{Regular POV}

Hunter never came to school the next day, or the day following that one. He was out two days, we knew Heather knew why but she said she couldn't tell us and was sorry about that, then she'd called Hunter we assume. We only heard the end of the conversation where she said 'You tell them the truth, or I will' so it was their assumption that if Hunter didn't tell them whatever this truth was, then she would tell them. It was their hope that Hunter would return to school and tell them what was going on but he never said a word when he came back. He stayed quiet and focused on school work, he didn't answer questions, or take part in debates. They saw Heather looking at him a lot, the guess was to mention for him to tell the truth about whatever but Hunter never said anything and it was starting to bug his friends. They wanted to know what was going on, they felt like he was in some kind of trouble and they wanted to help but couldn't because they didn't know what was going on.

Damien still attended their school, he actually wasn't a half bad student in academics or dragon training but that was to be expected when you were a famous racer. Damien and Hunter were the best in training on their dragons, but no no one really suspected anything about that. Hunter was hiding something big, that was evident. Him darting off like that two days ago without a word to anyone? And his father didn't even care that Hunter took off a second time? What had the principal meant when he said he knew the sex ed talk was a sensitive subject for Hunter? Did that mean Samuel knew whatever was going on too? Were the Haddocks themselves keeping a huge secret? No one knew what was going on but they didn't like it and wanted to know. They knew it was directly tied to Hunter, both his father and Heather were covering for him. The question remained on what exactly they were covering.

Astrid still hadn't told Hunter how she felt about him but she knew she was running out of time because she had a hunch that she wouldn't see Hunter at all after graduation. He was turning 18 in a month and from what she remembered that day in sex ed, Hunter specifically mentioned that he'd be 18 soon and then he didn't have to listen to his father. Astrid feared Hunter would disappear after graduation just like he had two years ago and that made her sad because even with him hiding a secret and telling no one, she still loved him fully. They were in in Home Ec now, and he was holding Melody, as usual she was asleep in his arms which actually made Astrid a little jealous as to how he made it look so easy. But it didn't matter she still loved him and was going to tell him first chance she got.

"He's so quiet..." Shaun whispered.

"Its creepy...I miss the old Hunter who was always cracking jokes and laughing..." Rylee sighed.

"We all do..." Astrid frowned.

The rest of Home Ec was just talking about the project still, giving reports of the couples with their baby so far, how the 'parents' felt about it. "So does anyone have any questions?" Mrs. Ostborg asked them. Heather raised her hand, and the teacher pointed to her.

"Is it true that a parent will do anything for their child?" Heather questioned.

"Well if the parent is involved, yes. I read a story not long ago where a baby was trapped under a car and the mother managed to lift it enough to get her child out. A child is a precious gift to a parent, because it was a child who grew inside of them for 9 months. So parents who treasure that gift of life always protect it." Mrs. Ostborg replied.

"What if its a single parent?" Heather asked.

"I assume the same thing. A single parent has it far harder, because they have to play both roles. There was a story on the news about a single father who got put in a coma after taking the full impact to his back while saving his 4 year old daughter. His coma lasted 3 months, and when he woke up the first thing he asked about was his little girl. He refused to answer anything else until he got to hold her again." Mrs. Ostborg answered. "How has it made you all feel being parents to these babies?"

"Its hard not living together and having to have a schedule." Rylee said.

"But that is how most teen parents are. They aren't able to live together because they aren't 18, or don't have jobs to support having a place of their own so the parents have to split the child like in shared custody." Mrs. Ostborg shrugged.

"I never knew how hard nights were..." Astrid sighed.

"Ah yes, the amount of sleep lost with a newborn is great. Most newborns need to be fed every 3-4 hours, as they get older it gets better because they can eat more and sleep longer." Mrs. Ostborg smiled.

"Does singing help?" Travis asked.

"It can, most often the child responds to the mother's voice since in pregnancy the child hears the mother's voice in the womb. But it also knows its father because as you notice in pregnancy, the father talks to the baby through the mother's belly so it recognizes those voices. Most babies fall asleep on their mother's chest because they remember the heartbeat. Its incredible actually, the bond of a child with its parents is powerful that's often why parents are willing to give up their life to protect their child. Children are said to have 6th sense, they feel emotions around them and respond to it accordingly." Mrs. Ostborg states.

"So can I just ask why all our babies don't respond to us but they respond to Hunter?..." Shaun questioned, Mrs. Ostborg arched a brow.

"Explain?" She asked.

"Whenever their kid starts crying, Astrid can't calm her down. And if we're in class all of them start but Hunter takes Melody and sings to her, not just that kid but all of them calm down and go back to sleep?" Eric stated.

"I'm...actually not sure about that one. I'd have to see it for myself, I find it hard to believe that they only calm to Hunter. These aren't real babies, they are robotic they respond to parental nature." Mrs. Ostborg leaned against her desk. Shaun and Heather's child began to cry, then Rylee and Eric's.

"And it starts again." Eric sighed out.

"They aren't due to eat or be changed?" Mrs. Ostborg asked.

"Nope, we just did that before class." Heather sighed next trying to rock the child back to sleep. Hunter and Astrid's child started next. "Hunter...Please?" Heather asked.

"Your kid, your deal with it. I'm not just gonna sing every time..." Hunter scoffed as he position his child against his chest, one arm under its rear, the other on its head and stood up beginning to sway slowly to calm Melody down.

"Actually Hunter...I'm asking you do it. I want to see what they mean by all the kids relax when you sing..." Mrs. Ostborg.

"Are you kidding me right now...Ugh, I can't wait to be done with this place..." Hunter growled pulling out his phone and scrolling a few seconds before pressing one and setting it on the table as the music started and the room fell quiet except for the babies crying. "Look into my eyes, can you see my soul. Can you see that, I am losing control. Can you see the pain, can you feel my fear? This is not what I expected and that's why I need you here...Tell me I am moving on, tell me I am growing up...But don't tell me I'll be all alone. I've found my destiny. Now what do you make of me? Will you help me find my way or will I be another memory?" Hunter sang softly as Melody calmed down now.

"If I change...I will still be me. Will you remain the friends you used to be. When I grow, would you kindly grow with me? Will you let me fly...When I find my wings..." Hunter closed his eyes as Heather looked down noticing that her baby, Liam was calming down too. Rylee looked just as shocked.

"I can hear them talk. I know the things they say...But I would never judge you if I knew you found your way. So please don't hold me back, please don't make me choose between the life I found and the life I stand to lose. Tell me that you'll still be here when I need you the most, when I'm overwhelmed and all alone. I found my destiny. But its just not worth it to me if I can't share it in your company..." Melody was back to sleep, Liam and Stella were well on their way too.

"If I change...I will still be me. Will you remain the friends you used to be. When I grow, would you kindly grow with me? Will you let me fly...When I find my wings..." Stella, Eric and Rylee's baby was asleep next as they both looked at Hunter who almost sounded like he...was going to cry.

"But don't give up on me! Cause I won't let you go. Even if you think I look like someone you don't know, my hearts the same as its always been. But you'll never notice if you never look my way again...If I change...I will still be me. Will you remain the friends you used to be. When I grow, would you kindly grow with me? Will you let me fly?...If I change...I will still be me. Will you remain the friends you used to be. When I grow, would you kindly grow with me? Will you let me fly...When I find my wings! When I find my wings...When I find my wings..." Hunter finished as Liam was last to close his eyes and knock out peacefully. Hunter put his phone away and placed it in his pocket as he handed Melody to Astrid. Mrs. Ostborg was about to say something when Hunter turned slowly and she decided not to say anything. Hunter just left class and she didn't stop him, she didn't even write him up.

The rest of class was calm, and Hunter never came back but they saw him in lunch hour. However as usual he was quiet he had his phones in and ignoring everyone, Heather tried to get his attention a few times but even she was getting the cold shoulder which upset her a little. Hunter ended up leaving lunch a little early and went to the stables, only this time...Astrid followed him. She found him sitting in the stall with Strykeout, his eyes were closed. "Hunter?"

"Yes, Astrid?" Hunter replied softly without looking at her.

"Are you alright?" Astrid asked.

"Yeah...Just fine." Hunter lowered his head. "Shouldn't you be in lunch?"

"Well you're not...and I already finished...I wanted to talk to you." Astrid said, Hunter opened his eyes and looked at her now. She had to tell him now, it was just them alone with no one else around. "We've...been friends a really long time now and...I...since freshman year...have really liked you." Hunter's eyes widened now but he didn't stop her. "I guess...what I'm trying to say is...I-I love you, Hunter...and I...want to be with you." Astrid smiled softly at him.

{Hunter's POV}

I couldn't believe what I just heard. Astrid...loved me?! What the hell! I didn't need this right now on top of everything else, I didn't need this. How did he even handle this. "I've loved you since freshman year, and I...loved you while you were gone for two years...I thought I'd never get the chance to tell you...But I love you, Hunter..." I heard her add on after a moment. Oh Gods this wasn't happening right now.

"Astrid I..." I stopped, what could I say? I didn't...love her back? Or did I...I didn't even know anymore. I had to much going on with Hope, and being Shadow...Which I still had now 11 days to tell everyone of Heather would. I had a crush on Astrid back in middle school but when I met Olivia that changed, and when she hurt me by saying she didn't want Hope...I closed my heart off. I never wanted to feel that kind of hurt again. How did I break this to her without hurting her? That was impossible, getting rejected was the worst feelings. I might as well be blunt with her, I sighed looking at her now and getting up from the ground and she did too. "Astrid, I'm sorry...But I...don't feel the same way."