=Normal POV=
[Sunday, 4/1/2018; 3:00 pm]
[Berk; Raseri Home]

Trayden sat at home while thinking about what Mr. Fishers had told them on Friday morning. The teacher wanted the research project topic each pair was choosing on Monday, April 2nd. The problem for Trayden is that his partner was Hayden, who was still sick two days later from when he'd gone home during lunch hour. Thankfully, Trayden got word from Syrus on Friday night around 8:30 pm that Hayden's fever did drop from 102.9 to 101. Hayden didn't have an appetite and was spending his time in bed sleeping. On Saturday, Trayden got bold and decided to text Hayden himself around 10 am. Hayden said that he was tired, and could barely get out of bed. Also that his fever was sticking between 101 and 102, but hadn't dropped below that. Trayden suggested Hayden just tried to stay comfortable and sleep it off.

That was about the extent of their conversation until later on when Hayden messaged Trayden at 9 pm saying that he couldn't sleep and wanted someone to talk to since Syrus and Alicia were both out doing something. Trayden was happy to talk to Hayden about random things such as likes and dislikes on random subjects; it was a friendly conversation. Around 11:15 pm, Hayden stopped answering, and Trayden assumed he'd fallen asleep. But now it was Sunday afternoon, Trayden hadn't heard from Hayden yet, and it suddenly dawned on Trayden that in all their talking the night before; neither of them chose their research topic. Now, Trayden needed to figure out how they were going to pick so he could give it to Mr. Fishers tomorrow even if Hayden didn't come to school.

Sighing, Trayden grabbed his phone and pulled up the messages with Hayden from last night.

3:03 pm
Hey, how u feeling?

However, just as Trayden was about to send it, he saw the little three-dots appear in the gray bubble and realized Hayden was already typing a message. Trayden decided to wait a moment, and sure enough; it came up.

Hayden's Cell, 3:05 pm
Sry bout last night. Fell asleep. U wanna come over?

Trayden was a little surprised at the forwardness, but he deleted the text he'd written first. As he was about to reply, another message popped up.

Hayden's Cell, 3:06 pm,
Oh, & still sick, but 4got bout paper topic 2 pick & discuss. Aunt & Uncle said it was ok.

Trayden figured that he should; it was for their assignment after all. Trayden began typing back.

3:07 pm
Was
thinkin bout the paper 2 lol. I don't mind coming over; gimme 30 mins?

Hayden's Cell, 3:07 pm
No prob. C u then.

Trayden got off his bed and began to get his things together to go to Hayden's house. Reaching the kitchen; he found his mother there preparing the meats and potatoes for a stew as dinner tonight. "Hey, Mom. I'm heading to the Jorgenson's house," he alerted.

"What for, dear?" Rachel asked.

"Hayden and I are paired for a research project due on Friday right before Spring Break, and the teacher wants the topic each group is working on by tomorrow," Trayden explained with a smile.

"What have we told you about waiting until the last minute?" Rachel chuckled a bit.

"Well, this waiting was…Involuntary, Mom. Hayden went home early during lunch last Friday; I was waiting to see if he'd be better before tomorrow. He's still not feeling well, but invited me over so we could discuss and pick our topic," Trayden said.

"Is it a good idea to be going over when he's sick? Can't you two discuss it on the phone?" Rachel inquired.

"He must be feeling a little better if he's telling me to come over. Hayden said last night that he thinks it might have just been a bug since he's gaining back his energy and appetite. I think I'll be okay, Mom. Plus…I think the physical interaction would be good for him. He's…Starting to come around and talk to me more," Trayden replied.

"Well, have fun then. Let me know if you'll be home for dinner. Love you!" Rachel giggled.

"Love you too, Mom," Trayden waved as he headed outside to get into his car since it was finally out of the shop. Trayden buckled his seat belt and headed for the Jorgenson house.

. . .

[3:40 pm]
[Berk; Jorgenson Home]

Trayden arrived and parked in the driveway and shut the car off. Afterward; he grabbed his bag and headed for the side door and knocked twice. Felicie answered it with a smile. "Hi, dear. Hayden's right downstairs," she informed.

"Thank you. Where's Sy and Alicia?" Trayden wondered.

"I believe Alicia and Syrus went to Mindy's to work on their research project. I believe that's what made Hayden remember about the same assignment," Felicia laughed a little. "Head on down," she said. Trayden nodded, smiling and heading down the staircase and glancing around.

"Hayden?" Trayden asked. A minute passed as the bathroom door at the end of the room opened, and Hayden walked out while towel-drying his auburn hair. "Oh, there you are,"

"Yeah, sorry. Thought I'd feel a little better if I showered. Did I keep you waiting long?" Hayden asked.

"No, no. I just got here a minute ago. Did the shower help?" Trayden wondered.

"Little bit. My body doesn't feel like it's been hit by a train anymore," Hayden shrugged.

"Well, that's always good," Trayden smiled.

"No, now it just feels like I've been sleeping in a box for a week," Hayden remarked.

"I mean; there's a big difference in pain levels between train and box," Trayden chuckled. "Crack your back, arms, neck, and legs," he added. Hayden did so and shook some then relaxed.

"Wow, that did work," Hayden said, a little surprised.

"Mom is a C.N.A," Trayden said. "Pays to live in a house with a doctor, well, semi-doctor I guess,"

"Tell me about it. Dad was Chief of Archian City Police, and Mom was a Paramedic," Hayden stated calmly.

"No brothers or sisters?" Trayden asked.

Hayden shook his head. "No…I guess mom and dad had a lot of trouble conceiving and maintaining a pregnancy to term. Either it would be a miscarriage before three months. I think they only had one stillborn…But then there was me," he informed.

"You must have been the miracle," Trayden offered gently.

"That's why they always said," Hayden nodded, looking down a little. Trayden knew it was still a sensitive subject to Hayden, and they probably shouldn't be talking about it. The last thing Trayden wanted to do was send Hayden into a flashback or panic attack; then cause Hayden to start closing up again. "So," he cleared his throat. "Research project topic…Should be interesting," he added.

"Yeah, we have to pick for tomorrow to tell Mr. Fishers. I…Wasn't sure if you'd be feeling up to going to school. It's funny; just as you texted me asking if I wanted to come over, I was about to message you and question if you wanted me to call or something so we could choose and I'd tell Fishers if you didn't come," Trayden admitted.

"I hadn't forgotten about it. Honestly, I thought about it first thing this morning, but was tired and threw up a couple of times, so I went back to sleep. As soon as Syrus and Alicia mentioned going to Minden's place to pick theirs; I figured we should do the same. I think they left so I could sleep in peace, but I woke up around 2:30 pm and waited to see how I'd feel before messaging you," Hayden explained.

"Guess we both had the same idea," Trayden chuckled a little. "You, uh, wanna stay in bed more to rest and we can just mull over the topic choices and pick one?"

"No, I think I'll walk around or sit up for a while. I really wanna try to stop sleeping or I won't tonight," Hayden replied. "We can…Work at my desk if you want?" he suggested.

"Whatever you wanna do is cool with me," Trayden informed. Hayden walked over towards his room, opening the curtain to reveal his two wolf-dogs, Cloudjumper, and Skullcrusher on their one big dog-bed against the wall and Toothless sleeping on Hayden's pillow. "Seems they settled in nicely," he smiled.

"Yeah; it's good to have them back…Nights are…A little easier," Hayden confessed.

"That's great, though, Hayden. There are animals out there trained for emotional support, and to help their owners deal with things," Trayden reminded. "The best part about this is that these animals were not trained to help you; they were pets in a loving home. You thought you lost them and now reunited makes you feel like not everything in your life just changed. Sometimes, Hayden…It's the small things that can make the biggest difference," he added.

"It doesn't fix everything…But I guess it does help a bit," Hayden looked at Trayden with a half-smile. "I believe I can thank you for that then,"

"Happy to be of service," Trayden bowed a bit. Hayden pulled up the second computer chair from Syrus's desk; then the two sat down with their list of research topics in front of them. "Looks like we have all the basic ones," he pointed out.

"No doubt that those who struggle a bit in Language Arts will go for the easiest ones," Hayden added.

"I was thinking the same thing," Trayden nodded. "Maybe we should touch a subject that most wouldn't because of how opinionated it can become?"

"What did you have in mind?" Hayden inquired. "Only think on here that might touch that level is homosexuality," he mentioned.

"That's exactly what I was thinking," Trayden responded.

"It's a sensitive subject, different views from around the world, an opinionated topic which can be argued; it's perfect," Hayden looked at him.

"And we have two sides to it, someone who is in that group and someone who isn't," Trayden smiled.

"What do you mean?" Hayden asked now, curious.

"Oh, right…You don't know…I, uh, I'm gay, Hayden," Trayden admitted to him.

"Huh, most aren't open about it for the very reasons I'm sure we'll put in our research…" Hayden commented casually.

"I've known since I was about 13, but didn't come out to my parents until later…Even longer to my friends," Trayden shrugged a little, though he noticed Hayden looked down a little.

"How old were you when you told your parents?" Hayden questioned.

"Bout 14," Trayden replied. "16 with my friends," he added. "Learned that I didn't have to be nervous about it at all because everyone was super accepting and supportive. Hell, I think the whole school knows now," he smiled.

"How'd you know, that you were?" Hayden wondered.

"I think it was because of one of my friends who ended up transferring out who kissed me. I didn't like him back, but I liked the kiss; if that makes sense?" Trayden explained.

"It does. Did you sit with it long? Wondering why you liked it?" Hayden inquired.

"Couple of months; I think it was the rest of the Summer," Trayden chuckled. "And then I had to figure out when to tell my parents. I want to say it was a little after I turned fourteen…No, wait…Fifteen. And only because they caught me with the guy I liked at the time,"

"Really?" Hayden blinked a bit.

"We weren't doing anything sexual, just making out. Mom came home early, didn't say anything about it until later when Dad got off work. I guess they talked first, then came to see me in my room after the guy had left. I didn't come out to them; they just asked if I was bi or gay and I told them gay because I wasn't really into women. I think they're good looking, but I'm not attracted to them," Trayden informed.

"What happened to the guy you liked?" Hayden looked at Trayden now.

"Well, we dated from 9th grade to the end of 10th. Couple weeks into Summer; he said things weren't working out between us and we broke up. I told my friends about being gay after that, but…" Trayden trailed off.

"What? Did they…Not accept you right away?" Hayden asked.

Trayden sighed. "Hayden, if I tell you something, will you swear not to tell the others. I mean…I will, eventually, when I'm ready but…" Trayden began.

"Tray…Silent at school unless I have to talk; I'm not gonna say anything to anyone," Hayden assured.

Trayden lowered his head a bit. "The others don't know I had a boyfriend or…That I've had sex before. They know I'm gay because I told them when Junior Year started, and they were very accepting and supportive. But I never told them about my ex, never told them I'd been dating. In fact, no one knows. Me and this guy snuck around to see each other. However, this guy never cared about me; it was all an act to have sex with me. Now he parades around the school saying he's straight and being a bully, especially to me. My friends wonder why I'm the target…But I don't have the heart to tell them the truth,"

"Hey, it's cool, Tray…I get it as someone who doesn't tell anyone about me," Hayden smiled a bit.

"I appreciate that; I do…But yeah, back to the project…I'm someone who sits on the gay side of the fence as it were, deals with both sides of the scale," Trayden shrugged now. Now it was Hayden's turn to look down a bit. "I'm gay, and you're straight; we can write something about how we feel personally on the subject of homosex-," Trayden stopped when he saw Hayden close his eyes. "Hayden, what's wrong?"

"If we're telling deep dark secrets…" Hayden sighed.

"Hayden, what is it? You know you can tell me anything," Trayden offered.

"I-I'm trying, Trayden…I-It's just I haven't told anyone other than my parents…" Hayden took a breath. "I-I'm gay too," he whispered, mumbling a little.

"One more time, couldn't hear you," Trayden tried.

"I'm gay," Hayden said more clearly. Trayden's eyes widened a little; Hayden was gay? This was great! Shocking for sure, but great nevertheless. "I knew I shouldn't have said anything…"

"No! No, no, Hayden; it's fine. Just took me by surprise is all; you know I don't mind or care since I'm gay too. I guess I was just shocked. This could…Actually make our report better. Do you-I mean, are you ashamed to be?"

"No, I get…Nervous to tell others. Gods, I was terrified to tell my parents, and I was afraid they'd throw me out because they didn't take to it so perfectly at first," Hayden said.

"Well, it's a bit much to take in at first. I mean…My parents probably would have been the same if not for the fact they caught me, talked, then came to ask me…How did it go with yours? If you…Don't mind talking about it?" Trayden asked.

"Don't…Say anything to the others. Only you and…One other person knows," Hayden mentioned.

"Who…Else besides me?" Trayden inquired.

"My Godfather, Gabriel Forger…He's…Gay too; he helped me figure things out. I…Haven't seen him since my 17th birthday…He's away," Hayden said.

"Busy guy?" Trayden wondered.

"You could say that. Uncle Gabe…Is a Barbarchi Isle Marine; he's been serving overseas in Iraq since March 2017," Hayden informed. "I don't even know if he's alive…My father was listed as the person to be notified…"

"Hey…I'm sure he's alright, and when he gets back and hears what happened with your mom and dad; he'll come looking for you," Trayden tried.

"You have no idea how much I'm hoping for that to be the case," Hayden replied; then quickly sniffled and wiped a tear that had slipped from his eye.

"So, how'd you tell your parents?" Trayden questioned now.

"Bluntly. Just…Straight out; I'm gay. They were quiet, staring at me…And then dad told me to go to my room. The next two days were silent between us. I would eat at school for breakfast and lunch, then make myself dinner when I got home and ate downstairs. I'd take care of my dishes and stuff the next morning since they'd body be gone by the time I got up to go to school…Finally, both of them were home when I got off school one day. Gabriel was there too; we sat down and talked about things and then they told me I was their son and they'd love me no matter what," Hayden explained.

"I take it Gabriel had a hand in getting them to see things from your side?" Trayden asked.

Hayden nodded. "He pulled the; you accept me as I am, so do the same for your son card,"

"How old were you when you learned and told them?" Trayden inquired.

"I was 14; it was the start of 8th grade when I realized I was attracted to males…But I didn't call myself gay until 15. And…I told my parents when I was almost 17…But Gabriel knew when I was 15; he helped me figure things out. I didn't get up the courage to tell my parents until a few weeks before Gabriel left for his deployment…" Hayden shrugged a little.

"So it took a year to settle on being gay?" Trayden asked as Hayden nodded to him shyly. "Hey, no big deal. Sometimes it takes a little to process with yourself before you go trying to tell others and they have to sit with it," he smiled. "You ever…Been with anyone sexually?" Trayden paused, realizing it was the wrong way to put it. "Let me rephrase that, been with any male you had feelings for sexually?"

"There was someone I like, but…He didn't feel the same," Hayden looked down a little.

"Seems like you didn't have a great experience like me," Trayden said.

"Well, this guy and I were…More like friends with benefits. He's the one who set things in the motion of me realizing I was gay. Like you; he'd kissed me. We stayed friends and stuff. When I was 15 and had…Accepted things; we started hanging out more, experimenting when we were alone," Hayden said.

"Seeing what you both liked?" Trayden inquired.

"Yeah," Hayden nodded. "I came out to my parents, and you know that whole story. I told the guy I had feelings for him…And…" Hayden looked down now.

"He hurt you, didn't he?" Trayden asked, putting a hand on Hayden's shoulder.

Hayden took a deep breath. "He told me that he didn't like me like that. He did some thinking and realized he didn't have feelings for me after all,"

"Hayden, I'm so sorry that happened to you," Trayden frowned.

"Hey…Just part of life I guess; I was miserable for weeks…I'd even asked my parents to transfer me to Archia High for Junior Year…But then everything else happened, so…Yeah…" Hayden mumbled.

"Don't fret, Hayden. Guys like us have it harder, but everyone deserves a chance to be happy. Whether it comes to you, or you decide to take it…Everyone gets to be happy in the end, and if you haven't found yours yet; then it's not over," Trayden smiled.

"That's…Encouraging, and deep at the same time," Hayden smiled a bit.

"Well, it made you smile, so I must have said something to cheer you up, and that makes me happy," Trayden chuckled.

"That's all you wanted to do? See me smile?" Hayden stared a moment.

"I've known you about 6 months now, Hayden. My friends and I know you've been through a lot, not in full detail or anything; just that you've been through hell since last June. I'm aware you have your reservations about trusting others, and we know you're quiet, reserved, jumpy, withdrawn…We know you're closed off to protect yourself from being hurt more than what you already have been. But…And I want you to remember this…Just as you know that I'm always here for you, so are the others. You don't have to be scared or nervous with us, and we're all right here to help and keep you safe. You just have to trust us and don't be afraid to open up. Believe me…We're a riot," Trayden laughed a little.

"I will…Remember that, Tray. It's just hard," Hayden informed.

"You take your time, Hayden; we'll still be here when you're ready. In the meantime, while you come around to the others; you still got me, my friend. I'm always here for anything," Trayden smiled. Hayden nodded to him; he didn't know what it was about Trayden's words, but Hayden was beginning to believe Trayden. So, Hayden was going to try and let the feeling grow; to trust the friends as Trayden said he could.