Unconditional Validation

Chapter 5

I quietly moved from behind America, and Principal Herrera turned to me.

"Tyler, can you please come with me for a second? Bring your backpack," Principal Herrera smiled.

I quickly went back to my seat to grab my bag, when I felt someone tap my shoulder lightly. I turned around to see it was America.

"Thank you for protecting me," I quietly smiled.

"Anytime bestie!" America smiled, "Text me how things are going, ok?"

"I will," I nodded quietly in response.

Principal Herrera and I walked out of the art classroom and into the hallway.

Justin.

I just finished my work that we were doing in my English class. We were doing some research project on the library's computers. I quietly left the library with my bag on my shoulder since I had nothing else to do. As I creeped into the hallway and walked towards my next class, I saw two people in my peripheral vision coming from the direction of the art classrooms. I stopped to turn my head towards them, and I noticed it was Tyler and Principal Herrera! Then, the two of them stopped right in front of the main office! I quickly hid behind the corner to hear what was happening.

Oh no! I hope they didn't see me! I panicked nervously to myself.

I peeped around the corner carefully, so they wouldn't catch me eavesdropping on their conversation. Tyler looked like he was fighting tears from falling down from his face.

"I-I was trying so hard to keep it together!" Tyler stammered out while wiping his eyes.

"I know you were Tyler," Principal Herrera reassured him with a squeeze on his shoulder.

"I thought she wouldn't recognize me," Tyler sniffled.

"I told every teacher to be professional. Clearly it didn't happen. I'm sorry for everything Tyler," the principal said softly.

"I-It's ok," Tyler sniffled again with more of a monotone voice.

"Do you want to go home for the rest of the day?" Principal Herrera asked with concern.

"No, I'm fine. I-I want to keep going," Tyler replied with more sniffles.

"Ok, as long as you'll be ok with still hiding your celebrity status. Please let me know if there's anything I can do if something else comes up, okay?" Principal Herrera smiled.

"I-It's hard to hide it in a school, but I want to get through it. Also, yes I will!" Tyler smiled through his dry tears that did fall.

The principal walked into the main office while Tyler continued to walk in the direction he was heading. I quickly ducked back behind the corner again, so Tyler wouldn't notice me there. He thankfully didn't see me when he turned to his right. I breathed a sigh of relief when he was a bit farther away. I watched him walk away, and that's when it finally hit me! I knew he was familiar! He was famous! At the same time, however, I felt so bad for Tyler. I knew this was something way more than being the captain of a sports team, or even being the smartest person in the class. When I heard the pain in his voice and watched the tears in his eyes, my heart sank watching the conversation unfold.

I headed in the direction that Tyler was walking because of my next class. I knew I was going to be really early, but I kinda wanted to know if Tyler would get to his next class safely.

Tyler.

After my heartfelt conversation with Principal Herrera, I quietly headed over to my next class. I really wanted to continue with finishing the school day, but at the same time I really wanted to go home. It felt like there was a battlefield in my head while deciding what to do next.