Dema Don't Control Us (Joshler)

Sinners

Tyler sat in his room, strumming his ukulele. Unlike usual, though, it was happy chords. C, G, Am, F. "What's got you in such a good mood?" asked his roommate, Awsten. Tyler didn't say anything, he just kept strumming and smiled. "Is it that new kid? Jo or whatever?" Tyler stopped strumming. "His name's Josh." Awsten broke out grinning. "Ha. NEW IT!" he exclaimed, a little too loudly. "Quiet!" Tyler hissed. Awsten had gotten the two of them into trouble for being too loud before.

"I won't tell anyone," whispered Awsten. "Thanks," Tyler whispered back. "Lights out!" Nico called through the door. Tyler got up and switched the light off, then crawled into bed and fell asleep almost immediately.

~

Josh stared at the dark ceiling, unable to fall asleep. He wanted Jordan, Abbie, and Ashley. He wanted Jim. He sniffled and hugged his pillow closer. "It sucks here, I know," his roommate Jenna sighed. "Was Tyler mean to you, by the way?" she asked. "Sorry, what?" asked Josh, confused. "Tyler used to be so defiant. Then he disappeared for a few days, came back and tried to be a 'child of Christ.' He basically turned into this homophobic asshole even though we all know he's gay," Jenna explained.

"He was so nice to me. He used the right name and pronouns," said Josh. "Really?" asked Jenna. "I think he likes you." That made Josh smile.

~

At breakfast, Josh and Jenna sat down at Tyler's table, where he usually sat alone. After all, Jenna and Tyler had been best friends before Tyler mysteriously started following Nico's word like gospel. Perhaps if Josh had gotten through to him, she could too.

Tyler smiled warmly at Josh, but didn't look at Jenna. He felt too guilty for ignoring her all those months. "You know she exists too, right?" Josh asked. Tyler blushed. "I- I'm sorry. That's... all I can say. I'm really sorry-" Jenna cut him off. "It's ok, Tyler. I know I'm not pure, not holy, you don't have to hang out with me if it's against your values."

Tyler didn't know what to think or feel. He missed Jenna. He knew he was a hypocrite, he would go to hell no matter what he did, because deep down, he knew he couldn't change. But he was scared. He was surrounding himself with sinners.

But why was Josh any different? He was transgender. That was a sin, just like homosexuality. Yes, Jenna was bisexual. And Tyler was gay. They were all sinners. And it didn't matter.

"It's not against my values, Jenna. I was scared. I'm sorry." Tyler hugged Jenna. "Alright, hug it out, you two," Josh smiled.

"Come join us, Josh," said Tyler. Josh hugged the two of them. "I see you're quite a lady's man now, Tyler," Nico smirked, seeing the three. Fuck off, Tyler thought. But he was glad he was on Nico's good side for now, and he was glad he wasn't lonely anymore.