Lightning - Troyler AU

Chapter 6: Four Thirty-One

Troyes POV

I ran into Tyler that afternoon. I would dwell on that for longer if I didn't have something else on my mind. After he dropped his books, a small square paper slip fell onto the ground and landed right between my feet. I picked it up, wondering about it for a split second. I was about to hand it back to him when I saw his name printed on one side. It intrigued me. It was a note, and I wondered who it was from. It's wrong to steal and read without the permission of others, but it couldn't have been too top secret; could it? I swiftly shoved it into my pocket while Tyler was searching for his glasses, so he didn't see me take it. I didn't say anything to him either, because I didn't want to prolong the encounter. I needed to read it right away.

He apologized as he already had for what felt like the hundredth time, turned around, and left. I unfolded the slip. Tyler Oakley was written messily on the front, then on the back read the exact same thing as on Caspar's note: "Meet me in my office @ 4:30 today. We're going to have a talk."

Was this Dr. Brown too? What does he want with Tyler? How many other people is he inviting to his office? Why is Caspar involved with it too? Are other school faculty involved? Question after question rapidly kept filling my mind. I don't know what his plans are or what he's doing, but I don't like the idea of this. I know I told Caspar that I wasn't going to come, but I have to. I have to check if the situation, and Tyler, will be safe. I quickly texted Caspar, informing him to meet me after school, at the bathrooms across the hall from the mysterious office Dr. Brown seemed to be recruiting students to.
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"It's weird." Caspar said, leaning against the wall.

I nodded. "I know. I don't know what it's about." I glanced out the bathroom door, inspecting the area outside of the office. There were about 15 different people, including us. Dan, Phil, Hannah, Tyler, and various other random students I couldn't seem to remember the names of. It wasn't even his office anymore. Since being kicked out, it's nobodies office; just an empty space used to collect dust. "Do you think we're in trouble?"

"I'm not sure. It can't be anything too suspicious, he's already on the school's bad list." I shrugged. He was right, there really wasn't much point in me coming, but I did anyways. If he tried to pull anything risky you know the district would have his ass exported. Though, you can't blame me for being at least a little curious about it. Not like I had anything better to do.

The door to the office swung open, Dr. Brown revealing himself in the frame. 4:31 pm.

"Hi kids. Come in, quickly." We shuffled into the room. It wasn't as big as a classroom, but it was big enough to fit us all, chairs included. Big for an office.

I sat in a chair in the back corner of the room, Caspar sitting in the seat next to me. Once the group filed in, it was silent. The broad man walked to the front of the room. "I need your help," he spoke into the quiet. Tension was there undoubtedly. It seemed as albeit you can't lower the volume on silence, it happened. "I know that you all know all about last year, so I'm not going to pretend it didn't happen." He rubbed his forehead, looking down at the ground for a few seconds. His eyes came back up as he spoke, "Okay. So. I'll just say it," He took a deep breath. "The administration doesn't know I'm here right now, so keep this a secret."

My eyes widened, along with the rest of the students. What was he talking about? How did he even get back here? They must know of his presence, how could he get away with that? The security here isn't perfect, but this isn't something easy to miss.

His lip started quivering. I suppose he was trying to hold back from continuing, most likely to give people time to think. "After last year, everything has fallen apart for me," He spoke, looking heartbroken,"I lost my wife, my job, my kids; I lost everything."

His head hung between his shoulders. I wanted to feel bad for him, but I couldn't. I couldn't bring myself to feel pity for such a sick man. Had it been any other situation, I would consider grace; But it was Dr. Brown. The guy who had an affair with a student. "I wanted to ask you guys if you could help me get me my job back."

I felt angry and I don't know why. There was nothing to anger me, yet the fury was still there. Did he really think us, fellow students, were going to forgive him? Let alone, help him? He really messed up. I don't care what the circumstances were. He was a middle aged mister, who had done it with a teen. While I thought I was angry, I was not the only one. Tyler abruptly stood up, startling me a bit if I'm honest.

"What the hell do you think you're doing?" Tyler asked sternly, yet not quite yelling. "Do you really think that us, teenagers, will help you get back into a position of authority after being such a gross guy towards, you guessed it, another teenager? I'm insulted by your measurement of our intelligence," He said, energy visibly surging through him. "You cannot pick a random handful of students and expect them to make everything all better for yourself. You were fired for a reason. You are sick, there is no justifying it. Wasting our time is all you are doing right now."

Tyler plopped into his chair after blowing off the steam. I didn't think my thoughts could be verbalized so thoroughly. I agreed with everything he had said and it was impressive to me that he knew just what to say, and how to say it.

Dr. Brown looked dumbfounded. He was proven wrong and he knows it was pathetic attempt to make things better. However, instead of giving a genuine apology for the problems he caused, he responded with hostility. "I'm sorry, but that is no way to talk to an elder, Mr. Oakley." Dr. Brown sat in his big leather chair, folding his arms while trying to convey his false power. It's not even his chair anymore. His 'clever' remark was not as clever as he had thought. It was cocky and arrogant. He seems to have forgotten his place, and his teacher status—his lack of teacher status. Also, that is no way to treat somebody you are trying to convince to help you.

"You have no authority over me anymore man. I don't even have to call you Dr. Brown anymore— isn't that right, Kevin?" The entirety of the ground giggled at this. It's true, and we all knew how much teachers despised being called by their first names.

"Tyler, you must respect me. It's the polite thing to do, even if I don't 'technically' have the 'power' you believe is necessary." He really thought he was smarter than us, didn't he? Well I, and the rest of us knew he was being stupid. Respect is not necessary or automatic, it is earned, and he is doing an awful job at working to earn it.

Tyler once again stood up. "Start treating us with respect, and we'll treat you with respect. End of story, Kevin."

And with that, Tyler strolled right out of the room, Hannah and the rest of us following closely behind.

A/N

Um. Hhhhhhhey. Long time no see? how are the kids? doing good? you've grown so much since I've seen you last !

I have no explanation for this. I literally forgot all about wattpad until yesterday. I opened the app and reread this story and for some reason felt inspired to write another chapter to wrap up the cliffhanger I left you on like literally a year ago lmaoo

I feel like an adult now since I last updated. I still don't really ship troyler if I'm honest but there's nothing wrong with just! writing! right?

I don't expect any of you to still be here to read this to be honest so I'll probably get like -2 reads but it brought me happiness to write so yeah! cool. nice. rad.

talk to you maybe later sometime? idk? nice. I also didn't proofread or edit this so I mean yeah grammar mistakes are inevitable.

x cat love uuuu