My Second Chance
Chapter XI
=Normal POV=
[Friday, 4/13/2018; 6:50 am]
[Berk High School]
Trayden still couldn't get over how well he and Hayden got along after meeting up at the Jorgenson house to discuss their research project topic, and it turned into a good conversation where both young men revealed private things about their lives to one another. Trayden was the only one who got to talk to Hayden this way; in school, Hayden was still very reserved, nervous, and everything else that Hayden had displayed since coming to Berk. The others would try to talk to Hayden, but he'd give little no response, and they would give up and leave Hayden alone. Trayden wasn't doing this; he knew he could help Hayden recover or at least try to convince him to speak to his psychiatrist about things if he kept at what he was doing. If Hayden could laugh a little and smile with Trayden; then there was still hope to save Hayden from himself.
Trayden was still beyond happy that Hayden was gay; it meant there was a chance for them to be together instead of a hoping Hayden might develop feelings for Trayden and learning that he could be bisexual or gay. Trayden knew he had a crush on Hayden, but there was still no idea if Hayden felt anything for Trayden; that might be revealed with time in Trayden's opinion. After all, Hayden seemed comfortable enough with Trayden to tell him about being gay, and his experiences, also; Hayden didn't flip out and lose it talking about his parents, which is something that Syrus and Alicia heavily warned not to bring up. Trayden was glad to know he could help Hayden, even if just a little. Everyone had to learn to crawl before they walked; this was just baby steps towards the overall goal.
"Morning," Hailey greeted the friends as she strolled up with Devon. Evan was walking behind Rylee and Bryan with Alyssa and Katie. Ford welcomed Hailey with a light kiss on the cheek and hug.
"Hey," Tyler waved as he came up next to his twin sister.
"Last day until Spring Break," Syrus sighed.
"Hi," Alicia smiled. Hayden strolled up behind them quietly with his head down as usual. Minden walked next to Syrus and Alicia.
"I have our report," Mindy told them gently.
"Awesome," Syrus nodded.
"Finally here," Trayden joined them. "I got our paper, Hayden," he held it up. Hayden nodded. Trayden could see that Hayden still had issues being smiley and vocal at school.
"What topic did everyone pick?" Alyssa wondered.
"Alyssa and I chose unemployment," Hailey smiled.
"World Hunger," Ford stated.
"Wars," Alicia informed.
"Religion," Tyler mentioned.
"Homosexuality," Trayden said.
"I don't think anyone picked that but you two," Katie blinked. "It's a tough topic,"
"That's why we chose it," Trayden said. "It's the perfect debate topic, highly opinionated and various cases of both good and bad," he shrugged. "It was Hayden's idea,"
"Really?" Syrus looked surprised. "Didn't think you'd go for such a thing,"
"It's a growing problem all around the world," Hayden stated. "Should be addressed, and also just accepted. It shouldn't matter what gender you're attracted to as long as you're comfortable with yourself. You love who you love, and everyone deserves to be happy. Other people need to get over it and keep their opinions to themselves," he added. Trayden smiled a little.
"Sounds like you chose this on a personal level, just saying," Evan mentioned. "Well, for Trayden anyway,"
"Told you, Hayden picked this, not me. I didn't tell him I was gay until after it was chosen," Trayden remarked.
"Hey, you know we don't care that you're gay, Tray. It doesn't bother us," Devon chuckled.
"Hayden doesn't care either," Trayden informed. The warning bell rang.
"Time for class; we'll see you for lunch," Devon hugged Hailey. Bryan kissed Alyssa, hugging her just the same as Evan did to Rylee. Bryan headed for B-Hall while the rest went to C-Hall for Language Arts.
. . .
[11:30 am]
Lunch hour once again. Trayden and Hayden turned in their research paper with the others, and Mr. Fishers said he had high hopes for Hayden and Trayden's work since how only about three other pairs in all of his classes combined chose it. Math and Science went fine, so did Gym. But now it was time to sit back and relax before the final two periods of the day.
"So glad we don't have homework for the break," Katie beamed.
"They normally don't assign us anything," Mindy shrugged.
"Still," Syrus shrugged.
"More time for us to hang out," Alyssa smiled.
"Agreed. All next week is supposed to be in the high 60's and sunny," Ford nodded.
"Mom already said I could have the big sleepover in the basement," Trayden said.
"Sweet, just tell us when," Tyler grinned.
"What about you, Sy? We doing the alternation thing?" Hailey asked.
"Alternation thing?" Hayden decided to ask.
"We do it during Spring and Summer breaks. Those of us who have big houses will host group sleepovers," Trayden explained. "It's usually Syrus and Alicia, Bryan and Katie, Devon and Hailey, and then me. We'll switch between the six days available,"
"And in the Summer, if the weather holds, we'll do mini campouts at The Cove or in someone's backyard. Not to mention the big End of Summer Bash we throw in August before the school year starts again," Bryan informed.
"And you're allowed to have a co-ed one?" Hayden inquired.
"Our parents know we'll behave, and they can't stop those of us over 18 already," Alyssa shrugged. "We're just respectful in other people's houses," she added.
"Only a few of us are dating anyway," Hailey mentioned. "Ford and I have been together since January 1st this year,"
"Alyssa and I since my Junior Prom," Bryan interjected.
"Evan and I since the end of my Sophomore Year on mine and Ty's birthday," Rylee said with a smile.
"I have a boyfriend too, but he doesn't go to this school," Katie informed. "His name is Andrew Kongur; he's 20 and in the army," she giggled. "He got his GED when he turned 18 and joined by the time I turned 16, but we've been together since October 28, 2016, so technically, we've been together since I was 15; he asked me the night of the Halloween Dance," she blushed.
"And if he ever hurts you; I'll kill him," Bryan grumbled.
"As if Dad would let you," Katie rolled her eyes.
"This conversation has seriously derailed…" Trayden sighed. "But anyway…Yeah; that's what we spend out Spring and Summer breaks from school doing," he smiled. "Maybe you'll join us?" he tried.
"Maybe…I don't know," Hayden looked down. "Never really hung out with people before…Kind'a new to me," he admitted, which shocked the others. Hayden was actually…Talking to them in a normal conversation?
"Well, it's always new until you do it, Hayden," Trayden chuckled.
"That is…So true," Hayden agreed.
"Have you never done this?" Rylee wondered. "Hung out with friends and slept over each other's houses?" Hayden shook his head.
"Oh, my Gods! You've never had a sleepover?!" Katie exclaimed.
"Did your parents not let you?" Bryan inquired.
Hayden shook his head again. "Then why?" Mindy questioned.
"Never had had the opportunity…Didn't have friends," Hayden confessed. Trayden put his arm around Hayden's shoulders, smiling.
"Well, you got friends now. And rules say you gotta take part; I told you two weeks ago that we're a riot to be around. Come on…You have to at least spend one night with us; it'll be the best time of your life," Trayden said.
"I-I'll think about it," Hayden nodded.
"I'll take that answer," Trayden went back to eating his food. Hayden felt his phone vibrating in his pocket as he looked at the Caller ID and didn't recognize the number.
"Hello?" Hayden answered.
"Laddie!" said an excited voice as Hayden's eyes widened, tears instantly brimming them.
"Hayden? What's wrong?" Alicia asked instantly seeing Hayden's face.
"Un-Uncle Gabriel…?" Hayden asked.
"You know it," Gabriel replied. "Good news for you," he added.
"Wh-What is it? Where are you? When can I see you?" Hayden inquired instantly.
The man on the phone laughed a little. "How about right now?" Gabriel asked.
"Wh-What do you mean?" Hayden questioned now.
"Turn around," Gabriel said gently. Hayden instantly whipped around to see Gabriel standing there, still in uniform. Hayden was breathing heavy, tears finally slipping from his eyes as he backed the chair away from the table and darted towards his Godfather. Hayden slipped a few times on the floor but reached Gabriel and hugged him tightly, breaking down in his arms. Gabriel embraced Hayden back, closing his eyes and breathing a sigh of relief almost. "Ssh…Ssh, lad; I'm here now. Uncle Gabe is here; I got you,"
"Y-You've missed s-so much…" Hayden sobbed. "M-Mom and-," he started.
"Ssh…I know, Hayden. I know all about it…I was one of the first people told when it happened, and I've been trying to get home since," Gabriel sighed. "How many classes you have left today?" Gabriel asked.
"Um, just History…" Hayden admitted.
"Think you can miss one class? Wanna come with me for a bit?" Gabriel questioned. Hayden nodded, wiping his eyes again. "Go get your bag," Gabriel mentioned. Hayden nodded, walking over to the table and picking up his lunch and putting in his backpack.
"Where ya going?" Syrus asked now.
"Leaving for the day," Hayden said, his tone still cracked and emotional.
"You can't just leave without permission," Tyler began.
"And who is he?" Alyssa inquired.
"I'm 18…I can do whatever I want," Hayden remarked coldly. "I can sign myself out and leave. Bye," he threw his bag over his shoulder and left with Gabriel, signing himself out at the office and departing from the school.
"You two don't look the least bit concerned," Devon mentioned to Syrus and Alicia.
"Hayden is 18…We can't make him do anything, and he can legally sign himself out of school. Hayden knows that guy; he broke down in his arms," Alicia said.
"That was Hayden's Godfather, Gabriel Forger," Trayden said casually, eating his chips as they all looked at him, surprised.
"How do you know?" Katie asked.
"Because Hayden told me two weeks ago that his Godfather was in Iraq on deployment and had been gone since March 2017. Hayden hasn't seen him since his 17th birthday," Trayden informed.
"Why would…Hayden tell you something like that? He barely says a word to anyone," Syrus said.
"Happened on the 1st of April when I went to your house to see Hayden about picking our research topic. Hayden invited me over, and we just started talking. Gabriel Forger is Hayden's Godfather, best friend of his parents. Hayden was afraid Gabriel passed away overseas since in the event of his death; Hayden's father was supposed to be informed. I told Hayden not to worry because Gabriel would return and instantly come to find him. I was right, and now Hayden can have one more person in his life who he is probably closer to than anyone else right now who wants to help him," Trayden said calmly.
"Wait…Hayden told you all this?" Alyssa said.
"Yep," Trayden replied.
. . .
[12:00 pm]
[Berk; The Great Hall]
Gabriel knew Hayden was about to eat lunch at school, so he decided to take Hayden out for lunch. Arriving at the restaurant, Gabriel and Hayden walked inside. Once the two were seated; Gabriel left Hayden for a few moments to change out of the uniform. Gabriel returned and kept his clothes and boots in the plastic bag beside him as the waitress arrived.
"Hello, I'm Nicole, and I'll be your waitress. Can I start you both with something to drink?" the woman with black hair and purple eyes asked.
"Beer, please," Gabriel smiled.
"Just Sprite for me," Hayden replied. Nicole nodded, leaving the table to let them decide what they wanted to eat.
"Get whatever you want, laddie," Gabriel told him.
"I don't have much an appetite these days," Hayden admitted.
"I know, son. Your Aunt Felicia gave me a quick rundown of what's happened since last June…" Gabriel stated calmly. "I also know that nobody knows everything as you do," Hayden looked off to the side a bit. "Hayden; you can hide from everyone else, but not me. You don't have to protect yourself around me, you know I've got your back as I always have. You didn't lose me, and you never will,"
"You don't know how scared I was to wonder if every day I'd find out you were killed overseas…And I'll always fear that, Uncle Gabe…" Hayden looked down now. "You'll go back, and I'll be alone again,"
Gabriel straightened up. "No, you won't, Hayden," he said firmly. "Because I'm done in the Marines," Hayden's eyes snapped back to Gabriel, wide with shock now. "I quit, for you,"
"B-But why would you do that. Y-You've been in the Marines since you were 18! You love it!" Hayden exclaimed.
"But I love my family more," Gabriel informed. "Hayden, I've been trying to get back to be here for you since your parents died. I knew I couldn't continue being a Marine when I was needed elsewhere. So I talked to my CO, and we worked together to get me out of my contract; it just took a while to go through the proper channels. I'm honorably discharged now, and home for good. You never have to worry about losing me again,"
Hayden could have cried again but was trying hard not too since they were in public. "Y-You mean it?"
"Now, has Uncle Gabe ever steered you wrong, lad?" Gabriel smiled some. Hayden shook his head. "Then what are ya worried for? I'm home, kiddo. You won't lose me, and you will not be alone again. I am home for good, son. I think we both need each other. Old Gabe wasn't the best after getting the news,"
"Yeah…Tell me about it…" Hayden looked down again.
"It hit me hard; I knew you had to be feeling it worse," Gabriel mentioned calmly.
"So you know about all the foster care and stuff?" Hayden asked him.
"I only know what I need to know; that you've had a rough time," Gabriel said.
"Kind of an understatement…" Hayden sighed.
"Okay, you've been through hell," Gabriel said softly. "I know about your depression, anxiety, and panic attacks. I know you're on anti-depressants, and seeing a psychiatrist," Hayden nodded to him a few times. "Is it helping at all?"
Hayden shook his head. "I-I don't talk in therapy…"
"Why not? It can help you heal, Hayden," Gabriel asked.
"It's just hard to, Uncle Gabe…" Hayden kept his hands in his lap and head down. "I-I know it can help me heal, but the pain I feel just thinking about things is almost unbearable…I tried…I tried in the mental hospital, but I couldn't do it. It was just nightmares, flashbacks, and panic attacks…," he brought his arm up to wipe his eyes.
"Hayden, the hardest part about getting help is admitting you need it and talking about what you've been through. It's part of the process, though; you have to hurt to heal. Okay? I know it's difficult, and it will hurt, but you'll feel better if you get everything out," Gabriel stated.
Nicole returned with the drinks and set them down. "Have we decided what we're going to have today?" she smiled.
"I know for me, I could go for a Doube Bacon Viking Burger with fries," Gabriel said gently.
"And how about for you?" Nicole turned to face Hayden.
"U-Um…Seafood Gorgonzola, please?" Hayden responded.
"No problem. That will be right out for you soon," Nicole slipped her pad away and headed for the kitchen.
"Good to know you haven't changed much," Gabriel teased a little. "You still love your seafood,"
"Blame dad…" Hayden tried to smile.
"Anyway, back to what we were talking about. Hayden, I know it's hard to talk about what you've been through, but it will help to talk to someone. Your aunt and uncle, me, your friends even…Just tell someone, and get out the emotions that come with it. Get mad and yell. Get sad or upset and cry. No one is going to judge you, son; we all want to help. The problem is, we don't know what you're going through or feeling right now because you're keeping it in. We know you're hurting deeply, but that's it. No one knows how to help because we don't know what happened. And I know something cannot be taken back and fixed, but we can help you move forward," Gabriel mentioned seriously now.
"You sound like Tray…" Hayden muttered.
"Well, whoever Tray is must understand you're hurting and wants to help. Let people who want to help you help, Hayden. Don't hide how you're feeling, and don't be scared to let people in. If they are fighting this hard to be in your life despite knowing you're depressed, anxious, and all those other things; then it means they want to be in your life. So let them in; let yourself be surrounded by others who care. At the same time; we can't make you do anything you don't want to do. Just think about it, alright? I promised your folks that if anything happened to them; I'd look out for you, Hayden. And I don't like seeing you suffer, and I don't want to lose you. I fought to come home to be here for you because I know you needed me, so don't you go leaving me. I don't think I could take it," Gabriel admitted. "I need you too; your parents were the only real family I had, so you're all I have left,"
Hayden sniffled a bit, wiping his eyes. Gabriel got up and went over to hug him. "I-I won't leave…I promise…" Hayden nodded. "I just…Couldn't deal with everything that happened…And I felt alone…I-I wanted it to end…"
"Ssh, I know. I know…I understand, but you aren't alone now, Hayden. You got your friends, family…And me. We're all here for you, and we always will be," Gabriel mentioned. Hayden wiped his eyes again as Gabriel hugged him. "Everything is gonna be alright, lad," After a few more moments, Hayden calmed a bit. "You alright now?" Hayden managed a nod as Gabriel moved back to sit across from him.
"S-So you're all done with the military now?" Hayden asked.
"Few more minor things to take care of, but yes," Gabriel replied. "How's living at your aunt and uncles?"
"Not entirely sure what to make of it…I'm never by myself…" Hayden mumbled some. "I don't exactly like sharing a room with Syrus,"
"Why is that?" Gabriel wondered.
"No privacy…I mean…I don't have a room at all. It's just a small cramped space where I can fit a twin-sized bed, one nightstand, one dresser, built in wall-desk…It's not even a room; I don't even have a door; it's just a curtain…" Hayden sighed. "It's not that I'm ungrateful to them for taking me in, but still…"
"I understand, lad. You went from having your own, big space to a smaller, shared one…" Gabriel nodded.
"It just feels like I'm in another foster home minus the abuse…Doesn't feel like I'm with family…Not comfortable, can't seem to adjust and settle in fully…" Hayden admitted.
"Do you wanna come live with me instead?" Gabriel asked after a few minutes. Hayden froze and stared at him.
"Wh-What?" Hayden questioned, entirely shocked by the offer.
"Do you want to come live with me, Hayden?" Gabriel inquired a second time.
"I-I…Am I…Allowed?" Hayden stammered a bit.
"Lad, you were supposed to be with me all along," Gabriel informed as Hayden's eyes widened a bit. "When your uncle and dad had their falling out; your father wanted no connection between them. Since I was your Godfather; your dad listed me as next of kin in his and your mother's wills that way if anything happened to them, you would be in my care. However, I was deployed and contacting me was a difficult task. Plus, your parents made an error and didn't leave the information anywhere else of what should happen to you in the event of their untimely death,"
"And because your aunt and uncle weren't listed either…It inadvertently caused you to go into the system. I learned of your parents' deaths in July and instantly inquired about you, but awful service and the deployment itself made communication difficult. Finally, I was able to explain things and during that time; I was trying to get out of the military to rush back. I demanded they take you out of foster care right away, and until I got home; you were to be with the Jorgensons. Of course, it's the system, so they take their sweet-ass time doing things. There needed to be a verification done that they were your family before you were sent with them," Gabriel continued as the food arrived and was set down.
"Long story short, laddie; you were always supposed to be with me. I sent you to your aunt and uncle because I wasn't allowed to leave until cleared and discharged," Gabriel said. "So, now that I'm back; if you want to come to live with me, I'm totally fine with it. And hey…You're 18, so this wouldn't even be a legal matter to change guardians," he added. "Do you want to stay with me?"
Hayden nodded. "I do," he replied, finding a smile. Hayden loved his aunt, uncle, and cousins, but he loved Gabriel like an uncle too. And Hayden felt it would be a better arrangement to move in with him as it was always supposed to be since his parents passed.