tyler thought he was going to faint.

everyone in the class was staring at him, including mr. dun who seemed like he was in the middle of helping a student.

fuck. did tyler brush his teeth today? did his hair look okay? was his shirt still tucked into his skirt? he quickly glanced down and confirmed, yes, it was.

"yes?" mr. dun asked, only making tyler's heart accelerate 10 times more.

"u-uh i.. i um.. i.."

fuck, what was tyler's excuse again?

"oh! i have to ask nicole a question about our math homework."

"i'm not in-"

tyler narrowed his eyes at her, signaling for her to keep quiet.

"what's your name?" mr. dun asked.

"tyler."

"tyler who?"

"tyler joseph."

"make it quick, tyler."

the small boy nodded and quickly pulled nicole out of the room, ignoring the confused look she had on her face.

"i'm not in your math class," she stated.

"i know, sorry to bother you. i just really wanted to see mr. dun."

she raised an eyebrow at that. "i thought you liked mr. weekes?"

"i think i like mr. dun more."

"ooohh," she giggled, wiggling her eyebrows at him.

"stop!" tyler laughed. "just let me
open the door for you so i can give him one last look before i leave."

"whatever you say."

tyler pushed the door open for nicole, gaining everyone's attention once again. except mr. dun.

"thank you, sir," tyler called out, hoping to get him to turn around.

"no problem," mr. dun responded, not even bothering to so much glance at the boy.