=Normal POV=
[Tuesday, 5/1/2018; 6:50 am]
[Berk High School]

Everything seemed to be going well for the friends. There was talent show practice Monday through Friday 1:30 pm to 2:30 pm. So far; the song had been chosen, and Hayden placed everyone where they would be best for the show. Hayden had gotten the lyrics printed and highlighted where each of the singers came in; he also got the music sheets for each instrument. Now, everything came down to practicing parts. Alicia and Hailey were dancing; Ford with Hailey and Tyler with Alicia. Mindy, Katie, and Alyssa were back up singers for Trayden and Hayden, who were both lead sings. However, Trayden would also be playing an electric guitar. Syrus on bass, and Bryan on drums. Rylee would be manning lights and effects on her own. Devon and Evan usually came last period if they were able to watch things and help if they could, but ultimately; it was Hayden directing everything.

Hayden's moved hadn't improved much in the last two weeks since the incident at lunch with everyone talking about their futures, going into family businesses and what not. Hayden still spoke, replied when he had to, but otherwise; he was almost like how he was when he started at Berk High. Trayden tried to talk to him, but it seemed it wasn't working as well as everyone hoped. Currently, the group of friends met up in their usual spot in the C-Hall breezeway, but as Syrus and Alicia arrived; Hayden didn't appear to be with them.

"Hey, Sy. Hi, babe," Tyler greeted Syrus and his girlfriend, Alicia.

"Ready for another fun-filled day?" Alyssa yawned.

"One more month, almost over," Trayden chuckled. "Anyway, obvious question…Where's Hayden?" he asked.

"I think he went to see Miya, said something about his stomach bothering him," Alicia informed.

"Ah, hope he's okay," Hailey said softly. More time passed as Hayden wasn't seen joining them. The warning bell rang as the students moved to their first classes. Around 7:45 am, Hayden still hadn't been seen, and he wasn't answering messages either. Trayden got his phone out and decided to try himself since Syrus and Alicia weren't having any luck.

7:48 am
Hey, you alright? Everyone worried.

"Mr. Raseri! It's not like you to break class rules. Do I need to take the phone?" asked Mason Fishers.

"No, sir. I-I was asking Hayden if he was alright," Trayden admitted.

"Mr. Haddock is absent from school today," Mason informed.

"Actually; he's in the nurse's office, Mr. Fishers," Alicia said quickly. "Hayden came with us to school this morning,"

"I see. Still, no phones in class," Mason mentioned as he moved to the phone on his desk and dialed the nurse's extension. "Hello, Mrs. Bazirk; it's Mason Fishers in C-11. I'm calling to inquire about Hayden Haddock; is he with you still?" he asked. "Thank you. I'll inform his cousins," then he hung up. "Hayden will be you for the second period," he stated.

"Is he okay?" Syrus asked.

"I didn't ask; I only wondered his location, and he is with the nurse, resting," Mason said. "Back to work," he ordered. The students did so and waited for the final fifteen minutes of class to be over. The bell rang as they moved on to D Hall for Math. At 8:10 am; Hayden opened the door and walked in, handing his pass to Mr. Steve Silenson.

"Go on and take your seat, Hayden," Steve informed as Hayden moved to sit in his spot, taking out his things. "Alright, let's get back to it," Steven told the students. The friends all took different glances at Hayden; he didn't look good at all, so why was he still at school? The day continued through, going through Science with Bernard Farmer.

. . .

[10:15 am]

When Science let out at 10:10 am; the friends moved together to the gym and broke off to enter their respected locker rooms according to gender.

"Hayden, are you okay?" Ford decided to ask.

"Fine," Hayden replied. Ford looked back at the others, shrugging as if to say he tried. The males entered the gymnasium and meshed in with the girl who had come out as well. Hayden just sighed as he closed his eyes, wincing a little. His stomach had this increasingly painful and nagging feeling around his belly button and lower right side of the abdomen.

It had started on Sunday night, just small pains that Hayden ignored. However, Hayden began feeling nauseated by Monday morning, and his appetite began to lessen; he ate breakfast, but only half his sandwich at lunch; just drinking water after that. By 5:30 pm on Monday night, Hayden felt worse and went to bed early at 7:45 pm. And now; Hayden just felt awful with no appetite, constant nausea and pain in his stomach. Miya confirmed this morning that Hayden had a slight fever of 99.7, and she wanted to see him again at lunch to make sure it wasn't getting any higher.

Also, Hayden, sadly, was constipated despite trying to use the bathroom and nothing happening. The pain in his lower right stomach was getting harder to deal with, to a point he was having trouble moving but forced himself through it. Hayden had thrown up three times in Math; he left the classroom on the restroom pass to do it. And then it happened again in Science around 9:50 am; Hayden vomited for almost ten minutes in spurts. So far, the urge to puke again was sneaking up slowly as Hayden was in gym class.

"Alright, ten-minute warmups," Thomas Wington, the gym teacher informed.

Gods, Hayden wasn't looking forward to this. Thomas told them to get ready for jumping jacks, and Hayden felt himself about to throw up again; he tried to keep it down but to no avail. Hayden felt it rise in his throat as he bolted out of his place and back into the boy's locker room. Reaching the bathroom, he closed the door and flipped the lock before hitting his knees and hurling.

"Syrus, go check on your cousin, please?" Thomas asked.

"Yes, Mr. Wington," Syrus nodded as he left his position in the warmups and went into the boy's locker room. "Hayden? Hayden, it's Sy. Are you alright?" Syrus heard coughing as he moved closer to the bathroom. "Please answer me?"

"I-I'm fine, Syrus," Hayden managed.

"This is the third time you've left in the middle of class; I'm starting to get worried. Tell me what's up so that I can help?" Syrus tried.

"Ju-Just not feeling well is all. Must have been something I ate," Hayden replied; then threw up three times.

"I'm not buying that, cuz. You haven't eaten since Monday at lunch, and even that was only half a sandwich. Come on, tell me what's wrong?" Syrus asked again. He didn't get a response, but he heard Hayden puke twice. "Alright, that's it," Syrus said firmly as he left the locker room and looked around for Trayden.

"How is he?" Thomas asked.

"I don't know; he says he's sick, but won't open the door to the bathroom for me to check on him," Syrus muttered; his eyes fell on Trayden. "Tray…Go talk to him,"

"Why me?" Trayden asked.

"He listens to you, so just…Talk to him; see if he'll open the door and let you make sure he's alright. He's thrown up like five times, and I'm worried," Syrus asked.

"If…Mr. Wington says it's alright…" Trayden said, looking at their teacher.

"Go," Thomas nodded. "I have a key if he keeps refusing," he added. Trayden left his spot and went to the bathroom door. Thomas and Syrus went to the locker room entrance from the gym and stood there, listening to see if Trayden could get Hayden out. The other students were around the area, listening as well. This seemed pretty serious after all.

Trayden took a breath, knocking on it. "Hayden? It's Tray, are you okay?"

"Ju-Just don't feel good," Hayden replied.

"I-It seems like more than that, Hayden. Syrus and Alicia are worried, so are the rest of us…Can you…Let me in, so that I can make sure you're alright? Please?" Trayden asked lightly.

"Who else is out there?" Hayden inquired.

"No one, only me. I promise," Trayden informed, motioning with his hand for the others to get out of sight. First, the toilet flushed and then there was a slide and click as the handle turned and the door opened a bit before Hayden came out slowly. "You look awful, Hayden…I think you should see Miya, and go home to rest,"

"Can't keep missing school because my immune system sucks," Hayden mumbled.

"But you're missing your classes anyway, my friend. You missed all of Language Arts, borderline sleeping in Math. Ten minutes of Science, and now, this…" Trayden reminded. "Go home, Hayden; we can bring you your missed work…But school isn't the place for you right now,"

Hayden shook his head. "No…I'm…Fine. Feel little better after puking…" he said.

"Are you sure?" Trayden asked. Hayden nodded to him. Sighing, Trayden put his hand on Hayden's shoulders. "Alright…But one more time, Hayden…Once more you leave class to throw up…I'm taking you to Miya myself?" Hayden nodded again. Trayden led Hayden back out of the locker room where everyone quickly scrambled to make it seem like they weren't huddled around the door.

"You okay, Hayden?" Alyssa inquired.

"He's alright. Perhaps a little food poisoning or twenty-four-hour bug," Trayden said.

"I think it is best if he sits out this class. He can…Help me referee," Thomas suggested. "We're playing indoor dodgeball; I could use a second set of eyes for the other team," he tried. Thomas saw Trayden trying to tell him to let Hayden sit out, but still take part somehow.

"Sounds fun," Tyler nodded.

"Alright, let's get to it," Thomas clapped his hands. "Split up into as even teams as you can," Trayden led Hayden to the bleachers, helping him sit down and then going to join the group to make teams. Hayden tried to ignore the pain, but it was hard. He just had to make it through the rest of the day; then maybe get some more sleep.

. . .

[1:40 pm]

Hayden never went to see Miya during lunch; she seemed like she was pretty busy with other students, so Hayden decided that he didn't need to be rechecked. Hayden didn't eat lunch, again, tried to stay on the water and keep himself from vomiting still. However, now; it was ten minutes into their talent show practice. Everyone was in a position to give things a shot, but Hayden found it extremely hard to move from his place at the desk. Devon and Evan had come to watch things, but nothing unusual there.

"Alright, Hayden. We're ready," Rylee gave a thumbs up. Hayden went to get up, but couldn't. Hayden put his hand on the arm of the chair and desk, forcing it now and moving to stand beside Trayden. Hayden's steps were slow, and it showed on his face that he was in pain.

"He doesn't look good," Ford whispered to Hailey.

"Hayden? Seriously, are you alright?" Syrus asked.

"I'm-," Hayden never finished his sentence as the pain officially hit unbearable. Hayden held his right side, doubling over and almost hitting his knees. Thankfully, Trayden quickly passed off his guitar and got next to Hayden to keep him from falling. Hayden was panting, cringing, on the verge of tears it hurt so much.

"What's wrong?" Devon asked.

"Hu-Hurts…" Hayden whimpered. He swallowed hard, trying to catch his breath, but also keep from throwing up again. "Hurts t-to much to move…" he nearly cried. Trayden felt Hayden's forehead and pulse.

"Go get your wife," Trayden told Devon firmly. "Tell her Hayden's burning up, and has a fast pulse, and in so much pain he can't even stand," Devon nodded, quickly hurrying out of the room. "Hayden…Tell me how long this has been going on for?"

"How…Long for what?" Hayden asked.

"This. The sickness," Trayden said.

"S-Sunday ni-night…" Hayden swallowed the vomit coming up. "Started small…Go-Gotten…Worse since," he added. Miya rushed in, helping Trayden ease Hayden onto the floor first.

"Tell me your symptoms," Miya inquired.

"Pain here," Hayden motioned to his lower right stomach. "Unbearable now, but started as nothing more than a nagging feeling on Sunday night…And then nausea, no appetite, and vomiting…Constipation," though Hayden mumbled that last word. Only Trayden and Miya made it out clearly. Miya checked Hayden's temperature; the machine beeped as she read the screen.

"100.9" Miya said; then Miya put her hand on Hayden's stomach, moving her hands towards the right. "O-Ow!" Hayden hissed.

"Scale of one to ten?" Miya asked.

"T-Ten…" Hayden cried. Miya got her cell phone out, dialing three numbers; 911.

"This is Miya Bazirk from Berk High School. I need an ambulance for a student with unbearable pain on the lower right stomach, and running a fever," Miya paused. "I don't know what it is, but my student can't stand and is in tears. I fear it might be his appendix. I'll alert the principal to lead you in," she said. Of course, this just made everyone worry that Miya was calling an ambulance for Hayden. Miya ended the call, dialing something else. "Amy, it's Miya. I've called an ambulance for student; Hayden Haddock. He's running a fever and in a lot of pain. We're in G-5, please lead the paramedics to us when they arrive?" another pause. "Thank you,"

"What's happening?" Syrus asked. "Should I call my parents?"

"Not yet. We'll see what the paramedics have to say," Miya stated. Hayden whimpered more, shifting around. "Ssh, I know it hurts, Hayden…Try not to move around," she offered gently.

"What do you think it is?" Trayden asked now.

"I'm saying Appendicitis based on the timeline of symptoms," Miya frowned.

"Did you call him the ambulance because this is considered a medical emergency?" Trayden inquired. Miya nodded to him.

"Is Appendicitis bad?" Alicia panicked.

"The appendix in the body doesn't particularly need to be there; it serves no main function to the body so someone can live without out it. However, if still in the body and it becomes inflamed; this can happen to someone after a few days after onset of symptoms. It starts with a nagging pain around the belly button, and shifts to severe pain in the lower right stomach. With all that, you get a fever, low to no appetite, nausea, vomiting. The problem, though, is that if the appendix ruptures or bursts; it can be fatal. The severity of the symptoms can usually be a good indicator of how close this is to happening. And I fear Hayden is very close to that point," Miya explained.

"Hayden! Why didn't you tell anyone about all this?!" Syrus scolded.

"Sy, it's not his fault; he didn't know. A lot of people confuse the symptoms with a stomach bug. Appendicitis is a pretty common thing and can happen to anyone," Trayden informed. "Hayden will get taken to the hospital, and likely have surgery to remove his appendix; then he'll recover for a week and be able to do everything normal within a week or two,"

Moments later, Amy came in and held the door for two paramedics who went to Hayden's side to check over him. Miya was explaining things that Hayden told her since the teenager was in a lot of pain and just wanted it to stop. Hayden jerked a bit, swallowed, and then it happened again.

"Ford, pass me that garbage can by the desk," Trayden said. Ford did so as Trayden put it down next to Hayden, who immediately sat up and leaned over a bit to throw up a few more times.

"Let's get him to the hospital. Is he on any prescribed medications?" one paramedic asked.

"Yeah, his anti-depressants," Syrus replied.

"Venlafaxine, seventy-five milligrams; taken twice a day. 6 am and 6 pm for Clinical Depression," Trayden said.

"Understood," the paramedic nodded, writing it down. "Let's get him to the ambulance," the woman nodded. Carefully helping Hayden up, they walked him out of the room; then the school and into the back of the ambulance to lay down on the bed. The group had followed to the doors, watching, and scared for Hayden. "Anyone riding with him; they have to be 18 or older?"

"Trayden, go with him," Alicia said.

"Me?" Trayden asked. "This is a family thing," he mentioned.

"Syrus and I aren't 18…Just go, please? So he's not alone," Alicia stepped up. "Trayden will go, he's 18, and…"

"And Hayden's boyfriend!" Syrus blurted out. Trayden blinked a few times. "I'm Hayden's cousin, but I say it's okay that Trayden goes since he's 18 and dating Hayden,"

"Name?" the paramedic asked.

"Trayden Raseri. My father is Director of Law Enforcement for the island," Trayden stated.

"H-He's…F-Fine t-to come with m-me…I-I need h-him ri-right now…" Hayden whimpered out.

"There's no time to argue this. Go on," the paramedic said, sighing. Trayden signed himself out at the office in seconds flat and got in the back as the doors were closed. Trayden moved out of the way of the male paramedic and sat on Hayden's right side.

"Ssh, it's okay now. Everything is going to be fine," Trayden soothed, holding Hayden's hand. It didn't take long for the ambulance to be on it's way to the hospital. Syrus got his phone and called his mother.

"Mom, hey. The short version of what happened; Hayden might have Appendicitis and is being taken to Berkian General by ambulance. Alicia and I couldn't go because we're not 18, so I sent him with Trayden on the reason he's Hayden's boyfriend that way Hayden wouldn't be alone," Syrus explained. "Alright, we'll wait here," he said before hanging up. "Let's get our bags from the room; Mom is calling dad to leave work and go meet Hayden and Tray at the hospital while she comes to get us. She's also gonna call Gabriel,"

Alicia nodded as she and Syrus went to get their backpacks; then return to the main entrance to wait for their mother to come. "You'll keep us posted, right?" Hailey wondered.

"We will as soon as we know more," Alicia nodded. By 2:10 pm, Felicia arrived and signed both of her kids out before the loaded into the van and they were off to Berkian General Hospital. The others returned to the music room to get their things and clean it up as it was before they arrived. For the remaining time until the bell at 2:30 pm; they were in the Study Hall room. There wasn't much they could do now except head home for the day and wait on an update from Syrus or Alicia on Hayden's status, but they were sending thoughts and prayers for him to be alright.