just children once ✓

jealousy comes in odd shades of orange

<2:30 pm, Friday>

He couldn't figure out why Josh was acting so bitter. Their entire group- after Melanie and Josh's fight, their crowd turned into some sort of a fusion of Tyler's friends and Josh's- were crowded around the main office, anxiously waiting for Jenna to walk out of the office with her high school diploma.

Ever since Jenna and Tyler broke up the day before- the rest of them were in utter disarray but they knew it would happen eventually, a long distance relationship between them would only last so long- Josh was snappy and quieter than usual. Sure, he'd chime into their conversations every once in a while, but it was only to make fun of something someone had said.

So when Jenna walked out of the counselor's office with a shiny high school diploma, everyone besides Josh jumped up and cheered. Tyler picked her up and spun her, smiling so wide he thought his face would crack.

"Congratulations!" Tyler kissed her cheek, laughing. He finally understood why Josh and Debby acted so friendly after they broke up- their relationship was something he couldn't erase completely. Whether or not they were together, they'd still be close.

The rest of them exchanged hugs with Jenna and Mrs. Williams walked in, adjusting her glasses. "Shouldn't you all be in class?" She chuckled, putting her hands on her hips.

"We couldn't miss her getting her diploma," Melanie chimed, pulling Jenna into a side hug. She wiped fake tears away. "They're growing up so fast."

They all ditched last period, deciding to go to Sweet Revenge instead. The group was split between three cars- Brendon and Dallon in Brendon's car, Debby and Melanie in Melanie's that she finally got back after being grounded for three months, and Josh, Jenna, and Tyler in Josh's car.

Josh was still pissed for some reason and pressed on the gas before the others could even put on their seat belts. Tyler jerked back and Jenna yelped, slamming her knees into the passenger seat Tyler was sitting in as they spun out of the senior lot and into a red light.

"Dude, what the fuck?" Tyler grabbed the dashboard with one hand and clicked on his seatbelt with the other. Josh didn't reply, only gripping the wheel even tighter.

When the red light turned green and the other caught up to them, however, Josh didn't speed away like they thought he would. He looked over at Tyler, who was a mix of horrified and pissed at Josh, sighed, and let up on the gas.

As they continued on their way to the shop, Josh's phone began to ring. When he picked it up, Melanie's shrill voice rang through the receiver.

"What the actual hell was that, Dun? You trying to get my friends killed or something?" She yelled.

Josh rolled his eyes and handed the phone to Tyler to hold while he drove. "Thanks for worrying, Mel, I'm okay too," he drawled.

Melanie huffed and Melanie's car behind him honked. "Seriously, what the-"

He hung up, pulling into the Sweet Revenge quite roughly. Jenna's the first who exits the car, slamming the door and swearing.

"Josh-"

"Don't," Josh looked down at his hands in his lap, unmoving. "I'll stay in the car."

Tyler didn't move. Instead, he turned to Josh and patted his shoulder. "What's wrong?" He asked. Josh was scowling and his shoulders were tense, and wouldn't meet Tyler's eyes.

"You scared me half to death," he chastised. "And you've also been pissed for no reason. Talk to me, bud." He nudged Josh playfully. "I'll buy you the mango smoothie. I know it's your favorite."

"Orange," Josh huffed angrily, but his lips quirked to a small smile.

Tyler tilted his head. "Orange? Not mango?"

Josh laughed, shaking his head. "The color, not the fruit. Dork."

"What about the color orange?"

Tyler looked out the window to see Brendon beckoning then inside. He held up one hand, indicating they'd be there in a moment.

"I have synesthesia, which basically means I see colors and emotions as sounds," he explained.

Tyler nodded, not catching on. "Right." He shifted to catch Josh rolling his eyes.

"I interpret emotions as colors. It's weird, I know, but it's just how my brain is wired. For instance, for me green is fear, purple is nostalgia, pastel yellow is tranquility, purple-blue is sadness, red is-"

"So, what's orange?"

Josh paused, looking at Tyler before looking away, his face turning beet red. "What?"

Josh shook his head, the tips of his ears turning dark pink. "Is it bad?" Tyler teased, playfully punching Josh's shoulders.

They met eyes and Tyler could've sworn Josh leaned into him before he was out of the car and walking across the parking lot with a rush. Tyler shook his head, laughing. He became increasingly curious as to what orange meant, so he followed Josh inside, pestering him until they left later that afternoon.