=Normal POV=
(Friday, 7/20/2018- 3:00 pm)
(Archian Island, Berk)
(Strondsen Household)
Two weeks went by since Nicole tried to get Hunter to talk about whatever was bothering him, and it ended their date quickly. Nicole had not anticipated that Hunter would get mad, and have her leave his house because he didn't want to argue more in the tension, then say something they didn't mean and break up. Nicole did go home, and after she got Hunter's text back that he was going to take a nap, Nicole went inside her house and explained to her parents why she was home early. Keith told Nicole that they suspected Hunter might deny everything, and now they needed to sit back and watch to see if Hunter might come to them, or if an intervention would be required.
Nicole passed that message onto their friends, who agreed to back off on Hunter. However, privately, Nicole told her parents that Hunter informed her that he admitted to having a lot going on, but nothing regarding how he felt. At the same time, Nicole mentioned Hunter telling her that if anything came up that Hunter couldn't handle, or needed help, he would let someone know. It was decided that was Hunter's way of confessing that something was bothering him, and he's trying to take the time to work through it. The something wasn't revealed, Keith made notice that Hunter used common excuses to hide the truth, but it did mean Hunter was distancing himself to deal with whatever the problem is.
But, it had been sixteen days, and Hunter was quieter than before. Hunter and Nicole hadn't gone on any dates since the one that ended early on the 4th. Hunter didn't see his friends. Hunter barely replied to anyone, and at this point, the friends believed Hunter was only responding so they'd know he was alive. Hunter was keeping himself busy with work; every time Nicole or the friends asked, Hunter said he was working. Sometimes it was Hunter at the shop, or it was doing something to prepare for college, but Hunter was always busy and working. Unfortunately, that only worried the friends more and they decided to meet up, so they could talk about things again.
"Well, here we are again three weeks later," Mindy began once everyone was inside the home and sitting down.
Keith and Ella joined the friends, feeling that it wouldn't be best to allow the kids to make any decisions about what to do regarding Hunter's mental state. The parents knew the kids had good intentions, but as doctors, Keith and Ella had to worry that if approached wrong; Hunter would just get worse, or go off the deep end into self-harm, possibly attempting suicide.
"And there hasn't been any improvement," Heather said.
"No, if anything, it's worse," Shane mumbled. "My family hasn't been over in three weeks. Uncle Spencer was busy for one, but the other two; he said Hunter was at work, and this week was that Hunter was feeling sick, so he was going to cancel dinner to take care of him since Glenn was out of town for some convention."
"I mean, those things do happen," Miya reminded.
"Except for the fact that when Uncle Spencer was on the phone with our dad, we could hear Hunter in the background saying he was home and brought dinner with him," Addilyn muttered.
"So it sounds like Hunter just didn't want anyone over," Shane added.
"But that doesn't make sense. Why would Spencer lie about Hunter being ill, when Hunter wasn't sick and had just arrived home with dinner for them?" Ella wondered.
"Perhaps Spencer knows Hunter is going through something? And didn't want extras over?" Keith offered. "Nicole, you did say that Hunter told you if he hit a point where things became too much to handle, he'd tell someone, right?"
Nicole nodded to her father. "Maybe Hunter told Spencer then, and the two decided to sit down and talk about whatever was going on as just them?" Ella suggested.
"It's a theory, but if Hunter was seeking help, wouldn't he start to open up more with friends and family?" Devon asked.
"If it only happened this week, Hunter could be taking his time with revealing it to everyone else," Keith informed. "That's usually how it goes when people first start in getting help; they only tell one person that they trust, and it goes from there to work on how to tackle the problem. If this is the case, Spencer and Hunter could have decided together that talking with a mental health professional was best, and from there, Hunter may feel more confident to tell other friends and family what's been going on." He explained.
"That's right. Spencer didn't clarify what type of sick that Hunter was, did he, Shane, or Addilyn?" Ella inquired.
"No, just that Hunter wasn't feeling good, and Spencer had to take care of him," Shane shrugged.
"It stands to reason that the illness might have been mental then," Keith mentioned. "I'm sure if Spencer were talking about Hunter being sick with a bug, flu, or cold, he would have made that clear or Hunter would have taken care of himself. But Spencer said he had to take care of Hunter by canceling dinner with family, could mean Hunter reached out to his father for help and, of course, the state of his son's mental health would take precedence over anything and everything else." He looked at the others.
"I suppose it's possible, but why be all cryptic about it? Just…Tell us that Hunter's going through something right now, and you have to be there for him," Addilyn sighed.
"It could have been Hunter's request that no one else knows," Miya stated. "Mental illnesses can make the person believe they are weak for not being able to cope alone. And that's why many of them don't reach out for help, and if they do, it's usually to a professional. Someone who doesn't know them. However, a person might also reach out to family or a very close friend and ask for the time being that it stays between them." She added in a gentle tone.
"Hunter already felt pretty bad about not telling anyone he had the tumor," Keith reminded them. "This resulted in an argument with his father right after he woke up from surgery. Hunter refused all calls and visitors that week, and from what I understand in all this concern, you're the same way as before the truth of the tumor came out," The group looked at him. "You're on him about what's wrong, pushing him to tell you when he's not ready to. And that's what happened when you discovered Hunter had the disease, riding his back about why he didn't say anything, why he didn't get the surgery right away, why he didn't see a doctor right away?" Keith continued.
"So maybe because of the first experience with hiding something, and you reacted badly to the information when it came out…Perhaps Hunter feels like you'll just be upset with him," Ella said softly. "And that's what you're doing right now. You are concerned for him, but now you're not happy with the possibility he told someone what was going on and not any of you. And, unfortunately, while the tumor was something big Hunter should have told everyone about, instead of it being revealed after the fact…" She trailed off.
"A mental illness such as depression is not the one you want to ride Hunter about. It's okay to be worried for him; he means a lot to all of you in different ways. However, depression hits a different approach where it leaves the person feeling upset, down, and that no one would understand. And when bad enough, it can make that person believe they don't have anyone they can turn to, which could lead to self-harming and suicide attempts." Keith picked up the rest of the explanation. "This is an illness where the person suffering from it has to feel like they won't be scolded or judged for feeling the way they do. That's why it's essential to try and stay in contact, asking if they're okay, but not hounding them and letting them know you're there for them if they do ever need anything."
"That's what opens the door for someone to see that they aren't alone and that they don't have to do this alone. Spencer probably learned that lesson from the argument with Hunter after surgery, and therefore not riding Hunter at all, but just being his father and reminding Hunter that he's there for him. Spencer learned that if he pushes Hunter, Hunter pushes back and further withdraws. Spencer realized that Hunter was scared to tell him about all the symptoms he was experiencing, or the tumor because Hunter knew his father would panic and overstress the importance of getting it taken care of right away." Ella informed.
"Spencer very well might have seen signs that Hunter is dealing with something, just like before. But Spencer knows this time around that while it's okay to be concerned, he has to let Hunter come to him when he's ready to do so. All Spencer can do is be a good father, occasionally ask if Hunter is okay, or if there is anything on his mind. If Hunter responds to that, great. But if not, Spencer knows it's best to smile, nod, and accept things. Spencer would only add that he loves Hunter, and he will always be there for him, so if Hunter ever has a problem, Hunter can go to Spencer and tell him, and he'll help any way he can, or they'll figure it out together." Keith stated firmly.
"They're right…" Nicole sighed. "It's proven by how angry he got when I tried to talk to him two weeks ago, bringing up all the things we noticed that he's doing," She added. "Now, I'm sure Hunter has something going on, and it's more than likely to say he's trying to deal with it alone because he's scared we'll just push him to go get help…And we can't do that. Not with this mental illness. Hunter admitted that he does have a lot going on, but he doesn't need help. And if he ends up needing it, Hunter said he'd tell someone. Forcing Hunter to do something only makes him mad and pull away more. That's why we've barely heard from him since then. Hunter probably feels like he can't come to us,"
"And I'm sure what Hunter said about having a lot going on was his way of admitting that something is wrong, and Hunter staying away is because he's trying to work it out without everyone being on his back. As Nicole explained, Hunter got mad at her for trying to push him to talk when he's not ready or doesn't feel like he needs any help in dealing with whatever is happening. That anger is likely why he's distancing himself, so he doesn't snap at anyone as he did with Nicole." Ella mentioned.
"Hunter doesn't want to be harassed with the same questions, or be met with the people who he believes are his friends being upset with him for trying to work through something. All we're showing Hunter is that him trying to cope with whatever is going on is making us mad. And that upsets him, and doubles to make him feel like we wouldn't understand; that he can't come to us if it turns into him being unable to handle it." Nicole said.
"So we have to back off while letting him know we're still here, and he can come to us if he needs help?" Mindy asked.
"It's all we can do. I don't think an intervention is necessary, and Hunter did say he's dealing with a lot, even if we don't know what everything is. This proves something is going on, and for right now, he's distancing himself to cope with it and doesn't need any help. What we can watch for is that he doesn't suddenly start ghosting everybody, or indulge in reckless behavior. If Hunter stops responding to messages, going to work, and all that, then we can intervene. Those are signs that he's slipping too far, shutting down, and could try to hurt or kill himself." Keith advised.
"And remember that Spencer knowing what's going on is only a theory," Ella added quickly. "For all we know, Hunter and his father got into an argument, and Spencer canceled the dinner to avoid drama,"
"Or Hunter was feeling ill and let his father know earlier that day, but grabbed dinner on the way home from work," Miya suggested.
"I guess it can be taken several ways…" Shane mumbled.
"And we shouldn't have assumed anything," Addilyn sighed.
"All of us as Hunter's friends shouldn't be trying to push him," Ashley stated.
Nicole felt her phone vibrate as she pulled it out and found there to be a call from Hunter coming in. "That's him now," Nicole looked at them.
"Well, answer it!" The friends said quickly.
"Don't put it on the speaker; Hunter always knows when it is," Heather added.
Nicole nodded as she slid the icon and set it to her ear. "Hi, baby," She greeted happily. "It's okay, and I know you've been busy. I'm not going to hold it against you," Nicole spoke after a few moments. "I'm just relaxing at home. What are you up to?" She asked, then giggled a little. "Why would I mind if you come over? Of course, I don't mind at all. Please do, I haven't seen you in two weeks," She smiled. "What time are you coming, babe?" She wondered. "Now?" Nicole asked, making sure she heard him right. "No, no. I don't have any plans. It's just taking me by surprise how fast you said you were on your way now. It makes me happy to know you're rushing to get here because you want to see me," She explained, then her face fell a bit before it turned to confusion. "Wait…Hunter? Hunter?" Nicole brought the phone down and looked at the screen to see that call had ended.
"What's wrong, dear?" Ella questioned.
"It's just an assumption or theory…But I don't think Hunter is okay." Nicole admitted.
"Why, what did he say?" Keith asked.
"Conversation started average and then seemed like it shifted to…I don't know the word for it, maybe urgency?" Nicole said.
"Okay, how long until he gets here, and should we still be here when he does?" Heather wondered.
"Well, he said he was leaving work and going home to shower and change, but would come right here after that…So I'd say twenty to thirty minutes? Maybe? I know Glenn's shop is like, ten minutes from the Haddock house, and then the shower wouldn't take more than five. The drive here is about ten minutes," Nicole guessed. "And no…I wouldn't still be here. That's why I think he isn't okay; Hunter said he needed to see me,"
"That can be taking different ways, doesn't mean he's not okay. Maybe he just misses you?" Ashley stated.
Nicole shook her head. "No…I don't think that's what it is. There was this…Franticness to his voice, like he was out of breath, scared, or panicking. And Hunter's voice wasn't like that before I asked when I asked him what he was up to. His voice had been fine, maybe tired from work. But after that, his tone changed when he asked if I minded him coming over. And it just seemed like he got more…Worked up until he said he needed me; Hunter sounded like he was desperate,"
"How did he say it, sweetheart?" Ella pushed gently.
"Hunter's exact words were; Rushing because I need to see you, okay? I need you…I just need you," Nicole repeated softly. "So I don't know what happened. I don't know if this is tied to whatever is going on, or if it's something different…But I don't feel like Hunter is alright, and if he says he needs me, then I'm here for him." She continued. "I told Hunter two weeks ago that I was here for him, and would help in any way I could, even if he just needed a hug. I asked him not to forget that, and he promised he wouldn't."
"Right, keep us posted?" Devon hoped.
"I will," Nicole nodded. The friends started to get up and say goodbye, then head outside and leave to go wherever they were. Nicole checked the time, and it had been about twenty minutes since her call with Hunter, so he should be coming soon.
"You seem nervous," Keith pointed out when he saw Nicole just looking out the window for Hunter to pull in.
"I am. There are so many what-ifs, Dad. What if he just had a bad day? What if Hunter has hit the point he can't handle whatever is going on alone? I just…Don't know what I'm supposed to do…" Nicole confessed.
"Take a deep breath and relax. If Hunter says, he needs you, baby girl, then no matter what the reason, he needs you. He just needs you to be there for him, like you told the others. Maybe he needs to vent, a hug, cuddle time, whatever it might be; just be there for him." Ella offered.
"Your mother and I are here, and we'll help if we can. But for now, Hunter just seems to need you. Don't worry about all the what-ifs, you'll panic, and that's not going to help Hunter put faith in you being able to help him. Be patient and understanding; I'm sure whatever is going on will be revealed, and then you'll be able to figure out what he needs and how to help," Keith smiled.
"Okay," Nicole nodded. Her parents were right; Hunter needed her now. The reason didn't matter. Hunter needed her, and she would do everything she could to be whatever he needed and help in every way possible.
. . .
(3:45 pm)
Nicole got Hunter's text of coming now ten minutes ago, and Nicole was waiting by the door when his jeep pulled into the driveway. When Nicole saw the vehicle, she relaxed and glanced back to see her parents around the corner, giving a thumbs up. Nicole knew her parents just wanted to see where things were at, and then they'd go into their room to let Nicole handle the situation with Hunter. Nicole watched as Hunter got out of the jeep and made his way towards the door. As Hunter got on the porch to knock, Nicole opened it with a smile.
"Hi, babe," Nicole greeted gently. "Mom and dad are watching a movie or taking a nap right now. I didn't want the knocking to wake them, so I was waiting for you," She explained. "Come on in; we can go to my room, they already knew you'd be coming over," Nicole stepped aside to let him inside.
"Alright, thanks," Hunter replied softly. Nicole could see it, so could her parents; Hunter looked undeniably miserable. Hunter came into the house, and Nicole shut the door quietly before taking Hunter's hand and leading him to her bedroom. Once in that space, Nicole closed the door; her parents silently moved to their room to leave the teenagers be.
"I'm happy to see you," Nicole smiled as she walked forward to hug Hunter.
"You…Too," Hunter's voice sounded like it was about to break. Nicole was about to pull back to kiss him, but her eyes widened with shock almost when Hunter's arms wrapped around her securely, and he started shaking a little. Nicole heard light whimpers and sniffling as Hunter's head was lowered on her shoulder.
"Ba-Baby?" Nicole asked. "What's wrong?"
"Ne-Need y-you…" Hunter sobbed quietly. "I j-just ne-need y-you to h-ho-hold me…Pl-Please…?" What else could Nicole do, but what he was asking of her? All Hunter wanted was to be with her, and get held by her? More than that, whatever was going on wasn't just a bad day. Hunter was crying and shaking; he sounded so broken and desperate, which broke Nicole's heart. Nicole did what Hunter asked, and she held him tightly in her arms.
