=Trayden's POV=
(Sunday, 12/8/2019; 10:30 pm)
(Barbarchi City, Archipelago)
(Hunter's House)

It was getting later, I should go home for a shower and relax until I fall asleep. Unfortunately, I didn't want to leave Hunter's house because this time at his house has been amazing. I know all I'm doing is mainly sitting on the couch next to Hunter while everyone talks to each other, but still. I'm having fun, and what was I worried about with work tomorrow? I could go to bed at 7 am and get up at 2 pm to eat, shower, and head to work for 4 pm until 9 pm. It was only five hours because my boss swore he'd lighten up a bit on my shift loads. I think the shocking event of tonight, so far, was Hunter hiring Ethan as a male stripper to Wild Fantasies. The other dancers were talking to Ethan now, giving advice and explaining how some things works at Hunter's request. The other six friends, Alyssa, Shane, Fisher, Hailey, Tyler, and Rylee have left due to having to be up earlier in the morning for their work shifts tomorrow. Ethan was staying, and I said I'd take him home when I left, I knew he didn't live too far from me and it would be on the way. Ethan had tomorrow off, so he didn't mind being up later.

Hunter and I were just sitting beside one another on the smaller couch that could fit three or four people depending on their body size, but for me and Hunter, it was perfect. The music was lowered a bit too, so it was perfect to talk to one another while the others talked or danced. I was really enjoying my time with him and the other too, but definitely with Hunter because he was so easy going and incredibly easy to talk to about any subject. I wondered if Hunter could help me be more comfortable with being gay? Not in the sense that he's my gay sex teacher and relationship counselor, but a guide, as a fellow full gay. Ethan was only bisexual, and it seemed like only one of Hunter's friends, Jason, was gay. The rest were straight, but Eli was bisexual.

I was also kind of hoping that we could be alone, like it had been when we were at the Arc Burger. That was nice, but I'd only just met Hunter too, so it'd be selfish of me to ask if we could go off to talk while he's hosting a get together with friends. I'd have to go home soon, I feel like Hunter is holding back on his party because I'm new to everything, and then there was the awkward situation with him meeting my friends, who are actually his old friends from school. I was still beside myself about learning Hunter's parents kicked him out at fifteen when they learned Hunter was gay. I knew it happened, which is why I was terrified to tell my parents about just being bisexual and still haven't mentioned that I've gone completely gay because I feel nothing for women. I felt like Hunter and I could get into some deep talks on certain things.

"Would you like another drink?" Hunter inquired as I glanced down at my cup, finding it empty.

"Maybe not alcohol, though. I still have to drive home, and Ethan too," I informed softly.

"Sure, no problem. Come on, we'll see what I got in my fridge," Hunter smiled as he got up and I nodded, following him over into the kitchen. Reaching the refrigerator, Hunter opened it up to peer around. "I got water bottles, juice, and soda," He stated.

"Oh, water, please?" I asked. I had one shot with Hunter, two beers, and one mixed drink. I should sober up a bit and then leave around 11:30 pm, I'm sure that was enough time to not be intoxicated and unable to drive. I was sure I could drive now, but I didn't want to take the risk while my father was the mayor. That wouldn't look good at all for me, or him. Hunter pulled out a plastic bottle and handed it to me. "Thank you,"

"You're welcome," Hunter said as we just stood there a few moments, then I opened the water and took a few sips before capping it once more. Hunter moved over to the dining room table, just across the kitchen, and motioned for me to come too, so I did. We both ended up sitting down and looking into the living room while the rest were still having fun. "Sorry, if it's overwhelming," He stated.

"Oh, no. Not at all," I replied quickly. "It's pretty tame, but you did mention that this is nothing compared to your other ones,"

"Yeah, that's true, but even those don't get too crazy. Louder music, outside, pool, grilling foods, more people…But it's still a lot of this," Hunter motioned to his friends standing around with drinks. Some were just talking, but others were laughing and dancing a bit while holding a simple conversation. "I meant what I said before, I do hope you'll come to some," He added.

"I'm sure with warning, I can get the days off. Maybe call out on some," I smiled at him.

"Well, don't go getting yourself in trouble just for me," Hunter said calmly.

"I won't. My boss loves me too much," I laughed some.

"I feel like I've neglected you this evening. I invited you over and we keep getting pulled apart," Hunter confessed gently.

"Originally, it was come over for a couple drinks, and talk while you fix my car," I reminded. "And then my nosey friends showed up to make sure you weren't some murderer or rapist," I groaned a little, still unable to believe how my seven friends came at me and the assumptions they threw out.

"If it makes you feel any better, they've always been that way," Hunter shrugged. "Nosey," He added for clarifying what he meant. "I find it hilarious that we have mutual friends," He chuckled.

"I found it funny too," I nodded. "So, they mentioned you all being best friends, until you disappeared?"

Hunter nodded softly and I hoped I hadn't upset him. I know he told the other five twice this evening he didn't want to talk about it. "Yeah, we grew up together, met in daycare technically, but official meeting was in Pre-School. I started late due to being sick, and our parents all got to talking at drop off, and that's how we all got reintroduced and basically ended up in all the classes over the years until I got kicked out and disowned. That was on my birthday, so the last time I saw them was that March when I turned fifteen," Hunter explained. "I'm actually mad as hell my parents went and said I was sick, then I ran away…Made them think I abandoned them all these years,"

"Probably to make it seem like you're the one who left, and not them kicking you out where everyone would give them hell for doing such a thing," I said softly. "I know it was my biggest fear when I told my family I was bisexual. Still my worry they'll hate me if I tell them I'm gay,"

"It might take them by surprise, but they won't hate you," Hunter informed. "If they accept and love you as bisexual, then they know you like males. Changing to only being attracted to males just removes the bi part of being bisexual. And it happens more often than you think to go through the motions before settling on what you actually are. That's why I said over dinner that a lot of people struggle with their sexuality. But some also just know what they are from a young age," He mentioned.

"So you don't think they'll get mad if I tell them that I only like males, instead of both?" I asked.

Hunter shook his head, with a smile. "No. The only let downs I've encountered with others in this situation is that while there's shock of learning your child is into both genders, there's always that itty-bitty hope of them settling down and having kids one day. In the sense of yeah, my child is attracted to both, both still got someone of the opposite gender to be with. But as much as there's chance for such hope, there's also the other half where the opposite gender attraction fades away leaving you lesbian, or gay. However, I wouldn't worry, Tray. Your parents knew previously you were into both, so it won't be too much of a surprise if you tell them you learned that you aren't attracted to women," He said.

"I guess that's some comfort," I smiled a bit. "Next time I get to sit down with them all, I'll say something,"

Hunter nodded, smiling. "So, how did you meet the others?"

"Senior year," I replied. "You remember I mentioned living in Eyja Nott, so over the summer before my final year, we moved to Berk, because my grandmother had a series of medical issues and needed a caretaker. My mom didn't trust a homecare worker, nor a nursing home since there was a lot of paperwork, legal affairs and what not to get in order," I continued as Hunter nodded, showing he was listening and intrigued. "When I learned my mom was going to Berk, I asked if I could go too because I was having a lot of issues with people at Nott Academy and it became that I'd attend school there, using my grandmother's address. It worked out that my mom had to be there most of my senior year, and times she couldn't, I was. The neighbor was around if mom had work and I was at school, and the most nights, I was home. Good team effort," I shrugged.

"Sounds like it was. Was your dad already mayor?" Hunter inquired.

"Yeah, he's been mayor for a while. First, it was on Eyja Nott, then I think when I was about sixteen, he became mayor of Barbarchi," I nodded. "I met the others in senior year, that September. I started a few days late because there was a mix up with the bus company not registering my grandmother's address. Fisher was the one the school assigned to be my guide as it was my first time there, and through him I met Alyssa, the twins, and Shane. Addilyn too," I added. "We had an issue on Eyja Nott with our house, and went to stay with my grandmother full-time. And then as time passed, we got an apartment in Berk. Already told you about needing to be close to work, so I moved here to the city. My family just bought another house probably when I was twenty-one and now we're all here in the city," I explained.

"That's cool," Hunter smiled at me. "So you and the others hit it off well? Not like it's hard too, though. We clicked good, everyone used to call us the outcasts because they didn't understand how such a group could even get along," He laughed a little. "The simple fact is that we were all easy going and just molded well," He shrugged.

"Yeah, I think we were all friends by the end of my first day there. Fisher introduced me to them at lunch, then I think I met Addilyn at her birthday party because Shane told me to come and we'd be able to hang outside of school," I replied. "After high school, we mostly all lived in Berk. As I said, I moved out at twenty…But the others had gone in sections, eventually getting their own apartments too because the easiest places to find work is here in the city. We're all pretty close to one another, within fifteen minutes, if I had to put a number on it,"

"I guess I'm gonna have to get in contact with Alyssa, Shane, Tyler, Rylee, and Fisher to tell them that story they want," Hunter sighed gently.

"I could give you their numbers?" I offered. "Seems like they don't want to lose you again,"

"I didn't want to lose them to begin with, the six of us were damn near inseparable and always stuck together because we didn't have other friends. It was just us," Hunter revealed. "When my parents kicked me out, they gave me ten minutes to pack a spare suitcase with clothes, and then I used my backpack for other thing I didn't want to leave behind. I was told to surrender my phone, so I made one call to Greg while packing. He hadn't answered at first, but I left him a message where I'd be. Then I left the house and haven't been back since," He said.

"And then no way to contact them over the years?" I asked softly.

Hunter shook his head. "It was a mix of trying to get myself together and figuring out what I was going to do. I mean, I was fifteen," Hunter said.

"Understandable," I nodded, feeling bad for what Hunter had to go through. "You don't have to tell me, I know you said a few times you didn't want to get into it tonight,"

"It wasn't so much not getting into it as I didn't want to be hounded by them. To be honest, I expected the shock when I realized who they were in the light. Nine years haven't changed them much except height, hair style and what not…But I didn't know who Hailey and Ethan were, at the time. And I still don't really know them that well, but if they're friends with the others, I'm not going to exclude them. Same as you," Hunter smiled at me and I felt my heart beat a little faster. "I won't go through it all tonight, it's late. But when I tell the others, you're welcome to come," He added.

"You don't have to include me," I glanced down a bit, feeling bashful. "I'm just the guy who found and returned your wallet,"

"Well, maybe that's how it started, but it caused us to meet and I think you're adorable," Hunter winked as I know I started to blush. "And I'd like to be friends if that's alright with you?"

I wasn't all that surprised when he asked if we could be friends. It had been implied several times that he wanted to hang out with me again, but I guess it was nice to hear the offer for friendship straightforwardly. "Perfectly okay with me, Hunter," I told him.

"Great, and I did give you my number earlier, right?" Hunter wondered as I held up my hand to show it was still there.

"You did," I smiled. I grabbed my phone out of my pocket, then put in the number and added it as a new contact, labeling it as Hunter's Cell. "Knowing me, if I don't add it in my phone now, I'll get home to shower and it'll be gone," I laughed at myself and Hunter chuckled a bit. I pulled up my texts and started a new one to Hunter, sending it off so he'd have my number. "And now, you should have mine,"

Hunter pulled his phone and saw the saw new text message on the screen from a 298-029-1996. "Well, that should be easy enough to remember without adding a new contact. It's actually just a few numbers in different places from mine," Hunter began tapping his screen to add my number in his device. I noticed we both had iPhones, so that would be cool. "Mine is as you saw, 298-022-9096," He added.

"That is interesting," I realized how similar our numbers actually were. I felt my phone vibrate and looked at it to see Hunter replied to the text.

Hunter's Cell, 10:45 pm
Hey handsome ;)

I blushed a little. I had only sent him a hi, it's me. But, at least, we had each other's numbers now and would be able to talk whenever. "Can't help it, you are extremely good looking," Hunter admitted.

"You are too," I replied shyly.

"So, I know your dad is mayor and your mom is his secretary. What about your siblings, what do they all do? I know you mentioned having a lot," Hunter wondered.

"I have several brothers and a sister, all younger. After me, there's…Dexter, Cole, Erik, and Ava," I revealed. "Dex is nineteen, the twins, Erik and Ava, are seventeen, and then Cole is fourteen," I went on. "Dex works, the other three are still in school,"

"Must be nice to have a big family," Hunter smiled.

"You don't have siblings?" I wondered.

Hunter shook his head. "Nope, just me. I guess mom and dad had a lot of trouble conceiving, or holding a pregnancy past a certain point. I was the one who made it, but born early, lived in the hospital for months to be strong enough to be off all the equipment. Once they had me, I think they just left trying again alone for fear of more of the same," He replied.

"Guess they had you young then," I pointed out.

"Dad was twenty-five, and mom about twenty when I was born. They are five years apart, met at one of my aunts, who mom went to school with one of my aunts and met dad while she was seventeen at the aunt's party that dad had to supervise. I believe my parents married once mom was eighteen and started trying right away, ended up with me a year later before she turned twenty," Hunter informed. "I've got cousins, obviously, aunts, uncles…But no siblings. I was close to Addilyn, Shane shared his older brother position with me, so Addi has always seen me as her brother,"

"That's nice, though. Family doesn't always have to be blood," I mentioned.

Hunter nodded. "Believe me, I know that…" He said calmly. "So, I know we're the same age from our chat at the restaurant…When is your birthday?"

"February 29th, 1996," I responded as Hunter stared at me, blinking a few times and I wondered briefly why he'd give me such a look of disbelief.

"Seriously?" Hunter asked.

"Mmhm. February 29th, 1996, Nott Eyja Memorial Hospital at 5:35 am," I informed calmly.

Suddenly, Hunter grinned, sitting back some to sip from his cup. "Oh. Oh, this could be interesting indeed," He finally said as I arched a brow in confusion. "We're birthday buddies," He stated as my eyes widened. "My birthday is also February 29th, 1996. Born in Berkian General Hospital at 5:35 am," He chuckled.

"Wow, that is insane and awesome. I've never met anyone with the same birthday as me, let alone born at the same time!" I exclaimed.

"Right?" Hunter smiled. "I think you and I are going to end up great friends, Tray,"

"I think you're right about that, Hunter," I replied. Yes, I definitely felt more comfortable around Hunter, and knew we would be good friends as more time passed that we got to, hopefully, hang out and talk about our lives. I am beyond happy that I took Hunter's offer to come over tonight, and stayed after he had generously fixed my car for no payment at all. Well, I did kiss him on his offer to do so if I honestly wanted to give him something as payment for his mechanic services. Regardless, tonight has been amazing and I'm overjoyed that it wasn't going to be the only time Hunter and I got to spend together.