=Normal POV=
[Friday, 5/18/2018; 2:30 pm]
[Berk High School]

The final bell of the day rang through the corridors of Berk High; a frenzy of students aged 14-19 raced out of their classrooms to meet with friends, hit their lockers, chat, and rush to leave the grounds for the next two days since it was the weekend. It was two weeks until the end of finals and the talent show. Things were about to be busy with only one week of preparation before the end of the year exams began on the 28th of May. Students were hustling to do makeup work, grab notes and anything else it took to get their grades high enough that even with a semi-bad score on finals; they'd likely pass with a C-. The rest of Wednesday had been quiet; Hayden used that, Thursday, and Friday to help the friends continue preparing for the talent show. And thankfully, by Friday; Hayden's voice was back. And Thursday, as agreed upon; the group did have to perform during lunch.

It did not come easy, but with a little coaxing; Hayden got them to do an easy song, which ended with applause from the cafeteria. It still needed work, so Hayden made them do it again on Friday. And that was the one that had more confidence, showing Hayden that the friends were overcoming their stage fright. By the time the show came around; they'd be okay to sing without any nervousness. The routine itself was coming along great and just needed more practice to make sure they had it down for the big night. The others still hadn't gotten around to talking to Trayden, to apologize for Monday's behavior. Trayden didn't appear to be all the worried either. The friends had taken notice that Hayden and Trayden were very talkative in text messages.

It was clear to see that while they sat at the table or in class when they could get away with it, they were texting. The friends started noticing it in History on Wednesday, but haven't said anything in case it ticked Trayden off again. But, they couldn't deny how ridiculously curious they were about wanting to know what the two gay members of the group were secretly discussing. However, all that aside; it was now the weekend, and everyone would be enjoying themselves on the two days off from school.

"Good practice," Hayden told them, preparing to leave for the day.

"Couldn't have gotten this far without you, Hayden," Hailey smiled.

"Nah, you were fine," Hayden shrugged it off. "See you Monday," his eyes landed on Trayden. "Hit me up later?"

"When I get home," Trayden nodded.

"Kay," Hayden smiled.

"Okay," Syrus decided to say something, stepping forward now. "What is going on between you two?"

"What are you talking about, Syrus?" Trayden sighed.

"This. You two. Something is going on," Syrus insisted.

"I think the stress of finals is getting to you, Syrus. There's nothing going on," Hayden informed. "See you in a bit," he said to Trayden now.

"See! What the hell is that about?" Alicia joined in now. "You just said you'd see everyone Monday, why are you telling Trayden in a bit?"

Trayden sighed out, irritated now. "If it was any of your business; you'd know. Hayden, I will text you when I get home, and we'll pick up on the conversation then," he stalked off towards the student lot, leaving the others surprised. Hayden closed his eyes, heading for his bus.

"If you must know; Tray is gonna Facetime me once we're both doing homework because he needs a little help for something in Math and History. I offered to be said help. Seriously…You guys need to relax a bit. Just because Tray and I talk a lot doesn't mean you've been forgotten or whatever," Hayden mentioned.

"It's…Not that, Hayden; it's just…I mean, he's got your number, he makes you smile, you two talk all the time. And it seems like you only let him in," Katie said softly, hoping not to make Hayden upset.

Hayden stopped, turning to face them. "I'm pretty sure friends are supposed to talk all the time?" Hayden stated. "And Trayden has my number because he put his in my phone the day he caught what Olivia was doing, told me if I ever needed a friend that he was there for me. You guys can have it too if you want it; I don't give it out to people who don't ask or plan to talk. And I don't ask others for their numbers because I find it rude if you don't know where you stand with people. You know? Trayden has my number because the first time I texted him was after Mr. Fungis tried to fail him purposely," Hayden said now.

"As for the rest…" Hayden continued after a brief pause. "Trayden makes me smile because he's funny, and does different things until he finds something to cheer me up. And…I do open up to him because he's shown me that I can. I know he'll listen and-,"

"We're here to listen too," Alyssa interjected.

Hayden shook his head. "Not in the same way. Like with what you just did, cutting me off. Trayden listens, and tries to help me feel better. Sometimes that's cracking a joke, but others; it's as easy as hugging me," he stated. "The last couple of times that I've gotten upset; Trayden's the only one who talks to offer comfort, and I'm close to him because he's shown me I can trust him and that he's my friend who will be here for me." he enlightened.

"Anyone can listen to someone else talk. What matters is if you can take what you heard and help the person feel better? I know you're here, I can see you. But…You haven't shown me you can be here for me, help me get through the harder stuff. Get what I'm saying? It's…Not to be mean. Unfortunately…With all I've been through; a lot of people said they were there, and proved otherwise that it wasn't true at all," Hayden explained.

The group standing there were beginning to understand. Trayden had said it before, but it seemed different coming from Hayden himself.

"Trayden already knows this, but I'll tell you what he won't because he's scared you're just going to get jealous and give him crap again. Trayden gives off a very secure feeling to me and when I get scared or nervous; I cling to that because it's been so long since I've had it, probably not since before my parents were killed…And Trayden doesn't mind that I latch to him when I need to feel safe," Hayden closed his eyes now.

"And from all that; Trayden finds a way to calm me down and make me smile. Whether from a joke or meaningful words to get me to see things from a different perspective. And for the record…Trayden never leaves you guys and girls out when he talks to me; he always says that as he's here for me, so are you. Trayden is just the only one who has managed to prove it," Hayden said.

"Hayden!" Trayden called, rushing back up.

"What's up?" Hayden replied.

"My parents got back to me, about the weekend thing. They said yes, so I thought I'd come back and see if you wanted to come to my house so I can get stuff and then we'll go together in my car?" Trayden asked. The friends wondered what weekend thing these two were talking about.

"Well, Uncle Gabe was gonna leave to come to get me as soon as I let him know I was back at my aunt and uncle's, so…I mean, yeah, that works out pretty nicely," Hayden nodded. "I'll text him now; we can do our homework there," Hayden got out his cell phone.

"Uh, what?" Tyler inquired.

"I'm going to the city to help Hayden, and his Uncle Gabriel pack up Gabriel's apartment for when he moves, whenever that is," Trayden remarked.

"We just figured it'd be easier if he sleeps over since it's a weekend job. So…Tray and I are going to the city for Friday and Saturday night. We'll be back for Sunday late afternoon or night," Hayden mentioned, finishing the text to Gabriel. "Alright, let's go," he smiled some.

"See ya," Trayden lifted his hand in a semi-wave as he and Hayden headed off to the student parking lot.

"Wait, wait, wait…" Rylee blinked.

"Hayden and Trayden planned their sleepover, up in the city at his Godfather's apartment?" Mindy asked.

"Looks that way," Devon nodded.

"And we'd spent all week since Monday planning to do a sleepover, invite Trayden and Hayden, and apologize to Trayden for how we acted," Ford mumbled. "I think we should use the sleepover still, without them, and maybe re-evaluate a couple of things before we screw up and lose Trayden, and Hayden never trusts us as friends or people he can rely on,"

"You know what worries me more?" Alicia looked down some.

"What?" Alyssa wondered.

"Trayden said that Gabriel was going to be moving, and I'm scared that not only will we lose Trayden as a friend, but we're gonna lose Hayden because I think he'll move with Gabriel…" Alicia revealed.

"Gabriel was supposed to have Hayden anyway; he only came to us because Gabriel was stuck overseas and knew Hayden was getting hurt in foster care," Syrus agreed. "Alicia is right…Our jealousy is gonna push Trayden away, and Hayden's not going to have a reason to stay with us when Gabriel moves…"

"Let's get to our houses to get homework down, and we'll meet on Saturday for our sleepover and talk about things," Bryan offered. With the group in agreement; they headed off to leave Berk High campus for the weekend.

. . .

[4:15 pm]
[Archian City; Gabriel's Apartment]

"It's right up here; you can pull up around the back of the driveway," Hayden told Trayden as they finally arrived in Archian City and to Gabriel's apartment on Forge Way.

"I love that your Godfather's last name is Forger and he lives on Forge Way," Trayden chuckled, pulling into the driveway and parking around back in an open spot, shutting the car off.

"I'm pretty sure he did that on purpose," Hayden nodded. "Uncle Gabe has been living here since he was about 21 years old, he's like, 53 now," Hayden unbuckled himself. "Thanks for stopping at my aunt and uncle's, so I could get my pills. And thanks for bringing Cloudjumper and Skullcrusher,"

"No problem. Stop thanking me so much, Hayden. We're friends after all. Besides, I know you like having the dogs with you," Trayden opened his door and stepped out. Hayden did the same as he grabbed his backpack and set it over his shoulder. Trayden grabbed his backpack and duffle bag with clothes and a few other things packed in it.

Hayden led Trayden onto the porch, then through the door that was closest to the edge of the porch. "That other door is to the first floor," Hayden pointed out as he started up the first set of stairs, turned and walked down the small walkway, and then up the second flight to Gabriel's door. Hayden turned the handle and walked inside. "Uncle Gabe! I'm here with Tray," he called quietly.

"Hi, boys," Gabriel smiled. Hayden and Trayden were in, and Hayden closed the door.

"What's up, Uncle Gabe? You seem like you're rushing around?" Hayden mentioned. Gabriel grabbed his keys, phone, still searching around for other things.

"Sorry, kiddo. Couple things came up that I gotta take care of. You and Tray can still stay here; I'm not sure when I'll be back. I'll keep ya updated by text. I went shopping earlier, so you can cook here or order out for dinner. Internet and cable both fixed, and you have your systems and games here from your parents' house. So…Have at it, and if anything comes up, you know how to reach me," Gabriel explained while grabbing his wallet and reaching for the handle.

"Uncle Gabe…I'm not 13 anymore…I know how to stay home by myself," Hayden muttered.

"Hey, I worry. Don't get on me for caring. Told ya before; you're all I got left, laddie," Gabriel hugged Hayden tightly, and kissed his forehead. "See ya later tonight, or tomorrow morning if you fall asleep before I get back. Bye now!" he headed out and down the stairs.

"Guess it's just us," Hayden shrugged.

"I don't mind; we can still have a good time. It's not like we need adult supervision," Trayden laughed a bit.

"True," Hayden nodded. "Come on, we'll be staying in the living room," he led Trayden to the open space off to the right of the apartment. "It's more like a studio up here, but cozy," he said. "That space back there behind the door is Gabriel's room, and that door leads to the bathroom. Then obviously everything else is kitchen and living room," he informed as a mini-tour.

"It's nice. I always imagined myself living in a place like this when I move out of mom and dad's," Trayden smiled.

"Same," Hayden nodded. "Looks like Gabriel set up a spot for us," he looked at the two pillows, sleeping pads and bags on the floor in front of the long couch that was against the wall.

"Now see, this is a good old-fashioned sleepover between buds," Trayden told him. "Not saying I don't enjoy the other ones, but sometimes smaller is better. So what now?" he asked.

"Well, guess we can set our bags down on the couch and…I don't know, think about what to have for dinner? It's about 4:25 pm right now," Hayden said.

"Whatever you wanna do is fine with me," Trayden informed. "What are you hungry for?" he wondered.

"No clue," Hayden set his bag down. "We could work on our homework too. Not like there's much of that to do,"

"Might as well get it out of the way and enjoy the rest of the weekend," Trayden nodded. The two teenagers broke out their things and sat at the kitchen table to get to work.

. . .

[5:45 pm]

Hayden and Trayden did all their homework together. And around 5:20 pm, they called to place their order for dinner. Staying true to sleepover tradition; they ordered one extra-large bacon and beef pizza to share and an order of mini chicken legs. The food would be arriving soon, and thankfully; their homework was done. It went much faster and easier since they could help one another.

"Well, that's the end of that," Trayden chuckled as they began to put things away. "Thanks for helping me with the history stuff,"

"No problem. My…Dad was a big history buff, so I picked a lot up," Hayden smiled some.

"Nothing wrong with that. At least you didn't get told to do Summer reading with the Barbarchi Isle Laws book," Trayden rolled his eyes.

"You're right, that does suck. My dad would say laws all week, just out the blue. And then Sunday, pop quiz," Hayden retorted.

"Okay, yeah, you had it worse. Dad never tested me, just told me it would be a book that I wouldn't finish for a while," Trayden laughed, and Hayden did too. "No lie either,"

"Joys of being the kid of an officer, right?" Hayden asked.

"Everyone asking if your that person's son?" Trayden wondered.

"Yep," Hayden nodded. "I swear…I was either Valarie the paramedic's son or the Chief Haddock's boy,"

"I'm just oldest Raseri child," Trayden chuckled as he and Hayden moved into the living room. "Also, the Director's oldest son," he added. "The shit we deal with,"

"Well…Used to," Hayden shrugged. "I hated it. No one ever knew me as Hayden; just like my mom or dad's only son. Or one of those other fancy titles I said before," he smiled softly. "Funny how you end up missing something you thought you hated,"

"That's probably the hardest part about mourning, Hayden. Thinking back to how it was, and how it all changed so fast. Things you thought you hated, you end up missing the most. The titles people knew you as. It's just all memories you want to hold onto," Trayden mentioned. "So…I meant to ask. How come Gabriel says you're all he has left?"

"My dad and Gabriel have known each other since like 5th grade, best friends; they did everything together. And my dad was the one who helped Gabriel get over being disowned, kicked out…Overall helping him accept himself and the way things were. Gabriel was kicked out of his house when he was 15 for being gay; his parents didn't accept him. But…My dad stepped in, and Gabriel started living with him. Gabriel joined the Marines at 18, and my dad went on to be a cop, mom a paramedic. But Gabriel has always seen dad as a brother, the one he never had. My parents and I were the only family Gabriel has had since he was 15, well, me coming in much later to their lives," Hayden laughed a little. "But yeah…Gabriel said that because now with my parents gone…He only has me left of little family we had,"

"That's…Nice. Your father was a good man, Hayden. It sounds like your mother was a wonderful woman too. I can see that you are probably the ultimate mixture of them," Trayden stated.

"Dad's eyes, mom's figure and personality. Or so Gabriel believes," Hayden said as he grabbed a picture off the table and passed it over to Trayden. "This is probably the last recent picture there is of all four of us. This was taken at my 17th birthday party before Gabriel had to leave for Iraq. Maybe a week or so before he shipped out,"

Trayden just looked over the photo. "I was right, a perfect combination of your folks," Trayden said now. "One thing I love, though, that stands out is your smile. It's…the same one I see when I cheer you up. Good to know I can make you smile this happy again,"

"Yeah, you're pretty good at that," Hayden nodded as Trayden passed the picture back and set it on the end table.

"You know, I think that's the first time you were able to tell me something from before everything changed without me asking you to tell me or you crying," Trayden pointed out.

"I'm…Sorry?" Hayden said, unsure how to respond.

"No, no. It's a good thing. Talking will help, Hayden. There will be harder things to say, or moments to get through. But you will feel better as time goes on. Seriously…Think about talking to your psychiatrist," Trayden suggested.

"I try, Tray…I do," Hayden looked down. "But when I'm there…I'm just by myself, and I feel alone. I know he's just a doctor, paid to listen to my problems. I know he could help me work through things, but I don't get the…Comforting, secure vibe. So I freeze up, and shut down to protect myself,"

"Let me ask you this, okay, and be 100% honest," Trayden said as Hayden looked at him. "Do you think you'd be able to do it, talk to your psychiatrist if I were to come and sit with you during the sessions?" Hayden stared at him. "You can say no; I won't get mad or anything. I'm…Trying to help you get through this. You said you felt comfort and security with me around, so maybe if I came with you; you'd have an easier time opening up and talking since you can do it with me already,"

"I do feel…Better with you around, and any time it does become too much; you're always there to settle me down. I don't know if it would help in the office with you there; there's…still a lot you don't know," Hayden played with his fingers a bit in his lap.

"Hayden; there's a lot that nobody knows. You're the only one who does, and no one will know until you speak up. I know that's hard, though. So that's why I'm asking if it would be easier if you had a friend you trust; that way you're not alone and you know I'll be there to help," Trayden offered.

"I'll think about it, but it wouldn't be until after Junior Year ends…I pushed my appointments back until September, to deal with finals, talent show, end of year stuff, and of course, the trial…" Hayden said. "Doctor Anderson said it was okay, push things back until it's less hectic; then maybe come back and work on things. He even said it'd been a crazy year…"

"Well, it has been, Hayden. In your shoes, I likely wouldn't be trying to tackle much either. But now, you've adjusted to this new…Permanent life, I guess. Good school, friends, family…Things are pretty alright right now. You've had time to be away from all that bad, settle, get a little of it out to me. Little more time and give therapy another try. You know you've got me willing to go with you if it helps," Trayden smiled.

Hayden nodded. "Thanks, Tray…I'll think about it. Right now, I wanna survive the rest of Junior Year. But for tonight, I wanna hang with you. Eat a little pizza and wings, game…Just some time with my friend,"

"You got it," Trayden gave a thumbs up as there was a knock on the door. "That would be the food. Let's grab it and kick back for a relaxing weekend, just us," Hayden smiled as he got up and went to the door. This was going to be a good night. Hayden and Trayden could both feel it.