=Normal POV=
[Sunday, 5/20/2018; 2:00 pm]
[Berk; Jorgenson Home]

The rest of Saturday night was interesting for both sleepover events. Trayden and Hayden never got a response from the others, so they spent until 12:30 am watching a movie together and then finally going to sleep by 1 am. The friends, on the other, hand spent the same amount of time trying to figure out what the hell happened in two days between Trayden and Hayden. The group finally went to sleep and decided they would use today, Sunday, to question the two males whenever they showed up back to the house. For Hayden and Trayden; they spent the morning from 8 am to 12 pm packing up the final items in Gabriel's apartment before deciding to pack up and head back to Berk. First, though, they went to lunch before the hour drive back. Hayden and Trayden were just getting onto Hammer Way.

"So, how we playing this?" Trayden wondered.

"They'll instantly start with questions about the message from last night. Should we keep playing the joke or just tell them?" Hayden replied questioningly.

"I say we keep playing it until Monday morning when we meet at the usual spot," Trayden chuckled. "This is pretty funny,"

"Definitely. So, what do we do when we arrive?" Hayden asked.

"Not sure, but looks like everyone is still here, so let's just go downstairs and see what they do and go from there?" Trayden suggested.

"Sounds good to me," Hayden nodded. Trayden reached the Jorgenson Household and parked the car. Trayden let Skullcrusher and Cloudjumper out first to get into the backyard; then Hayden grabbed his bag and got it over his shoulder as they headed for the side door to get inside. "Uncle Silas, Aunt Felicia; I'm back!" Hayden announced upon entering.

"Welcome home, dear," Felicia smiled. "The others are all downstairs still," she informed.

"Kay, thanks," Hayden replied as he and Trayden smiled at one another, heading downstairs and finding the friends sitting in the chairs or couches all looking at them intently. "Well, this feels all warm and cozy," he muttered.

"Yeah, I hear ya. Not getting such a welcoming feeling," Trayden nodded as Hayden placed his bag on his bed. "Something up, guys and girls?" he inquired now.

"Nope, just watching some YouTube videos," Bryan mentioned.

"Heading home around 3:30 or so," Hailey added.

"Cool," Hayden nodded.

"Wanna join us? Missed ya at the sleepover last night," Tyler stated.

"Sorry. I gotta get home to do some stuff for my parents," Trayden said calmly.

"And I'm probably gonna take a nap," Hayden admitted with a yawn. "Kind'a tired from the last couple of days packing the apartment with my Godfather,"

"Kay. We'll keep it down for you," Syrus said, a little coldly.

"Well, I'm gonna go since I get the unnerving feeling that I'm not wanted here right now," Trayden faced Hayden, lightly caressing his cheek. Hayden smiled, playing alone. "Let me know when you're up?"

"You'll be the first to know," Hayden replied. "Talk to you later,"

"You will," Trayden nodded as he leaned forward and kissed Hayden's cheek, then prepared to leave, but stopped and returned to hold Hayden's hand. "Almost forgot to ask…" Trayden continued as Hayden looked at him curiously. "I was wondering if you maybe wanted to go with me to Junior Prom?"

Hayden's eyes widened a little. Is this part of the act, or does he really want to go with me? Hayden wasn't sure either way, so he better answer to play along. But also, what would it hurt to go with Trayden to prom? Hayden smiled. "I'd love to, Tray," Hayden replied gently now.

"Great. I'll get us the tickets tomorrow and I'll pick you up around 4:30 pm on the 8th," Trayden said.

"I'll be ready," Hayden nodded to him. Trayden hugged him tightly as Hayden returned it before the two separated and Trayden left up the stairs and out the house.

"Well, I'm gonna take a nap. Uh, someone wake up me up for dinner if I'm still out?" Hayden asked.

"Sure, cuz," Alicia smiled. "Sleep well,"

"I will," Hayden replied as he headed into his room, closing the curtain and just turning the tape recorder app on, setting it to record and just listening.

"This is some serious bullshit," Alyssa remarked.

"I can't believe they're dating and didn't say a word," Rylee huffed.

"I can't believe Hayden likes Tray," Ford blinked. "I mean, I know he's gay and all, but…Didn't think he'd just insta-fall like that,"

"All we wanted to do was apologize to Trayden," Katie frowned.

"But they went and planned their own sleepover, for two damn days, and got together. Kind'a dickish," Tyler said. Hayden was trying so hard not to laugh, boy were they gonna be surprised tomorrow when the truth came out.

"I mean…Not for nothing, but despite the discussion we had during our sleepover last night…" Devon shrugged.

"You all just acted pretty cold towards Trayden," Miya finished her husband's statement. "I believed last night's random planned get together was to find a way to apologize when Trayden returned to Berk. But as soon as you got that text message with the images…Seemed like there was a lot of jealousy circulating,"

"I…Have to agree," Mindy nodded. "What we did just now was wrong and the total opposite of the plan we made to say sorry to Trayden so we don't lose him as a friend,"

"Who cares if they're dating…We all knew Trayden liked Hayden. Maybe Trayden just needed the opportune moment to say something, such as over the weekend when he and Hayden were alone," Katie shrugged.

"Just…Sucks that they blew us off, though. And the text was…Kind'a snobby. Ignoring the messages on Friday and Saturday, but coming back at us with; We're busy right now? Come on, that's not right…" Syrus huffed.

"I didn't take Trayden for a guy who held a grudge, or bragged," Ford sighed. "All that aside, though…Acting the way we just did when Trayden brought Hayden back; it was wrong. Despite everything else; Tray and Hayden are our friends and…If they're happy, that is enough for us to be happy for them,"

"Agreed," Alyssa muttered. "We'll address it tomorrow in the morning when we meet at the breezeway,"

"We say sorry to Trayden first and foremost," Alicia nodded.

"And then we work on not getting jealous anymore just because they are so close, and now, dating," Hailey stated.

"And we have to prove to Hayden we're here for him too," Rylee reminded.

"Let's leave a bit early, so Hayden can sleep," Bryan suggested. The friends packed up, said their goodbyes and departed the house. Hayden ended the recording and saved it. Hayden laid back in his bed, relaxing as Toothless came up and laid on Hayden's left side while Hayden pet him a bit. Skullcrusher and Cloudjumper finally came inside and took their spots on the shared dog-bed. As Hayden was getting comfortable, a text came through.

Tray's Cell, 2:23 pm
Please tell me they said something after I left and thought you were asleep? XD

2:23 pm
Oh, I got the whole thing recorded lol

Tray's Cell, 2:24 pm
Gods! XD Let me hear it?

2:25 pm
Def. Sending it now.

Hayden found the recorded file and attached it into the next message.

Tray's Cell, 2:32 pm
That is pure gold. I can't believe they're buying that we're dating. This is gonna be great tomorrow. We telling them after the apology?

2:33 pm
If you want to :)

Tray's Cell, 2:35 pm
Probably should. Sorry, if I overstepped any bounds earlier.

2:36 pm
Don't worry about it. We said we'd go with it depending on their reactions. It's cool lol Was meaning to ask, though…

Tray's Cell, 2:38 pm
What's up?

2:39 pm
The, uh, prom question. Was that…Part of the act?

Hayden held his breath, waiting for the response. He could see the bubble with dots pop up, showing that Trayden was replying.

Tray's Cell, 2:40 pm
It was, but…
We can go together still, if you want?

Hayden blinked a few times. Is he actually asking me now?

Tray's Cell, 2:42 pm
I mean, do you want to? I know you're figuring things out with your feelings for me, but we…Don't have to go as dates or nothing, just friends if you feel more comfortable that way. But…Yeah, do you want to go to prom, with me?

Hayden looked over the message a few times. He could tell Tray was nervous to be asking if Hayden really wanted to go with him to Junior Prom. Hayden still wasn't sure about his feelings, but maybe doing something like this could help him figure things out. Besides, Hayden technically already said yes on the uncertainty of it being just for the act, but still wouldn't be a bad thing to go with Tray to prom. Smiling, Hayden prepared his message and sent it.

. . .

[2:49 pm]
[Berk; Raseri Home]

Trayden nervously laid on his bed, holding the phone and waiting for a response since he asked. So far, it had been eight full minutes, and nothing at all. Trayden could see that Hayden received and had read the message, and Trayden was praying that he hadn't scared Hayden off with his question. The device vibrated against his chest as he quickly lifted it to see a message from Hayden.

Hayden's Cell, 2:50 pm
I already gave you my answer when you asked me in front of the others because I wasn't sure if you'd asked for the sake of acting, or were being serious. So I answered for both scenarios. I'd love to go to prom with you, Tray. And I don't mind going as your date either.

"YES!" Trayden cheered happily. Hayden said yes to going with him to prom! Now he really couldn't wait for June 8th. "Shit, I better go ask my parents if they'll loan me the money for the tickets tonight," he said, making a mental note.

2:52 pm
I can't wait. I'll take care of the tickets, and I'll still pick you up.

Hayden's Cell, 2:53 pm
Can't wait either. Okay, really gonna go take a nap now. Text you when I'm up :)

Trayden smiled while replying.

2:54 pm
Rest well. Talk to you in a bit. :)

Trayden put his phone down and sighed out, relaxing on his bed. This was going to be epic. Junior Prom was only nineteen days away. The Friday before prom was the talent show. And the 28th of May to June 1st was finals. The last day of Junior Year would be June 15th, and Trayden was secretly hoping that Hayden might have figured things out by then, but either way; they still had their friendship if nothing else and Trayden was totally content with that, as long as Hayden was in his life somehow, he would be alright.

. . .

[Monday, 5/21/2018; 6:40 am]
[Berk High School]

As planned, the friends got to the breezeway early through carpooling to avoid arriving late by bus. Katie, Bryan, Mindy, and Alyssa came together since the Grimborn siblings had to drive into Berk to get to the school, so they grabbed Alyssa and Mindy on the way through. Devon came with Miya, Hailey, and Ford. Evan picked up Rylee and Tyler. Trayden drove himself and his siblings. Berk Middle School was in the same location as the High School, in fact, they only had a small parking lot between them. Dex was in the High School as a Sophomore. But Aria, Eliot, and Cole were in the Middle School. Hayden, Syrus, and Alicia typically took the bus. However, Syrus turned 18 on May 10th, so his gift was a car; it wasn't brand new being a 2010 Silver Ford Taurus, but it would do to the job of transportation.

Silas and Felicia took care of registering the vehicle and adding it to their insurance, so Syrus was free to drive it once he had the keys. Also, Silas went to the school to get Syrus an assigned parking space in the High School Student Lot, which was only for Juniors and Seniors if they kept their grades B- or higher. Syrus had gotten his license in 2016, so to Syrus, getting a car was the best gift ever. As Hayden learned, everyone had their license, except Alicia, but she was working on hers over the Summer. Today, the friends planned to apologize to Trayden for their behavior last Monday at lunch. However, Hayden and Trayden had their own plan to see if the friends were being sincere or would take offense to another joke the males decided to play over the weekend.

As Syrus parked in his spot, Hayden texted Trayden.

6:41 am
We just arrived.

Hayden got out of the car and grabbed his backpack as he received an alert on his phone.

Tray's Cell, 6:42 am
Just arrived myself. Meet you at the breezeway :)

Hayden slipped his phone away into his pocket after ensuring it was on silent mode first. Hayden walked with Syrus and Alicia towards the breezeway in C-Hall, finding the others already there and seeming to be waiting for them. Trayden strolled up and instantly went to Hayden's side, hugging him tightly.

"Ready for this?" Trayden whispered as Hayden smiled and gave a short nod in response.

"Morning," Hailey began.

"Hey," Trayden replied. "How was everyone's weekend?" he asked next.

"Great. Pretty quiet Friday night," Ford smiled.

"Yeah, all we did was homework and sitting around with our families," Rylee nodded.

"Sleepover on Saturday was average," Alyssa informed.

"Not the same without you two," Bryan said with a chuckle.

"We'll catch the next one," Trayden mentioned. "Hayden and I were busy this time,"

"Yeah, no problem," Katie smiled broadly.

"How…Did the packing up go?" Mindy decided to inquire with a gentle voice.

"It was alright. We actually didn't do much on Friday night since Hayden's Godfather had a few emergency errands to run, so we just ordered pizza, watched TV, played a couple of games and went to bed around 11:30 pm," Trayden shrugged. "Most of the packing was done on Saturday, and a few more hours on Sunday before we decided to get lunch and head back here to Berk," he added.

"Nice. Where's Gabriel moving?" Alicia wondered.

"I, uh, don't know much about that. Hayden just told me they were packing up the apartment, and asked if I wanted to come up for the weekend to help. I said sure since I didn't have anything better to do," Trayden remarked, clearly taking a shot at the friends who got jealous last Monday during lunch and making sure they knew he was still a little bothered by it.

"Uncle Gabe doesn't know where he's moving yet; he's still on the search for either another apartment or a house," Hayden said calmly. "Once something comes up and all the legal and financial stuff is set; he'll make the move," he informed.

"Ah," the friends nodded as it was silent between them now.

"I'm gonna go to the bathroom before class. Be right back," Hayden smiled, leaving Trayden's side and heading into C-Hall. As soon as Hayden was gone, the friends sighed.

"Look, Tray…We wanted to apologize to you for last Monday in the lunch room," Syrus said quickly.

"We shouldn't have taken what you said personally, and we should have known it was just a joke to cheer Hayden up," Alyssa sighed.

"So we're sorry for getting all butt-hurt about you messing around and saying you were better than us," Tyler looked down.

"I mean…You technically weren't wrong…" Rylee shrugged.

"Oh? You think I'm better than you?" Trayden asked.

"No, no…Well, sort of," Hailey tried. "You're…Better than us at helping Hayden,"

"You were right; we kind'a freeze up when he's upset. I guess we just don't know how to handle it when Hayden goes from having a decent time to absolute misery…" Ford admitted as Trayden just listened.

"What bothers me is that you got jealous when I was joking around. I know you don't know how to help him; it's not easy when you don't know what's going on. I only know this much because I asked my mom, a licensed psychiatrist. I looked up the symptoms of Clinical Depression, Anxiety, and Panic Attacks. I told Hayden I'd be there for him any way I could, so that involves knowing about the conditions he suffers from," Trayden stated.

"But, like I said; what bugs me is that for all the years we've been friends, all the jokes we've cracked being cocky to one another…I use it to cheer up another friend, and you give me the dirty looks and cold shoulder," Trayden said after a moment to let them sit with what he'd said first.

"We know…We're sorry," Mindy mentioned as the others nodded.

"It's not just this either; you get jealous because Hayden's closer to me," Trayden crossed his arms over his chest. At this time, Hayden came back, standing beside Trayden. Tray sighed and looked at the others. "Look, you know me…I don't hold grudges. I got over this last week; I was just waiting for you to stop acting so scared and come talk to me," he added.

"Do you forgive us?" Alicia asked.

"Only if you forgive me for playing an evil and devious joke on you," Trayden chuckled.

"What are you talking about? What joke did you play?" Evan blinked. Hayden and Trayden both laughed now.

"Tell me, what did you notice over the weekend?" Trayden questioned.

"Uh…You and Hayden getting awfully close at Gabriel's apartment. You finally tell him you like him?" Syrus inquired.

"Or…Was the joke that you didn't like him at all?" Rylee stared.

"Oh, Gods no. My feelings for Hayden are real. I would never joke about something like that, and yes, he does know. We discussed it, and-," Trayden started.

"I'm not sure how I feel for him, but I know he's my friend no matter what," Hayden cut in. "The joke was that you believe we're dating,"

The friends' eyes widened. "Um, what?!" they asked together.

"We're not dating, guys. Hayden knows I like him, but he's still sitting with the information and figuring things out. Which is totally fine by me, and he knows that too. Everything you saw was the joke; we did it to mess with you since you went and assumed something was going on last Friday," Trayden chuckled a little.

"B-But we saw you kiss his cheek, a-and ask him to prom. All of that was just an act?" Hailey stammered.

Hayden and Trayden nodded to them. "And the pictures we saw?" Syrus inquired. Hayden and Trayden repositioned themselves from Saturday night, showing the friends that it was just an illusion to make it seem like they were kissing. "That's so fucked up!"

"That was brilliant," Devon laughed a little. "The light shows us that you're definitely nowhere near kissing, but in the dark of the photo, you'd never tell,"

"That was the idea," Hayden said. "You guys kept assuming something was going on, so we decided to play on it more,"

"Probably the best joke you've ever come up with, Tray," Tyler and Rylee said together.

"Man, you got us good," Bryan smiled.

"We were all freaking out in the basement when Sy got the text," Ford nodded.

"So, you two aren't dating?" Alicia asked. Hayden and Trayden shook their heads again.

"All of it was just an act?" Mindy inquired.

"Yes," Hayden said.

"But you know Trayden has a crush on you, and okay with it?" Alyssa continued.

"Also, yes," Hayden nodded. "We just got on the subject of possible crushes on Saturday night. Ended up coming out, and I told Trayden I wasn't sure how to take it or if I felt the same,"

"Which, as I said, is fine. You take all the time you need and want; I'm still gonna be here for you no matter what title I carry, friend or boyfriend," Trayden smiled as Hayden blushed a little, and nodded to him.

"Well, back to where this started…Yes, we forgive you for the joke about you two dating. You did it to teach us a lesson in not assuming. It was very well done, Trayden," Alicia said.

"Unfortunately…I can't take the credit; this wasn't my idea," Trayden said casually.

"Wait…What?" the group asked, shocked.

"This was Hayden's plan. As I discovered over the weekend. Mr. Haddock over here…Has quite the devious little mind at his disposal," Trayden chuckled some, giving Hayden a one-armed hug. "So, we good now? No more jealousy or tension?"

"Yeah, we're good," the others nodded, agreeing. No sooner than they made up, the warning bell rang. With everything cool among them again, and having a good laugh from the joke Hayden and Trayden played; the friends headed for their Language Arts class in C-11, except for Bryan who went to History in B-8. Devon and Evan left, but would be back for lunch hour. Now, all the friends had to do was get through their last week of preparations before finals next Monday, and keep up their practices for June 1st; the talent show.