Lost Cause (Tyler Carter)

Chapter 21

Rachel and I walked to school together. It was blazing hot and I was wearing a jacket to hide my bruises. There really wasn't a point in trying to hide them because they're on my face, too.

"Why did I make myself wear this jacket? I'm dying." I said.

"I told you it's too hot." She said.

"Well," I said. "my bruises."

"I'm sorry, Tyler."

I shrugged my shoulders. "I'll just come up with some dumb story."

We got to school and I saw Michael and Sara waiting outside.

I said bye to Rachel since we had different classes.

"Damn," Michael said.

"Yeah, yeah. Don't talk about it."

"Tyler, I have bad news. Like, really bad."

My heart raced at whatever it could be. "What?"

He was silent.

"What is it?" I asked, getting impatient.

"We have to take yearbook pictures today." Sara said.

"What?" I said. "Are you fucking kidding me?"

Michael shook his head.

"Fuck." I said. I stormed into the building and headed for the locker room. Michael followed me

"Tyler, just calm down. It'll be okay." He said.

"No, it will not be okay because now, I'm going to be remembered at this school as the kid who got abused and all the teachers are going to wonder, the board, the fucking people who take the pictures." I said. "God damnet." I muttered as I walked into the locker room, Michael right behind me.

I threw my books across the room. "Fuck!" I yelled.

I punched the mirror and it shattered into a thousand tiny shards.

"Shit." I muttered.

I picked up my books and ran out of the locker room.

"Tyler!" Michael yelled.

"Just leave me alone, Michael!" I yelled back.

I ran to class because I was already late and I was gone yesterday.

I put my hood up in an attempt to hide my bruises and I went into class.

"Wow, actually came to class today, Carter?" Mr. Jansen asked.

"I was sick." I said.

"Why was Rachel gone, then?" Gabe asked.

"Coincidence." I said.

"Why don't you go to the office and explain your coincidence, then?" Jansen said.

"Why?" I asked. "I didn't do anything."

"You skipped school." He said.

"Prove it."

"I'll call your parents and ask if they know about your absence." He threatened.

"I'll call them my damn self. You don't believe me, give me the phone."

"Sit down, Tyler." He said.

I nodded. "Yeah."

I sat down in my seat and took out my language book.

"Take your hood off." Jansen said.

"No." I muttered.

"What was that?" He asked.

"No." I said, louder.