=Normal POV=
(October 7, 2018; Sunday-1:15 pm)
[Raven Point Park; The Cove]
Hayden seemed to freeze at the sound of a male voice behind him saying not to do it. By this, the male meant for Hayden not to shoot himself in the head. Hayden hadn't pulled the trigger, but he also didn't move from where he was on the ground. Hayden remained on his knees with the gun to the side of his head, and finger in place. Hayden couldn't see who called out to him, but that hardly mattered now that someone was here and could see what Hayden was about to do. Hayden wanted to end it, and now before this guy called in the cops. Odin only knows how bad it could become if that happened. For the moment, there was silence and Hayden contemplated his next move.
"Ju-Just…go away," Hayden forced out.
"I'm sorry, but I can't do that, my friend," the voice replied.
"I don't have any friends!" Hayden snapped quickly.
"Easy now, there's no need to do this," Hayden heard the man say.
"You don't know me, so don't presume to tell me what I do and don't need!" Hayden retorted.
"You're right, I don't know you. However, I am aware that deciding to have no life at all is not better than the one you have now," the man said, taking a step closer to Hayden.
"Don't come near me!" Hayden demanded as the stepping stopped.
"Come on, man. You don't want to do this," the male tried. At this point, Hayden was able to see the guy he'd been speaking with. Apparently, the man managed to get close enough to be on Hayden's right side now. Hayden glanced at him; short black hair and stunning green eyes. This figure appeared to stand two or so inches taller than Hayden, and but they had the same build.
"You don't know what I want! Go away. Leave me alone!" Hayden ordered.
"I can't leave; I know what you'll do, and there's no reason for you to do it," the man informed. "Why don't you lower the gun and we can talk about this?" he suggested.
"I don't want to talk!" Hayden yelled as the tears began to form once more. "I just…want to die. I don't have any friends anymore, I lost my job, my parents have lost all respect for me, they hate me, and think I'm a delinquent and expect me to pay rent to them within two weeks or they will kick me out," he cried softly.
"But that's no reason for you to end your life," the teenager said.
"I have nothing left," Hayden started shaking. "And it's just easier if I'm gone,"
"You're right," the man stated as Hayden flinched a little. "It would be easier, but since when is easier the right option?" Hayden cast his eyes to the ground. "In our lives, how often do we get stuck with the choice of doing something the easy way, or doing what's right? Like now, I'm faced with walking away, which would be easier, or staying to stop you. I've chosen to stay because it's the right thing to do. Life isn't supposed to be easy, and it's far from fair. However, we only get one life to live, so you can't waste it,"
"Nobody wants me around. Why should I stay where I'm not wanted?" Hayden asked.
"Because somewhere out there, someone does want you. Perhaps you just haven't met them yet," the man offered.
"I had everything. Good friends, a decent job, love and respect from my parents…and in just a few months; it was gone. And I didn't do anything to deserve this," Hayden cried. "I hate how this feels, and I don't want to be here anymore,"
"Giving up your life isn't going to make the pain you feel stop, my friend; it's only going to pass it to the next person in line," the man sighed.
"Nobody cares about me, so who is it supposed to hurt?" Hayden replied.
"It would hurt me," the man informed calmly as Hayden's eyes widened a little. "I saw you run off here after yelling at those people who I assume are ex-friends. I followed you because it looked like you needed a friend; someone to care. I stepped in because if you kill yourself, then how are we supposed to become friends?" Hayden wasn't expecting such a reveal of intention by this person he didn't even know. "It would hurt me to see someone who I feel is a great friend kill himself, so that's why I stopped you. Listen; I may not know you, but I'd like to if you let me. I can tell you don't want to do this. If you were going to kill yourself, then you would done it already,"
"I haven't done it because you're still here," Hayden muttered, sniffling.
"And I'm not planning on going anywhere, so you might as well put the gun down because you just said you won't do it while I'm here," the man remarked. "Come on; there's no reason to do this regardless of what you've told me. There is always another way to handle things. Committing suicide is not one of them. Set it down," Hayden hesitated, shaking slightly, but finally; he dropped his arm and the gun fell out of his hand to the ground as he cried a little. The man moved in front of him and kicked the gun away, then knelt before Hayden before drawing him in for a hug.
"Wh-What are you…doing?" Hayden inquired.
"You look like you needed a hug," the man replied.
"Okay, maybe I did," Hayden admitted. The male let go and offered a smile.
"I'm Troy," the man, Troy, introduced with a hand out. Hayden arched a brow at him. "Well, don't most people start getting to know one another by learning names?"
Hayden couldn't really argue that, and put his hand in Troy's to shake it. "Hay-Hayden," he said.
"Now, see? We're not strangers anymore," Troy laughed a little. "Come on, let's get you off the ground," he stood up and pulled Hayden with him, then the two walked over to a picnic table. Troy helped Hayden sit, then he sat beside him. "How old are you?"
"Eighteen," Hayden answered.
"Cool, so am I," Troy enlightened. "Why don't you tell me what's going on?"
"I did," Hayden sighed. "And why do you want to know? It's not your problem,"
"I'm trying to be your friend, Hayden. And when friends have problems, we do what we can to help them through," Troy explained.
"You just met me, though. Isn't this kind of stuff reserved for a best friend?" Hayden wondered.
"Well, as I'm your only friend right now, and I stopped you from killing yourself; I guess that makes me your best friend by default," Troy smiled at Hayden, putting a hand on his shoulder. "So, lay it on me. What's going on that is making you want to end your life?"
"I lost the friends I had, my job, my parents hate me, and I'm about to be homeless. I just don't see a point in continuing to live," Hayden stated sadly.
"Were those people you ran away from former friends?" Troy asked.
"Yeah. I've known them since Kindergarten, well, except two of them. I didn't meet Hailey or Drew until Sophomore Year. And one of my ex-friends is actually my cousin," Hayden said.
"What happened to end the friendship?" Troy questioned.
"My social media page got hacked, and I am still locked out. But the hacker obviously knows me and posted really mean things about my friends in my name," Hayden informed. "My friends wouldn't listen when I tried to tell them. So they all abandoned me,"
"I suppose that doesn't make them terrific friends then," Troy mentioned. "You've all known one another that long, and they would just walk away over one thing? Hayden, you don't need that kind of people around you if that's how quickly severed your friendship became. I know that it hurts, but do you think they deserve your friendship if that's how they reacted? Not giving you a chance to talk, or prove your innocence? Walking away like all the years you had together was nothing? That's messed up, Hayden,"
"I-I know, but still," Hayden looked away.
"Okay, so you lost people you considered real friends and you ended up with none. Well, you have me as a friend now. There's a reason to keep living because you wouldn't abandon your friends, right?" Troy asked as Hayden gave the nod to confirm. "Alright, what happened with the job?"
"Money was missing from my drawer all week. It started off as a couple bucks, then grew to over one hundred. I insisted that someone must have been ringing on my drawer; giving back the wrong change, or straight up stealing it. I asked the manager to check the cameras, but he refused, and fired me this morning," Hayden responded.
"That's easy enough to fix, Hayden. You could go higher on the chain of command to deal with the matter, or since there is possible theft involved; you could take it to the police," Troy suggested.
"Guess I never considered it because I'd been upset about getting terminated, and then things got worse getting home," Hayden shrugged.
"What happened at your house?" Troy inquired.
/Flashback; 11 am/
Hayden walked through the door to his parent's house to find them sitting on the couch together. "Hayden? What are you doing home?" Vivian Haddock, Hayden's mother asked in surprise to see him there.
"I-I lost my job," Hayden replied.
"Must have been that sarcastic mouthing off finally catching up with you," Spencer Haddock, Hayden's dad huffed.
"Money was missing from my register all week, but I didn't take it. I asked the manager to check the cameras, and he refused, then fired me," Hayden remarked, a little hurt at his father's assumption.
"Then perhaps you should be more responsible and double check the money you give back," Vivian sighed.
"I really don't need this right now," Hayden stated.
"Well, son, you're an adult now and it's high time that you act like one," Spencer stood up. "It's October, and you've apparently decided not to go to college to make something of your-," he continued.
"Uh, I planned to go once I had the money saved up to pay for it," Hayden interrupted.
"Hayden, don't cut your father off; it's disrespectful," Vivian got up to stand next to Spencer now.
"As I was saying; you're an adult, and it's time you started helping out around the house. Since you have no friends anymore, and no job, you can do chores. But you will look for a new job, and start paying rent; $200, and I expect that first payment in two weeks, then every month following until you get your own place or start going to college." Spencer demanded with his hands on his hips.
"You want me to pay $200 a month? I just lost my job!" Hayden protested.
"Which is why I said to find a new job. $200 is fair to cover your room, food, phone, hot water, and electricity used here," Spencer enlightened. "Just like an apartment, Hayden, if you don't pay, you will be evicted," Hayden's eyes widened.
"You'll kick me out if I can't pay by the 21st?" Hayden asked, shocked at the information.
"You don't live for free anywhere, Hayden. We gave you until you graduated High School, but now it's time to grow up," Vivian remarked.
"Work a real job, and manage your money to cover bills and a place to live. We're more than fair about this, and you owe us for the trouble you caused the past few months. Your mother's car-," he went on.
"That wasn't my fault!" Hayden argued.
"Getting arrested for gang involvement," Vivian began.
"Oh, my Gods! I wasn't in a gang; they started bullying me and I defended myself!" Hayden tried.
"And involving yourself with that girl and her boyfriend. Two instances were you had to be stopped by police. Thank Odin you weren't charged with anything," Spencer sighed.
Hayden threw his arms up in defeat, and frustration. "That's because I didn't DO ANYTHING WRONG!" Hayden yelled.
"Enough, boy. Your mother and I raised you right, and this is how you thank us? By becoming some kind of delinquent?" Spencer remarked as Hayden couldn't believe what he was hearing. "We were so proud, but now, we've lost all respect for you, Hayden. I hope one day you'll be that boy we raised, and become a man we can be proud to call our son,"
"But right now, we're very disappointed in you, and until you change your attitude and grow up; this is how things will be. You will pay rent, or you will get out. If you start going to college, we'll remove the rent so you can cover your schooling expenses," Vivian added. "Now, why don't you get to your bedroom, and start looking for a new place of employment,"
/End Flashback/
"And that's when I went to my room; eventually, I just realized that I'd lost everything and there was no point anymore. My parents made it clear they didn't want to see me unless I was giving them money. My ex-friends want nothing to do with me, and after losing my job, I didn't feel like arguing with the guy. I figured that maybe everyone would be better without me around. No more hate, or disappointment," Hayden closed his eyes. "I used to think that I found my purpose in life; being a loyal friend to the others, always ready to do whatever with them. I kept my grades up, worked hard. And now that's all gone, so I feel like I have no purpose anymore,"
"I understand that you want to get away from it all, Hayden, but there are other ways to do that without killing yourself." Troy offered. "Everyone has a purpose, my friend, but how will you find yours if you give up your life?" Hayden looked at him a little surprised, then Troy smiled at him. "This is your life, so live it your way. If you aren't happy with the way things are; change it. You're in control; you decide what happens. And here's something else too. Ready?"
"Okay?" Hayden replied.
"Don't ever think you have to give up your life because people don't want to be in it. Fuck them; those who truly care will never abandon you and always be willing to help," Troy gave Hayden a one-armed hug. "So you feel any better?"
"Actually, Troy; I really do. Thank you, and I'm sorry for snapping at you before," Hayden said bashfully.
"Don't sweat it, Hayden. We all need someone to talk some sense into us now and then," Troy smiled as Hayden tried to. "I'll take payment for my services in friendship, sound good to you?" he put his hand out.
"It's the best thing I've heard in three months, Troy. I'm happy to pay you, and it's definitely affordable too," Hayden put his hand to Troy's, and then they hugged. Hayden was still hurting from everything, Troy was right. Why should he care about everyone who didn't about him? Hayden wouldn't, and now, he had a new friend who had already proven he wanted to be in Hayden's life; there was no better feeling than having just one person be there for you.