Unconditional Validation

Chapter 10

I know the girls wanted to stay and chat with everyone but I didn't have the energy for it today so I chose to head into the school. Clearly, I have some obsession with running into people because as I was heading to my locker I bumped into Cameron. Thank god it was just him and not someone who could give me any trouble today.

"Oh, sorry Cameron", I mumbled so only he could hear it.

"You're fine Tyler, no worries at all", Cameron smiled sweetly at me.

When Cameron finally recognized that something was wrong, he frowned.

"Tyler, I heard what happened. I'm really sorry about that" he reassured me.

I honestly didn't know what to say, all I could do was grasp my bag straps and take a deep breath.

"Hey man it's okay. We don't have to talk about it. From my understanding not a lot of people even realized what was happening. I heard it was a pretty eventful night." I know he was trying to make me feel better but honestly, nothing could help right now.

"Thanks, but I have to go to class now", I tried to force a smile. Cameron just nodded and smiled.

I wasn't going to class, that was just a ruse. I continued in the direction of my history class, but I didn't go up the stairs. Walking past the stairs, however, I saw Justin at the top of them. He was standing by the railing talking to his friends. Both Ryder and Brianna were not with their group like normal. Even though I was curious, it seemed better to continue walking on the first floor, so I would go unnoticed. My plan was to hide in the library until lunch. That plan wouldn't come to fruition, however, it would have gone south if I almost hadn't run into the person I was trying to stay away from. When going to the library, I found Killian in there studying!

Damn it! Why?! I thought to myself with an annoyed attitude.

I turned around and walked out of the library so fast that I knew he definitely didn't see me. What was I going to do now? Then, I had an idea! I had to sneak out of the building to do it though. Moving with ease, I got out of the building hopefully going unnoticed. However, I couldn't shake this feeling that someone was around. Almost as if my mind was being read, I turned the corner to head into the dugout. I made direct eye contact with America. She was sitting on the bench with her knees to her chest and looked like she had been crying. She always seemed so happy so for her to seem upset was a little worrisome.

"America what's wrong?" I asked her as I sat down next to her. She looked up at me with her tear-stained face.

"It's my mom", she replied softly.

"What about your mom?" I asked with a puzzled look.

"She keeps pressuring me into pursuing my singing career! I just want to finish high school first! I got a text this morning from her telling me that a record label is already trying to sign me. I can't do it yet", America cried with frustration.

I remembered that she was going to be the next pop star, but I didn't know that her mom was trying to do what mine had done to me and Skyler. America's strive to become the next pop star is there, but I do agree with her that she needs to finish high school first. The stress of having to do normal teen activities on top of an early career is just too much, and that's coming from someone who has to deal with it.

"I totally understand, America. You need to put your foot down and tell her that because you need to put yourself first", I softly explained to her while having my hand on her shoulder.

"T-Thanks Tyler", America tried smiling through her quivering lips and tears. I gave her a hug to help calm her down.

"I have an idea to help us get our minds off of everything", I smirked after releasing her from the hug.