Josh had been in many different relationships before, all of which were with girls. He didn't have a type, per say. He dated all different kinds of girls.

There was Ashley, a vegetarian who had her hair cut short and dyed blue. Josh would label her as a "punk" chick. She didn't take anyone's crap, including Josh's, and it became too much for Josh to deal with.

There was Debby, a beautiful redhead from Oklahoma. She was the kindest girl Josh had ever met. Everyone took advantage of her, especially when she was drunk, and Josh left her for that.

There was Nicole, a girl Josh didn't really know how to label. She loved creepy things but looked like she would never harm a fly. She was also extremely feminist, and Josh just thought of her as outright sexist.

Josh had dated more girls than he could count on one hand, which was a lot considering he was only sixteen. Girls were great, but he always found them to be extremely flawed. He loved girls, and that wasn't frowned upon. Josh thought he was as straight as a pole, but ever since he'd met Tyler, he had no idea.

They'd met through a mutual friend, Brendon. He invited them both to a sleepover which was more awkward than Josh thought it would be. For one, he had never met Tyler before yet he found him so incredibly gorgeous. That was normal, right? Josh could think other guys were attractive without being attracted to them.

For two, Josh spent the whole night confused about why his heart felt weird every time Tyler talked or laughed. He was straight, why was this boy giving him funny feelings? His stomach felt weird, along with his head. Josh couldn't make sense of what he was feeling. Friendly love? Actual love? Maybe even hate? Who knows?

They hung out more frequently after that, the three of them spending most of their time together. Josh never hung out with Tyler unless Brendon was there. Tyler had never asked to, and Josh hadn't either because he hated the feeling he got around Tyler.

Actually, he didn't know if he hated it. It was nice to look at someone so appealing. It was nice to hear him talk, to hear him laugh, to see him smile. As nice as it was, though, it left Josh feeling even more hopeless than before. He'd never liked a guy before, why would Tyler be any different? Josh didn't even know if he'd like to be in a relationship with Tyler. All he knew was that his heart leaped every time he saw the boy.

He'd told this to Brendon, a few weeks after hanging around Tyler. He'd thought the feeling would go away, but it really only got stronger.

"Am I gay?" Josh asked, his face contorting into some kind of worried look.

"No, man, you love girls too don't you?"

"So I'm bisexual?"

"But you said you don't even know if you'd like being with Tyler."

"I don't know, dude. All I know is he makes me feel weird."

"Maybe you're bi-curious," Brendon stated, typing something on his phone.

"What's that?"

Brendon held up a finger, signaling for Josh to hold on a second. After a moment, he held his phone out. Josh read the article Brendon had pulled up.

"The phrase "bi-curious" refers to people who are interested in having a same gender relationship experience without necessarily labeling their sexual orientation as bisexual.

Not everyone loves the term bi-curious and some teens call them selves "questioning" to describe what others might call bi-curious.

A lot of teens experience periods where they question their sexual orientation or have curiosity about a same sex sexual experience.

Many of these teens don't identify as gay, lesbian or bisexual and that's perfectly fine.

Figuring out one's sexual orientation can be tricky and sometimes the person we assume ourselves to be, doesn't always match the way we feel."

Josh still had that weird feeling. Was he bi-curious? What would someone think if Josh were to come out and say "I'm bicurious"? They'd probably have no idea what that meant. He hadn't even known what that meant until today. He had to admit, though, everything the article said described how he had been feeling. He loved girls, but he wanted to give Tyler a try.

"What do I tell Tyler?" Josh sighed, an anxious feeling gnawing away at his insides.

"I don't know, dude. Is he straight?"

"I don't know! Probably!"

"I'll text him."

"What? No!"

"Too late," Brendon grinned. "I asked him if he was straight, don't worry. I didn't mention you."

"I hate this. Why can't I just be normal?"

"Shut up, dude. You are normal. I'm sure lots of people go through this."

Josh didn't answer. He stared at the wall where there was a couple pictures of Brendon and Tyler. Josh hated to admit it, but Tyler looked amazing in every single one. He nearly threw up when Brendon's phone dinged.

"He said no!" Brendon laughed. "He's bisexual! Come on Josh, I have to tell him!"

"No!" Josh yelled in panic. The thought of Tyler being into guys didn't ease that anxious feeling at all. "Just invite him over. We'll think of something while he's on his way here."

Brendon nodded, his thumbs tapping away at the screen. Josh sighed and rubbed his hands over his face, pulling his skin in different directions. How do they even know Tyler likes Josh? They'd never even hung out without Brendon! Josh would much rather be in the safety of his house and comfort of his own bed. He would be happy spending the rest of his life alone.

"He's on his way. What's the plan?"

"I don't know, dude. Just think of something please. I'm freaking out. Can I go home?"

"No! I got you covered, trust me. I already have an idea in mind."

"Great," Josh muttered. Not only was he worrying about rejection, now he was worrying about what kind of plan Brendon had thought up.

The two sat in silence, Brendon on his phone and Josh staring at the pictures of Tyler. What would it feel like to hold his hand? To hug him? What if they kissed and Josh didn't like it? Then what?

What would Josh tell his family? What if they hated him? Why did he have to meet Tyler? He'd feel a lot better if they never would have even met. He wouldn't be there right then, scared shitless of what was to come.

Josh wasn't sure how long he'd been wrapped up in his thoughts when Brendon's bedroom door opened. There stood Tyler, giving Josh that weird feeling in his gut. Josh still wasn't sure what it was. Guilt, maybe? Did he feel guilty for liking another boy? Yeah, he did, because all his life he'd been taught it was weird to like boys. He wasn't normal.

"Hey, dude!" Brendon greeted Tyler with a smile.

"Hey guys," Tyler said, and Josh hated that Tyler had acknowledged him. He was hoping he wasn't actually there. Maybe he was dead and he was simply a ghost hanging out with his friends. Seemed realistic.

Josh didn't answer. He rubbed his sweaty palms against his jeans, trying to prevent his hands from shaking. He was certain his heart was going to explode at any moment, judging by how hard it was beating.

"Are you busy right now, Tyler?" Brendon asked, grinning like an idiot.

"Um, no? The only thing I'm doing right now is wondering why you look dumb."

Josh laughed at that, but Brendon didn't seem to mind. "Great! Josh, are you busy right now?"

"No, I'm just... just hanging out here," he stuttered, his thoughts jumbled together.

"Are you both free until six?"

Josh looked at his phone. It was four o'clock. He nodded, and Tyler said yeah.

"Even better! Why don't you guys go out to dinner?"

"What?" Tyler squeaked, and Josh watched his cheeks grow pink. He didn't say anything himself, because he couldn't believe Brendon's idea.

"Yeah! I got to go do something, but you guys can like... I don't know... Go on a date or something," he shrugged casually.

"Aren't you straight?" Tyler asked, and Josh nearly shit his heart out, it dropped so low.

He looked to Brendon for help, his hands only growing more sweaty. Brendon got the hint, thankfully.

"We believe Josh here is bi-curious. He's never liked a boy before but for some reason he's obsessed with you."

"Brendon!" Josh glared at him. "I'm not obsessed!"

"You've been staring at those pictures of him for 15 minutes!"

Josh blushed furiously, along with Tyler. Had he really been looking at them for that long?

"You... Like... You like me?" Tyler struggled to ask.

"I think so," Josh admitted. It felt weird.

"He definitely does. He spent five minutes describing to me how he finds everything about you attractive."

"No I didn't!"

"Well, Tyler, do you like Joshy boy?"

Tyler nodded sheepishly, his face instantly flushing again. "Yeah, who wouldn't?"

Josh was definitely sure he was dead now because he felt like he was in Heaven. Tyler liked him?

"So, do you guys want to go on a date?" Brendon urged.

"I do."

"Me too," Josh admitted, the tips of his ears burning afterward.

"Great! You guys go home and get ready and meet there at five! Gosh, I'm such a good matchmaker."

"Where do you want to go?" Tyler asked.

"Um... I don't know. I'll surprise you. Just dress nice, but not too nice."

"Okay," Tyler grinned, and Josh wanted to say he looked dumb because that's what he'd said to Brendon, but in all honestly he looked amazing.

"And I'll pick you up, too."

"At five?"

"Yeah."

"Okay," he was still smiling. "See you at five, then."