Chapter 3: Secrecy
Tyler walked down the hallway excited for his first glee practice. He made his way to the choir room trying not to be noticed on the way there. The last thing he needed was something to happen somewhere that Ryder could easily see. "Hey! Tyler!" A voice called a d Tyler's heart sank. He turned and to his surprise he saw Jake jogging towards him. "Hey," Jake said.
"Uh...hi," Tyler replied.
"Why are you acting so shy? You used to talk to me all the time when I came over. Have you told Ryder what happened?"
"No. Why would I? It's none of his business."
"Because he needs to know what's going in before it gets worse. He could help."
"We don't talk about our problems! He doesn't care."
"I know you say that but he really does. You need to tell him."
"I can't...it's embarrassing. A star football player's little brother is a loser."
"Everyone gets bullied at one point. Ryder will understand and help."
"I don't need help! I'm fine. I can handle it on my own."
"Whatever you say.." Jake walked away.
Tyler walked into the glee room and sat down beside Ryder. "Hey," Ryder said. "How was your third day if school?"
"Um...fine," Tyler lied.
"Are you sure?" Ryder asked. Tyler was always a bad lier. He just hoped that Ryder was too stupid to notice.
"Yeah. It was fine." Jake glared at him. Tyler looked at the floor in shame.
"Lets give a warm welcome to our newest member, Tyler Lynn," Mr. Shue said, cutting through the awkwardness.
"Hey," Tyler said awkwardly after the applause died down.
"Okay, lets get down to business. I thought it would be a fun idea and a good team building project. Your assignment for this week is personal songs." Tyler's heart sank. He immediately was filled with nervousness and anxiety.
"You okay?" Ryder asked noticing him.
"Yeah. I'm just nervous about singing a solo."
"Don't be. You're an awesome singer," Ryder encouraged.
"Yo! Ryder!" Jake called as he left the choir room. Ryder slowed down so Jake could catch up.
"What do you need?" Ryder asked.
Jake explained everything that happened at lunch. "And Tyler also said that you wouldn't care and swears up and down that he can handle it on his own but I don't believe him."
"I just don't get why he thinks I don't care."
"Well he said that you guys have never opened up to each other."
"Because he won't open up to me! The most he's told me is that he got dumped."
"I don't think that's true. He's never even had a girlfriend and you know that. He's just embarrassed."
"Well thanks for letting me know. I'll talk to him tonight."
Tyler looked at the sky as he waited for Ryder. What is taking him so long, he thought. Finally Ryder started walking out of the school. He looked kind of agitated for some reason. Tyler jumped as Ryder slammed the door closed as he got in. "Are you okay?" Tyler asked.
"Yeah. Are you?"
"Mhm," Tyler said. Ryder seemed bothered by this answer. Something was up and Tyler could feel it.
"We're goin' to Breadstix with everyone else, ok?"
"Can you just take me home? I don't feel-
"You need to go. You haven't eatin in two days. You've skipped lunch and avoided dinner."
"Well I...ok. Ill go."