=Normal POV=
[Tuesday, 5/1/2018; 3:00 pm]
[Berk General Hospital]
Felicia, Silas, Syrus, Alicia, and Gabriel all seemed to arrive around the same general time to the hospital and instantly found Trayden sitting in the waiting area for the operation room.
"Tray!" Alicia said quickly as Trayden lifted his head to see the group there.
"How is the lad?" Gabriel inquired.
"They just took him into surgery about five minutes ago," Trayden replied. "I wasn't told much more than that," he added.
"How was he when you two arrived?" Felicia asked.
"In a lot of pain; he cried the entire ride and threw up a few more times. I was allowed into the ER with him while they did a few quick tests. They confirmed it was Appendicitis by 2:45 pm. After announcing surgery would be needed and the sooner, the better; I was told to wait here for when the family arrived," Trayden explained. "I already called my parents and told them where I was," he mentioned.
"Thank you so much for volunteering to come with Hayden," Silas said.
"I, uh…I didn't. Syrus told me to go since I was over 18. He told the paramedics I was Hayden's boyfriend," Trayden admitted.
"Either way, thank you for going that way Hayden didn't have to ride alone," Gabriel nodded.
"No problem," Trayden replied.
"I guess we're all waiting here for an update then," Felicia sighed. The group sat down, waiting for news on Hayden.
. . .
[3:35 pm]
A doctor emerged from the OR(Operating Room) doors and walked towards the group of six people waiting.
"Family of Hayden Haddock?" the woman asked gently.
"Yes!" Felicia jumped up quickly. "I'm his aunt, this is his uncle, cousins, and Godfather," she announced.
"How is he, Doctor?" Gabriel inquired.
"In a Post Operation/Recovery Room until he wakes up from the anesthesia," the woman smiled. "I'm Hannah Grimborn, your kids go to school with my niece and nephew, Katie and Bryan," she introduced. "Hayden is doing just fine now; surgery was successful,"
"What was the cause?" Felicia asked.
"Hayden arrived with a suspected case of Appendicitis, and after some tests were run; we diagnosed him with Acute Appendicitis and with a risk of his appendix bursting. We took him right into the OR and performed a Laparoscopic Appendicectomy; Hayden was under General Anesthesia for this, and there were no complications. As we had feared upon his arrival; his appendix was severely inflamed and in risk of rupturing. We've removed it, and Hayden will make a full recovery," Hannah smiled softly.
"How long will he have to be here for?" Syrus wondered.
"Hayden will be released the day after tomorrow, so Thursday. He'll be on antibiotics for about five days, and I'll prescribe painkillers. Hayden can return to school next week, but will still have to take it easy until his Post Op check-up with his physician. I'll write a note up for you to give to the school," Hannah informed.
"Oh, thank Odin," Felicia sighed in relief.
"Can we see him?" Alicia hoped.
"Certainly, right this way," Hannah nodded as she led them to the Recovery Rooms, scanning her badge and opening the door to let them into the Post Op area. Hanna took them to a room on the right, and opened the door, revealing Hayden to be lying in bed still unconscious. "I suspect he'll be awake in the next hour or so. After I check him over; we'll move him to another room outside of Post Op for his remaining time with us,"
"Thank you," Silas said to Hannah before she headed out and closed the door.
"I don't understand how we missed him being so sick…" Felicia frowned.
"Hayden isn't someone who likes to tell anyone when something is wrong," Trayden chuckled a little.
"Ain't that the truth, but he listens to you," Syrus muttered.
"Oh, get off of it. We've been over why," Trayden rolled his eyes. "Appendicitis has symptoms like the stomach bug, Mrs. Jorgenson. It started with a little pain, decrease in appetite, nausea, slight fever. Within a day or two, the pain moves to the lower right stomach, loss of appetite, vomiting. Without knowing the signs, anyone can overlook it. Miya figured it out by seeing how much pain Hayden was in, unable to stand or move much, the fever, and seeing that Hayden's stomach was tender after pressing down on it a little," Trayden explained.
"Hayden said it started Sunday night, and gradually got worse until today during talent show practice when he almost collapsed from pain. Not like passing out, just doubling over and hitting his knees had it not been for Trayden catching him," Alicia mentioned.
"Well, thank you, Trayden," Gabriel said.
"No problem. Hayden's my friend; I'd do it for any of them," Trayden replied.
"Out of curiosity…Why did you, Syrus, say Trayden was Hayden's boyfriend to paramedics?" Silas wondered. Trayden shot Syrus and Alicia a look, warning them not to say anything about his crush on Hayden.
"Uh…Trayden is over 18, and I didn't want Hayden to go alone. I figured if I said he was Hayden's boyfriend; they'd see it as Trayden and Hayden being close," Syrus said quickly.
"It didn't matter anyway because Hayden spoke up and said it was fine; that he wanted Trayden to go with him, so the paramedic said it was fine," Alicia added in. "Tray and Hayden are like best friends," she smiled.
"Well, that's great. We're glad Hayden is making…Progress. Yeah, I think that's the appropriate word," Felicia chuckled a little.
"Oh, we should text the others back and let them know Hayden is okay," Alicia reminded her elder brother.
"I'll take care of it. My mom is here to pick me up anyway; I gotta get to the school to get my backpack so that I can do homework tonight," Trayden smiled at them.
"Alright. Thanks again. See you tomorrow morning," Syrus and Trayden fist-bumped.
"You will. And tell Hayden if he wants to chat; he has my number," Trayden replied as he said goodbye to the others and left the room, making his way back out front of the Emergency Room doors and getting into his mom's car. Trayden sat back, sighing with his eyes closed.
"Are you alright, sweetheart?" Rachel asked gently.
"Yeah, just relieved Hayden is okay. Any longer and his appendix may have burst," Trayden informed.
"That is scary," Rachel nodded. "So, where are we headed?" she smiled.
"To the school. I gotta get my backpack from the music room, and my car out of the student lot," Trayden responded as he buckled himself. Rachel headed out of the hospital parking lot and back to Berk High School. Trayden got his phone out and started a group message to his friends.
3:50 pm
Hayden had acute appendicitis, and appendix was at risk of bursting. Had surgery, and in recovery now. He'll be out of the hospital on Thursday, but not returning to school until next week. Just wanted to let you all know.
Trayden slid his phone away; he would wait to answer anything else until all the responses came in. Group messages were a pain in the butt, but it was the fastest way to let the friends know what was going on with Hayden instead of several individual letters and explaining the same thing over and over again. Trayden sat back to relax now; there wasn't much else to do except wait to find out when Hayden would wake up. Trayden was sure that Syrus or Alicia would tell him later.
. . .
[Thursday, 5/3/2018; 1:30 pm]
[Berk High School]
The friends were gathered in the music room, G-5, to practice for their talent show. They had been meeting every day despite Hayden being in the hospital to try and practice without him, that way they could show Hayden how far they'd progressed while he was out recovering. According to Syrus and Alicia on Tuesday afternoon around 5 pm; Hayden woke up and seemed to be doing much better. Hayden was moved to a regular room for the rest of his stay. Thankfully, Hayden was getting released today around 3 pm and would be able to finish the rest of his recovery at the Jorgenson household.
"Well, here we are again. How was Hayden today?" Alyssa wondered.
"I checked my messages between Math and Science switch; Mom said Hayden looked good and was waiting to leave," Syrus stated.
"That's good," Ford smiled. "Tuesday was scary,"
"It was quick thinking on Trayden's part that got Hayden the care he needed," Alicia smiled.
"I've said it plenty of times that my mom is a CNA, I kind'a pick up on normal things that can happen to anyone anytime. I didn't know what was wrong with Hayden, but I knew that it wasn't good if he couldn't even stand on his own," Trayden shrugged.
"But still, fast thinking to immediately get Miya," Mindy informed.
"Hey, we should surprise Hayden later, when he's released. Welcome him home?" Tyler suggested as Rylee nodded.
"Yeah, he'd love seeing how much we missed him these past two days, wouldn't he?" Katie agreed.
"I guess we could all go after school for when he gets there around 3:30 pm," Syrus looked at Alicia.
"I'd check with your parents first, I'm sure ours won't mind a quick welcoming for Hayden," Alicia nodded. The friends immediately started texting their parents or legal guardians to ask if it was alright to go to the Jorgensons after school and welcome Hayden home from the hospital. After that, they all got to work on their practice.
. . .
[3:15 pm]
[Berk; Jorgenson Home]
The friends all carpooled and reached their destination by 2:45 pm, and then just waited outside in the front yard for when Silas and Felicia would arrive with Hayden. It took another half hour, but Silas's car pulled up in the driveway.
"What are all of you doing here?" Felicia asked.
"We wanted to welcome Hayden home," Trayden smiled some. "We thought he might like it,"
"Oh, well, that was very thoughtful of you kids, but I'm afraid Hayden isn't going to back for another week," Silas informed calmly.
"What do you mean? Did something happen at the hospital? Did he get an infection?" Alicia asked quickly, worried.
"We went to pick Hayden up at 3 pm and found he was already discharged and had left with his Godfather around 12:30 pm. Unfortunately, we forgot that Hayden is 18 and can legally discharge himself as long as he had a ride. Gabriel had already been there to visit, and took him to the city," Silas stated.
"Why?" Syrus inquired.
"Gabriel said that Hayden was feeling a bit down and wanted to get away since he doesn't have to go to school until the 14th," Felicia said gently.
"I thought he could come back next week, isn't that the 7th?" Hailey asked.
"The doctor excused Hayden from school until the 14th, meaning that he's off the week following discharge and returning after that," Silas said.
"We have finals starting on the 28th…Is Hayden going to be good to miss that much school?" Alyssa wondered.
"Wasn't our call. Technically, Gabriel has custody over Hayden because Spencer named him to get that he and his wife passed away. Not that custody matters because Hayden is an adult, but I guess if Hayden feels he can be fine in his studies; then we can't do much," Felicia shrugged. "Hayden will be in Archian City until the 13th, and return to school Monday the 14th," she added.
"We'll collect his work for him," Trayden offered.
"I guess there's no need. Gabriel took Hayden to the school to get it for the time he'll miss," Silas stated.
"How'd we miss that? It was during History…" Syrus blinked.
"Not sure, but Hayden has the work he'd be missing and was given the deadline of Monday the 14th to do it and turn everything in when he comes to school the same day," Felicia said. "If you want to talk to Hayden; you'll have to call or text him. But he'll be in the city the next week and staying with Gabriel,"
"Okay, thanks," Trayden smiled. The Jorgenson parents entered their home as the friends sighed.
"Well, that was a bust," Rylee muttered.
"Should we call him? Ask why he decided to bail?" Mindy questioned.
"I know he won't answer for Syrus or me…But maybe for Trayden?" Alicia hinted. Trayden sighed as he got his phone and tapped Hayden's contact ID before putting it to his ear. After six rings; it went to voicemail.
"Nope, not even for me," Trayden informed. "We should all be getting home anyway. We promised our parents by 4 pm, and since Hayden isn't here; might as well head out," he stated. "See ya tomorrow," he waved, getting back in his car and heading to his house on Alpha Street, which was about fifteen minutes from the Jorgensons, who were on Hammer Way. Astrid was on Axe Avenue. Ford resided on Dagger Street. And the Thorston Twins; Rylee and Tyler were on Spear Boulevard. All houses that were in Berk. The rest of the friends were in other towns of Barbarchi Isle. Mindy lived in the town of Wingmaiden on Whipper Avenue. Miya, Devon, and Hailey lived in Berserker Town on Berserker Road. Evan was in Waterlands on Trapper Way. Katie and Bryan lived in Hysteria on Swordsman Way.
. . .
[3:45 pm]
[Berk; Raseri Residence]
Reaching his home; he found his younger siblings Dex, Aria, Eliot, and Cole around the dining room table doing their homework.
"Hi, big brother," Eliot greeted.
"How's Hayden?" Dex wondered.
"He's doing good," Trayden smiled. Sometimes his siblings were annoying, but others; they were good. Especially now that they were older. Dex was born in July 2001 on the 7th. He was about to be 17 years old. Aria was born September 5th, 2003; she turned 15 at the start of the 2017-2018 school year. Eliot is 12 as of January 28th, 2018, but had been born in 2006. And the youngest sibling; Cole. He was born August 10th, 2009, and turned 8 in August 2017.
"I'm heading to get my homework done. If you need me, I'm in my room," Trayden smiled.
"Kay!" the four siblings replied as Trayden headed down the hallway to the far back room that sat over the garage. Trayden pulled out his homework and began. Twenty minutes later; he got a notification alert on his phone. Peering over; he saw that it was from Hayden.
Hayden's Cell, 4:07 pm
Sry I missed your call. Needed shower & something other than crappy hospital food to eat.
Trayden was relieved to get a reply and know that Hayden hadn't meant to miss his call. Smiling a bit, Trayden lifted his phone to reply.
4:09 pm
No prob. Glad ur ok. How r u feelin?
Trayden finished up his History homework since it was just another end of chapter test and review questions to do. Trayden moved on to Math since there were only two worksheets for that subject. His phone vibrated again.
Hayden's Cell, 4:11 pm
Lil tired. Relaxing on Uncle Gabe's couch.
4:12 pm
That's good. Rest up, recover faster. Miss ya at school :p
Hayden's Cell, 4:13 pm
U'll c me on 14th.
4:14 pm
We all stopped by the house to welcome you home and learned you signed yourself out and left with your Godfather. You're in the city for the week? Everything ok?
He wasn't going to not ask if Hayden was okay. Sometimes Hayden told him what was wrong, and others; Trayden just liked to know Hayden know he was there for him. At some point, Trayden knew he'd have to tell Hayden that he liked him, but it just didn't seem like a good time, and it likely wouldn't be until well after June when Hayden dealt with the one-year of his parents' murders on the 23rd of June 2018. Trayden pulled himself from his thoughts to find there was another response in texts.
Hayden's Cell, 4:20 pm
Wanted 2 b closer to parents after almost dying…Don't know why. I'm sure that doesn't make sense…
Trayden understood that. After nearly dying, Hayden wanted to feel closer to his parents, who were probably buried in Archian City. Hayden mentioned once or twice that Gabriel lived ten minutes from the Haddock Residence.
4:21 pm
It does, don't worry. I'm here if you wanna talk. I'm only doing hw rn.
Hayden's Cell, 4:22 pm
Just restin now 4 now, but maybe l8er. Might take a nap. Thx 4 checkin on me, glad Im on someones mind.
4:23 pm
Trust me, Hayden; you're always on my mind. You're my friend, and I worry about you.
At first, Trayden was unsure if he should send it, but then again; why not? Trayden sent it and set the phone down to get back to work to finish his math. It was all pretty straightforward stuff and would be on the final in a few weeks. A few minutes went by, and Hayden had read the message but didn't reply. Trayden was praying that he didn't scare Hayden off. However, just as Trayden was finishing his Science homework around 5 pm; a message came popped up on his iPhone 8.
Hayden's Cell, 5:06 pm
I don't know how you do it, Tray, but you always seem to make me feel a lil better and smile :) Sorry for delay in reply, tried to work on some of my makeup work and gave myself a headache. Going to dinner with Uncle Gabe. Talk to you after.
5:07 pm
Then I guess I'm doing my job as your friend right. Enjoy your meal, Hayden; I'll be here as I always am for you. Talk to you later :)
Trayden smiled; he was glad he made Hayden smile and got the essential confirmation that Trayden did always make Hayden feel better when he was a bit down in the dumps. Knowing this and the fact Hayden admitted Trayden made him feel safe during the sleepover at Syrus, and Alicia's place over Spring Break made Trayden see that he must have a significant impact in Hayden's life. Trayden finished up his Science homework and thankfully, there was nothing for Language Arts except reading a short story, which he would have to do a journal entry about tomorrow morning in class.
By 5:30 pm, Trayden finished everything and just in time for his mother to call for dinner and his father to come in the door announcing he was home. Trayden put all his things away into his backpack and headed out of his room and down the hall to his family.
. . .
[6:00 pm]
[Archian City; Gabriel's Apartment]
Hayden laid on Gabriel's couch, one arm behind his head and staring up at the ceiling. Another hand was over his midsection, being careful not to hit his healing stomach or apply too much pressure on it. Hayden's phone was on his chest as he was trying to figure out this new feeling he was getting. It began small the morning Hayden woke up and found himself in Trayden's arms. Hayden did recall asking Trayden to stay with him after the breakdown, but it took a few minutes to wake up to remember the night before. There had been a little flicker in Hayden's heart, a small gleam of light, and it had been gradually growing brighter. Hayden didn't know what to make of it, and it was confusing him.
Hayden had felt something like this before; it was for Bradley, Olivia's younger brother. That ended horribly despite the year of confusion, sex, discovering feelings, and what not up until Hayden came out to his parents. And then more heartbreaking when Brad took part in sexually abusing Hayden in foster care as his foster brother; all of it was terrible. But, Hayden still knew he felt something for Brad before things happened with Brad suddenly deciding he didn't love Hayden anymore. So, Hayden knew what liking someone felt like. Yes, Hayden liked Trayden as a friend, but more than that? Hayden had no idea, and he didn't know what to do either.
For now; he was going to focus on his recovery, the makeup work he had to do through the week, and then return to school and try to get a handle on whatever he was feeling for Trayden.
