glory days ↣ joshler ✓

14. Date

Tyler waited in his car, down the street from Jenna's house. It was currently 5:50 and he decided to park nearby early and give himself a pep talk before going over there.

The pep talk was going horribly.

Sighing, he ran a hand through his hair and unlocked his phone, pressing on a contact close to the top. He waited for it to ring through his car speakers since he had it connected to the aux and almost smiled when they answered. "What's up, Ty?"

"I need a pep talk."

"Hmm," Josh pondered for a moment. "I mean you can't really fuck up too bad. She's been friends with you for a long ass time she even saw you go through puberty so unless you kill her dog or something you should be good."

"Josh!" Tyler whined. "That's not the pep talk I need. I don't know how to take girls on dates. I haven't been on a date since sophomore year and she was a total bitch."

"Okay buuuut Jenna isn't a bitch and she can be just as awkward as you. Just imagine it's you two hanging out. You guys have hung out alone before so just pretend that's what you're doing now," Josh explained. "You don't have to make it weird."

"But I feel like I have to impress her and shit," he sighed.

"Dude she fucking–" Josh took a deep breath before Tyler heard rustling. "Hold on," he said in a distant voice. Suddenly he heard breathing. "She fucking likes you for you. Don't be a dumbass," he said and this time his voice was way louder than before.

"Did you just get your fucking headphones out to call me a dumbass in ASMR?" Tyler yelled at his radio.

"Yes," Josh spoke again and made noises with his tongue.

"Fuck off!" Tyler yelled again. "You know I hate that shit!" Josh made more noises. "Josh Dun!"

His friend cackled and he heard a small amount of static. "Okay I'm done," he snickered, his voice back to a normal decibel. "The headphones are on my desk. I'm done."

"I feel like you're not done."

"I am I swear on Bob Ross's life."

"Josh! He's dead you asshole."

"Oh shit I forgot," Josh whispered. "I'm in a bad mood now. I must go mourn and you must go kiss ze girl! Tata Tyler!"

The call ended and Tyler laughed to himself. His eyes caught the clock on the screen and he saw it was 5:57. Putting his car in drive, he rode about three houses up before pulling into Jenna's driveway. He glanced at himself in the mirror and crackled a smile. "You've got this, Tyler. You're good at checkers how can she not be wowed by you?" He frowned. "I really am shit at pep talks damn."

He sighed and got out, shuttling his door behind him. Nervously, he adjusted the white sleeve belonging to his collared shirt and bounded the steps. He checked his phone before slipping it in his back pocket. 5:59. Tyler rang the doorbell and stepped back, shoving his hands in his black jean pockets.

Suddenly the door opened and a very disheveled Jenna opened the door, apologetic smile on her face. "Hi! Sorry! I lost my other shoe I'm currently on the hunt for it!" She opened the door wider. "You can come in and have a seat on the couch I'll only be a few minutes I've already searched through half of my heels."

"Wait how many do you have?" Tyler quirked an eyebrow as he walked in.

"Umm..." she began. "A good amount," she grinned again. "A few minutes I swear!"

Tyler laughed and took a seat on the couch while he waited for her to finish getting ready. Another person walked in from the kitchen and saw the brunette. "Hello, Tyler," he spoke in a gruff voice.

"Hi, Mr. Black," Tyler nodded and offered a smile to be polite. He never liked Jenna's dad. Maybe he was biased since her mom was his family's maid and she had told him what her dad did to fuck them over or maybe he just knew he was a dick. He had a feeling it was the second one.

"You taking Jenna out?"

"Yes, sir," he replied.

He stared intently at Tyler for a few seconds before cracking a smile. "Have her back by eleven. I know you're a good kid, Tyler."

"Thank you," he smiled once again, to be courteous. "I will."

Jenna hurried down the stairs, both heels in hand. "I'll put these on in the car there is no way I can wear these on carpet," she told told him. She turned to her father. "Bye, Dad. I'll be home soon. Also don't harass Tyler you've known him for years."

"I would never do such thing," he joked, rustling her hair, receiving a groan in return. "Bye, pumpkin."

"Okay, lets go," she smiled at Tyler and he stood up, leading her out of the house and to his car.

When they reached the vehicle he opened the passenger side door for her. "Wow what a gentleman," she teased as she got in.

"I try," he smiled before shutting the door and going around to his side. Once he was in and they were both buckled up he pulled out and made his way to their destination.

"Where are we going?" Jenna asked.

"I know you're probably expecting me to say it's a surprise but I know you hate surprises," he laughed. "We're going to Olive Garden."

"Awesome," she smiled. "You look nice."

Tyler relaxed a bit. He didn't know if he looked presentable and felt a bit underdressed compared to Jenna. He was wearing a white long sleeve button down, black jeans, and his black Vans. He didn't even have a tie on. Tyler thought Jenna looked beautiful in her black off the shoulder dress and matching black heels (that were now on her feet). "You look beautiful," he replied.

He saw her blush from the corner of his eye as he drove. "Tyler stop it," she hid her smile.

"Do you want me to call you ugly?" He asked with a laugh. "How come you're allowed to compliment me and I'm not allowed to compliment you. That's not fair."

"Because when we walk in the restaurant my face will be as bright as my nails," she laughed out as she covered her face. Tyler glanced over and saw her nails were fire truck red. "And that's not cute."

"Whatever you say," he sang. He pulled into the Olive Garden parking lot and parked before hurrying over to her side and opening the door once again. "M'lady," he bowed when she got out.

"You're such a dork."

"I know."

The two ate dinner and had a really good time. They shot jokes back and forth and talked about life and their futures. It was different since they already knew everything about each other but it was also another kind of different since Tyler saw everything from a new perspective. He wanted to make sure he ate the right way, drank his water the right away, laughed the right away, talked the right way, even breathed the right away. Jenna deserved this. He wanted to give her a nice night out. They even ate dessert before Tyler paid (not without an argument from Jenna) and they left.

When they got back to Jenna's at around nine thirty he walked her up to the front porch. "I had a really good time," Jenna smiled at him.

"Me too," he grinned back. The two stood there for a moment before Jenna laughed nervously.

"I don't know what's supposed to happen next."

"Me neither, to be honest," Tyler shrugged. He realized he had to kiss her. It was a thing. He slowly leaned in and he saw Jenna do the same before his eyes closed. They shared a small kiss— short but sweet.

"Goodnight, Ty," Jenna bit her lip when he pulled back. "Thank you for tonight."

"Of course," Tyler replied and watched as she walked inside.

He went back out to his car and pulled out of her driveway for the second time that night and made his way towards his house.

He couldn't help but think about that kiss.

He couldn't help but think about how he didn't feel anything when it happened.

Nothing.