Josh opened the door, his heart beating at a ridiculously fast pace. He sighed in relief when he saw Brendon and Ryan.

"Are you okay?" Brendon asked. "You look kind of freaked out."

Josh chuckled. "No, I'm alright. So, what brings you here?"

Brendon raised the plastic bags in his hands. "Friday dinners, man. Did you forget?"

Josh smiled. "We're still doing that?"

Brendon walked past him and into the kitchen. "Of course."

Friday dinners were a tradition for Brendon and Josh. It was an end-of-the-week celebration. They'd get takeout and catch a break from the absolute mess of their lives. Josh figured that they wouldn't keep doing it, especially since they hadn't for a while, but Brendon seemed adamant.

Josh waved Tyler over, who looked small as he waved to Brendon and Ryan. Josh didn't know why, but Tyler wasn't comfortable around Brendon. In all honestly, Tyler didn't know why either.

Brendon dropped the bags on the table and began to unpack them. "HSPs," he announced.

Josh pulled out a small box and stared at in confusion. "What?"

"Halal Snack Packs," Brendon smiled. "My new love."

Josh opened it to see a slimey mixture of thick fries, an unidentifiable meat and sauce. He raised his eyebrows at Brendon, who was too busy literally stuffing his face to reply. Ryan and Tyler were eating, too, seeming familiar with the food. Josh looked at it skeptically before grabbing a plastic fork and taking a bite.

It managed to taste amazing and disgusting at the same time. Josh had no idea why or how, but he loved it.

"What's even in this?" Tyler eventually asked.

"Chicken and garlic sauce, I think," Ryan replied.

Josh shook his head and smiled. "It's incredible."

"It most definitely is," Brendon said. "I'm sorry, Ryan, but this is my true love."

Ryan laughed. "I'm fine with that. I like KFC better than you."

Brendon feigned shock. "I feel truly betrayed. I cannot believe you've done this."

Ryan scoffed. "You did it first, dumb-dumb."

"Dumb-dumb? Nice, Ry," Brendon chuckled.

Ryan kissed him in the cheek. "Just kidding. You know I love you the most."

Brendon ruffled Ryan's hair. "I love you the most, too."

Josh threw a chip at the pair. "Boo! Get a room!"

"Says you," Brendon replied. "You're practically attached at the hip to Tyler. Are your chairs connected or something? Like, how are you even so close together?"

"At least we're not making out at the dinner table," Josh retorted.

Brendon smirked and turned to kiss Ryan. Josh groaned and dropped his face into his hands. Tyler laughed as Ryan pulled away quickly and playfully pushed Brendon's face.

"You're so annoying," he laughed.

Brendon shrugged. "You love it."

Ryan grinned. "You know I do."

Josh rolled his eyes. "Are we really doing this again?"

Brendon waved his hand. "Quiet, child. Eat your 'chicken'."

Josh furrowed his eyebrows. "Why'd you say it like that?"

"Like what?"

Josh lowered his voice, imitating Brendon. "Chicken."

"Look at it," Brendon whispered, as if he was sharing a secret. "Are you sure that it's chicken?"

"Who cares?" Tyler scoffed. "It tastes good. That's all that matters."

Brendon cleared his throat. "Moving on. How was school, children?"

Josh rolled his eyes. "It was great, Dad."

"Josh made a friend," Tyler said. "What was his name again? Frank?"

"Oh, Good ol' Frankie," Josh beamed. "Yeah, he's my new best friend. Sorry, Beebs- oh, I mean, sorry Brendon."

Brendon raised a hand to place it on Josh's shoulder. "Look, Josh. I understand that you're going through some changes, which makes you extra moody. I mean, you are blooming-"

Josh shoved his hand away and laughed. "Shit up, man. You're three years older than me. Calm down.

Brendon's attention turned to Tyler. "Hey, man. You've been quiet. You alright?"

Tyler looked up from his food. "Yeah. Yeah, of course. A little tired."

Josh stretched his arm over Tyler's shoulders. "Ty's been doing tons of training lately. You've got a big game coming up, right?"

"Yeah," Tyler confirmed with a small nod. "Yeah, it's gonna be huge. Coach has got us staying after school every other day. I gotta work harder, too, 'cause I don't get as much practice anymore."

"We should get one," Josh said. "Y'know, a little indoor one."

Tyler was about to reply when he felt his phone buzz in his pocket. He pulled it out, his heart stopping when he read the words displayed on the screen.

I'm at your house and you're not here???? Your parents are acting weird, too. Where are you??

Tyler placed his phone sown shakily. Everyone was watching him, probably wondering why he was freaking out so much.

The phone buzzed again. Tyler flinched.

Are you okay?? I can see you reading my texts.

i'm fine, i'm just out with josh

Then why is your family so freaked out?

idk, they're just being weird.

Where are you? I'm worried.

Tyler looked at Josh, who leant over and read the texts. His eyes widened and he turned to Brendon, as if the young man could read his mind and then suddenly fix the situation.

I can see your location on Snapchat. I'm coming to you. Don't you dare move.

Josh read her last message and leant back. He exhaled heavily. "Fuck."