Tyler exhaled, his shoulders slumped down as he released some of the pressure in his chest. The boy's heart started pumping vigorously as soon as he laid his eyes at the distorted reflection on the magnifying mirror. Charlie wasn't kidding, Tyler pushed the tacky lump down his throat as he secretly stared at the girl approaching them two. Tyler thought he was playing this safe, what kind of man would step into a trap where most men perish? Fucking Sephora, man. Tyler cursed under his breath for not seeing it coming. The boy didn't want to be noticed, he didn't want to seem suspicious too so he lifted his head up and smiled at the man signalling that he wasn't trying to hide behind his friend. Jared, like the weasel he was, moved three steps away from the brunet allowing Josh to see him better. Tyler shot his friend an angry glance, oh this wasn't gonna end well for Jared. The blond grinned devilishly, he moved even further away from Tyler and of course, the boy wasn't gonna follow him like a sheep. 

Tyler glanced at Josh who was now looking at him, a soft dreamy smile on his lips like he just hit the fattest blunt. Tyler's gut twisted disgustingly, damn that man and his good looks, and his sunny smile and his warm eyes and his buttery voice... Tyler was getting too carried away, he smiled one last time before turning away. The prices on the makeup were almost as horrible as the crippling anxiety currently shackling Tyler's lungs. He tried to breathe calmly but calm was simply not an option that worked. Tyler casually hyperventilated hoping that the lady working at the store doesn't notice. 

"Oh, hey, Josh!" Charlie waved at the man as she approached the couple. Her warm amber eyes immediately darted to Debby

"Hi, Charlie."

The words weren't even directed at him but Tyler's legs had already turned to gelating. A sharp jab was an understatement, the brunet felt as if his guts were stung by giant, Dwayne The Rock Johnson sized wasps, repeatedly. That sensation didn't feel like butterflies at all and still, he wouldn't have traded it for the world. 

"Debby, it amazes me how you try to pull off anything, did you lose weight?" Charlie said sweetly "Girl, you look so much like cheese and it's ridiculous, how are you?"

"G-good. Thank you." the blonde blinked in confusion, Charlie's words didn't seem to be sinking in yet. Tyler doubted that they ever will. 

"I saw some foundation that is so full coverage that no one will ever see the scabs from your lip injections." the redhead grabbed Debby's hand "Come, I'll show you."

Tyler smiled at the whole situation and how ridiculous it was. Charlie's "plan" was working and the brunet had no idea how. He was just glad that it worked. Somehow... Jared completely vanished, Tyler looked around hoping to see the familiar looking head of blond hair. It was like he didn't even exist. Finally, Tyler noticed him smirking at the boy from the other side of the store window. Damn him for leaving Tyler all alone surrounded by overpriced beauty blenders. 

"Oh, that's... great." the blonde wasn't sure if she was uncomfortable or excited. Tyler licked the blood off his bottom lip, just the sight of the blonde girl made him want to punch a hole in time and space.

Charlie dragged Debby to the other side of the store. Tyler's lips twitched into a soft smile, in seconds that smile was gone because he realized what the girl has done. Josh, with no companion at his side, moved towards Tyler. The boy clutched his fists, there was that shaky feeling that didn't seem like it wanted to leave. Tyler's head shifted to Josh's direction, his lips formed a smile without his permission. 

"Need help with picking a foundation?" Josh joked

"Actually, I'm helping Charlie shop." Tyler murmured, his fingers were clutched the foundation bottle tightly, his knuckles turned white.

"Ah, I see." Josh stuffed his hands into his pockets "I don't know anything about makeup despite the fact that I used to eat my mom's lipstick when I was five."

"Did it taste good?" Tyler licked his lips unconsciously

"I don't remember," Josh shrugged, his eyes darted at the boy's mouth for a second "But judging from my desire to eat makeup products when I was a toddler, it tasted damn amazing."

Tyler let a soft chuckle to slip through his lips. It was too late to frown, he was already laughing. Josh seemed to enjoy Tyler's amusement, he bumped his shoulder against Tyler's playfully, teasing. Tyler almost choked as soon as their bodies made contact but of course, he didn't show it. 

Toothy grins, crinkling eyes. Tyler could've listened to that soft laugh for an eternity. Tyler grabbed a random eyeshadow and proceeded to swatch it on his wrist. Josh raised an eyebrow out of curiosity.

"Do you wear makeup?" 

Tyler was taken by surprise, no, he couldn't afford it. And even if he did, he wouldn't touch it afraid to look like a fool. 

"If I feel adventurous." Tyler lied and rubbed some gold glitter on his skin

"I think that shade would look great on you." Josh gestured "It would go well with your eyes."

"You think so?" Tyler's voice  changed in pitch

"Well, yeah." Josh let out a breathy chuckle "You would look pretty."

Josh paused expecting the brunet to respond. Tyler was straight up dead. Done. Deceased. 

"N-not that you don't look pretty as you are already," Josh corrected himself "I m-mean it would make you look even better- Not that you need makeup-"

"I understand." Tyler placed his hand on Josh's bicep in a friendly way. Yeah no, he just wanted to touch it. 

"I'm sorry if I offended you." Josh murmured, his cheeks dusted light pink

"You didn't." Tyler chuckled timidly 

"Are you gonna get this?" Josh gestured at the eyeshadow pallet in Tyler's hands

"Do you want me to?" Tyler tilted his the side, his teeth squeezing down on his bottom lip tenderly

Josh inhaled sharply, his lips quivered inaudibly. Finally, he just shrugged. 

"I think you should." Josh shifted a bit closer to the boy, his eyes inspecting the pallet "You definitely should." 

"I think I will." Tyler smiled, his insides screamed. He didn't have that kind of money but he had to play along. The brunet prayed to God that Josh would leave so he could put the makeup back where it came from. 

"Hey, uh, why aren't you at the youth centre?" Tyler changed the subject "Aren't you supposed to host a meeting?"

"No one showed up..." Josh murmured, his eyes shifted down

"I'm sorry..." Tyler's eyebrows twitched upwards, he suddenly felt bad "I'll come next time."

"I'm sure you will." Josh's lips curled into a tiny smirk 

"I will." 

"Sure you will."

Tyler let out a heavy sigh, he didn't even know when the next meeting is gonna be.

"Look, I'm sorry." the brunet's fingers softly grasped Josh's forearm 

"We're friends, right?" Josh questioned

"Y-yes." Tyler croaked. Were they, though? 

"Great." Josh smiled cockily "Since I don't have anyone to accompany me to the store, you're going to be the victim."

"What store?" Tyler's palms were getting more sweaty by the second

"Can you meet me at the fountain in two hours?" Josh's words poured like honey, coating Tyler's whole existence. Of course he was gonna say yes.

"Sure..." Tyler patted Josh's arm awkwardly "Buddy."

The older man's smile faltered. He nodded slowly and turned to leave. Tyler waved at him awkwardly and watched Josh collect his girlfriend. 

Charlie seemed to be relieved.

"Ty-"

"Charlie!" Tyler cut the girl off and shoved the eyeshadow palette in the girl's face "I need this fucking palette!"