52. SUPERSTAR / COMEBACK

Timothy smiled as I told him all about how I stood up to Dave without laying a finger on the guy. We were in the car on our way back from school.

"And it seemed to really sink in that he had to change." I smirked.

"See? I told you he would listen."

"You're a genius. This is all because of you." I pulled T close and kissed his head.

"Josh! The road!"

"Crap!" I put my hands back on the wheel.

Luckily we made it home safe and sound.

"I'm proud of you." Timothy kissed my cheek before getting out the car.

It's so dumb but I felt like I was walking on air with happiness. I was so thrilled he was proud of me.

I followed T into the house.

"Hey kids!" Joe greeted jovially.

"What's up?" I said.

Dahlia was there too. Joe was cooking in the kitchen and she was drawing on the couch.

"Hey boys." Dahlia smiled.

"Hey." T said. He even smiled a little. What a change.

"What are you making?" T asked, joining her on the couch.

I glanced at Joe. And he smirked at me. He was ecstatic.

✪

It was morning and I was walking through the calm streets looking for a gift store. I'd decided I was going to surprise T with a gift or something. Don't fucking judge me, okay? I know it's lame. But.. He deserved it. And I wanted him to smile at me. And I wanted him to blush and say 'Thanks, Josh' in that typical way of his and I wanted him to get in his tippy toes and kiss my cheek.

I stopped in my tracks.

God, I'm whipped. I'm totally whipped. I'm out here on my free period, buying a gift for my gay boyfriend when I could be.. I don't know, chilling or something. What the hell happened to me?

Someone bumped into me from behind.

"HEY!" I yelled angrily.

"Sorry!"

I turned around and looked into Allie's eyes.

"Oh.. hey." I said.

"Hi." She put her hands in her pockets and stared at the ground.

"It's been a while since we spoke." I said.

"Yep." She nodded awkwardly.

An extremely awkward silence ensued.

I had to say something.

"How's... the baby?" I asked.

"What?" She looked up again.

"You know.. I got you pregnant and all."

Allie scoffed before beginning to laugh. "He's actually doing great. I'm due in three months."

"Oh really? Have you come up with a name yet?"

"I was thinking JC. You know? Nice and simple."

"Great pick." I nodded.

Allie laughed again as did I. It made me feel better knowing we could talk again like we used to.

"Do you have any plans? Maybe we could grab a coffee." Allie said.

"Sure, I'm down." I shrugged.

Allie led me to the same coffee shop where I'd spent all of five minutes blowing up at my dad. For a moment I wondered how he was doing.

I ordered our drinks and joined Allie near the window on a stool. The sun was out for once so that was nice.

"How've you been?" Allie asked.

'Great, I'm dating your best friend, I was actually out buying him a gift just now~!!!'

I can't fucking say that.

"Great." I shrugged.

"And living with Tim?"

"It's cool. He's great." I smiled awkwardly.

"You seem like you're kinda over it." Allie said.

At least it didn't look like I was in love with the guy.

"Oh, you know how it is. We fight sometimes."

"If you manage to fight with Timothy I'm going to guess it's your fault."

I scoffed. "As if I couldn't be right!"

"Timothy isn't exactly the type of person to start a fight. Come on, just admit I'm right."

"Fine." I crossed my arms. "How come he's always right?"

"Because he thinks before he speaks. You could learn from that." Allie smirked.

"Asshole."

She laughed.

"So how have you been? Still into me?" I smirked.

She raised an eyebrow. "As if. I never was."

"Oh really?"

"Of course not. What's there to like?"

I laughed. "Fine, be that way."

Allie chuckled and then our drinks came.

"I'm glad we're talking again." Allie said.

"Me too. Hey, listen up. Dave was being an ass the other day and I used my words." I nodded proudly.

"No way!"

"Yep. I'm a changed man."

"Wow, things are really getting crazy now. What if soon you stop being arrogant too? Where would your personality go?"

"It's called confidence."

"Okay. Sure." Allie nodded before taking a sip of her drink.

I tasted mine too. It was way too fucking sweet.

"Well, it seems like things are finally gonna go back to normal again." Allie sighed. She looked content.

"What do you mean?"

"We're talking again and more excitedly, Charlie's probably coming back!" Allie squealed.

I think I just felt my heart sink.

"...What?"

"Well.. Timothy seems extremely in love so I just know he's back together with Charlie. There's only one guy that makes him smile like that. Although he seems calmer this time.."

Yeah, because he's with me!

"And then there's Charlie who's been on the phone saying he hates Australia and misses me and Timmy.."

"What? I thought things were so perfect for him over there? The girlfriend, his dad.."

"He broke up with her after like three weeks and his dad's been going back to his absent ways. I thought Timmy would've told you that."

No, of fucking course he wouldn't! Don't tell me he really wants that guy to come back! If he comes back, I'm done!

"It sucks for Charlie but I've really missed him. And so has T."

What? Seriously?

"Those two are meant for each other. It was just a matter of time before one of them gave up and they found their way back." Allie smiled.

I felt my heart wrench. And for a moment I just wanted to get up and leave. Please tell me this isn't true.

"I know you don't like him.." Allie said, picking up on my mood. "I was skeptical at first too but those two compliment each other perfectly."

All I could say right now were swear words so I decided to just keep my lips sealed.

"But I know you like Timothy. And he's happiest when he's with Charlie. You know that."

✪

After cooling down I'd bought Timothy the gift anyway, then I went to school. I had to prove to him that I was a better option than that idiot Charlie. And at the same time I was pissed he'd been talking to him behind my back. I almost felt desperate.

I couldn't lose him. He was the only thing that made me happy anymore. Before he came along I felt like something was missing in my life. He brought me substance and actual love. And joy. What was I going to do without him?

I made it home. Joe had already picked T up since he was done before me.

I turned the key and walked inside. I immediately smelled something sweet.

I walked into the kitchen. T was baking.

"Hey!" He smiled cheerfully.

I gulped.

"Look what I made." T brought me a cupcake. He'd piped a heart on top.

It was sweet. I tried to hide how down I was.

"Is it.. too cheesy?" T cocked his head.

"No, it's fine. It's great!" I forced a smile. "I'd be surprised if this was actually good, though."

"I followed the recipe to a T." T smirked proudly. "Try it." He urged.

I took a deep breath and took a bite.

"Wait, it's actually good..!" I said surprised. It was really delicious, perfectly balanced.

"Yes! Now it's your turn to be proud."

He was in great mood today. I wondered if he'd just got off the phone with Charlie.

"I am. Good job." I kissed his forehead.

"Are you sure everything's okay?" Timothy asked. "You seem upset."

"No, it's just.. Have you been talking to Fangs?" I asked.

T frowned for a moment. "Not recently.. I told him I needed space. Why?"

So then.. Allie was wrong? They hadn't spoken? But one thing she'd not been wrong about, Charlie wanted to come back. Which meant I had a short amount of time left to convince Timothy I was the better option.

"I stopped talking to him since it made you uncomfortable. Is that what you're upset about?" Timothy grabbed my arm.

Now was the time to start convincing. If I didn't I was going to lose everything and I couldn't deal with that.

"Nope. Not at all." I pulled Timothy into an embrace.

"Okay.. You would say it though if something was bothering you, right?"

"Yeah. Of course." I kissed his head a few times. I pulled away and held his hands. "But there's nothing bothering me at all. And to celebrate that we're taking the day off on Friday."

"You're such a bad influence."

"No, this'll be worth it. Since you're going to be a superstar soon I'm gonna need to relax you." I started massaging T's shoulders.

Timothy laughed. "Kay. Where are we going?"

"We're going swimming and after we'll grab some food. There's going to be no one at the pool during school hours. We'll have it all to ourselves." I smirked.

"That sounds great." Timothy actually looked excited. And I knew he really had feelings for me. They couldn't just go away when that idiot came back.

I had to make sure of that.

A/N

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