It was autumn. Time was spent again and Dave had thousands of moments where wishing he could see John was just too much for him to handle. Once he had come so close he could walk through the hospital lobby. It was in summer, near the end of August and the feeling of wanting to see his bespeckled friend was nagging at him, so he left his home and somehow ended up in front of the hospital. He was tempted to go inside, but when he looked up to the window of John's room, he saw the boy. He saw John sitting on the sill and staring out at the sky. Dave got scared. He got so scared that John would see him that he turned around and ran back as fast as he could.

But John wasn't an idiot. The few times he did try to visit the hospital, John had seen. The odd time Rose and Jade went to visit him, he gave them a message.

"Dave," Jade had said. "John says he can see you. He says if you're trying to be inconspicuous then you shouldn't come to the front of the building."

Dave was very embarrassed to say the least. But that was in summer and now it was autumn—October, to be specific and the decorations for Halloween were being put up around the town. The leaves were orange, yellow and red, falling from the trees and making huge piles that the neighbouring kids would jump into, screaming and laughing. Dave smiled when he saw them having so much bright, smiling faces reminded him of John.

It had been over 100 days since he'd last seen him. One hundred fucking days.

Oh, but he had sent letters occasionally. On days that he had all his confidence, he would write little letters to let John know that he did care, even if Dave thought he didn't want to see him.

"Hang the witch on the door," Rose pointed to the green faced witch sticking out of their Halloween box. It was the night before Halloween and their mother had told them to start decorating.

"Got it," he said, grabbing the witch out of the box and hanging it on the hook outside.

"I love witches!" a familiar giggle caused Dave to look back at the driveway. There Jade stood with her usual bright smile and big circular glasses. She was wearing pointed fluffy dog ears and a long hooded robe with striped stockings and bright red shoes.

"What are you supposed to be?" Dave chuckled.

"I'm a witch!" she skipped up to the two siblings. "Can't you tell?"

"What witch has dog ears?" Rose commented curiously.

"My witch," Jade grinned. "Anyway, Dave, I have another message for you. I was just at the hospital, so I'm sure you can imagine what it's about."

Dave sighed softly. He hated hospitals so, so much. "What's the message?"

"He says that he saw you yesterday again and it bugs him that all you do is stand outside. He wants you to come in," Jade said, inspecting the witch on the Lalonde-Strider's door.

"I know he does. You always tell me that, but I told you, I feel too bad about it," Dave said. "In any case, it's fine as it is now. I write to him and you give me his replies. That's fine."

"Not if you love someone it's not," Jade's voice was more serious now and Dave could swear he felt his heart stop. How did she know that? Jade smiled softly, "I can see it when he talks about you, Dave. The light in his eyes, the blush in his cheeks and that shy smile that appears when he mentions your name. He loves you."

Dave was frozen in space. He couldn't move.

Rose straightened up and looked at Dave. "She's right, you know. I can see it as well. He cares deeply about you and I know you must care about him too. So, go visit him, please, for both of your sakes."

Dave looked at her with widened eyes hidden behind dark shades. "You don't know what you're talking about…"

"Of course we do, Dave! We're girls!" Jade put her hands on her hips. "Don't tell us we don't know what we're talking about. You're being pathetic, you silly goose. Quit being lame and do what you have to do. Rose and I know what we're talking about. We've both experienced intense like for someone and I know you know the feeling." She seemed almost sad as she was giving him advice to move on and go for John, but Jade was a kind-hearted person and she wanted what was best for Dave. The love she had once felt for the teenager was still there, but it was calmer and more tolerable. She just wanted him to be happy.

Dave bit his lip, unsure of what to say. It was too late for visiting hours now, but maybe he should. Maybe he would. No, he couldn't. Could he?

"Promise me you'll go visit him one last time. At least do him that much. You owe it to him," Jade said. Dave knew he did. He knew that.

"We will go with you tomorrow morning," Rose said.

"Tomorrow morning?" Dave managed to squeak.

"Yes!" Jade pointed at him, "No objections."

So, morning came.

Rose was awake bright and early. It was Halloween, so she shuffled down to the grocery to buy some discount candy for the children. Their house was decorated all around with witches and wizards—mostly wizards and they had carved pumpkins when they went in late last night that were now sitting out on the steps. The tall tree in their front yard was shedding its leaves and the cool autumn air blew around the town. The neighborhood smelled like bonfires and it was a fantastic smell.

Dave was awake. He'd barely slept a tick last night because he was so nervous. He shoved on his favorite red sweater and checked his watch. It was nine in the morning. John's visiting hours were anywhere from now until evening.

He headed down the stairs; the smell of pancakes and bacon wafted around the house. Dave didn't realize he was drooling until Rose looked at him and let out a small laugh. "Hungry?" she said.

He wiped his mouth and nodded, "Yes, please."

She got out two plates and gave Dave two pancakes and four pieces of bacon. She set the maple syrup on the table and handed him a fork. "Enjoy," she smiled.

"Thanks, Rose," he said, almost immediately digging in. Rose's cooking… he loved it so much. After she'd come home from the hospital, he'd spent the month cooking for them, even though she insisted she could do it. He'd begun to like cooking so now they regulated. On Mondays, Rose cooked, one Tuesdays, Dave cooked and so on.

She sat down, joining him for breakfast. They ate in silence, only occasionally speaking up when they had something to say.

When they were done, Rose took the plates and utensils, putting them into the dishwasher. She turned to her brother and said, "Okay, Jade's waiting. Are you ready?"

"I guess," he mumbled. Rose grabbed his arm and headed out the door, locking it behind them. She left a note for their mother on the fridge just in case they weren't back by the time she woke up.

They walked next door and knocked on Jade's door. She answered seconds later, as if she was waiting for them right on the other side. "It's about time! Let's go, go, go!" she raised her arms up happily.

Dave wasn't sure this was the best idea there was, but he admitted he was excited. He may have been more anxious than he'd been since he could remember, but he was excited. Maybe this time he could make it inside the hospital without retreating because of anxiety.