Lost Cause (Tyler Carter)

Chapter 8

Due to school, I didn't get to see dad before he left to go to Vegas for a week. Although, I have plans with Rachel after school, so I'm happy. I'm going to go hang out at her house for a little bit.

I'm in my enriched math class with the snotty smart kids. Except A.J., a cool guy in my class. When I got moved to the enriched class, he barely talked to me and he sat on the other end of the classroom. Now, he sits next to me and all he does is talk. I really don't mind because he's absolutely hilarious. I hate that he's so antisocial because he's really nice and funny.

"So, I hear you like Rachel." A.J. said.

I nodded. "Yeah."

"That's a fine ass." He said.

I chuckled. "Shut up."

"I could look at that ass all day, everyday." He said.

"You're gay." I said.

"I'm gay, but I'm not that gay."

I laughed. "You're not that gay?" I asked. "You can't just be 'not that gay'."

"Yeah, well you're that gay." He said. "I should call the Westboro Baptist Church on your gay ass."

His remark made me laugh so hard that I almost fell on the floor.

"Tyler, A.J.!" Mr. Julian yelled.

I instantly stopped laughing. "Yes, sir?"

"No talking!" He yelled.

"Sorry!" Both A.J. and I said at the same time.

When Mr. Julian turned away, we broke out into silent laughter.

Soon enough, the bell rang, signaling that it was time for Science. I like that class for the most part. The guy I sit next to is funny, but can also get very annoying. He always looks over my shoulder to get answers on papers as if I'm smart. People think I'm smart just because of the enriched math class. I'm not smart, it just comes easy to me. I'm good at math because all I have to do is learn it, do a paper, then I'm done. That's why I'm not good at History and Science. I hate having to go through books and look stuff up. It's not that it's hard, it's just very irritating to flip from page to page.

I was so lost in my own world that I didn't hear Ms. Baker calling my name.

"Tyler!" She said for maybe the third time.

"Yes, ma'am?" I said.

"Report card?"

"What?" I asked.

"Signed report card." She said.

"Oh, yeah." I said. "I, uh, forgot to get it signed." That wasn't the truth. I don't have a bad grade, it's just that I don't care and neither do my parents.

"Do I need to call your parents or can you bring it tomorrow?"

"What am I? A fourth grader?" I asked. The room filled with giggles. I wasn't trying to amuse people, I was just speaking my mind. It slipped out, but it's true. Is living up someone's ass and making sure their parents know every single detail about their lives at school that they really couldn't care less about necessary?

"Excuse me, Mr. Carter?"

"My parents couldn't care less about my grade in here." And it's the truth.

"Tyler, shut up." Michael muttered from the seat behind me.

"I'm sure they would care if I called them." She said.

"I'm sure they wouldn't." I said. "You can try, though." That got more giggles from my classmates who really should shut up.

"Okay, I will." She said.

"Okay."

Class proceeded and people kept looking at me and giggling as if I said what I said for their amusement.

The bell rang and I started to gather my book and papers.

"Tyler, I need to speak with you." Ms. Baker said.

I stayed seated in my chair as the classroom cleared out.

She stood on the other side of my desk and glared down at me.

"Why do you say your parents don't care about you?" She asked.

"I never said that."

"Okay." She said. "Why do you say your parents don't care about your grades?"

"Because they don't." I said. "Why does it matter?"

"It's kind of worrisome." She said.

"Well, it's not like I get abused." I said. "My parents care about me, just not my grades. Big deal."

"Okay. Well, I'm not going to call them, but you know the report card is a grade, right?"

I slightly nodded.

"Just get it signed by someone. Maybe an older sibling?"

The only older sibling I have is Josh and since I never see him anymore, that really won't work.

"Okay, Ms. Baker." I said before standing up and walking out of the classroom.

"Tyler," She said, but I ignored her and kept walking.

When I got out to the hallway, I saw Rachel and she smiled at me. I faked a smile back and proceeded to my locker. I could feel her making her way towards me.

"Is everything okay?" She asked. "I know what your real smile looks like and that was not it."

I nodded. "I'm fine."

I shut my locker and looked at her.

She crossed her arms. "I don't believe you."

I smiled, even though it wasn't my real smile. I don't know why I'm mad right now. I don't know if it's because Ms. Baker accused my parents of being bad parents or because she said I could get my repot card signed by an older sibling when I basically no longer have one.

"Tylerrrr." She said, extending the 'r'.

"Rachellll." I said, extending the 'l'.

"Don't lie to me." She pouted.

I really did smile this time. "I'll talk to you later, Rach."

I gave her a small hug before I started walking to Language Arts.