teeth ↣ joshler ✓

9. Homecoming

Happy Halloween! I know I've been spam updating but I haven't been motivated to write in forever and I'll be too busy to update this weekend so I hope this isn't too bothersome!

About a week later, Josh and Tyler were sitting when Jenna sat down with an exhausted sigh.

"You good?" Tyler asked.

Jenna sent him a small smile. "Homecoming week is kicking my ass," she sighed. "It's only Monday and I've already had the assembly this morning—"

"Which you did great at, by the way," Josh interjected.

"Thanks," Jenna beamed. "But on top of that I have the parade, the closing assembly, the football game on Friday, and I haven't even had time to get a dress!" She stressed.

"Do you have a date?" Tyler asked.

"Not yet," she hummed, pulling her lunch box out and grabbing a container of grapes. "I think Brendon's gonna ask me."

"Who's Brendon?" Josh questioned curiously.

"This asshole on the football team," Tyler rolled his eyes. "He stares up Jenna's skirt whenever she's above his eye level," he turned to her. "Why the hell would you go with him? You know he's a sleaze."

"Exactly," she popped a grape into her mouth. "That's why I'm gonna say yes. It'll be funny to mess with him."

"So we have two types of people," Josh stated, making Jenna laugh.

She looked over at him. "What about you, Josh? I know you've only been here like two weeks but have you seen any cute girls you might like?"

Josh's face turned a subtle shade of red. "Oh I uh..." he trailed off. "I'm uh... no not really."

Jenna seemed to realize what he was trying to say. Her eyes widened. "Oh, shit. My bad. I shouldn't have assumed you liked girls. I'm sorry," she apologized.

"You guys don't care...?" Josh asked nervously. That would be a great way to end his first friendship in Hartgate.

It was silent for a moment before Tyler started cackling. He was wheezing so hard Josh thought he was going to start coughing.

His eyes widened and he didn't know if he should intervene. 

Things with Tyler over the past week haven't been as bad. He was being more friendly but only talked to him if he was with Jenna or the two boys were in math. Josh's was definitely closer with Jenna. He was alright with that though. At least Tyler wasn't being an asshole anymore.

Suddenly, Tyler let out a small breath. Josh looked over and saw Jenna smiling. "What?"

"Oh, man..." Tyler wiped under his eye like there had been a tear there. "Funny."

"What's so funny?" Josh repeated exasperatedly.

"I'm also not into women," he told Josh.

"Oh!" Josh replied.

"You two should go to homecoming together!" Jenna gasped happily.

They both looked at her, nervous looks on their faces.

"Not as a couple!" She assured. "As friends. That way Josh can attend his first Hartgate homecoming and Tyler won't wallow in his misery all night."

Tyler crossed his arms and pouted. "I don't wallow in my misery."

Jenna and Josh shared a look and both snickered.

"Stop laughing!"

"Your mood changes are worse than my brother's psycho ex girlfriend who tried to key my mom's car and then professed her undying love for him," Josh snorted.