Empathy [Josh Dun - Twenty One Pilots]

FØUR

Josh was pacing the hallway leading to his bedroom. He hadn't been so nervous in a while, and the thought of waiting alone in his room with nothing to do agitated him more than it should. So instead, he was counting the steps from his door to the stairs. And from the stairs to his door, then further to his mom's bedroom.

"Will you stop?"

Josh jumped and turned around, noticing his brother's face in the first doorframe near the staircase.

"Don't worry, your date will go just fine!" Jordan continued, furrowing his brows.

Josh rolled his eyes, desperately wanting to throw something at his sibling's head. The only reachable thing though, was an old vase that belonged to a great-great-grandmother or something, and it probably had nothing more than sentimental value but Josh couldn't simply take the risk.

"Shut up," he said, irritated, "it's not a date!" And it was not, indeed. A week after his mom gave Tyler a ride home, Josh had finally gathered up the courage to ask him if maybe he wanted to stay over for the night. It was a big deal for him - he hadn't had anyone stay over for the past year, hadn't even invited anyone for a drink for much more than that - and he didn't appreciate his little brother making fun of it. But Josh's anger seemed to amuse him very much.

"Tell that to you boyfriend," he said with a smirk before closing the door.

Josh let out a sigh of frustration, and was about to follow him into the room, give him maybe a little tap on the head, when the doorbell rang.

Josh stopped dead in his tracks, his heart suddenly beating faster, his palms sweating with nervousness. It was not a date, but it certainly looked like it. Trying to calm down, he didn't move for a while, waiting for his mom to open the door; he didn't want to seem too eager to welcome Tyler, right?

"Joshua! Your guest is here!" he finally heard his mom yell from downstairs.

"Coming!" he replied, but counted to five before casually walking down.

His mom had already led the way to the living room, and Tyler was standing near the sofa, his backpack dangling from his right shoulder, his back to Josh. He was curiously looking around, like anyone would when visiting someone for the first time. Joshua, very self-aware, didn't how to let him know of his presence. He was also extremely aware that his mother was looking, although pretending to fold some laundry. Apprehensive, he cleared his throat. Instantly, Tyler turned around to face him, a smile appearing on his face.

"Hey!" he said enthusiastically.

"Hi," Josh responded, glancing at his mother on the other side of the room. Silence fell, and the two boys stared at each other awkwardly, obviously unable to remember how to function properly.

"So..." Josh started finally, twisting the hair on the back of his neck, but he was soon interrupted by his mother. And fortunately, because he had no idea what he was about to say.

"Would you like something to drink, Tyler?" Mrs Dun asked wholeheartedly.

"No, thank you Mrs Dun," the guest replied, his cheeks blushing lightly, "I drank so much Yoohoo this morning, I don't think drinking more would be a good idea right now."

Josh laughed internally, awing at the perfection of that boy standing in his living room. Could he really be friends with such a boy-next-door kind of guy? Would he be good enough for him? He had no idea, but he certainly had to step up his game if he wanted this to work. At first, he thought his mother's presence would play against him, but right now, he was glad she knew the codes of conviviality.

"Then how about getting you settled in Josh's bedroom?" she asked, turning to her son to entice him into following her suggestion.

"Oh, right!" Josh replied, suddenly realizing that Tyler would actually need a place to sleep. "Come upstairs!" he then said to his guest, leading the way. The staircase had never felt so long. Mentally counting the steps, Josh's brain also had enough work space to make him wonder if his room was tidied enough, if nothing embarrassing would show. Did he hide his journal? He couldn't remember. Oh, and that DVD of Titanic? Was it still in his nightstand's drawer? Not that he liked the movie, to be honest, he had never seen anything other than... well... that scene where the guy draws... you know... the naked woman. His cheeks blushed at the thought, and before he knew it, the door to his bedroom was open, and Tyler was roaming in his special place.