My Second Chance
Chapter XXXVIII
=Normal POV=
[Monday, 9/10/2018; 6:50 am]
[Berk High School]
It had been a week since Senior Year had begun. As usual, the first day of school, September 3rd, 2018, was an orientation and receiving their class schedules. The rest of the day was going to each class to meet their teachers, receive books, and rules of the classroom. Unlike last year, the friends didn't have the same schedules. Syrus, Alicia, and Hayden did. And Trayden was with them too because someone who never got named made a requestion during class placement that it might be a good idea for Trayden to be someone who was always near Hayden and would help him through a tough time. There were only a few shared classes with the others, like Health and Physical Education. Also, lunch hour was shared as well. The first week was used to get used to everything of being back at school after Summer Break.
Hayden's schedule that also Syrus, Alicia, and Trayden had was Physical Education, at least until after Midterms when it would turn to Health. Following that was Science, Study Hall, History, Lunch, Math, and Language Arts. With the first week over now; teachers would begin with teaching and giving homework without a doubt. Hayden got to school by driving, so did Trayden, who drove his siblings, and Syrus, who would drive Alicia. Alyssa, Tyler, Rylee, and Ford still came by bus. Devon dropped Miya and Hailey off in the morning. As would Bryan with Katie and Verena. Sometimes Evan would bring in Rylee and Tyler, but it depended if he had work early or not.
It did not go unnoticed by the group of friends that since the End of Summer Celebration, Hayden had been acting a little bit like he did when they met him last year. Not full-on, but enough that they were concerned he was starting to slip into the depression and shut down. The friends were doing their best, but unfortunately; this wasn't a great time of year for Hayden. Around this time; Hayden was living with the Holgerson family, being physically and sexually abused by Olivia and Bradley, which would explain why in August; Hayden was falling into nightmares about that horrific time in his life. However, nobody knew what Hayden went through.
"Happy birthday, Alicia!" the friends said together as the youngest Jorgenson child strolled up with her brother, Syrus. Yes, Alicia turned 17 today, and the friends made sure to arrive before Syrus and Alicia arrived.
"Thank you!" Alicia beamed as Tyler was first to get in and hug his girlfriend of now, one year.
"Happy one-year, babe," Tyler told Alicia, following it up with a kiss. "And happy birthday," he added.
"Thanks, baby," Alicia replied. "Happy anniversary," she giggled with his arms around her figure. "Mom and Dad are letting me throw a party this Saturday; you're all invited," she stated to the others. "No sleepover, but from 2 pm to like, 9 pm is approved,"
"Awesome," Rylee smiled.
"I'll be there," Mindy informed.
"Us too," Ford said while standing beside Hailey.
"I'll see what my work schedule is like," Devon interjected.
"I gotta work at 4 pm, but I'll come from 2-3:30 or so," Evan mentioned.
"I'm free, so I'll come," Trayden chuckled.
"My Uncle Finn is visiting, but I'll see if I can come for a little bit," Alyssa chimed in.
"I'm working until 4 pm, but I'll pop over afterward," Bryan said.
"Mom or dad can likely drive me," Katie nodded.
"Hayden, how about-," Trayden started, but soon found after a quick scan of the friends, Hayden wasn't there. "Uh…Where's Hayden?" he wondered.
"Don't know; he doesn't live with us anymore, remember?" Syrus shrugged.
"Odd…I was talking to him last night until about 11:20 pm; he said he was going to bed but would see me at school," Trayden scratched his head a bit.
"Could try calling him?" Hailey suggested. "Maybe he's just running a little behind?" Syrus got his phone out and tapped Hayden's contact ID, setting it to his ear and listening. Not too far away; there was ringing, and it was getting closer.
"What are you calling me for when I'm standing not even two feet away?" Hayden asked.
"Oh, sorry. We didn't know where you were," Syrus said calmly.
"I overslept…" Hayden replied while leaning against the wall. "Happy birthday, Alicia," he said.
"Thanks, Hayden," Alicia smiled softly. "Why'd you oversleep? Tray said you went to bed around 11:30?"
Hayden yawned. "Woke up at 12:45, 2:20, and 4:00 am. Crashed again around 5:10…Slept past 6 am alarm. Gabriel woke me up fifteen minutes ago on his way out,"
"Had one of your nights where you can't sleep, huh?" Bryan asked as Hayden nodded, closing his eyes. The warning bell sounded. "See you at lunch," he added; then hugged Katie and Alyssa, who also got a kiss on the cheek. Devon said bye to Hailey, and Evan did the same to Rylee. The remaining group of friends after Bryan, Devon, and Evan left headed for G-Hall for their first-period gym class.
. . .
[7:45 am]
Fifteen minutes to the end of Gym class, the friends noticed that Hayden wasn't at all into anything. The class was outside, due to it being a nice day. By vote; they were playing a game of baseball for the activity. Through everything, Hayden hadn't been up to bat due to team switching, and he was last on the roster to go. The team Hayden was on was losing; they only needed four to beat the other team.
"Haddock, you're up," Thomas Wington; the Physical Education teacher said. Hayden sighed as he grabbed a bat and headed for home plate with hardly any energy. "Alright, last batter and bases are loaded," he reminded everyone. Hayden took a glance around the field. Trayden was on first base, Ford on second, and Alyssa on third.
"Come on, Hayden," Ford cheered.
"Bring us home," Alyssa clapped her hands.
"You got this!" Syrus yelled from the dugout where Alicia, Katie, Mindy, Rylee, Hailey, and Tyler were.
The pitcher laughed, motioning with his glove for the members in the field to come in more. "Haddock can't hit, let's wrap this up," he called to them. Hayden muttered under his breath. He really couldn't hit, though. Hayden could draw, sing, write music, play instruments, build, and do his studies with no difficulty at all, but sports? Forget it.
"Strike his ass out," called the centerfielder.
"Language!" Thomas warned.
"This won't take long," the pitcher prepared himself.
"Don't listen to Marcus, Hayden!" Trayden yelled over from first base, glaring at Marcus. "Wait for your pitch!" he added.
"You hush up, Raseri," Marcus shot back, preparing his stance. Hayden felt like there was unspoken tension between Trayden and Marcus, and it wasn't because they were playing against each other in a non-competitive, friendly game of baseball for Physical Education. No, Hayden sensed that there was more.
Marcus Knight was almost 20 years old, a student who stayed back in Freshman Year. The guy was Captain of the Football Team, always hanging around with his usual group of friends who picked on others. To put it simply; Marcus was a bully. But something that Trayden said the day Hayden learned Trayden was gay made Hayden believe that Marcus was the guy Trayden had dated and was hurt by. Trayden stated that his ex-boyfriend paraded around acting like he wasn't gay, and giving Trayden a hard time. However, Trayden hadn't told his friends about ever being in a relationship because he wasn't ready for them to know that Trayden had a boyfriend and that he got used by his ex for sex, and then broken up with.
Hayden could understand; he still didn't want people knowing that he was friends with benefits with Bradley Holgerson, Olivia's younger brother. And Hayden didn't want his friends knowing about losing his virginity at 16, or that Bradley raped him when Hayden stayed there during his time in foster care. Hayden would leave it alone for now.
"Marcus, leave Tray alone, and pitch the damn ball," Hayden remarked as he brought the bat up and got into position. Marcus threw, and Hayden didn't swing.
"Ball one!" Thomas said. After five minutes; it was two strikes and three balls. One more ball and Hayden would walk. Or if he got a strike; that was it, game over.
"Hey, Trayden…Maybe you should go over and help your boyfriend. Seems like he's pretty useless without you," Marcus chuckled. Hayden glared as his hands tightened on the handle of the bat.
"I'll show you useless…" Hayden muttered coldly, narrowing his eyes. Marcus pitched the ball as it came at Hayden. With a powerful swing, the bat made contact. The ball went straight ahead and socked Marcus between the legs. Instantly; the male dropped, holding himself as the ball rolled away from him.
"Go! Go!" Alicia cheered. The runners took off; Astrid hit home first, then Ford. Trayden rounded third as Hayden hit second.
"DUDE! Get the ball!" one of Marcus's friends yelled. Trayden reached home as the rest of the team came out while Hayden rounded third. Marcus grabbed the ball that was just ahead of him as he forced himself to get up.
"Come on, Hayden! Come on!" Trayden urged. "All the way!"
Marcus ran straight to get home and tag Hayden out when he neared the plate. Hayden knew that all Marcus had to do was touch him, and currently; he'd be able to do that before Hayden touched the bag. Hayden saw Marcus smirk and shake his head; his way of saying Hayden would never hit the plate. Hayden waited for his moment, and just as Marcus was about to tag him, Hayden shifted and slid in on his left side, knocking Marcus over and his foot touching the plate.
"YES!" his friends cheered excitedly.
"NO!" Marcus yelled, frustrated as he punched the ground a few times. Hayden smiled, panting as he laid there a second.
"Nice work!" Alyssa congratulated. Trayden offered his hand to help Hayden up; Hayden took it, and Tray pulled Hayden to his feet.
"That was awesome," Trayden chuckled.
"Well done, everyone," Thomas nodded. "Let's head back to the gym," he said. Hayden started walked with the others, feeling some pain on his stump. It was probably from sliding on the prosthetic that was already at its limit. Also, though, Hayden felt some pain on his left side. While walking; he lifted his shirt a bit and saw the scrape marks there.
"Are you alright?" Hailey asked softly.
"Yeah," Hayden nodded.
"Should get that treated by the nurse, Hayden," Thomas stated. Hayden fixed his shirt, nodding to him. Reaching the locker rooms; Hayden changed quickly and stood by the door to wait for the others. However, not far off, Hayden saw Marcus going near Trayden's changing stall and slipped inside.
"What the fuck do you think you're doing? Get out," Trayden ordered.
"Shut up, Tray…Not like this is anything new for us," Marcus reminded.
"Fuck you," Trayden said.
"When and where?" Marcus replied.
"How about nowhere and never? Get out," Trayden demanded coldly.
"You know you love me, babe," Marcus informed.
"I know that you used and hurt me. Now, leave, or I'm telling Mr. Wington," Trayden snapped. Marcus chuckled as Hayden heard what sounded like a kiss. "What the hell is wrong with you! Out!"
"Aw, look at you; still blushing when I kiss you," Marcus teased. "You know…I kind'a miss us being together. Come on; I still care about you. I only left because you were keeping our relationship a secret; it's like you were ashamed we were dating. You wouldn't tell your friends about us, do they even know now?" Hayden didn't hear Trayden answer. "See? Still keeping secrets. How did you ever expect us to last when you don't speak up?"
"Yeah, well, maybe I just wanted to keep us a secret to enjoy it more without my nosey friends always asking shit about us. And what are you talking about leaving me because I didn't speak up that we were dating? You didn't leave me until after the first time we had sex, saying it wasn't working out. If I didn't know any better; I'd say it's because you didn't want anyone knowing about us. Your friends don't even know you're gay…At least I don't go parading around the school calling myself straight and pretending to be something I'm not," Trayden remarked.
Hayden saw Marcus get shoved out. "Leave me alone, Marcus. We aren't together, and I don't love you anymore. And we'll never be a couple again either, so fuck off," Marcus shrugged with a smirk almost.
"Fine, but at least I'll always have something you can't give to anyone else," Marcus chuckled. "Your virginity," Marcus walked away after that. Trayden's glared, and anger held a few moments; then faded off to sadness almost. Trayden sighed, retreating behind the curtain to put on his shirt and shoes. Hayden didn't like seeing Trayden upset, and this proved Hayden's theory; Marcus was Trayden's ex-boyfriend and always giving Trayden a hard time.
. . .
[11:20 am]
Finally lunch hour; the friends joined up in the cafeteria. Evan, Bryan, Devon, and even Miya came to enjoy the midday meal.
"So, how has the day been?" Bryan asked.
"Quiet. We won our baseball game in gym thanks to Hayden," Katie smiled.
"Really?" Devon blinked.
"Yeah! Hayden batted in Alyssa, Tray, and me; then slid in to score home and avoid a tag by Marcus," Ford nodded.
"That's awesome. Nice, Hayden," Evan smiled as Hayden just shrugged.
"It was necessary, but I'm not much of a sports player…" Hayden said. Around 12:05 pm; the friends were talking and eating their food when Marcus strolled up behind Trayden.
"Hey, Tray," Marcus greeted as Trayden sighed. "How ya doing?"
"Like you care," Trayden stated. "Go away, or are you still sore about losing in gym?"
"You know I prefer Football. Maybe we should play that next class? You and your little boyfriend wouldn't be able to beat me there," Marcus scoffed.
"Leave him alone. What did he ever do to you?" Syrus remarked.
"Sy…It's fine," Trayden said.
"Tray…He's bullying you, do something. Stand up for yourself; you wouldn't let anyone mess with us, why won't you do it for you?" Mindy asked softly.
"What's the matter? Won't stand against me because of who I am?" Trayden closed his eyes. "Still a scared little boy afraid to come out and tell everyone the truth?" Marcus chuckled as he beaned Trayden in the back of the head with the football in his hands, laughing with his friends.
Hayden wouldn't deal with this; he scooted his chair back and stood up. "Back off him," Hayden said firmly.
"Oh-ho? Is your boyfriend gonna stand up for you?" Marcus asked.
"We're not dating," Trayden muttered.
"We don't have to be," Hayden said as Trayden looked at him quickly. "You're right, Marcus. I am his boyfriend. I'm a boy, and I'm his friend, so I will defend him, and any of my other friends from bullies like you as any good friend would do," he moved between Trayden and Marcus now, making Marcus step back a few times. "Now, why don't you just go run along with your friends before you get hurt,"
"Why don't you make me, bitch?" Marcus remarks.
"I don't think you want me to do that. So let's avoid that where you head off and leave my friends alone. Kay?" Hayden says, preparing to sit down. Marcus advances and shoves Hayden down and into the table.
"Hayden!" Trayden said with concern.
"What are you gonna do to stop me? Nothing, that's what. So why don't you go find a corner to cry in like the weak, depressed about losing his parents little boy you are," Marcus smirks. Hayden had his head down. "See, nothing. Don't act tough," he draws his fist back and lets it fly. Hayden, though, did something no one expected; he raised his head, eyes narrowed and stopped Marcus's fist with his right hand.
"I don't have to be tough; I just have to be smarter than you," Hayden said. "Also…I kind'a feel sorry for you," he added, finally throwing Marcus's fist down. The lunchroom was silent, watching the scene unfold.
"You got nothing on me," Marcus sneered.
"And you have nothing on me. Everything you said about is true, yes, but at least I have a reason to be what I am. I have a reason to be depressed because my parents were murdered in front of me. I was thrown into the foster care system and spent months with families who abused and raped me," Hayden confessed, shocking his friends, and Trayden. "I have reasons for what I do and having moments where I get mad or breakdown. So what's yours?" Hayden asked.
"What?" Marcus asks.
"What is your reason for bullying others?" Marcus says nothing. "You don't have one. You do it by choice because you think it's cool, that you're big and bad. Who cares if Trayden is gay? So am I? It's not a crime to be, and you're welcome to your own opinion...But like where your head is, you can shove it up your ass because having an opinion is no reason to be an insufferable dick. You know what I think, Marcus? I believe that you only do this for attention or to hide something you don't want others finding out,"
"Oh, yeah? Like what?" Marcus grinned.
"I did a research paper during my Freshman Year about bullies and found there are many reasons why someone will do it. But as we're short on time before next period; I'll give you just a few examples. One; like a toddler, you're just a fury of mixed emotions and lack the brain development to understand them, so you act out aggressively instead of using self-control,"
Marcus glared a bit. "Two; you hate your life, so you make others around you miserable. And three," Hayden smirked a little. "You find it necessary to make others feel bad about themselves since you're an insecure little boy with a small cock," the lunchroom students gasped, and a few laughed as Marcus's face fell while Hayden got closer with a calm smile. "Don't hurt yourself, big boy," he added while starting to walk away.
As soon as Hayden said it, Marcus charged from behind to punch. Hayden, back still turned to Marcus, ducked to avoid the hit. While down, Hayden turned slightly to drive his elbow into Marcus's stomach; then set his hands on the floor to kick out his leg and sweep Marcus's feet out from under him. As Marcus began to fall backward; Hayden stood up, pivoting his right foot and kicking out with the left, which sent Marcus flying. Marcus landed on his back and slid to a stop, coughing and forcing himself up a bit to look at Hayden, who was now standing next to him.
"I warned you not to make me have to make you stop, so this is your last warning, Marcus; I will knock you out the next time you attack me," Hayden said coldly, beginning to walk away again. Marcus got up; he glared at Hayden. Now, as Hayden was reaching the table; he closed his eyes. "Three. Two. One…" Marcus shoved Hayden again. Hayden recovered slowly, turning to face Marcus. Hayden's eyes snapped open, narrowed as he clenched his left hand into a fist and pulled it back.
"You think one hit can take me down?" Marcus asked.
"I don't think so," Hayden remarked, grinning. "I know so," Hayden said. Marcus's eyes widened as Hayden let his fist fly. Marcus's face turned to fear and panic; he closed his eyes quickly, steeling with fear and awaiting the hit. However, Hayden stopped. Marcus looked to find Hayden's fist inches from his face, Marcus's eyes widened, panting at how close the hit was. "But luckily for you; I won't."
Hayden pulled lowered his fist, unclenching it. "B-But you said-,"
"The fear on your face is all I needed to see to know you've learned your lesson. Unlike you, I don't preferably like to solve my problems by fighting, and if it were just me; I wouldn't even stop you. But…See; I do have a problem with people picking on my friends or others I care for. So, let me put this in a way that I'm sure you'll understand; I don't rightly care what you do, Marcus…It's your life and your choice, but let me make one thing perfectly clear, okay?" Hayden said as Marcus stared. "The next time I find out you're bullying my friends or Trayden…I'll be far less understanding, I'll humiliate the shit out of you with what I know, and I won't hold back," he warned. "Ya feel me?"
Marcus nodded his head, not saying a word. Hayden chuckled. "I figured you would," Hayden said afterward, now smiling. He waved his hand, shooing Marcus off and sure enough; the man walked away quickly. Hayden sat down at the table next to Trayden; he took a drink from his water bottle and saw everyone staring at him. "What?"
"What did you do?" Tyler asked.
"I made him stop," Hayden replied calmly.
"Why'd you do that for me?" Trayden asked.
"I'm your friend, and I don't deal with my friends getting bullied. Well, I suppose that's wrong to say; I never had friends before, so I straight up refuse to allow the first and only friends I have to be bullied," Hayden shrugged.
"What did you mean you would humiliate him with what you know?" Alyssa asked.
"You need not worry about that because I don't think he's stupid enough to pursue," Hayden informed. Trayden eyed him carefully as Hayden returned a look with one of his own as if to say; I will tell you later. Trayden understood as the friends went back to finishing up their lunches. When the bell rang; they split off to get to their next classes.