=Normal POV=
[Friday, 6/1/2018; 7:00 pm]
[Berk High School]

Technically, the friends weren't performing until about 7:20 pm, but all acts for the talent show had to check in at 6 pm. Hayden dropped his car off at the Jorgenson Home; then he loaded up with Syrus, Alicia, and the Thorston twins in Syrus's car headed for Berk High to meet with the rest who decided to go ahead and check in. Right away, Hayden was able to see the families of his friends all sitting together for the show. Devon, Miya, and Evan were with the families too. The friends were ready; they were going on in twenty minutes.

"I'm so ready for this," Tyler grinned. The others were all excited and talked about how great this would be, and how much work went into preparing. Hayden was relaxing against the wall, listening to other acts. The way everyone was lined up to perform was by every five acts, and after three would do their acts; another three would come in to make sure there were no pauses in the procession to get through everyone.

"We all are thanks to Hayden's last day practice," Bryan smiled.

"Yeah, seriously…Thanks, Hayden," Hailey stated.

"No problem," Hayden nodded, peering out to watch the next act. As soon as the music started, though; Hayden' stood straight. "That's our song…"

"What?" Trayden asked.

"Listen…" Hayden instructed as they were quiet and heard it; their eyes widened.

"Shit…What are we supposed to do? We stand less of a chance to win if we do a repeat song," Alyssa looked at the group of friends.

"We didn't prepare a backup either," Katie frowned.

"Do we back out?" Ford wondered.

"Seems like a waste after all this…" Rylee sighed.

"What else can we do? We can't perform the same song, and we don't have anything else," Mindy muttered.

"And we can't learn anything in the next 15 minutes…" Alicia looked down.

"Says you," Hayden rolled his eyes as they looked at him quickly. "You said you knew how to play some songs already?"

"Very few," Syrus shrugged.

"And the girls are past their stage fright?" Hayden inquired.

"Yeah," the girls nodded.

"Are any of the songs that have played ones you know?" Hayden continued.

"All but one, and the girls can't sing it," Tyler said.

"What is it?" Hayden pushed.

"We only learned it as an attempt for the girls to try singing during the Freshman Year talent show, but none of them could make the notes. The song is My Heart Will Go On," Trayden informed. "You can hit those notes though," he added.

"I could, but I'd have to strain it and risk losing my voice again or worse…" Hayden reminded.

"That's right…We don't want to risk that," Ford nodded.

"We got nothing; let's just back out," Bryan said as the others were discouraged and agreeing. Hayden closed his eyes a moment.

"You guys and girls are up next," the stage manager informed.

"We 're-," Alyssa started.

"We're changing songs, so just have your audio person sit back for our performance," Hayden informed.

"You got it," the man nodded; then walked away.

"What are you doing?! We're not prepared for anything other than a song that risks your voice," Hailey demanded.

"Can you follow a lead?" Hayden asked. The group stared at him. "Can you follow a lead, yes or no?"

"Yes…" they replied.

"Then we're fine. Just follow my lead and join in where you think you fit," Hayden informed. The friends weren't sure about it, but Hayden seemed confident that they'd be alright. "Trust me," he said.

"Alright," they said nervously but nodded.

"You'll catch on. I wouldn't pick something I wasn't sure you knew," Hayden assured.

"You're on," the stage manager informed.

"Head out, all of you," Hayden motioned with his head; the friends nodded, heading out as Hayden went and set up the music. There was no way they didn't know this song and would catch on; it would be perfect.

. . .

[8:00 pm]

The song Hayden picked for them to follow along with was none other than Eye To Eye by Tevin Campbell from A Goofy Movie. Of course, as Hayden told them; he didn't pick something they wouldn't know. The music started, and Hayden was first to sing. Trayden picked it up right away and joined Hayden. By the chorus, the rest had done the same, but before singing; they had been dancing along. It was a spectacular performance, and afterward; the friends made it backstage to tell Hayden it was brilliant. Everyone else picked comedy acts, actual weird but cool talents, singing, dancing. All the music from others was from the newer generation. Hayden picked something from 1995, and they rocked it.

7:45 pm is where the acts stopped, and judges got together to select the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place winners. Now, it was 8 pm, and it was time to announce the winners. Amy was on stage, announcing the 3rd and 2nd place acts. This was the moment of truth; who won 1st place.

"And the winning, 1st place act of Berk High School's 2018 Talent Show is…" Amy paused with a big smile. "Dragon's Roar!" she called.

"Th-That's us!" Alicia said in shock. All of them were surprised but overly excited; they won 1st place!

"Oh, my Gods! We won!" Hailey, Rylee, Mindy, Alyssa, and Alicia cheered together as the males; Ford, Syrus, Bryan, Tyler, and Trayden high-fiving and smiling.

"We did it!" Trayden quickly hugged Hayden. "Your last minute idea did this!" he said excitedly.

"I just picked something nobody would think of, and I knew you'd all know," Hayden shrugged.

"But you still did it when we were ready to back out! You deserve to go up there and get the prize," Ford informed.

"I might have had the idea, but it took all of us to pull the performance off. I say we all go and reap the benefits of 1st place," Hayden stated as he got up. The group rose from their seats and moved to the stage.

"Congratulations," Amy handed over the 1st place ribbon to Hayden.

"Thanks," Hayden replied. The group of them stood together on stage, taking a bow. Hayden saw Gabriel with the video camera; he'd recorded just the act Hayden, and his friends did. For a brief moment; Hayden saw his parents in the same position, holding the camera with broad smiles on their faces, clapping and cheering for the win. The friends finally stepped down and filed out of the school, meeting their parents in the parking lot.

"Well done, all of you," Rachel clapped.

"Wasn't what we thought you were doing," Aria chuckled.

"Yeah, well…Someone else did our song, so we changed last minute. It was Hayden's idea," Trayden informed.

"Still pulling off those last minute fixes when someone did what you were gonna, huh?" Gabriel laughed a little as he gave Hayden a one-armed hug. "Your parents would be so proud of you, Hayden," that comment made Hayden a bit sad. "I know I am," Gabriel squeezed him tighter.

"Thanks…" Hayden replied. "Ready to head back to the city? You said you were staying with me this weekend, right?"

"Did I?" Hayden inquired. "I was already there…At my house…"

Gabriel blinked. "Hayden…Why were you there? I told you not to go there without me…" he sighed.

"I-I didn't go alone, Uncle Gabe…I had my friends with me. We went to the house to use the music room, for more practice for tonight. I-I brought my car to Berk too," Hayden explained.

"And…You were alright?" Gabriel asked.

"I wouldn't say alright; more like managed," Hayden shrugged.

"Hayden…We're, uh, doing a sleepover at my house tonight if you want to come?" Trayden offered.

"It's up to you, laddie. You can stay for the sleepover, or return to my apartment with me. I do have good news, though," Gabriel mentioned.

"What's that?" Hayden wondered.

"Found a place finally, and finalized everything today. Ready to move still? We'll go on the 16th, which is the Saturday after your Junior Year ends," Gabriel smiled. The others stopped now, a bit surprised and worried almost. Was Hayden going to move with Gabriel?

"Yeah, I'm ready. I told you I was when you offered it to me in April," Hayden nodded.

"Hayden? You're…Moving with Gabriel?" Felicia asked, shocked.

Hayden nodded. "Mmhm. It's…Not that I don't like living with you guys, b-but…Where I'm at currently in the basement doesn't…Allow me to get all the stuff that I want from my parents' house. I've only left most of it there because I don't have space for it…So Gabriel asked me if I wanted to live with him back in April…I said yes. Gabriel's been looking for a new place to live since, something big enough for both of us," he explained.

"I'll give you all the details later, kiddo. So, ya coming with me? Or off to the sleepover with yer friends?" Gabriel questioned.

Hayden looked at the friends; they were hoping he'd agree to come to the sleepover. Hayden figured he should give it another shot with everyone. "I'll…Come to the sleepover," he stated.

"Great!" Trayden smiled.

"We'll just run home to grab our clothes and stuff," Syrus remarked.

"See ya soon then," Trayden nodded.

"We'll meet for 9 pm," Bryan said as the others nodded, agreeing. Not long after, the friends broke off to get to their homes for clothes and personal items.

. . .

[9:15 pm]
[Berk; Raseri Home]

The last of the friends to arrive was Syrus, Hayden, and Alicia. Trayden met them outside and led them down the hall into his room, which sat above the entire garage; it was a massive space. Honestly, it reminded Hayden of the basement in Syrus and Alicia's house, only not a basement but main-floor space.

"Well, Devon and Miya are home since Miya isn't feeling well, but Devon dropped Hailey off about ten minutes ago. Evan said something came up with his father. So, aside from those three; everyone else is here," Trayden smiled.

"It's cool," Syrus replied.

"You know the drill, find your spot and set up," Trayden chuckled. "Hey, guys and girls; the last three have arrived," he announced to the rest of the friends.

"Hey, Sy, Alicia, and Hayden," Katie waved.

"Glad you could come," Mindy added.

Trayden moved next to Hayden. "If you would like to be closer to me for comfort and security reasons tonight; I left the spot next to me open for you," he informed. Hayden smiled a little.

"Thanks," Hayden replied quietly. Trayden moved a few things and let Hayden setup up sleeping bag and pillow beside Trayden's.

"Alright, now we can get this party started," Tyler laughed.

"What first?" Alyssa wondered.

"Well, a bit later to start than normal, but we could game," Trayden shrugged. "We just gotta keep it down after 11 pm," he reminded.

"No prob," Ford nodded.

"Before we game…I was kind'a wondering if Hayden would sing that song he told us about back in the city, the one he wrote?" Hailey hoped.

"That's up to him," Bryan said.

"I don't mind," Hayden stated softly.

"Well, all the gaming stuff is in the living room anyway, so let's move there," Trayden informed. The friends nodded and got up from their spots to get out of Trayden's room; then walked to the living room where Dustin, Rachel, Dex, Aria, Eliot, and Cole were relaxing.

"Came out to game?" Dustin asked.

"Yeah, but first Hayden is gonna show us the song he wrote last year," Trayden smiled.

"Oh, you wrote a song, dear?" Rachel beamed. Hayden nodded to her.

"Can we listen?" Eliot asked.

"Sure," Hayden responded as Trayden handed him the AUX cord hooked to the stereo. "Thanks," he smiled a little.

"What's the song about?" Mindy asked.

"That's open to interpretation of the listeners," Hayden shrugged.

"What is it for you?" Trayden wondered. "Why'd you write it?"

"An attempt to stop bullying or empower those who are bullied not to listen. Archian Prep might be the best school academically on Barbarchi Isle, but it's filled with bullies…And some students killed themselves over it. I worked on this song all through Sophomore Year, and planned to perform it during the Junior Year talent show, but…You know…Life happened, so it's only ever been heard by my parents," Hayden stated softly. "It was…The last song I ever performed for them…My parents told me this song was powerful, and some of my music could change the world,"

"Some music can," Dustin nodded.

"Let's hear it," Trayden invited. Hayden tapped the song on his phone and set it off to the side as the music started.

"You are not your makeup, not your clothes, an anonymous face that no one knows. You're not a skin color, a pretty face, the number of inches around your waist. There's so much that you've been through that nobody knows, so many things you never show…" Hayden began. "You're more than labels, more than pain…And baby you're more than your mistakes. You've got something to say. Oh, woah!" the music picked up.

"When will you realize; baby, you're worth it. You don't have to do anything to earn it. Baby, you're perfect. You deserve it. When will you see what I see? And realize you're worth it," Hayden took a breath as the music calmed now.

"You are not a burden, not a waste. You're not a copy, can't be replaced. You're not pain, not your past. Your scars will never hold you back. There's so much that you've been through that nobody knows. So many things you never show…You're more than labels, more than pain. And baby you're more than your mistakes. You've got something to say. Oh, woah!" Hayden continued.

"When will you realize; baby, you're worth it. You don't have to do anything to earn it. Baby, you're perfect. You deserve it. When will you see what I see? And realize you're worth it," Hayden took a deep breath in.

"You're worth it; baby you're worth it. You're worth it; baby you're worth it. You're worth it; baby you're worth it. You're worth it; baby you're worth it. You're worth it; baby you're worth it. You're worth it; baby you're worth it. You're worth it; baby you're worth it. You're worth it!" Hayden sang though it was more of a singing chant. The music calmed.

"You're more than labels, more than pain. And baby, you're more than your mistakes. You've got something to say…Oh, woah!" the music stopped, a short pause. "When will you realize; baby, you're worth it. You don't have to do anything to earn it. Baby, you're perfect. You deserve it. When will you see what I see? And realize you're worth it,"

"You're worth it; baby you're worth it. You're worth it; baby you're worth it. You're worth it; baby you're worth it. You're worth it; baby you're worth it. You're worth it; baby you're worth it. You're worth it; baby you're worth it. You're worth it; baby you're worth it. You're worth it…" Hayden finished, this time, the song finishing. (Song; You're Worth It by Cimorelli.)

"I'll say this; your parents were right, Hayden. That's…A powerful song, and should be shared with the schools, with the world even," Rachel said gently.

"Where did you ever come up with something like that?" Hailey asked.

"I-I knew what it felt like to get bullied endlessly," Hayden replied. "I knew what it felt like to be picked on for being short and skinny. People used to tell me I was a runt or had an eating disorder. I was teased for being gay, called names, pushed around…" he shrugged a little. "The nagging feeling of wondering if things would be better if I were dead,"

"You wouldn't be," Trayden stated firmly.

"I knew that, but others didn't. That's…Why I wrote the song so that maybe it would help someone else choose differently than suicide. Or let them believe something different than what bullies said," Hayden informed.

"I think you got the message across," Alyssa nodded with a smile.

"Now, how about we game a little?" Trayden suggested. Hayden went to sit on the couch, next to Trayden in the open spot. "We're not bothering you guys, right?" he asked his family.

"Not at all, son," Dustin responded.

"Hayden, you in?" Trayden inquired, offering Hayden the black GameCube controller. "We're playing Smash Brothers," he enticed.

"What? You want me to beat you again?" Hayden questioned.

"You got lucky!" Trayden complained.

"It was skill," Hayden rolled his eyes.

"Yeah, put your skill where your mouth is and show me then?" Trayden challenged.

"Um…?" Syrus asked.

"We played Smash Bros at the weekend sleepover, just Hayden and me…He kicked my butt," Trayden mumbled. "I demand a rematch,"

Hayden sighed. "Very well. If you lose, I'll expect you to admit I'm just better at Smash than you," he stated.

"And if you lose?" Rylee grinned.

"If I lose…" Hayden paused. "He can kiss me because I know how badly he wants to do it," Trayden blinked. The statement wasn't untrue, but would Hayden allow it? Or did Hayden use that as a way to find out more about liking Trayden back? Hayden did say he was trying to figure things out, so many seeing how he was to a physical action other than hugging would help out. Trayden wasn't sure, but he knew that he did not want to lose the match. "Three out of five sound fair?"

"More than," Trayden said while holding the silver controller.

"This should be interesting," Bryan sat back. The match started as Trayden took the first two victories without much of a problem. Hayden was sitting on the floor now, knees up and arms were relaxing over the caps while playing entirely calm. The next round was about to start as he suddenly shifted to be sitting cross-legged and up straight.

"Alright," Hayden cracked his neck. "I think I've let you have enough fun," he added as Trayden's eyes widened. When the next match began; Hayden destroyed Trayden in a minute flat. The next round, Hayden did a twelve combo attack that sent Trayden off stage and securing Hayden's second win. The fifth and final round determined who won; the boys were evenly going at one another, but Hayden still managed to sneak in and use three moves to boot Trayden off the platform and be declared the winner.

Hayden put the controller down slowly, leaning against the couch with his arms behind his head all casual like. "You let me win the first two rounds, didn't you?" Trayden muttered.

"It's no fun to beat you outright," Hayden chuckled a little. "Though, I suppose the match wasn't fair, to begin with…"

"How do you figure? I thought didn't play console games," Ford mentioned.

"I don't normally, but there are some I do. Smash Brothers happens to be one of them, and the reason the match isn't fair is that I've been playing this game competitively since I was about 9," Hayden informed.

"Competitively as in…?" Dex asked.

"Tournaments around the island," Hayden replied.

"Wait…" Tyler stated. "You played in tournaments?" Hayden nodded to him. "You…Wouldn't happen to be VikingKing, would you?"

"Pray tell why you think I'd be the number one Smash player on all of Barbarchi Isle?" Hayden questioned curiously and calmly.

"VikingKing's Smash career started in 2009; always winning the town tournaments, and killing it in finals which took place in Archian City. VikingKing always plays the same character as Yoshi, and known for his extensive combo sets," Ford informed.

"Don't see how you can think I'm him. VikingKing has blue-green eyes, and black hair," Hayden stated. "Plus, I heard VikingKing stopped coming to tournaments; he hasn't made an appearance since Summer of 2016,"

"Now…How can you know that if no one has ever seen VikingKing's face?" Syrus remarked. Hayden tensed a bit. "He always plays with sunglasses and his hood up," the man grinned. "Very few people have caught a glimpse of his face, and rumored his eye and hair color," he added.

"You just gave yourself away," Katie giggled.

"Dude, you're VikingKing, aren't you?" Bryan pushed.

Hayden sighed. "Okay, fine…Yes, I am, or…Was last year. The last tournament I played in was August 2016, right before Sophomore Year. I had been signed up for the 2017 tournaments, but…They started in July, and obviously…Things prevented me from going, not that I was really in the best state of mine to play and had lost my drive to among singing, drawing…All that stuff," he closed his eyes.

"Why didn't you ever show anyone?" Mindy asked.

"Didn't want all the attention, so I kept VikingKing with a low profile. I wore blue contacts and a black wig...But always wore the black hoodie as extra coverage. Never did interviews, never gave personal information other than age and where I lived, but not a full address. Didn't post videos playing others than the ones that others put up. Smash was just a hobby for me, even competitions…It was just something to do," Hayden stated.

"You got some serious skill," Trayden complimented. "I know I'm honored to get to meet the best Smash Brothers player on Barbarchi Isle and had the pleasure of playing against him. Hell, I'm happy to lose to him. And don't worry…We'll keep your secret. You went to some big lengths to keep it hidden, so we won't blow that for you,"

"Thanks," Hayden nodded.

Trayden shook Hayden's hand for a good game. However, Trayden kissed the back of it lightly. "And as the loser…I admit that you're better at Smash than me," Trayden offered a bow. Hayden blushed a deep shade of red before grabbed the front of Trayden's shirt, pulling him closer and kissed his cheek, leaving Trayden blinking, blushing a bit, and confused.

"That was for good effort against me," Hayden said a little bashfully.

"I, uh, d-do all the people you beat get that type of good game response?" Trayden decided to ask.

Hayden laughed a little, shaking his head. "No. No, that was just for you," he replied. Trayden smiled now, nodding. "So, shall we get back to things?" he asked.

"Right on," Trayden stated.