Tyler

I was sitting in fourth period, watching the clock. It was barely halfway through the day, but I was counting the seconds until we were let out. I was so excited for my date with Chris. Where were we going? What were we going to do? I heard Chris laugh quietly and I turned to him.

“What?” I asked.

“You’re so cute when you’re excited. Your eyes light up,” he spoke quietly. I smiled.

I must have spaced out again because the next thing I heard was Mr Ryan speaking to me.

“Tyler, since you apparently know everything on how to play the guitar so much as you don’t even need to listen to me, you can be our volunteer to play a song in front of the class,” he said. I nearly had a heart attack.

I never volunteered to go in front of the class. I was socially anxious. I couldn’t go up there, no. I looked over to Chris and he nodded his head, giving me reassurance. I nervously stood up and grabbed an acoustic guitar.

“What song do you want me to play?” I whispered.

“Anything you like,” he said, sitting back in his chair. I pulled my sleeves
up and held the guitar nervously against my body. I started to mindlessly strum it until it resembled a song. Then I realized what song it was; I wouldn’t mind by He is We. I started to sing.

I sang the whole song with my eyes closed.

“Good job, Tyler, Mr Ryan said when I was done. “I’m glad you listened the first time around and I didn’t have to repeat it for you. You can sit down, but see me after class,” he said.

I sat down next to Chris, my face red as an apple. After ten minutes, the bell rang. Everyone filed out of the classroom except for me and Chris.

“It’s okay, go on without me. I’ll get to the next class in time,” I said. His posture shifted.

“Are you sure?” he asked.

I nodded and he walked hesitantly towards the door, looking back one more time before leaving for our next class. I sat in one of the desks at the front of the class and waited for Mr Ryan to speak.

“Tyler, you are one of my best students and I’m lucky to have you in my class,” he said smiling. “But I want you to tell me something,” I sat up and gave a quick smile.

“Yes, sir?”

He mindlessly clicked his pen over and over with his thumb. I knew the act all too well, considering I did it, too. He must have been thinking deeply about something.

“Are any other students bullying you? Because I always see you in the hallway, looking over your shoulder like you’re making sure someone isn’t there,” he said.

I looked at the clock. The late bell would ring in one minute. He followed my gaze.

“Oh, don’t worry about being late. I don’t have a class this period and I’ll write you a pass. Now, answer the question,”

I looked down nervously. Why was he asking me this? Was he really concerned about me? Could I really tell him about Shane and his friends bullying me? I sighed. I might as well tell him the truth.

“Yes.” I said. He looked down and sighed.

“Why?”

“They bully me because I’m gay,” I said mindlessly, tears collecting in my eyes. Then I realized what I had told him. My eyes widened in shock, and tears exploded from my face.

“No! I didn’t mean what I said just then! I- I’m not gay! Please don’t tell my father!” I blurted out, sobbing and covering my face with my hands. He sighed and came over to me.

“It’s okay, Tyler. I won’t tell him if you don’t want me to. And if you’ll let me, I’d like to tell the principal about the bullying. He could help,” he said.

My sobs quickened again, and I started hyperventilating.

“No, you can’t tell him! He’ll call my father, and he’ll find out. Then he’ll hate me and send me to one of those camps!” I said, my eyes red and puffy.

“Okay, Tyler. I won’t say anything if that’s what you really want,” he said. I looked at him gratefully.

He went over to his desk and wrote me out a pass. My crying finally stopped, and he offered me a tissue, which I gladly accepted. I walked towards the door.

“Tyler, just know that if you ever have a problem, you can come to me if you want. I’ll listen,” he said.

I smiled at him and nodded, turning around and walking to next period. That’s all I ever wanted; for someone to care enough to listen. Now I had four people that cared about me: Mr Ryan, Chris, Ana, and my mom. That was all I had ever wanted. Now I had it.

*****

Have you ever been bullied because of your sexuality or do you know someone who has?