Friday afternoon
It's been three days since Cody was taken to the hospital and Ted was still pissed about it. He saw sitting with Cody in his room. "When mom wakes up tell her I had to go to work. Since I finally convinced her to take some time off I want her to rest. Just make sure she doesn't leave the house. I'll take care of things for a while."
Cody sighed. "I know you want to help mom but you're going the same she was doing. You go to school then right after you go to work. You don't get home until late and your school work is starting to suffer."
"I don't care." Ted said. "Mom is doing this by herself and I can't watch her suffer anymore. I'm going to work so you just give mom whatever she needs."
Cody nodded. "But can you promise me that if something happens you'll slow down. Just because you're the oldest doesn't mean you have to do everything yourself."
Ted stood up from his bed and sighed. "Yes I do." He said. "One day you'll understand, I'll see you later." He left the room.
Cody sat back down on Ted's bed.
…
Ted worked as cashier at a restaurant. It didn't pay a lot but it was enough to help his family. He was just finishing up with a costumer when John walked in. "Get out."
John sighed and walked over to the cashier. "Can we please talk for a minute?"
"I have nothing to say to you." Ted yelled. "Now leave."
"Hey what's going on?" His boss Steve said coming up to him.
Ted turned to him. "Get him out of here." He said walking to the back.
…
Ted was sitting in the back when Steve walked up to him. "Is he gone?"
"He's gone." Steve said leaning against the wall. "So how is your brother?"
"He's good." Ted said. "My mom wants him to stay home from school for a few more days." He sighed. "Hey Steve I was wondering if I could get some extra hours. My mom is going through a rough time right now."
Steve sighed. "Okay I can give you some more hours but if I think it's affecting your work you're back down to your regular hours, you got it?"
Ted nodded. "Yeah I got it." He said. Steve always felt like a father figure to him and he could always talk to him about anything.
"Why don't you go on break?" Steve said. "You look like you could use some time alone."
…
Ted was exhausted when he got home that night. It was almost midnight and he was glad that he didn't have school because there was no way he was getting up the next morning. After eating his food that was left in the microwave he was upstairs. His mother was asleep so he went to his room and flopped down on his bed. Not long later Cody came in. "Hey how did it go with mom?"
"Good?" Cody said. "I made sure she ate but she was asleep most of the day." He looked down. "I was thinking about getting a job."
"I told you that I can handle everything." Ted said turning onto his stomach. "Just drop it alright."
Cody sighed and left his brothers room. He didn't care what he said. He was going to do whatever he could to help his mother and brother."
…
Monday morning
Cody was at his locker in the almost empty hallway when he saw John heading his way. Closing his locker he turned to him. "Hi John."
John smiled. "I thought you were going to say get away from me or something."
"I've actually wanted to talk to you." Casey said. "I know stuff has been crazy lately."
"Do you think you brother will ever talk to me?" John said.
"He's just upset but he'll come around." Cody said.
John nodded. "Look I'm sorry about what happened. For standing by and doing nothing while they-"
"You don't have to apologies John." Cody said. "People do crazy thing when peer pressure is involved." He sighed. "Don't worry we're okay."
"Thanks Cody." John said. "Maybe we can hang out sometime."
"Sounds good." Cody said. "I'll just have to find a way to keep this from Ted."
John looked behind Cody and saw Randy. "Excuse me." He said walking over to him. "Hey Randy."
"John." Randy said.
"Do you think we can go somewhere and talk?" John said. "I know you really hate me right now but whenever I was upset I could always talk to you, I really miss you."
Randy couldn't help but smile. "I miss you too and I guess we can meet somewhere during free period."
"Thank you." John said. "I'll see you later." He watched Randy leave then walked off.
…
Free period
Cody was walking through the library looking for his brother when he found him asleep in the back. He walked over and sat across from him. "Teddy?" He said shaking his arm
Ted jumped up. "What do you want Cody?" He said wiping his face.
"You seriously need to take off work." Cody said. "Can't you see what you're doing to yourself? You're going to end up in the hospital like mom did." He said. "I know you want to be there for us but you need help just as much as mom does."
Ted sighed. "I'm alright Cody so just focus on your schoolwork."
"Just think about it Teddy." Cody said. "Can you promise me that?"
"Fine." Ted said. "But please stop calling me Teddy."
Cody smiled. "Alright."
…
Randy met John under the bleachers behind the school. "We can't keep sneaking around like this John." He said.
"I know." John said. "And we don't have too."
"What are you talking about?" Randy said.
John walked up to Randy. "Look you were right about everything. You guys are my best friends and part of my family. I miss hanging out with the guys and I miss being with you." He took Randy's hand. "Look I know it's going to take some time for us to get past everything but I want to be with you. I love you and all I'm asking for is a chance to prove it to you."
"How are you going to do that?" Randy asked.
John smiled. "Easy, I'm going to come out. If those guys are really my friends then it won't matter."
"And what if it does?" Randy said. "Are you going to regret ever coming out in the first place?"
John shook his head. "No because I still have my real friends and I'll still have you, which is all I really care about. The time I've been away from you have been the worst days of my life. I want to be happy again and I was always happy when I was with you."
"Are you sure about this?" Randy asked.
John answers Randy by kissing him. "I've never been so sure about anything in my life." He looked down. "And I'm sorry for walking out on you when you came out. That was the biggest mistake of my life." Looking back up he smiled. "So will you please give me another chance? I promise that you won't regret it."
Randy smiled and pulled John into another kiss. "I love you too." He whispered against his lips.
John pulled back and started to leave, still holding Randy's hand. He looked back when Randy didn't move. "What is it?"
"Are you positive this is what you want to do?" Randy asked again.
John smile. "Let's go." They headed back into the school.
A/N Thanks for reading and please review. The next chapter will be up soon.
