Josh woke up the next morning and Tyler wasn't in bed next to him. In his place was Jim, sleeping soundly. Confused, Josh grabbed his phone and saw he had a text from Tyler from eight in the morning. It was currently ten.
Hey I had to leave but I had a fun time last night and I'm glad you did too (:
Josh smiled and then quickly winced when the spot behind his ear started throbbing. He had forgotten about his tattoo. His eyes caught the missed call and other text he had. This one was from his mom.
You were probably sleeping when I called but that's okay. Your Grandma twisted her ankle trying to hang Fourth of July decorations (you know her) and we took her to the ER last night. She's okay but your father and I have decided to stay until Tuesday morning to help her around the house. We love you, make good choices (even though you already do)
Josh didn't know how to react. He didn't know if he should be happy or sad that he was all alone. Then he realized he should be happy. He knew what he was going to do.
Josh was going to throw a party.
His house wasn't big by any means but it wasn't small either. It would work for a party. The party wouldn't be as huge as Pete's usually were but he was still hoping for it be a success.
It was on his bucket list after all.
His mind wandered back to Pete's latest party and his stomach churned as he remembered the incident with Brendon and Dallon.
He was just going to lock all bedroom doors.
No one needed to be fucking his siblings' rooms let alone cheating on their partner in there.
Sighing, he stretched his legs and let out a groan which prompted Jim to lift his head up to see what the commotion was. When he realized it was Josh his tail began wagging. "Morning, Jim," Josh laughed, rubbing his head. "Gotta go potty?"
Jim stood up and yawned, stretching his legs as well. He shook his fur before hopping off the bed and walking to the door. Josh got up as well, grabbing his phone and opening the door for Jim.
When he entered his kitchen he let Jim out and got him his food and fresh water and then went about finding breakfast for himself. Scanning the cupboards, he decided on making a bagel with cream cheese.
Getting his bagel out, he popped it in the toaster and grabbed his phone, opening the new group chat he made consisting of Tyler, Sarah, Jenna, Hayley, and Ashley.
Josh: hello losers I'm having a party tonight
Ashley: since when did you throw parties
Hayley: are you sick
Ashley: sick of Tyler still not living in the same house as him
Hayley: roasted! high five!
Tyler: why do you attack me
Jenna: that wasn't even good Ashley
Ashley: your cookies aren't even good Jenna
Ashley: just kidding you're the best baker I've ever met I take it back
Jenna: that's what I THOUGHT
Sarah: Josh are you sure having a party is a good idea
Josh: I mean it's on my bucket list and I'll just make sure I lock all the rooms in the house so no one can fuck or anything. plus my family is staying at my grandma's a few extra days so I'll be able to throw one
Ashley: you have a bucket list haha loser
Tyler: wth I do too
Ashley: ahaha loser again
Tyler: every time I enter this group chat I get attacked
Josh: Ashley stop attacking my friend
Ashley: fine
Josh: Ty and I made bucket lists with stuff we wanna do before he leaves for college
Tyler: yeah we got tatted last night
Sarah: WAIT REALLY
Hayley: ALERT THE MEDIA
Ashley: DID YOU GO TO FRANK HE'S MY DAD I'M SORRY I DON'T MAKE THE RULES
Josh laughed and heard his bagel pop up. He spread cream cheese on each side before taking a bite. He heard a bark and set his food back on the plate he had gotten earlier, making his way into the house to let Jim in.
The golden retriever bolted through the door and ran around the room a few times before jumping on Josh's bare leg (he was only wearing boxers and a shirt). Josh caught him before he could do any damage with his nails and scratched Jim's belly. "You wanna throw a party with me, boy?"
Jim just cocked his head to the side. The red haired man laughed and shook his head, letting Jim hop down. He ran into the living room and laid on the couch.
Josh went back to eating his bagel and unlocked his phone again, going back to the group chat.
Ashley: JOSH
Hayley: JOSH
Sarah: JOSH
Jenna: JOSH
Tyler: you guys are so fucking annoying
Josh: what the hell do you want I was petting my dog
Sarah: who the fuck are you getting all these new things not fair
Hayley: yeah you got a dog AND a tattoo that's illegal that means you have to give Finn to me since you can't get rid of your tattoo
Josh: for the last time his name isn't Finn stop cALLING HIM THAT
Josh: besides it was my birthday?? they're called presents??
Jenna: J will you send us a picture of your tattoo Tyler refuses
Josh: come to my party tonight at 9 and you'll see it xoxo
Jenna: dammit
Josh: you guys ARE coming right
Ashley: hell yeah but you have no idea how to plan a party I'll be over in thirty minutes
Hayley: me too I wanna help
Josh: make it an hour so I can shower
Ashley: no
Ashley: we'll just play with Finn while you shower
Josh: fine
Tyler: I'll be there my parents are gonna be working all night and I fucking hate my siblings whip
Sarah: whipping away the feelings me too 😔👊🏻 especially since I got cheated on 😪👊🏻
Josh: Sarah...
Sarah: it's fine ig. it's been a couple weeks I'm over it. he's just an asshole and I'm glad I figured it out before we got any more serious
Jenna: go Sarah ily
Sarah: ily more
Josh: cute
Josh: are you coming though
Jenna: yes
Sarah: yes ma'am
Josh: okay cool see you hoes then I'm gonna go finish my bagel and then hide my dog
Josh set his phone down with a soft smile on his face. Brendon may have been a dickhead and the other three may be distancing themselves but at least he had other friends who still cared about him. They were going to help him host an amazing party.