"Hey, I'm Tyler."
We shook hands and he smiled at me. I guess I get to break the bad news to him.

"Sorry to be such a downer, but I'm sure someone like you wouldn't want to be caught talking to someone like me."
His eyebrows furrowed.

"Why not? I mean I'd talk to anyone with a good taste of music."
He glances at my band shirt and I smile.

"So I guess I have a good taste in music to you?"
We laughed and talked the rest of the hour. Once the bell rang, Josh nudged me.

"Hey, Tyler, here's my number, we should totally hang and jam out some time!"

I was surprised. No, actually...I was in shock. Why would a cool, handsome guy like him willingly hang with a loser like me? I guess I'll find out eventually.

(Time Skip: School ended, Tyler just got home.)

I can already smell the fresh cigarettes my father smokes on a daily.

"I'm home."
I call, kicking my shoes off and trying to ignore my parents fighting as I run to my room. I shut the door, lock it, and sigh in relief.

It's a lucky day. Usually I have to see my father get beaten or I'd get pulled into their argument. I know, usually its the father beating the mother, but nope, my mother can be vicious when she wants to. It's not like she gets drunk or anything, she just has anger issues and bipolar disorder. But still, that doesn't justify the way she treats my dad.

I didn't have anything to do, so I just laid in bed and doodled a few sketches. As I put my things away, I see a slip of paper fall put of my sketchbook.

"Joshua Dun-
Here's my #!"

On the back was a number.
I was curious about the new boy in my class, so, I texted him, just to see if he would really respond.
--
T: Hello?
J: Hey! what's up?
T: nothin rlly, i was just curious tho, if u don't mind me asking
J: feel free
T: y did u come talk to me? Like, y were u so friendly?
J: is tht not how ur supposed to treat people?
T: no no, it's just tht im not used to that kind of treatment i guess
J: what do u mean?
T: I'd rather not go into details unless I got to kno u a bit better, sry
J: it's okay! do u wanna come ovr sometime? I hav mario kart and super smash bros if u wanna play
T: id love to
J: ok, heres my address and just hmu when ur on ur way
T: kk
--

Luckily, Josh didn't live very far, so I could bike there. I brought a small satchel in case I needed anything. My converse hit the pedals and I was off.

The air was thick and humid, and it looks like it just rained. The sky was often grey; my kind of weather.

When I arrive at his doorstep, his messy hair and laid-back style was comforting. Since it is late April, it was somewhat warm out despite the clouds, so he was wearing a tanktop and black shorts.

I wish I could do that.

"Hey stranger!"
I couldn't help but chuckle at his dorkiness.

"Hey, thanks for letting me come over."
"No problem dude! Anytime, just text me."

I take off my shoes so that I don't track in. Everything seemed so...nice. It was quiet and peaceful. Finally, a place where I don't have to hear the teasing or my parents fighting.

But I knew it was only temporary.

"C'mon, my bedroom is upstairs."
As we entered his room I dropped my bag by the door and chilled on the bed as he set up Mario Kart.

For about an hour or so, we remained focused on the game, and then we talked for a bit. His name is Joshua, he is 19, a senior, he hates sports but is pretty fit, and really enjoys music and dying his hair. His parents don't live with him, they kicked him out after he came out as gay, so he came here to live with his Aunt.

I told him the general gist of my situation. I'm 18, a senior, I love art and music as well as tacos, I have two parents, and they don't really get along. I told him that my dad smokes and my mom has issues, so they constantly fight, and I can get dragged in.

"Eh, everyones parents fight." He stated.

He just...blew me off?
He doesn't understand I guess. An awkward silence filled the room.

"So...what's school like here? Is it nice?"
I scoffed.
"Sure, but only if you aren't me."
His eyebrow cocked with confusion.

"What does that mean?"
"It means that everyone at school hates me."

He laughed.
Does he not believe me?

"Oh c'mon, how could someone hate you?"
He teased. Mumbling under my breath, I said:

"Easy, even I found a way to hate myself..."

"What?"
His response made me jump a bit. I didn't think he heard that.

"I-I didn't say anything."
He crossed his arms.

"Really? Well, if you aren't gonna tell me, that's fine. But I seriously doubt that the school is that bad."

I give up. He's just like my parents. Always telling me I'm fine and to suck it up, or that it could be worse. I know I just met this guy, but I have no patience for this.

"Yeah, you know what, it's not that bad, it's super fun and great and everything. So, I better be heading out now. Thanks Josh."
I slammed the door, and before I started taking off on my bike, I felt a hand grab my wrist.

"Tyler, look, that's not what I meant. I just haven't been here for long. I'm sorry."
Yanking my wrist out of his grip, I winced in pain.

"Okay, I forgive you, but sooner or later, you'll see what this school is really like."
I took off.

My heart was pulsing as tears streamed down my face and the wind blew against my body.

How could he say that when he doesn't even know what's going on at school? He just got here a day ago!

I'm not sure how to feel about him, but he seems kind of like a prick, or maybe he's just oblivious.

Or maybe you're just weak, over sensitive and pathetic...

I distract myself by humming a little tune to drown out that voice in my head...my blurryface.

When I got home it was pretty late, so I slipped on some pj's and tried to sleep, thinking over on the situation.

Oh god, I overreacted, didn't I?
Shit. Well, there's no use in apologizing to him. He has probably already made new friends.