Chapter 4: Discovery
Tyler walked in to Breadstix half scared half relieved. I'M SO HUNGRY, he thought. BUT CAN I HANDLE THIS? Tyler made his way to the party table where Jake, Marley, Unique and Kitty sat. As they walked over, Ryder stood closer to him than usual. Almost like he expected an assassin to attack at any moment. "Why are you walking so close to me?"
Ryder didn't answer his question and sat down on the end which left one seat left and it was in between him and Jake. "Ryder. Are you okay?" Market asked. "You seem mad."
"It's nothing," Ryder said. Jake looked at Tyler like it was his fault.
"How'd you like you're first day of glee?" Marley asked Tyler.
"It was fun. But I'm a little nervous about the assignment this week. I have no idea what I'm gonna sing."
"That's how I felt on my first week but it'll get better. Trust me," Marley encouraged.
Tyler smiled and started scanning the menu. When the waiter came, he ordered a salad and everyone looked at him like he was a lunatic. "Salad? You hate salad," Ryder said.
"No I don't. I eat it all the time." Ryder rolled his eyes and looked away.
Neither of them spoke the entire way home. When they got to the house, Tyler went inside and went to bed. Ryder followed him into his room. "Dude, what're you doing? You never go to bed at nine. What's going on?" Ryder tested him.
"I just." Tyler started crying and told Ryder everything. He told him that he flunked out of his old school on purpose because if a the bullying. He told him why he's been skipping meals and acting so weird.
"Tyler, you could've told me before. I would've helped before it got this bad." Ryder hugged him. "Everything will be fine. Glee club can help you."
Tyler quit crying. "I just thought that it would embarrass you to know that you're one of the most popular guys in school and your little brother is the exact opposite."
"Hey, family is family." He let go of the hug. "Now it's time to show everyone else. You're going to sing in glee club tomorrow."
"What song will I sing?"
"You're gonna have to pick one and prepare it tonight. And no more crying," Ryder added leaving the room.
Tyler laughed then went through his songs.
"So, what song did you pick?" Ryder asked keeping his eye on the road.
"You'll see."
"What's the song about?"
"Being sad, crying. Stuff like that."
"Are you ready for this? You're gonna be getting a lot of attention."
"I'm kinda scared. I hate attention. But I need help."
"Yes. You do. I don't want things to get worse. How much weight have you lost?"
"Twelve pounds."
"What? Twelve? Are you serious? That's ridiculous." Tyler just looked down in shame. "Hey, bro, It's okay. We'll get you help." Ryder ruffled Tyler's hair.
"You suck," Tyler joked, fixing his hair.
"What do you have prepared for us Tyler?" Mr. Schue asked.
"Um..."Sad Song" by Christina Perri."
"Okay, go ahead." Mr. Schue seemed bothered.
"Today I'm gonna write a sad song. Gonna make it really long. So that everyone can see, that I'm very unhappy. I wish I wasn't always wrong. I wish it wasn't always my fault. The finger that you're pointing has got me on my knees and all you need to know is I'm so sorry. It's not like me. It's maturity that I'm lacking so don't, don't let me go. Just to let me know that growing up goes slow. I wonder what my mom and dad would say if they knew that I cried each day. It's hard enough to live so far away-
"Wait what?" Marley said. "What's going on? Is there something you're not telling us?"
"Um...no." Tyler panicked and ran to the bathroom.
