Tyler pulled the sleeves of his hoodie past his hands and crossed his arms. His teeth were chattering, his body trembling. It was way too cold to be at school.

In reality, it wasn't that cold; Tyler was just a fucking idiot. Josh has told him to wear more layers and a proper jacket, and Tyler had refused. He would just be in an oversized t-shirt if Josh didn't give him his hoodie in a moment of pity.

The pair walked into the hallway. Tyler sighed in relief as the warmth of crappy school heaters washed over him. Josh laughed and nearly wrapped an arm around him. He caught himself when he remembered that they had to pretend to be cousins, which was completely disgusting but unfortunately necessary.

Tyler shoved his hands in his pockets. "School sucks. I just wanna graduate and be over with it."

"Too bad, you little junior," Josh teased. "You've still a year and a half left. I'm a big boy, I only have six months."

Tyler playfully pushed him. "Only if you graduate, big boy."

Josh feigned hurt. "I can't believe you've done this."

Tyler gasped and paused him, ignoring the annoyed comments the action earned from passing students. "Was that a vine reference?"

Josh furrowed his eyebrows. "A what?"

Tyler sighed dramatically. "Damn it, Josh. I had hope. For a second, I had hope."

Josh rolled his eyes. "I'm not even gonna ask."

Ashley appeared suddenly and tackled Tyler into a hug. "Jesus Christ, why do y'all have to be so cryptic?"

Tyler chuckled. "Sorry, Ash."

Ashley pulled away and held him at arms-length. "Are you gonna tell me why you were out of school again?"

Tyler scratched the back of his neck awkwardly and looked to Josh. "I-I can't tell you."

Ashley rolled her eyes. "God, you can't tell me anything anymore, can you?"

Tyler felt a painful tug in his heart. "I want to tell you, I swear. It's just... it's really hard."

Ashley looked like she was about to cry. She lowered her voice and looked at him sincerely. "You can tell me anything. You know, that, right?"

Tyler nodded and swallowed the lump in his throat. "I know," he said, his voice weak and watery.

Ashley wiped her eyes before any tears could fall. "Please, Ty. I'm your best friend."

As much as he didn't want to, Tyler shook his head. There was too much. Not telling her hurt, but telling her would be worse. He had lied about so much, for so long, and it was all catching up to him. His web of lies was falling apart, and Tyler was doing everything in his power to make it stay together. That included not telling Ashley.

Ashley's bottom lip trembled. She turned and hid her face before immediately running to the bathroom. Tyler looked down at his shoes and clenched his fists, biting his lip so he wouldn't cry. Josh stood behind him awkwardly, unsure of what to do. He wanted to hug Tyler, but he knew he couldn't.

Tyler walked away without a word. He immediately ran to the boy's bathroom and locked himself in one of the stalls. He sat down on the closed toilet and tugged at his hair, rocking slightly as he willed himself not to sob too loudly.

Ashley had been with him through everything. She had been his moral support for all of his life- until freshmen year. Until Eddie.

Eddie was one of the only gay kids in the school, and the oldest in Tyler's friend group. He was friendly and supportive; Tyler felt comfortable when he came out to him. And when Eddie kissed him for the first time, Tyler felt like he was in love. And when Eddie hit him for the first time, Tyler felt like it would never happen again.

Tyler lost his virginity to Eddie. It wasn't nice. Eddie was rough and dominant; his true side came out during sex. Tyler wanted a soulmate- he wanted someone that he could go on dates with and grow old with. All that Eddie wanted was an easy fuck. If only Tyler had realised that sooner.

Tyler let out a sob and clutched his shirt, twisting the fabric between his fingers. He had his eyes squeezed shut, like he was trying to disappear.

He heard the door open and opened his eyes. He attempted to steady and quiet his breathing, pushing down the panic swelling in his chest. He heard footsteps and bit the inside of his cheek, trying not to make any sounds.

"Tyler? I know you're in here."