Josh walked into his math class, smiling when he saw Tyler already sitting in his usual seat. He was typing something on his phone and Josh noticed his leg bouncing irritably.

Josh went over, setting his bag down. "Hey. You okay?"

Tyler looked up and gave him a deer in the headlights sort of look. He relaxed when he realized it was just Josh. "Hey. Yeah."

"You look a little freaked," Josh noted as he sat down. "Anything you wanna talk about?" He wasn't going to push Tyler but he wanted his boyfriend to trust him. He wanted them to be able to trust each other.

Tyler let out a sigh and set his phone down. "My mind's just a little focused on something. Sorry."

"Don't apologize," Josh assured. "Just wanted to make sure you're alright."

Tyler smiled at him. "Thanks."

The bell rang then and Mrs. Black walked in. "Morning, class."

They chorused their responses but all Josh could focus on was Tyler drumming his fingers against the desk in a anxious way. His leg was still bouncing too.

"Are you sure you're okay?" Josh asked.

Tyler pursed his lips and nodded. "Yeah."

Josh thought of something. "Give me your hand."

Tyler gave him a look. "What? Why?"

"Just give it to me. Under the desk."

Josh saw his hand and grasped it, holding it tightly. Tighter than he would have.

He noticed Tyler's leg stop bouncing and he had to use his other hand to work on the notes Mrs. Black was passing out.

"Does this help?" Josh asked sincerely. "If not I can let go but physical touch may give you something else to focus on."

Tyler let out a relieved sigh. "Yeah. It helps," he smiled. "Thanks."

"Of course."

They kept their hands clasped together while Mrs. Black went through the notes. She would glance up at Tyler with a worried expression every few minutes. She obviously knew something Josh didn't. It was Jenna's mom and Tyler and Jenna were best friends.

Once she passed out the homework, she stopped at their pair of desks. She noticed Tyler's and Josh's hands clasped together under the desk but didn't say anything. "Are you okay?" She asked him quietly.

He nodded, but it was clear something was bothering him. Josh wished he could help more. He didn't want Tyler to be bothered by whatever was causing it to happen. He had only been with Tyler a handful of days but he's cared for him for awhile and didn't want him to hurt.

"Yeah," Tyler swallowed. "I'll be okay. I sat in here with Jenna this morning. I should be good until I get home."

She nodded as if she understood what he meant. "Okay. You let me know if you need anything. I can close my classroom for lunch if you need me to."

He smiled gratefully. "I'm okay. Thanks though, Mrs. Black."

The mentioned looked at Tyler sadly. "Don't thank me. I know how hard things can get."

She went back over to her desk and Josh just squeezed Tyler's hand once more in support. He felt Tyler squeeze back so he glanced up and Tyler was looking at him in adoration. "I'm still really glad we're together," he spoke quietly. "I feel like I don't deserve you. I feel like I'm not good enough."

"You not a bad person, Ty. I hope you know that. No matter what's bothering you, it still makes you a good person."

Tyler swallowed and Josh could tell he was blinking back tears. "I don't think you understand how badly I needed to hear that," he laughed out, Josh knee it was mainly to avoid crying.

Josh's heart clenched. "I just need you to believe it."

Tyler's thumb began rubbing the side of Josh's hand as they continued to look at one another. "I'm trying to."

"That's all I can ask."

The two worked on their homework in relative silence until the bell rang. They let go of one another's hands so the two could get their things. Mrs. Black watched Tyler warily the whole time, looking as if she thought he was going to snap.

He sent her a reassuring smile as he put his bag on and led Josh out of the classroom.

They were making their way towards the cafeteria so Josh shoved his hands in the pockets of his jeans. "What's that for?" Tyler asked.

"Oh well I just don't know if you want people to know we're together."

Tyler let out a hum as he pulled Josh's hand out and held it, more gently this time. "Fuck anyone who has a problem. I'll take care of it if anyone does."

Josh laughed. "What are you gonna do?"

Tyler smirked. "You underestimate me, baby."

Josh's heart began racing at the nickname and he knew if he were a cartoon character he would for sure have heart eyes.

Tyler didn't seem to notice he used the nickname and the two just continued walking towards their lunch spot.

When they approached the table Jenna saw them and smiled. "Hey cuties!"

Josh blushed as he sat down next to Tyler. "Hey," the latter replied with a smile.

"I see you're in a better mood."

Tyler paused for a moment. "Yeah. Josh helped," he paused again. "Oh, before I forget! I can't hang out much this week or next because my first basketball game is next week and have a ton of practices."

"That's okay!" Josh assured.

Tyler paused again. "Would you uh—" he swallowed. "—would you like to come watch me play? You don't have to but—"

Josh smiled. "Of course I'll come see my boyfriend kick ass."

Jenna gushed. "You guys are cute together wow I'm such a good matchmaker."

Josh's blush only deepened and Tyler let out a hum. "I don't know about myself but Josh sure is cute."

Josh covered his face and let out a whine. "Stop!"

Tyler and Jenna laughed and even if it was at the expense of his embarrassment, he was glad Tyler was in a better mood.

Their laughing was cut off when he saw Jordan approaching their table with an excited look on his face. He sat down next to Josh and waited until the older was facing him to speak.

"Uh hello?"

"I asked a girl out on a date!"

"Okay..."

"And she said yes!"

"Good for you," Josh spoke sincerely. "Would I know her?"

Jordan shook his head. "Probably not. Her name's Rylee. I met her at the party. She's gorgeous and she has a good personality which is different than the girls I'm usually attracted to."

Jenna let out a laugh but then slightly covered her mouth with her hand to stifle it. "Sorry," she giggled, sending Josh an apologetic look.

Josh looked back at his brother. "Is she a sophomore?"

"Yeah. She's blonde. Brown eyes. Maybe these two know her?"

Josh looked and saw Jenna shaking her head. "Our school's pretty big and I don't really talk to underclassmen I don't have class with. Maybe Ty knows her? He didn't really talk to many people before this year but he might know her now."

"What's her last name?" He asked, a look on his face that sounded like he was trying to recall something.

"Archer."

Tyler thought for a moment. It looked like something was on the tip of his tongue. He sighed. "I think she sounds familiar but I don't know how I know her. Sorry."

Jordan shrugged. "All good. Anyway just wanted to stop by and have my big bro pretend to be proud of me."

"I am proud of you. Hopefully this girl works out. Or at least for a little bit."

Jordan smiled. "Yeah. Hopefully. I really like her. Like not just me being an annoying teenage boy I thought she was breathtaking the first time I saw her."

"I'm happy for you," Josh added.

"Thanks," Jordan got up. "I'll see you after school, bub."

"Bye, Jor."

The three waited for him to walk off before Jenna let out a coo. "Both Dun brothers are getting into relationships how cute."

Josh rolled his eyes but there was a smile on his face.

For once, things were actually looking up.