tyler woke up the next morning bright eyed and bushy tailed, ready for the day ahead of him. his family noticed his giddy behavior but decided against commenting about it, happy that he was excited to go to school for once.

he rushed through his breakfast and picked out the cutest outfit he could find, applying a light layer of makeup over his face. he smiled contentedly at his reflection in the mirror, deciding that he was ready to leave for the bus stop. he slipped on his cat patterned vans and called goodbye to his family, happily making his way to the bus stop with a huge grin on his face. his tank trailed behind him, crunching over dirt and pebbles as it moved.

he was rounding the corner to the stop when a black jeep wrangler pulled alongside the curb next to him, slowing to his speed as the passenger side window creeped down. tyler was momentarily freaked out, beginning to run through how he would escape if he were to be kidnapped, but he was relieved when a familiar face leaned out the window.

"want a ride?"

without hesitation, tyler hopped into the backseat of the car, tossing his backpack on the ground in front of him, along with his oxygen tank. he buckled himself in and folded his hands across his lap, pleasantly smiling as brendon began to drive again, josh turning around in his seat to face him.

"wanna go to starbucks? brendon will pay," josh suggested, reaching a hand back to blindly turn the music up, 'smooth seas don't make good sailors' by neck deep blasting throughout the confined space.

"i never said i would pay!" brendon spoke, raising his voice to be heard over the noise.

"hey tyler, did you hear something? must be a pesky bug or something." josh shrugged and continued to turn the volume dial up.

"josh, turn that down. it's too early," brendon groaned, taking one hand off of the wheel to swat at josh's hand.

"it's never too early for some good ol' pop punk," josh exclaimed, headbanging to the tune of the song as he thrashed around in his seat.

tyler giggled as he watched the duo bicker like an old married couple, brendon whining as josh teased him. they pulled into the drive through line of starbucks, josh finally allowing brendon to turn the volume down as they waited.

"good god, josh. pull that again and i'm making you walk," brendon threatened with his most intimidating scowl, inching the car forward as the car in front of them pulled up to the speaker to order.

"you're too cute to be scary." josh pinched brendon's cheeks, which reddened at the comment. tyler noticed the burst of color but it seemed to go right over josh's head.

"uh, what do you guys want?" brendon awkwardly cleared his throat as they approached the speaker.

"just the usual, babe." josh winked, his own cheeks slightly pink.

brendon nodded and turned towards tyler expectantly. the brunette thought for a moment before speaking up. "i'll have a small iced caramel macchiato."

brendon ordered for them and pulled up to the window, giving the employee his attention as he payed. josh looked back at tyler and gave a little wave, cheeky smile pulling on his lips.

brendon passed them their drinks and began to drive away, tyler deciding that it was the perfect time to go through with his plan.

"hey josh, you know what i just noticed?" tyler said, successfully gaining josh's attention. "you're the only one in this car who isn't gay!"

"hey, don't discriminate! i'm bi, so you're half wrong."

brendon inhaled as he was taking a sip of his coffee, coughing as he tried to regain his breath. tyler smirked at how the situation was going just as he had imagined.

"how come you never told me this?" brendon asked and glanced briefly at the yellow haired boy.

"i didn't think it was a big deal," josh chuckled, turning the volume up once again. tyler recognized the behavior as a sign of feeling awkward, smiling a bit to himself. "so, tyler, you're gay?"

"that's an understatement," tyler giggled, observing the smug look josh held.

his plan was going perfectly.