Lost Cause (Tyler Carter)

Chapter 9

Rachel and I walked towards her house from school.

"So," She said. "what was wrong earlier?"

I looked at the ground. I was hoping she would forget about that.

"Ms. Baker just said something that upset me."

"What did she say?"

"Something about a stupid paper." I said. "It doesn't matter."

We got to her house and she unlocked the door.

"My mom should be home in a little bit." She said.

I sat on the couch and dropped my book bag on the floor. Rachel sat next to me.

"You've been acting kind of funny lately, Ty." She said. "What's gotten into you?"

I shook my head and rested it on her shoulder.

"I'm just," I said. "having a hard time right now." I said.

I felt her rest her hand on the back of my neck and twist my hair around her fingers.

"Why?"

"My only brother moved out and I think my dad is cheating on my mom." I said. "My birthday is this weekend and we're having a family get-together. All our family get-togethers turn into fights."

"It's your birthday, you don't need to have a get-together if you don't want one." She said.

"It's not that easy." I said. "If I don't invite my family, they'll get mad and it'll turn into a fight anyways."

"I'm sorry, Tyler." She said.

I shrugged. "I just wish I had an escape from it."

"Come up with an escape. Music, art, something you love."

"I'm not good at anything, though." I said.

"I highly doubt that."

"It's true."

"It is not." She said. "We'll figure out what your good at."

She grabbed my hand and stood up, pulling me up with her.

"Maybe you're good at dancing!"

She turned on the stereo that sits on a shelf above the chimney and It Girl by Jason Derulo played.

"No, no, no." I said.

"Yes, yes, yes."

She held my hands and swayed her hips side to side. I slightly moved in sync with her because I really did not want to dance.

"You're such a bum!" She exclaimed.

I smiled at her remark and she giggled.

I felt myself falling for that cute giggle of hers. It's stupid because I'm a young teenager and I shouldn't even be thinking about falling for anyone.

I gave in and started dancing with her.

The song ended and for some reason, I blurted out what was on my mind. "That song reminds me of you."

Her cheeks turned faintly red. "How so?"

"Because you're the shit, girl."

She grinned and shook her head.

Of course, next thing we know, my phone rings.

I answered without looking at who it was and put it up to my ear. "Hello?"

"Hey, Derek." Dad's voice said.

"Can't you call me Tyler?"

"Why would I call you Tyler when your first name is Derek?" He said.

"That's what I like to be called."

"Okay, Tyler, how are things going?"

"Good." I said. "You?"

"Fine. I finally got to my hotel." He said. "I tried calling mom earlier, but she didn't answer."

"She's probably sleeping, she has a night shift tonight."

"Oh, that's right. I completely forgot she switched over to the night shifts. Are you not with her?"

"No, I'm at Rachel's." I said.

I glanced at Rachel and she smiled at me. "Sorry," I mouthed to her.

"It's fine." She whispered.

"Rachel's? My boy's first girlfriend!" He said, as loud as he could, it seemed.

Rachel heard and she giggled.

"Shut up, you asshole." I said.

"Don't talk to your old man like that! You never know, I could have a stroke as soon as we get off the phone. At my funeral, during your eulogy to me, you'll have to explain that your last words to me were 'Shut up, you asshole'!"

I laughed at his dumb remark. "Okay, we'll see."

"Well, I'll let you go hang out with Rachel." He said. "Talk to ya' later, Tyler."

"Okay. Talk to you later, dad."

"Bye." He said before hanging up.

A/N: I got done with this chapter a few days ago, but somehow I forgot to publish it. So, I apologize for that!