tyrus oneshots

#22: TJ's 'friends'

A/N: Hello! I haven't had time recently to write due to school stuff and exams (there's a six week break coming up so expect regular updates then) but for now, here's a oneshot I posted to tumblr almost a year ago! I spent a bit of time editing this pretty heavily, so the difference in writing style shouldn't be too noticeable. Hope you enjoy!

TW: homophobic talk

~

TJ didn't exactly like the boys he sat with at school. It seemed everyone at school knew of their reputation; their unnecessary cruelty, and the overly confident way they always held themselves, including him.

But they were also company, and TJ was lonely.

Since becoming friends with Cyrus, and making amends with Buffy and Andi, he had spent a period of time seriously considering the idea of dropping them altogether.

For some unknown reason however, fear alway gripped him at the mere idea of telling them he wouldn't be hanging out with them anymore, and occasionally he would sit with them in class, or at the cafeteria. It felt safer that way.

Despite his apprehension, there were some things he couldn't overlook though. Targetting Cyrus happened to be one of those things.

"Bro!" Kevin laughed, "look at this shit."

They all turned to him, and TJ didn't think he'd ever felt his heart sink so fast.

He was standing by Cyrus' desk.

Please don't say anything about him. Please don't say anything about him. Please—

"Goodman left this on his desk!"

He let out a small sigh and made his way over to where the others were standing. Kevin held a crinkled piece of paper in his hands.

TJ wanted nothing more than to just grab the paper and tear it up, erasing it completely from existence. He refrained.

"We should just leave it," he said flatly.

Logan let out an airy laugh and shook his head. "No way! It has your name all over it, TJ."

Isaac snorted and snatched the paper from Kevin. "Yeah, give the man a look into his  'friend's brain."

TJ clenched his fists for a moment, nails pressing into his palms, before smiling sarcastically and taking the paper. It was clearly torn out of a notebook, and it was covered in love hearts. With his name in them. The writing was definitely Cyrus' cursive, and the thought alone made his heart leap.

"So what do you think, Kippen? You still wanna be buddy-buddy with this dude?"

"I think it's none of our fucking business," he responded coolly, turning to exit the room.

The trio followed him out, sniggering to themselves.

"Personally, if I knew a dude liked me I'd never be able to hang out with him again."

"Shut up, Isaac!" he threw over his shoulder.

"You're telling me you don't find it weird at all, Teej?"

Teej? That sounded wrong coming from anyone but Cyrus.

"Why should I?" he snapped, "you're the ones making a big deal out of it anyway — it was just a couple of hearts."

Kevin rolled his eyes. "Don't be thick, Kippen."

"Yeah. I always knew Goodman was a little too prissy to be straight, and now he likes you! You have to do something about it, dude," Logan cut in.