come back // joshler

14: Josh & Tyler

"I'll see you on break!", Tyler smiled and said to Josh as they parted ways for their first classes. Josh nodded and smiled back before heading to his own class. He wasn't too ecstatic of whatever biology they were going to learn, he wasn't too good at it anyways. He wandered into the class, taking his normal seat. No one else was still in the classroom, and he was glad to have a moment for himself. After a few minutes had passed, he heard the classroom door open and close quickly, turning to look up confusedly. He saw his 'friends', Brendon and Pete, standing in front of the desk he was sitting at. They had frowns, maybe even angry looks on their faces.

"You walked to school with that Joseph kid, didn't you?", Pete asked, and Josh gulped at the question. He quickly shook his head, but that didn't fool anyone. "Why?"

"He's my friend", Josh simply stated, looking at the two boys trying to intimidate him. "Is that a problem?"

"You know we, well I mostly, don't like him", Pete said and crossed his arms across his chest. Brendon nodded beside him and Josh couldn't make up what his expression meant. Maybe he was just high.

"Why though?", Josh asked, genuinely interested. "You never told me."

"Well, he got together with Mikey when he knew I liked him"; Pete explained, sighing a bit. "I know it sounds dumb, but I just, I don't know."

"He was together with Mikes?", Josh asked. He hadn't known. How hadn't he known? "When?"

"Back before we all became friends with you", Pete replied and shifted a bit. "Tyler and I used to be neighbours when we were younger."

Josh just nodded, not really knowing what to say. Tyler had been with Mikey? While he and Tyler were friends? How had he missed this completely? He tried to shrug the questions away as the teacher entered the class alongside with the rest of the students, but he couldn't focus on anything the teacher was saying with his head twisting around the question if he was a good enough friend.

"Hey", Tyler said as he joined Josh in the hallway after class. "How'd your class go?"

"Quite well", Josh lied and smiled at Tyler. "I gotta ask you something."

"Okay..?"

"Is it Mikey that you like?"

"Wha-no! Where'd you get that idea?"; Tyler laughed, and Josh felt a wave of relief wash over his body.

"Well Pete told me you've dated him", Josh explained, and Tyler rolled his eyes. "So I just figured.. You know, since he is in most of your classes too."

"He's also dating Pete, and I told you I think I might have an actual chance with the guy", Tyler reminded Josh, and suddenly Josh felt stupid, since that was true.

"Well who is it thennn", Josh whined and poked Tyler's side. Tyler looked at Josh, poking his tongue out. "Tell meee!"'

"You can't keep a secret, Jishwa", Tyler retorted, and Josh pouted in response. "C'mon, you know it's true."

"I'll tell you who I like", Josh bargained, his neck heating up slightly. "But you'll go first."

"No", Tyler said, shaking his head. "You'll ask the guy out, Josh."

"But what if he doesn't like me?", Josh complained, kicking a paper ball that was rolling around on the floor. "I have no idea if he does."

"Well is the guy into boys?", Tyler asked, and Josh nodded. "At least you have a better chance than with a straight guy."

"Stop being so sarcastic."

"Why should I?"

"I don't know", Josh shrugged chuckling a bit.

"But, do we have a deal, Jish?", Tyler asked, and Josh turned to look at him.

"No."

"Why not..?"

"Because", Josh said and took a deep breath in. "I don't want to ask you out, Ty."

Tyler looked at Josh with his mouth hanging open. He was not expecting this. Not one bit. Josh shook his head and looked away.

"I'm sorry", Josh said, and Tyler couldn't speak before he continued. "I'll go."

And with that Josh disappeared into the crowd of students, leaving behind a confused Tyler.