Lost Cause (Tyler Carter)

Chapter 12

Rachel and I walked towards my house after school.

"So, you ready for the track meet tomorrow?" She asked.

"Yeah. A little nervous since it's our first one." I said.

"What events are you doing?"

"The 100, 200, and 400 meter dashes." I said. "You?"

"The mile and long jump." She said.

"Man, I wish I could do long distance." I said. "I start to suck after the 800."

She giggled. "Are you fast?"

I shrugged. "On a scale of one to ten, I'd say I'm a seven."

She nodded.

We got to my house and went inside through the back door.

"Tyler! You're home!" Mom said as soon as we walked in the door.

"Hey, mom." I said. "I brought Rachel."

Rachel grinned at my mom. "Hi,"

"Hi, Rachel."

I plopped on the couch and Rachel sat next to me.

"Everyone is going to be here soon."

"Great." I said.

She sighed. "Was that sarcastic?"

"No," I said.

Before we were able to say anything else, the front door opened. My aunt, Carrie, her husband, Kyle, and their eight year old daughter, Julie walked in the door.

--

Soon, everyone who I didn't want at my house, was at my house. My aunt, her husband, my grandma, my mom, and my dad. My grandpa is here, too, but I actually like him. He doesn't cause drama.

"Hey, kid." Grandpa said.

"Hey," I said.

"Who's your friend?" He asked.

I looked over at Rachel and she was slightly blushing.

"This is Rachel." I said. "And Rachel, this my grandpa, Mark."

"Hi," She said in a quiet tone.

He nodded his head at her. "She your girlfriend, Derek?" He teased.

I chuckled. "Go away."

Rachel furrowed her eyebrows at me and I realized that I haven't told her that my first name is Derek.

"My first name is Derek. Tyler is my middle name." I said. "I never told you that?"

She shook her head. "No."

"Wow," I said. "I'm sorry."

She smiled. "It's okay."

--

The night actually went by nicely without any fighting. My family was drinking, but they weren't acting crazy or fighting. It was all just normal and everything like I've always wanted it to be.

It was getting late and Rachel said she needed to get home.

"I'll walk you home." I said.

"Okay." She smiled.

We went out through the backdoor and started walking through the yard.

"That wasn't so bad Tyler." She said.

I nodded. "I know." I said. "I'm shocked, but relieved that it went so well."

"No, fuck you, bitch!" I heard someone yell from inside the house.