It Goes There // Josh Dun + Twenty One Pilots

ten // i don't have to take this anymore

I honestly felt bad for Aiden Leffew. If his family couldn't accept him, how was the rest of the world going to? There was no way he was going to be able to hide his birth gender for the rest of his life.

Aiden's phone buzzed in his lap and his eyes slowly scanned over the words that were composed in the text. He quickly stood up, pulling his hat back onto his light brown hair. "Garrett, I really am grateful for the fact that you came to check on me, but I'm okay. I can deal with my family and I really don't want you to witness my family problems, but thank you for doing what you did to Matthew."

I had the feeling that Aiden was basically kicking me out of his house. I stood up, crossing my arms. "I would do anything for you, Aiden. You are my friend and I defend my friends in every situation that I can."

Aiden smiled. "Chicago's really lucky to have you."

I nodded, but the voice in the back of my head told me that he was wrong.

Chicago would be better off if you were dead.

--Chicago's P.O.V--

"Are you sure he's coming?" Josh asked me, twiddling his thumbs as we sat at a table in the very back of the local ice cream shop.

"Joshua, calm down," I remarked. "He said he was on his way. He had to get Garrett to leave."

The moment I got out of detention, Josh ambushed me. He still felt bad about the incident that happened during lunch and I knew he wouldn't rest until Aiden himself said that everything was okay. So I suggested that we met up at the ice cream shop down the street from the school. However, I didn't really know if Aiden would show up or not due to his embarrassment.

"I just feel so bad, Chicago. I was just caught a bit off guard, but I really don't have a problem. All I want to do is tell him I'm sorry."

I nodded, eyeing the fries that Josh was currently eating. "You want some?" He asked, holding one out to me. Ignoring the growl of hunger in my stomach, I shook my head. "No, I'm okay, Joshua."

He shrugged. "Suit yourself."

I bounced my leg, a nervous habit, as I texted Denahi back, hoping my mom didn't notice that I managed to get my phone back without her noticing only a mere couple hours after she took it away. He just wanted to know if I was okay and if Summer had to come and get me in a little bit, considering the fact that I didn't have a car.

"So Tyler told me you have a very unique meaning behind your name," Josh remarked, taking a sip of his coke. "I find it quite funny actually."

I raised my eyebrows at him. "Do you now? How would you feel if your parents had sex in Joshua, Texas and just named you that because they had sex there?"

Josh chuckled. "There's a Joshua, Texas?"

"That is so not the point of this conversation."

The bell above the door rang as Aiden pulled it open and stepped inside. He was dressed in his familiar loose hoodie over a punk T-shirt, baggy pants, and his signature beanie. His backpack was slung over his right shoulder and he nearly turned right around when he saw Josh with me and ran out the door He probably would have if they wasn't someone coming in right behind him.

He reluctantly stomped over to our table and pulled out a chair, throwing his backpack down next to him. "You neglected to tell me that he was here with you."

Josh gaped at me. "I thought you were going to mention the fact that I was here, Chicago?"

I raised my hands up in surrender. "Hey, leave me alone. I figured he wouldn't show up if I mentioned you."

"And you were right," Aiden added, crossing his arms.

The blue haired boy sighed. "Aiden, I am so sorry. I didn't mean to make you uncomfortable at all today during lunch. It was just weird to see a guy with pads. I didn't automatically think of a different situation and I want you to realize that I don't care if you are transgender or not. You are a boy in my eyes and always will be."

Aiden raised his eyebrows. "You aren't going to tell anybody?"

Josh shook his head. "You don't want anyone else to know, so I wouldn't dare open my mouth."

A small smile formed on Aiden's face. "I guess we got off to a wrong start, huh?"

That earned a laugh from both Josh and I. Conflict was something I disliked and I loved it when everybody got along, but that sometimes didn't always happen. For example, my parents.

Josh offered to buy each of us an order of fries. Aiden accepted, but I declined.

"I would love to stay since you guys are on good terms now, but my brother is currently outside, waiting to take me home."

"Can't you stay just for a little more time?" Josh asked, putting on his pouty face.

I chuckled. "Sorry, Joshua. I need to go home and face my indefinite grounding for not coming home last night. Denahi needs to tell me how mad they are before I see them."

"Your brother's name is Denahi?"

"Funny, that's exactly what Tyler said. I guess you guys are really best friends."

I pushed my chair back, standing up as Aiden smiled. "At least if your parents ground you, you know that Garrett will sneak in your window at night." Josh's face became emotionless as he processed the words.

My phone buzzed as I received a text from Denahi, saying that I had to get my butt out to the car or he would add on another week of grounding, including what my parents will be giving me.

"I really got to go," I explained. "My brother is getting really impatient. I'll see both of you at school tomorrow." I started toward the exit before turning around to look at Josh.

"Hey, Joshua?"

"Yeah?"

"Thanks for hanging out with me today."

A/N: This chapter was just a glimpse into Aiden and Garrett's personalities, but the next couple of chapters should be centered more around Chicago and Josh.

-L.A