*BZZT BZZT*
My phone went off unexpectedly, interrupting Josh and I, so I decided to grab it just in case it was an emergency or something.

I looked at it and couldn't believe what I saw. I just stared at it for what felt like years.

"Uh......Tyler?"
I snapped out of it and looked at Josh.

"Are you okay? Why are you crying?"
Shit, I didn't even realize I was crying. I wiped away my tears and looked away.

"It's nothing, Josh."

"Let me see your phone, please."
I shook my head. This is way too embarrassing for me to show him.

"Ty, please."
He grabs my phone and I breakdown.

"YOU HAVE BEEN TAGGED IN A PHOTO BY @/Killyourselftylerjoseph"

He looked at the photo in despair.
It was me, on the ground after I had been beaten up, with a noose photoshopped over my neck.

"GO DIE, USELESS WHORE"

Tears were running down my face, so I put my hands over my eyes in embarrassment.

"Tyler. Ty. This....this is fucking horrid. Please don't listen to them."

They are right, Tyler...

You are pretty useless...

Josh pulled my chin so I could see his face.
That damn face.

"Ty, please look at me. This is not okay."
I put my head back down, hands still on my forehead, balling my eyes out.

"Look, I'm concerned Tyler. There's a lot going on with you right now."
Josh paused.

"...Ty....just...just please just tell me your arms are okay?"
I remove my hands only to see my cuts exposed due to my sleeve being moved down. I was shaking and his voice was cracking. I feel so bad. This is not what I had planned.

"T-they're nothing Josh."

"Ty, they aren't nothing. Did you do this to yourself? Is this why there's blood on your bed?"
My breathing became choppy from my ugly sobbing.

"N-no, I scrapped my a-arm on a rock while walking."
Did I actually think that saying that would convince him?

"Ty. A rock doesn't make neat rows like that when you get scraped, plus those weren't there until you came out of the bathroom. So I'm gonna ask you again. Did you do this to yourself?"

Silence.
He leaned in, whispering.

"You don't have to lie to me, Ty."
I nodded my head, pulling my sleeves down.

"Oh, Tyjo..."

He brought me closer for a hug. It was like being in a warm car, and you're just on the brim of falling asleep; it's so peaceful.

"I'm so, so sorry Ty. Please, please message me if you want to talk."
I felt a kiss on my forehead.

"I love you, Ty."
I sat there. Shocked.

He...loves me.

"I...I-I love y-you t-"
"I know, Ty. I know." 

I felt the air leaving my body as my tears dried off and I drifted to sleep in his arms, emotionally exhausted.

I woke up the next morning tucked under my sheets in bed. I looked for Josh and he's nowhere to be seen.
Checking my phone, there's a message from Josh.

——
J: Hey ty, i just put u to bed so if u dont see me tmrrw mornin thts because i had to go somewhere tht night. txt me if u need anything, k? c u at school, i love u
——
My heart fluttered.

Butterflies swept through me as I could feel happiness crawl into my veins.
I'm...I'm loved.

——
T: kk, i love u more jish, c u
——

I got to school and prepared for the worst. There was...nothing so far, which was pretty surprising.

My next few classes go by with the usual asshole calling me a faggot, but that's nothing new.

Lunch comes along and as I walked to the bench some boys pass me by with ropes around their neck, teasing me.

They're gross.
As I sat down and got comfortable, one of the guys came up to me.

"Hey fairy, where's your boyfriend?"
I roll my eyes.
Asshole.

"He's not my boyfriend."
He cocked an eyebrow.

"Oh, really? Then I guess you don't mind me telling you that he was making out with some guy last night."
He laughed and ran off after shoving a picture in my hands.

I looked at the photo, and there's Josh, kissing another boy at a party.

How could he? It hasn't even been two days and he already regrets being with me? I don't blame him though.

"Hey Ty, what's tha-"
"Don't you fucking dare lie to me right now, alright?"
Josh looked confused.

My arms and legs were shaking so much I thought I'd collapse. I was filled with anger, hatred, sadness, regret, and so much more.

"Did you kiss another boy last night?"
His head dropped and he sat down.

"Look, Ty, I was drunk and things got out of hand."
I scoffed.

"You were at a party...with the football players and the popular kids? The ones who beat the shit out of me?"
Josh spoke quietly.

"I...I just wanted to have some fun with my friends, alright?"
I can't believe him right now.

"Fun?? FUN?!! You know what's really fucking fun? Being told to kill yourself throughout the night by those 'friends' while the only person that makes you feel happy is out there, partying with them."
I couldn't end the anger inside me.

"Ty, I was fucking hammered, okay?! So give me a fucking break, you're not the only one dealing with shit."

Josh got up and brushed past me and headed towards the boys that passed by me earlier.

Wow.

Just, wow.
I stand up, mouth gaping open, wanting to scream.

——
(A/N: Ayy so I know that this is really shitty rn but I'm trying to get to the good parts, cough cough next chapter cough cough, so please continue voting!)