"Gretchen, can I get your advice on something?"

Tonight there was a meteor shower, meaning finding a large blanket, laying it out in the backyard, and spending part of the night just watching. It was nice way to relax after a day of fussing over what to do next. Now that he was free from the control Lawson imposed on him, making such a decision was daunting, to say the least.

"Is something bothering you, TJ?" Gretchen asked. She laid next to him, enjoying the shooting star streaking across the sky.

"I'm just thinking about what to do next," he said. "I appreciate you guys letting me come and stay with you all for a while, but I can't keep couch surfing forever. I should look for a job, but then I think about what you said about getting an early childhood education degree, and I want to do that, but there's no way I can afford that on my own. Robert texted me last night asking me to come stay with him for a while, even offering to help pay for college. But I'm not sure if I should, because of what happened with us in high school. He might just want to help, but what if he's trying to start a relationship again? But. . .he helped me get away from Lawson, and he isn't being pushy about it, he even gave me a credit card to use whenever I needed to. I'm just so confused on what I should do."

"TJ?"

"Yeah?"

"I'll be honest with you. I think going to stay with Robert isn't a bad idea," she said. "Even considering what happened between the two of you in high school. But you know none of us mind you staying with us. The others say you worry a lot about making yourself 'useful' when you're with them."

"Yeah. I mean, I don't want to seem like I'm mooching off any of them, you know?" he said. "I don't want to think about how of that thinking is because of Lawson."

"Did he make you feel useless?"

". . .sometimes. He made more money than me, so he paid most of the bills. He never let me forget that and threw it at me when we fought," TJ said. "I know it's not true, I mean, anyone who works with kids isn't useless, but sometimes I can't shake the feeling that I am, even now when I'm trying to get myself together."

"My specialty isn't in psychology, but I know enough to say that's normal," said Gretchen. "It's not normal in that it's okay, but it's normal for someone in your situation to feel that way. Where ever you end up, I think you should strongly consider therapy."

"Spinelli said the same thing," he chuckled. "You're both right. I'm going to call Robert and ask if he'll still let me stay with him for a while. He was practically begging me to."

"Do you think he still has feelings for you?"

"I know he does. It's clear as day that he does."

"Do you still have feelings for him?"

TJ paused before answering. He didn't give it much thought, but he was excited to see Robert again at the reunion. It felt nice spending time with him during those few days afterwards. And although Robert was still protective, it seemed like he curbed that possessiveness he had when they were younger.

And he was quite handsome, that was hard ignore.

"I think so," he said. "But I'm not dating anyone anytime soon, so if asked me out, I'd say no."

"That's reasonable. I think it's fine if you go, but you're free to stay here for a while longer. It's nice not coming home to an empty house."

"Nah, I should go. That one guy who came over the other day, he wants to ask you out but I think seeing me be here is making him back of," said TJ. "Thought I should let you know."

"Who? Harvey?"

"Yeah, him. He likes you."

"No he doesn't," she scoffed.

"He does! I can tell. You might have to be the one to ask him out, though Gretch. He seems kinda skiddish."

Gretchen lightly punched his arm and they both laughed.

ZZZ

Robert watched Rocky take off like a rocket after a ball he threw in the backyard. It was a good thing he had a rather large one. It made it easy to wear the dog down for the day. He took a sip of his hard soda as his phone notification chimed from his pocket. Expecting it to be from work, he pulled out the phone, ready to skim over whatever the message was. When he saw it was TJ, he almost spit out his drink.

TJ: Hey.

TJ: Can we talk?

Robert: Sure, what about?

Instead of a text, Robert received an incoming video call. When Rocky returned with the ball, he threw it again before answering. First thing he noticed was TJ's face had healed up, which was nice to see. Relieving, even.

"Nice to see you again, you look better" Robert said with smile. "What's going on?"

"I was wondering if I can take you up on your offer on staying with you for a while," TJ said. "I've stayed with all my friends, but I don't want to go back to Third Street, but. . .I guess I'm still not sure about exactly what I want to do yet."

"Yeah, you can come stay here! I've been hoping you'd call and ask," said Robert. "I'll send a private jet to come get you, just let me know where you're staying so I can send it to the nearest airport."

"A private jet. . ." TJ rolled his eyes.

"It's quicker than waiting for a flight headed here or taking multiple flights."

TJ couldn't argue with that.