Tyler sat in his fourth period— Advanced English II —with his phone hiding under his desk. Brendon had sent him a video of Josh doing something dumb in their math class and he couldn't help but smile. The two had given him their numbers the day before in art class and instead of just ignoring him they had actually texted him— first too. It was a miracle.

Tyler may have only been there for three days but he had already gathered that his teacher, Mrs. Lowe, despised cell phones with her whole body. She was old and bitchy and Tyler wasn't a fan but he stayed respectful and quiet. Besides, he's had his fair share of teachers who hate technology. He knew how to deal with them.

After class was over it was lunch and Tyler would be sitting with people instead of alone for the first time in months. When he lived in Louisiana he always sat by himself at lunch. It was easier than making friends. That is, until Josh came into his life.

"Tyler."

The brunette looked up and saw Mrs. Lowe staring at him. He thought he had gotten busted for his phone being out but she had a cocky smile on her face. "Yeah?"

"Can you define the claim in the paragraph on the board?"

Tyler quickly scanned the small selection of text. "...is why we the government should ban same-sex marriage," he looked up at her, stoic expression on his face. Of course she would call on him to read the thing about faggots. About him.

Her smug expression turned serious when he had gotten it right. It was an extremely easy question. He had learned claim in 7th grade back in Texas. He figured even the advanced classes in Scarlettesville were dumbed down. "Good job," she nodded and Tyler sat back, turning her out as she droned off.

Glancing back down at his phone he saw he had another text from Brendon.

Yo Josh told me to tell you to meet us by the library so you know where we sit

Tyler typed back a response before locking his phone and putting it in his hoodie pocket. He didn't want to get his ass beat by his no younger than 65 year old teacher.

Time passed back agonizingly slow before the bell finally rang, causing all the sophomores in the room to breathe out relived sighs and begin packing their things up. "Don't forget to read chapter two of Animal Farm tonight!" Mrs. Lowe's shrill voice reminded as the students began piling out.

Tyler quickly tucked his things neatly in his bag before zipping it up and slinging it over his shoulder.

"Nice work today, Tyler," Mrs. Lowe told him as he was walking out.

"Thanks," he smiled politely. Maybe she was the dumb one and not the students.

Tyler continued out of the classroom and made his way towards the library. He hadn't been there for long but the school was relatively small and the library was right in the center of it. It wasn't hard to find.

He spotted his friends— friends, that felt weird yet comforting —right away. It wasn't hard. Josh was easily 5'11 if not six feet and he had pink hair. He had seen a few people with colored hair at his new school but Josh's stood out. Brendon was next to him, flicking him and causing him to laugh. Suddenly Brendon turned and caught his eye. He was smiling widely. "Tyler!" He called. Josh shoved him slightly resulting in Brendon flicking him on the head again.

The brunette smiled to himself and made his way through the flood of people in order to reach the two. He approached them and Brendon slung an arm over his shoulder. "Hiya, Ty-Guy," he grinned, steering them towards the lunchroom.

"Ty-Guy?" Tyler asked, laughing. He saw Josh was grinning and realized it was the first time he'd seen him genuinely happy.

"Yep," Brendon nodded, giggling. "Ty-Guy."

"Did ya just giggle?" Josh cackled.

Tyler looked at them again and saw how bloodshot their eyes were. "Are you guys..."

"As a kite!" Brendon replied, sighing happily.

Tyler just shook his head with a nervous laugh. He didn't like drugs. He had never done any or even drank. It wasn't his scene. He shrugged Brendon's shoulder off of him casually and the man didn't seem to notice. An uneasy feeling filled his stomach and he realized these were the type of kids he definitely didn't hang out with but then again he didn't hang out with anyone so he wasn't going to get picky.

Tyler looked up and saw a tall male walking the opposite direction towards them and Tyler assumed he was a teacher based on his attire and the laminated badge clipped to his belt. "Good morning, Brendon," he nodded at the mentioned with a smile on his face. "Good morning, Josh. And good morning..." he stopped in front of the boys, a curious look on his face.

"Tyler," the brunette smiled.

"He's new," Brendon told him proudly. "And a sophomore."

"What math are you in?" He asked.

"Advanced algebra two," he replied.

The man smiled. "There's a chance you'll have me next year then. I teach pre-calculus and algebra three. I'm Mr. Weekes by the way."

"Nice to meet you," Tyler smiled back despite still feeling uncomfortable.

"You too," he nodded. "Well, I'll let you guys get to lunch. Have a good day," he looked pointedly at Brendon. His eyes caught the mentioned's and a soft, knowing smile overcame his lips.

"You too, D— Mr. Weeks," Brendon grinned and grabbed Tyler and Josh's hands before rushing off.

As soon as they were out of earshot Josh and Brendon began cracking up. "He knows, man," Josh snickered.

"I know. He's the one who gave it ta me," Brendon laughed back. The two laughed again while Tyler just remained lost. He knew what was happening but he didn't see the appeal in it. And why the hell was a teacher giving a student pot? Tyler thought about it and let it go. He was in Missouri after all.

The three entered the cafeteria and the older two led Tyler to a table with a girl with blonde hair by it. He watched as she bent down to get something from her backpack and he quickly shifted his eyes away when he caught a glimpse of her black thong under her really really short skirt.

Right as they sat down the girl sat back down as well. She didn't notice the other three were there, however, until she moved messy bangs out of her face. When she did see them, she smiled brightly. "Hey, guys!" She pat the spot next to her and Josh took it while Brendon pulled Tyler down next to him so they were across from the other two.

"This is Ashley," Brendon pointed at her. "This is Tyler," he pointed back at the brunette.

"Hi," Tyler gave her a small smile. Ashley looked him up and down before winking.

"Ash, stop tryna flirt with him no one wants ta fuck you," Josh teased, making the mentioned crawl into his lap.

Tyler blushed a soft shade of pink and bent his head down, hoping no one noticed. He willed the color to go away and when it did he glanced back up. He watched Ashley roll her eyes and press a kiss to his neck.

"Are you guys together?" Tyler asked, surprised.

The two looked at him and busted out laughing. Tyler blushed again but this time it was due to embarrassment. Ashley even wiped at her eyes and Tyler noticed she was crying. "No," she breathed out. "Fuck no," she giggled. "Josh's gay."

Tyler instantly looked at Josh with wide eyes, meeting the latter's own bloodshot ones. "You are?"

If Josh cared that he had just been outted, he didn't show it. He just shrugged. "Yeah. Bren's bi 'nd Ash's straight."

"Brendon's the only one ina relationship though," Ashley added. "I jus' fuck aroun' 'nd Josh is jus' Josh."

Tyler nodded slowly. "Who are you dating?" He asked Brendon.

He smiled cockily. "This guy named Dallon," he paused. "Dallon Weekes."

It took a moment for it to dawn on Tyler but when it did his mouth just made an 'o' shape. "The...?" He trailed off, not wanting to say it.

"Oh yeah," Brendon wiggled his eyebrows.

"Why'dya jus' tell 'im that, dumbass? You've known 'im a day!" Ashley scoffed.

"He won' say nothin'," Josh cut in. "We haven' known him long but I feel like I can trust 'im."

Tyler didn't reply at first, processing those words. He didn't know what it was but he knew he could trust Josh too.