The next day when Josh went to Tyler's house, he was in just as good as a mood before.

That quickly changed when Josh saw him.

The dark haired boy had hit the doorbell and it had taken a little less than five minutes for Tyler to answer the door. He was scowling and he had his sunglasses on.

"What's wrong?" Josh asked.

"Nothing," Tyler said shortly, ushering him down the steps. Confused, the other complied and starting walking out to Tyler's car.

"So..." Josh tried to make conversation as they got in. "What did you do last night?"

"Stuff."

"What kind of stuff?"

"Just stuff, Josh."

"Alright..." he sighed as Tyler pulled out of his driveway and began the short drive to school. "Why're you wearing sunglasses? It's cloudy out."

"Because I can!" Tyler snapped. "God, quit being so God damn annoying."

"Sorry," Josh apologized quietly. "I didn't know I was."

"Well now you do," he replied, getting a cigarette out and lighting it. He inhaled deeply, just blowing the smoke into the car.

"C-can you roll down the window?"

"I guess," Tyler sighed and cracked his window.

The rest of the ride was quiet. Josh was too scared to say anything. When they walked into school, they went their separate ways to go their lockers.

Shortly after Josh arrived to his, he was tapped on the shoulder, making him jump.

"Woah, sorry," Dallon apologized for startling his friend.

"No it's fine, I'm just a little anxious."

"Care to tell me why?" The taller boy questioned, falling into step beside Josh as they walked to English together.

"Brendon bought weed from my parents and what do you know I gotta give it to him later today," he told his friend, deciding to leave out the part about Tyler.

"What?"

"He didn't tell you?"

"Nope," Dallon shook his head. "I mean. It's alright if he smokes it, I just wish he wouldn't hide it from me."

"Maybe he just didn't get around to it?"

"Get around to what?" Brendon asked, joining the two.

"To telling me that Josh is dealing you weed after school."

"Oops," Brendon looked guilty. "Forgot to tell you. Sorry, babe."

"It's alright," Dallon sighed. "Just don't hide it from me. Alright?"

"You got it, Boss," Brendon saluted before kissing him on the cheek. "I just wish I could get it before then," he sighed dramatically in a joking manner.

"Sorry, you know the rules," Josh mumbled.

"You okay?" Brendon asked.

"Do you know what's up with Tyler?" Josh asked, ignoring his question.

"What do you mean? I haven't seen him today."

"He's been acting... weird."

"I dunno," Brendon shrugged. "Sorry, man," he said as they walked into class.

"It's alright," Josh sighed, taking a seat in his usual place next to Dallon, not wanting to deal with Tyler and his attitude.

Class went by painfully slow. Josh liked Mr. Way, he really did, but he did not want to watch a video all about the life of Shakespeare. He promised that they'd watch Romeo and Juliet tomorrow, but that didn't help him then. He decided to just spend the class period drawing in his notebook.

Their teacher stopped the video approximately thirty seconds before the bell rang. "Have a good day, everyone!" he called. "Josh? Can I speak to you a minute?" 

Oh no, he thought. I didn't think he'd care if I just doodled. Hastily, he shoved his stuff into his bag and quickly zipped it. He walked over to Mr. Way's desk, watching as he waited for the other students to file out.

"I wanted to say thank you," Mr. Way said once everyone left.

"For...?" Josh was confused.

"I've noticed that you've been hanging around Tyler lately. I don't know what you did but you rubbed off on him. He's been turning his assignments in, attending class, and just looks a lot happier. You're a good kid, Josh."

"Oh," Josh was flattered. He smiled. "It was my pleasure. Always happy to have a new friend," he sugarcoated their relation, not knowing if Mr. Way would approve. "Anything else?"

"That's all," his teacher smiled back. "Get to class," he ordered jokingly.

"Will do," Josh turned and he heard something hit the floor.

"Oh, you dropped something!" Mr. Way walked around to bend down and pick it up. Just as he turned around, Mr. Way was standing and holding the object, disappointment written all over his face.

Josh's face turned white as soon as he saw what he was holding.

The bag of weed.

---

"Good morning, Gerard," Mr. Iero smiled when he saw Mr. Way walk in. His expression shifted from happiness to concern when he was Josh come in behind him, his head hanging low. "What's up?"

"Take a seat Josh," Mr. Way sighed. "This fell out his his backpack," he held up the bag of weed.

"Out of Josh's?" Mr. Iero asked, eyes widening.

"Yes, sir," Josh mumbled.

"I'm surprised," he said.

"I'm sorry," he could feel tears prick his eyes. "Oh God, I'm so sorry."

"Why?" Mr. Way asked, disappointment dripping from his voice. "Why are you of all people doing this?"

"I can't tell you. I wish I could but I can't."

"Then that leaves me with no choice. It's too late in the year to do a suspension," Mr. Iero sighed. "So I'm afraid I'm going to have to ban you from walking at graduation."

"What?" Josh's head snapped up, his eyes widening.

"I'm sorry, Josh. That's your consequence for having drugs on you. You're lucky I don't call the police. The only reason I'm not is because I know you're a good kid. We could avoid all of this if you'd tell us why you had it on you."

"I can't," Josh's voice was barely above a whisper.

"Unless you can give me a good explanation, the punishment stays."

"Mr. Way please don't let him do this," Josh pleaded. "You just told me you were thankful for me and that you knew I was responsible."

Mr. Way sighed and looked at his colleague. "Frank?"

Sadness and sympathy was visible all over his face. "I want to cut you some slack, Josh, I really do. I know you're a good kid. But if I let you off the hook for no reason then I'd have to let everyone off the hook for no reason and they'd take my authority for granted. I'm not denying you from graduating high school, you just have to pick up your diploma the day after. You can't be present at the ceremony. I'm sorry."

That's when Josh let everything go. He let a sob escape his lip before picking up his bag. Turning around, he looked at both the adults. "Please don't tell my parents. I won't show up to graduation, but let me tell them."

"I can do that," Mr. Iero nodded. "I'm sorry," he said again.

"Me too," Josh let the tears run down his face as he left the principal's office.