A/N:

Hey there! First of all: Sorry for not updating for so long. I just didn't feel like writing, so I didn't. No other excuses.

The end of this story is very near, and will be posted as well, since I wrote it in one go. I hope you'll like this chapter!

Thanks to

- Phoenixofmyth

- Angryhenry

- Albino Stingray

- Krillo the Singing Mushroom

- Lily (Guest)

- BeliveInYourDreams

- reconghost5

- laloquita

for reviewing, and thanks to those who have followed/favored/read this story so far!

Disclaimer: I don't own anything.

Tiny things sometimes make the difference. Just hanging around with your friends, someone who loves you for who you are, not looking at what you've done or experienced in your past. I found that in the Hoffersons and Fred. True friends, and even though I've only known Astrid's parents for a while, I already thought of them as an aunt and uncle. After all I've been through, this is what I needed, this small thing, but at the same time so huge.

I stood in front of the school building, Astrid at my side, encouraging me to enter.

"Come on, it's only been a few days. It's not like you're going to be an outcast for missing a few days," she said, and she tried to softly push me in the right direction.

"Are you sure?" I asked softly. "What if someone found out and told everyone?" I said, voicing my fears. "I don't want all that pity, I don't want everyone thinking I'm a loser because I couldn't stand up against my father."

Astrid sighed, and a part of me felt sorry for her. This wasn't the first time I had asked that question, but even though Astrid, her parents and Fred were convinced that no-one would know and no-one would pity me, I still couldn't believe them. I was truly afraid of the whispers, of the stares that I was sure would follow me for the rest of my life.

"Okay, that's it, we're going in," Astrid said, and she grabbed me by my arm and dragged me towards the building.

"Astrid! Wait, what do you think you are doing?" I said, while I tried to get out of her grip. Part of me wanted to hate her for what she was doing, but another part of me, a bigger part, was thankful for this, knowing that I needed to do it.

Soon, we were in the main hall, and I couldn't help but slightly tense in anticipation. But after a few moments, I still didn't hear whispers. I didn't see anyone pointing at me, or laughing at me. Everyone was just minding their own business, probably not even aware that Astrid and I just entered the building.

"Come on, we have biology first," Astrid said, and she took me to her locker to get her books before going to my locker to do the same. Just as I closed the door of my locker, the first bell chimed, signaling that the students had to get to their classes. The halls got busier, now that everyone was walking to different classrooms, and the talking grew louder. Astrid held out her hand, and I gladly accepted.

When we finally arrived at the classroom we went out of the mass of people in the hall, and went to our seats. Fred, who was also taking biology, followed soon after, and smiled when he saw me.

"Hey," he said once he had plopped down in his seat. "How are you doing?" he asked.

I shrugged my shoulders. "Fine." I truly felt fine at the moment, now that I had school to distract me. It had been difficult to realize that my father was having problems, since he always seemed indestructible to me. But I also had much difficulty with accepting that these problems weren't my fault. Luckily, the Hoffersons were amazing help, and they didn't thought bad of me once when I was having another fit or was crying again about what happened. They said that it was all part of the process, and the fact that I apologized for the fits later on was one of the many reasons why they never gave up on me. They also said that it was okay to cry, because I had experienced much in such little time, from the accident to what was happening now, and something like that took time process.

"Great," Fred said with a smile. "So, are you looking forward to Friday?"

I first had no idea what Fred was talking about, but then a poster of the Talent Show, which was hanging next to the blackboard, caught my eye.

"Ehm, I don't know, actually," I said after a moment of thinking. "I mean, I've never done something like this before so…"

"I know you're going to do great!" Astrid chimed in. I blushed at the comment, since I knew I wasn't that good, something I'd told her many times before. But she always waved her hand, and said: "You know it's not nice to lie, don't you?" or something like that.

Before I could say anything, the teacher walked in right before the second bell chimed, signaling that classes had started, and that everyone who wasn't in the classroom yet was officially too late.

"Alright, today we're going to do something different…"

All too soon, it was Friday evening. I was pacing backstage, my nerves almost getting the better of me. I could hear the talking of all the people in the audience, and I could almost imagining them staring at me, scrutinizing my every move, even though I wasn't even on the stage.

Fred, Astrid and their parents were in the audience too. That made me even more nervous, since I really did not want to disappoint them. Having lived with Astrid's family for almost three weeks now made it feel like they were my family as well.

I looked at the clock, and saw that it was almost eight o'clock, almost time for the Talent Show to commence.

When I looked around, I could see more nervous students. Some girls were running through their dance moves one more time, another was doing vocal exercises softly, and another boy and girl were fine-tuning their violins, and they were only a few of the many participants.

"Welcome to the 27th Talent Show of Berk High!" the voice of the principal sounded, and an applause sounded as a response.

"We have many participants tonight, from singing to dancing, from stand-up comedy to acting, the students have a lot to show you tonight. I won't keep you waiting much longer, so put your hands together for Emily Smith!"

A girl who looked to be around fourteen years old walked nervously on the stage, her hands trembling slightly. Once she was out of my sight, the audience began to cheer even louder, as she was now on the main stage.

"So Emily, you get to be the first tonight. Are you nervous?" the principal asked, trying to break the ice a little.

"Yeah… a bit," I could hear Emily say in a soft voice.

"So, tell me, what are you going to do?"

"I'm going to sing Spider's Web from Katie Melua," Emily responded, sounding a little more confident now that she was getting used to be on the stage.

"Well, I think we can't wait to hear it, so good luck!" the principal said, and again the audience applauded.

Then, the music started, and after the intro Emily began to sang. It was truly magnificent, and I found myself listening to it with my eyes closed, completely immersed in the song.

Emily wasn't the only one who had a great act. I found myself laughing very much at the stand-up comedy act, and the violin-duet was absolutely amazing to listen to.

I watched as many more people walked up the stage and I realized what talented students there were in this school. I sure couldn't imagine myself the be among those kids.

It seemed as if only a few minutes had passed when my name was announced. I walked up the stage, and was greeted by cheering and applause from the audience. Once I had reached the principal, I turned to face the public, but once I saw the lights, I was remembered by the lights of the red truck, and my breath caught in my throat.

"What does he think he's doing?" I heard my mom say, and I felt like I was trapped in the memory. A red truck was coming our way, swerving because of the slippery road. The driver had lost control.

My mom pushed the brakes, but we still slipped. The truck advanced, the lights of it getting brighter and brighter, and the last thing I heard was my mother screaming my name.

I shook my head slightly, trying to push the memory to the back of my mind. Luckily, it seemed like no-one noticed me spacing out for a while, and I guessed it was only for a very brief moment, even though it felt like minutes.

"Hayden, I don't think I have seen you on this stage before, am I right?"

I nodded. "Yes." I discretely wiped my clammy hands on my trousers, hating my nervousness. There is nothing to worry about, I kept reminding myself.

"And you're going to play the piano, aren't you?"

"Yes. I'm going to play a part of Debussy. Clair de Lune," I said.

"Well, let's give him a great applause! Good luck, Hayden!" The principal walked off the stage, and I sat down on the stool. I put my fingers on the right keys, and softly played the first notes. Once I had begun, I found myself completely immersed in the music, as if I was playing it by heart. I felt like I was alone, the spotlight marking my territory, and nothing else really mattered. I only played and played, feeling the music from within, and felt adrenaline rush through my veins every time I played a crescendo.

Before I knew it, I had played the last notes of the song, and I was pulled out of my mind by the cheering and the applauding of the audience. There were many people who even stood up, giving him a stand ovation. I couldn't help but grin, still feeling very excited.

I stood up, and gave one wave to the audience before I walked from the stage while the principal said: "Hayden Haddock, people!"

Now that my performance was over, I sat down on a chair, relieved that I had made it. I was still shaking slightly, but now it was of happiness instead of nerves. I truly did it! I couldn't believe it! And the reaction of the audience had given me a boost as well. I never thought that people would applaud that much for me. It left me speechless, and I was happy the principal didn't make a chat at the end of the act as well.

It was another half an hour before the last act finished, and then the jury had to decide who won. It was after ten minutes that the principal announced that the jury had made a decision, and suddenly everyone backstage shushed and listened intently to what the principal said next.

"On third place is…" she held a small pause before saying loudly: "Kevin Adams with his stand-up comedy act!"

Kevin, a boy who was in my history class, jumped in the air before running towards the stage.

"Well done, Kevin! Well done!" the principal said.

"And now, on second place is… Hayden Haddock!" I couldn't believe it. Second place! I never even intended to go for a prize, even though Fred and Astrid said that I'd definitely deserved one.

Remembering that I had to go on the stage again, I quickly made my way towards it. Again, I was greeted by cheering, and with a smile I accepted the trophy the principal gave me after shaking my hand. "Good job," he said, and I nodded before I went to stand next to Kevin.

"On first place is…" I had no idea who it was going to be. Everyone was so amazing!

"Emily Smith!" the principal stated loudly, and the audience erupted in cheers again. Emily darted on the stage, a beaming smile on her face, and she raised the trophy in the air once she got it, showing it to the audience.

I was truly happy for Emily, she deserved it.

"Well everyone, that was it for this years Talent Show. We hope to see you all again for the 28th edition next year!"

The audience clapped again while we made our way backstage. Once there, I was caught of guard when Astrid ran up to me and hugged me tight.

"I knew you could do it! I'm so proud!" she said, and after one more squeeze, she let go. Fred, who had followed her, put his arm around my shoulders, a proud smile featuring his face. "You did great!" he said happily, and then made room for Astrid's parents to congratulate my. Like her daughter, Lisa Hofferson hugged me tight, while Evan Hofferson clapped me on my shoulder. I couldn't have felt more happier than then. Surrounded by friends and honorary family, all proud of him. It was something he had missed since the accident.

Lisa let go of me, and held me by both my upper arms softly.

"There's someone else for you here," she said, and smiled warmly.

I found myself wondering who that could be, but a single word gave me the answer:

"Son."