Tyler smelled. It was a soft blend of something very strong, probably his soap, and some vanilla. Josh found the smell comforting, and he would've wanted to bottle it so he could smell it whenever he missed Tyler or felt sad. A ding from his phone woke him from his thoughts.

Tyjo: do you maybe wanna walk together..?

Me: Sure, why not.

Tyjo: yay! i'll come to your house in ten minutes.

Me: See you then, Ty

Tyjo: see you, jish

Josh smiled at the nickname and slowly got out of bed, walking over to his closet. He dug up a pair of black skinny jeans and some random hoodie, got dressed and then took his backpack from the corner of his room. He slid his phone in his jean's pockets before leaving his room, not bothering to make his bed. His mom wouldn't check anyways. He stomped his way to the kitchen and found a fresh-looking croissant sitting on a plate on top of the counter, alongside a note.

Hey, here's some breakfast, don't forget to eat! I'll see you after work, I finish at five thirty. We have to go to the grocery store when I get home, so be there, alright?

Love, mom.

Josh smiled at the note before cracking the croissant in half. He set the other half down and pretty much shoved the other half down his throat, wondering how he still hadn't managed to choke himself with food. As he was wiping the crumbs off his hoodie the doorbell rang and Josh rushed to open the door.

"Hey Ty!", Josh smiled and pulled the boy into a hug. Tyler hugged him back tightly, mumbling a 'hey' into his chest. Josh pulled away after a while, taking a look at Tyler. "Have you had breakfast?"

Tyler reddened and tried to look Josh in the eye and not seem nervous. "Y-yeah, of course.."

"C'mon, I have some croissant here for you", Josh gently smiled and led the boy to the kitchen counter with the half-eaten croissant on it.

"N-no, Josh, I'm fine, really", Tyler tried to assure, but Josh knew from the way he was acting that he hadn't had any food in god knows how long.

"Please, Ty. Just eat even a bit, okay?", Josh pleaded, looking at Tyler. "I'll let you eat alone if you want to."

"O-okay, just a b-bit", Tyler nodded and hesitantly took the croissant in his hands. Josh turned to look the other way, letting Tyler have his privacy. After a moment Tyler gently nudged on Josh's arm, and he turned to look back at the boy. "I-I ate i-it.."

"I'm so proud of you, Tyler", Josh said and smiled at the boy. He smiled back at him shyly before shaking his head a bit. "What?"

"Nothing", Tyler chuckled, and Josh raised an eyebrow at him. "Nothing, really! Shouldn't we get going anyways?"

"Yeah", Josh replied shaking his head in disbelief. Tyler just giggled as Josh led the two out of the house, locking the door behind them.

The boys started walking in a complete silence, stealing looks of each other every now and then. Josh wondered how he had lived without Tyler for so long, not even remembering the void there was after just less than a day of having him back. He really had missed the boy, and he was so glad he was there, walking beside him again.