Page 30 of Shuttered Hearts

sixteen

QUINN

“Tyler,I’d like a minute before you leave,” I call before he can make it out the door after the bell rings, signaling the end of third period.

“I’ll be late if I don’t go now.” He inches closer and closer to the door.

“I’ll write you a pass,” I tell him, standing from my desk and coming to its side.

Tyler begrudgingly comes to stand a few feet in front of me, his hands on the straps of his overflowing book bag. “It was just a joke, Ms. M, I didn’t mean anything by it.”

“I’m sure it was, but I know you know better. So, why don’t you tell me where it came from?”

I didn’t hear the whole comment, but I heard the tail end of it, and I saw the look on Julie’s face. No matter the circumstances, it was inappropriate for him to make that comment about her body, and I should be writing him up for it, but I’m not sure that would accomplish much with Tyler. I’vebeen trying to get ahold of his mother for a couple of weeks, but I haven’t reached her yet.

Tyler shrugs, looking down at his shuffling feet. “I don’t know. I thought it would be funny.”

I hoped he would be straight with me, but it doesn’t look like I will get so lucky. “If that’s really where your thought process was, then I have no choice but to write you up. I know you’re aware of what will happen if you get many more of those write-ups.” He’s close to expulsion if he doesn’t turn his attitude around soon, which is unfortunate because he’s doing well in all his classes.

He shrugs again. “What’s it matter? It’s not like I have a whole lot going for me.”

“Tyler, no one can tell you what your future holds. That depends entirely on what you do with your own life. If you want to go to college, you could. If you want to travel the world, you can do that too. The only thing stopping you, is you.”

He doesn’t say anything else and simply continues looking down at his feet.

“Tyler, I want to help you here, but you’ve got to be honest with me. You’re a good kid, you’re doing so well in your classes. I’m not talking out of my ass when I say you could do whatever you want with your future.”

“You can’t say the word ass.”

Of course, that’s what he focuses on. “Well, I’m new to teaching, and right now, I’m more worried about what’s going on with you than I am about my job.”

Tyler slowly raises his head and looks at me. I think he’s trying to determine if I’m lying to him, but what I said is the truth. I still don’t know much about Tyler, but I’ve learned a little. I know his father left recently, though he was never really involved in Tyler’s life. I know his mom has been strugglingsince his father’s disappearance, and I know he doesn’t have any other family around to lean on.

“Talk to me, Tyler. I promise I can help you. Whatever it is you need.” I step toward him, hoping to show him I’m serious, but he steps back, shaking his head.

His face goes blank. “I don’t need any help. There’s nothing more to it than a stupid comment.” He crosses his arms over his chest, and we’re both quiet, watching the other person. “Can I get that pass now so I can go to my next class?”

I want to say more to him, but I’m pretty confident it won’t change anything. So, I walk back to my desk, write him the pass, and let him leave with it in hand, saying nothing else, but hoping he’ll come to me when he’s ready.

At lunch, Declan comes by my room like he has every day for the last four weeks. True to his word, Declan has acted exactly as he did before I told him everything the night of Max’s birthday. He hasn’t pushed me to talk about it. He’s simply been there, showing me he’s always there if I need him.

“Hey. How’s your morning been?” he asks as he sits at the table in front of my desk.

I grab my lunch from the bottom drawer of my desk and join him at the table. “It was fine,” I say, exasperated.

“You sure about that?”

“It’s Tyler. He made an inappropriate comment about Julie Stewart during third period today. He’s made little snide comments occasionally, but he’s never been that rude.” I look at Declan sitting next to me. “Is he acting any different in your class?”

“Nothing out of the norm so far, but I don’t have him until fifth period.” He glances over at me and puts his sandwich down, giving me his full attention. “I know he and Julie used to be really good friends, but something happened during summerbreak or at the start of the school year because they haven’t been hanging out. Maybe that has something to do with it.”

“Yeah, maybe.” I turn back to my lunch and try not to think about it anymore. “You joining us at the Fall Harvest Festival tomorrow?”

“Yep. I look forward to it every year.” I know Declan isn’t lying because he’s got the goofiest grin on his face. “Are you excited for it?”

I smile at him. “I'm not as excited as you, but I’m looking forward to it too. I haven’t gone since before I left for college.”

“Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday, and the Fall Harvest Festival this town puts on hits all my favorites of the holiday.”

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