Garden Shed: Tyler, The Creator and Wyatt

37. Graduation Day

A month flew by.

Tyler and Wyatt hadn't talked, texted or had contact since their last encounter. Tyler knew he had to keep his distance. Wyatt understood.

"Congratulations baby!" Tyler's mom walked into his room with a pancake platter she'd made.

"You made it through high school, now you just gotta walk the stage." She smiled as she placed the tray next to him.

"Whatever."

Tyler got up.

"Whats wrong?"

"I know you won't make it to graduation today."

"Is that why you've been acting up all week? Tyler, you know I've got to work. It's the busiest day and I already took the day off for your birthday and that day you got in trouble when I had to talk to the principal. I can't miss it."

Tyler sighed.

"Whatever. It's not even a big deal anyway."

His mom got up from the side of the bed.

"You know I love you and that I'm proud of you. I'll see you tonight."

She closed the door behind her as she left.

Tyler got in the shower, cleaning himself up as he got ready.

let's ditch graduation?
-rocky, 7:30 am

nah nigga, moms is coming
-tacos 7:50 am

mines working. brothers are coming tho
-rocky, 7:51 am

we free after this shit tho finally
-jasper, 7:53 am

Tyler laughed at the texts, realizing it was really coming to an end.
He twiddled his thumbs, wondering if he should text Wyatt.

fuck that.

He put his phone down.

Tyler put on his gown over some black jeans and a t-shirt. His mom had gotten him new converse, so he put those on too. Luckily she wasn't there to tell him to put on a stiff button up.

One last look in the mirror before he grabbed his bucket hat and put it on instead of his actual grad cap.

He figured he'd change it out once he got to school.

...

Tyler made his way inside the school gate, realizing how packed it was. There was families everywhere, balloons, people laughing and smiling. He felt alone.

"Y'all ready?" T walked over to his friends.

"I don't even wanna be here nigga," Rocky sighed.

As they made their way over to the football field where the event was held at, he caught a glimpse of Wyatt. He was talking to his family, fuck, at least he had an actual family.

Tyler shrugged it off, walking as they talked.

...

They got seated, Tyler looked around at all the people who were chanting their kids name. Knowing he didn't know anyone who sat in the audience somewhat crushed him.

The speeches began, they started calling out names, blah blah blah, Tyler thought. Fuck, he wanted to leave and take Wyatt with him to whatever secret place they could find. They called Wyatt's name, and the top section of the crowd cheered, his family was seated there.

The principal handed him his diploma, and Wyatt walked down the steps. Tyler watched him, wanting to be noticed by him so badly. He sat on the right side of the two sections, a few seats in front of him.

He bit the inside of his cheek.

Soon, his friends were called, and Jasper did some stupid ass dance up there. It gave Tyler second hand embarrassment; he still laughed though.

"Tyler Okonma."

He got up, making his way to the stage. He was surprised when the crowd cheered; he realized his friends' family still clapped for him.

He took the diploma from the principals' hand.

"These four years fucking sucked," Tyler whispered to the principal as he shook his hand.

The principal's mouth formed an O in complete shock, Tyler laughing as he made his way down. He was sure no one else heard over the loud crowd, it felt good to get it out.

As he walked through, he made eye contact with Wyatt for a second, his hands tensing up. God, Wyatt still made him feel like that and he hated it.

He sat back down, his leg bounced up and down as he waited for this shit to end. He was eager to leave.

...

"That shit was trash. They could've mailed that shit to us instead," Tyler spoke as he met up with his friends.

"Damn nigga, you good? You been all uptight this whole time," Rocky nudged him.

"It's his mom stupid, she couldn't make it," Taco cut in.

"She always gotta work," Tyler sighed.

He knew that wasn't the reason he was feeling down. He could care less about his mom being there; but it was a better excuse than telling them he wanted Wyatt.

"I'll see y'all later. Mom's waiting," Taco started walking off.

"Where the fuck you going?" Tyler asked.

"We going out of town to celebrate. Nigga I told you last week."

"Yeah, me too. Grandparents are coming over." Rocky sighed.

Soon, Jasper and Lionel has talked about family plans too. It fucking sucked.

"So y'all just gon leave me huh?" Tyler shouted as they left.

"Fuck," he kicked rocks as he turned around.

Everyone was taking pictures with friends and family, he spotted Wyatt sharing smiles with people around him.

He walked home.