What Happened Then (TØP/Tyler Joseph)

chapter one- she sits up high, surrounded by the sun

|-/Riley Dun\-|

I rushed through the autumn air, taking in the view of my university's campus. I've always gotten distracted by things like this, taking in the feel of everything around you. I didn't even acknowledge Matt standing next to me.

"You okay?" he asks, finally catching my attention. Something felt off just then. "You seem distracted lately. Then again you usually are, but more then usual."

"Sorry." I say, shaking my head. "I just feel off today."

"How so?" he asks, putting an arm around me. I blush slightly, which he laughs too.

"Like somethings going to happen. Something bad, possibly." I say, shrugging. "It happens sometimes, and usually I'm not wrong."

"Well, try not to dwell on it too much." he says, pecking my lips and walking away. "See you later, Riley."

"Bye Matt." I smile, and continued my way to my next class. As I expected, I didn't even know what went on during my last class of the day. I was too distracted by this feeling I'm having. Something strange, or bad might be happening to me soon and I was curious what. Before I knew it class ended, so I stood up and started to walk out the door. I was stopped by my teacher, who had a concerned look on his face.

"Everything okay, Riley?" Mr. Carter asks me, looking at me with the same kind and caring expression he's always gave me. "You were zoning out today. You are usually one of my best students."

"Just a lot on my mind. Thanks though." I say, rushing out of the classroom. I never really liked talking to teachers, especially on a subject like that.

I made my way to the parking lot, and found my car. I made my way back to the small little house here in Columbus, Ohio that I grew up in. I grew up with two sisters and two brothers. Jordan, Ashley, Josh, and Abigail. Jordan, Ashley and Abigail are currently in college too, but a couple states away. My brother Josh was too, but dropped out to join a band two years ago. He basically disappeared then, and lost contact with us. It was hard on me at first, because I was really close with him when I was younger. I eventually got used to it, but there was some anger left from him leaving.

I stepped out of my car to be immediately greeted by a cold chill, as if warning me for whats ahead. I thought nothing of it, and just thought it was another thing with Columbus's weather. As I opened the door, I didn't really process who was there at my kitchen table. There were four figures, two of which my mom and dad. The other two?

Josh and his friend from their band.

I stood there silently, as my mom directed attention towards me.

"Riley, say hi to your brother." she says, as Josh stands up. He smiles at me, as my expression doesn't change. Hurt flashes over his face for a splint second, but he understood why I was acting like this a second later. My mother was staring daggers at me, as if to say something about my behavior. She just doesn't understand.

Josh then decides to do as my mom asks, and pulls me in for a hug. I didn't hug back for a moment, but I soon accepted it. Mad or not, I still missed him.

"Josh, what the hell?" I hiss quietly.

"We'll talk later." he says, as I nod.

"Who's your friend?" I ask a bit louder as the other one takes notice of the situation. He gives me a warm smile, and holds out a hand for me to shake.

"I'm Tyler Joseph." he says. "You must be Riley."

"Nice to meet you Tyler." I say. "I'm going upstairs. I need to do college stuff." I then turn for the stairs, but my mothers voice stopped me.

"Riley, its the weekend and you just saw your brother for the first time in years. I think it can wait." she says, trying to get me to stay. She never liked what I went to college for. After me telling her what I wanted to do after high school she hated the idea. She hated anything I do, honestly. We never had the best relationship. But after Josh stood up for me and tried to reason with her about how she should let her kids follow their ambitions, mine being music, I was accepted to Columbus university.

"I have a test soon mom." I sigh. I really didn't want to get in a fight now.

"What would you possibly be tested on in music?" she asks.

"A lot, actually." Josh speaks up as Tyler nods in agreement. I smile at him standing up for me. "I'll catch up with you in an hour, Riley. Go do your work."

Wearing the biggest grin I've had for awhile, I went up the stairs. My brother still hasn't changed one bit. And thats what made this a bit better.

I didn't really have a test though. I made it up to get out of that awkward situation, and I'm glad it worked. And once I got into my room, I ended up laying down and listening to the soft sound of different bands on a shuffled playlist from YouTube. Right as I went to sleep, an unfamiliar band started playing. It shook me a bit, which made me want to look at whats playing.

Ode to Sleep by twenty one Pilots

The song was really good. After seeing Josh my 'pent up anger' was slowly disappearing. Its hard to stay mad at him, even though he didn't bother contacting us. He was out prosing his dream, and thats what made me proud to have him as my older brother. The two seemed to get along well also. Tyler seems really polite, and like someone Josh would hang around.

I never fell asleep as planned before Josh came to talk to me.

A/N: Crap I think I'm getting sick

Hope you're enjoying the story!

1018 words!

Edit: there's lots of comments asking which band was it that Josh dropped out of college for and I would like to confirm Im talking about tøp
(July  12, 2016)

-digital insanity