Alone

The Truth

Summers POV.

   I wake up to my alarm clock, and I still feel sadness that Candy isn't here. I wonder what shelter she is at. Maybe I can try and find her. Although I don't have any money to buy her back, and that's if she isn't already bought by someone else.

   Today's Wednesday, halfway through the week. I take a shower and put on a loose grey shirt with black letters saying "I Don't Care." and some jeans. I put on my hoodie and matching shoes, then make my way  downstairs. I don't see Tyler down here yet, but don't see Ms.Smith either. I get a granola bar and eat it quickly before anyone sees.

   As I wait for Tyler, I let my mind wander. I wonder why I have never seen Tyler's dad? Is he on a business trip? Divorced? Passed away..?

   I'm broken out of my thoughts by Tyler coming down the stairs. "Ready to go?" he asks me.

  "yep," I say, standing up and adjusting my backpack. He walks next to me as we make our way to the bus stop, and I can't help but feel thankful that I have him. The weather feels very cold today, and I can tell it will be winter soon.

   I look up at him and smile. My eyes once again travel to the words on his forehead. He must notice because he looks away. "Who did that to you?" I ask quietly, begging with my eyes. I want him to know that he can tell me anything.

   He shakes his head, then looks at me with a smile. "Ryder and I were playing truth or dare and I picked dare so he decided that he wanted me to walk around like this for a week." he laughs, and I know that he must be telling the truth. Right?

   I laugh with him. We get to the bus stop and just wait. We talk a little, but I notice him move away once the place got a little more crowded. Maybe I was just boring. I look over at him standing alone with ear buds in his ears. I wonder why he recently has been staying away from me. It's like when we are alone everything is normal and he acts like the Tyler I know and love...woah did I just think that? I don't love Tyler. That's impossible.

   I stand quietly, wondering if I did something wrong. I sit near the middle of the bus, scooting next to the window to leave room for Tyler. I look up at him as he comes closer to the seat, but he doesn't even look at me and walks by instead. I feel my heart drop but I don't really know why. I don't care if he doesn't want to talk to me. I don't get why it affects me so much, everyone else does it so why is it different when he ignores me?

   Lukas sits next to me, and I mentally kick myself. I should have sat my backpack there instead. The entire time he is too close to me, flirting like crazy, touching me, and just freaking me out overall. Finally we get to school and I head to my locker alone.

   I take as long as possible at my locker,waiting for Tyler, but he doesn't come. Wow, he would even skip going to his locker just to avoid me? What did I do that was so wrong? I shouldn't have ever even talked to him, or opened up to him about anything. Now he thinks I'm some freak.

   I start to walk to class when I see Lukas and his friends in front of some lockers, all huddled around something. I stop walking when I hear sounds of pain. It's hard to hear over all of their laughing, but I hear it. I'm about to keep walking when I hear something that makes my blood run cold.

   "I stayed away from her ever since this morning! Leave me alone!"

   It was Tyler's voice. And it was in pain. Were they hurting him? And what was that supposed to mean? Who was he staying away from?