Unconditional Validation

Chapter 16

Justin.

BBBRRRIIINNGG!!

I groaned with heavy annoyance as I rose from my bed. It's been a week since Halloween. During the last week at school, I've been trying to make things up to Tyler. I just don't know how to without making myself look like I'm a creep, or even make people suspicious about my sexuality. Tyler has always been a nervous wreck around me, but I think it's always been so cute. I really want the world to know that I'm in love with the one and only Tyler Blackwell. I know that it wouldn't happen overnight, but it will eventually.

"Uh, Earth to Justin?" I heard Aaron call out from in front of me. I blinked myself out of my headspace.

Wait, how did I get here? I thought to myself in confusion. I guess I was so busy worrying about Tyler that I didn't know I ended up at school already.

"Are you okay, dude?" Aaron asked me with a raised, concerned eyebrow.

"Y-Yeah, I'm okay", I sighed heavily with a smile.

"Okay, dude, just making sure", Aaron turned back around in his seat just as our teacher walked into the classroom.

I looked around the rest of our seating area, and Brianna was giving me this weird ass side-eye look. Looking over to my left, I saw that Tyler was giving me a cute but concerned look. I felt my stomach grumble as I tried to focus back on the teacher.

Fucking, great! I groaned with annoyance in my mind. I forgot to eat breakfast! I'll just have to wait a couple more classes until my lunch period. The cool thing is, Tyler has lunch during the same period as well.

The next few hours go by surprisingly quickly. It was finally lunchtime! As I was heading over to the cafeteria, I saw Tyler and America waiting by the front doors to the school. A bit confused, I walked over to the pair.

"Hey, Tyler", I smiled with a smooth tone in my voice. Apparently, that made him jump a bit in surprise. It was adorable that I had to stifle a laugh trying to escape my lips.

"H-Hey, Justin", Tyler replied with a nervous grin.

"What are you guys up to?" I ask the both of them.

"We're just waiting on Skyler and Meghan to go grab lunch off-campus", Tyler sounded a bit softer. America nodded in agreement.

"Wait, you guys get to do that?" I asked with a raised eyebrow.

"Y-Yeah", Tyler nodded in response.

"Since when?" I was even a bit more confused.

"Since the beginning of the school year". I heard Skyler behind me over the noise of the crowded hallways. Turning around, I saw both Skyler and Meghan walking up to the three of us.

"Hey, Skyler! Hey, Meghan!" I smiled softly at the two ladies who were now in front of me.

"Why hello, Justin", Skyler smirked.

"You guys ready to go?" America asked the other three.

"Wait!" I suddenly said a bit louder than expected. All four of them turned towards me.

"W-What is it, Justin?" Tyler asked nervously, but with a hint of curiosity.

Shit! How do I ask to go with them to lunch without sounding rude and desperate? I began to sort of panic in my head.

"Well, uh, do you guys mind if I come with you for lunch today?" I asked with a sheepish smile plastered on my face.

There was a bit of a heavy silence between me and the four people in front of me. That's when Tyler spoke up, clearing away the awkward silence.