Chapter 1: The Teenager And The Pain
Thomas woke up from cold sweat. His sheets were soaked from his sweat. Thomas angrily grabs his pillow and throws it across his room hitting his wall. Thomas then looked at his clock and noticed it was 6:45. Thomas sighed as he got out of bed and changed his sheets before going to the bathroom and taking a shower. While letting the hot water run down on his body Thomas lightly cried thinking about his father. Dreams about his dad was the only way for Thomas to be close to him.
Bandit was a great father to his two children. He loved them so much as very excited to be a father when Thomas was born and then when Gracie was born.
Thomas had his fathers features while Gracie had their mothers. Thomas and Gracie were half Blue Heeler and Husky. Emily, their mother, was a purebred Husky with blue and brown eyes. Thomas had taken his mothers eyes. While his sister had taken two blue eyes. Bandit was everything to Thomas. He loved his dad and cherished everything they did together. Long walks, fishing, playing with toys when he was younger. And going to the movies every Friday along with his sister. All of that was gone three years ago.
Bandit was an archaeologist and would take business trips from time to time. Unfortunately there was one trip that would be Bandit's last. There was a plane crash overseas and Bandit was on that plane. Thomas was fourteen at the time and Gracie was four at the time. After Thomas had taken his shower he looked in the mirror and took a deep breath. Thomas's ears perked up hearing his sister and mother were up. Thomas sighed as he put on deodorant and cologne. Thomas then exits the bathroom and heads downstairs. Emily was making breakfast while Gracie was coloring.
"Gracie, what do you want on your eggs, honey?" Emily asked as she held two eggs in her hand. "Can I have Cheese with them?" Gracie asked her mother as she looked up from her coloring book. "Of course, coming right up!" Emily replied as she cracked the eggs into the pan, "Mama?" Gracie asked, putting her blue crayon down inside her coloring book. "Yes sweetheart?" Emily asked as she turned and looked at her daughter with a warm smile. "Do you think Thomas will ever be okay?" Gracie asked with her ears folding back as she asked her question.
Emily then lost her smile knowing what her daughter meant. "About daddy?" Emily asked her daughter. "Well... yeah." Gracie replied, nodding her head softly, "So... do you think Thomas will be okay?" She asked again, "Because I'm worried about him." Gracie added. "I believe he will," Emily said with a nod. "It's just taking him just a little longer to grieve," Emily explained, bringing back her warm smile. Thomas then walked into the kitchen and sat down at the island. "Good morning honey, do you want some breakfast?" Emily asked her son.
"Not really, mom..." Thomas replied as he rested his elbow on the counter while resting his head on the palm of his hand. "You should eat something sweetheart," Emily said while cooking. "I... I appreciate it mom, but... I can't..." Thomas replied with a sigh as he lowered his head onto the table.
"Okay... you promise to eat at lunch?" Emily asked as she finished cooking. "Yeah, I promise," Thomas said as he sat up. "Oh and don't forget you have an appointment with Matt after school," Emily said reminding her son. Thomas rolled his eyes. "What's seeing dad's best friend going to do for me?" Thomas asked as he crossed his arms. "Well, he's a family friend you've known him since you were born and it's good to talk about your feelings," Emily explained. "Whatever," Thomas said in a low tone.
"Thomas?" Gracie chimed in as she climbed down off of her stool and walked over to her older brother before placing a hand on his leg. "What?" Thomas asked as he looked at his sister. "I know you miss Daddy a lot, and you don't like to talk about him... but maybe Mama's right and talking to uncle Matt will help." Gracie replied as she looked up at her older sibling. Thomas looked into her eyes seeing her ice blue eyes
"Alright I'll give it a try," Thomas said before looking at his phone. "I got to go or I'll be late," Thomas said before he went to grab his backpack. "Hold on, I got your lunch!" Emily said as she grabbed a lunch bag and a thermos from the fridge before walking over and handing the Heeler-Husky the items. "Thanks mom," Thomas said as he took his lunch bag from his mother. "Of course honey, try to have a good day at school and don't be afraid to call me if something comes up." Emily replied, kissing Thomas on his cheek.
Thomas nodded before he left the house and went to his car to go to school.
"Okay, Gracie, you got to eat quickly so we can get to school on time." Emily said as she poured the cheesy scrambled eggs with onto a plate before placing the plate in front of her daughter. "Thanks mama," Gracie said as she went to eat her breakfast.
Later that day...
"Stop!" Shouted a security guard while chasing Thomas down the hall. Thomas ran as fast as he could right until he bumped into Matt and the principal of the school. Thomas fell to the ground and dropped his backpack that was full of spray paint. "Oh shit..." Thomas muttered as the security guard ran up and grabbed him by the back on his neck. "Got you slippery little..." The light brown furred Doberman said as he got Thomas to his feet before Matthew and Principal Hogan Australian Shepherd cleared their throats.
"Principle Hogan! Mr, Grey!" The Doberman said, surprised. "What's the meaning of this?" Hogan asked as he crossed his arms. "Our little street artist was tagging the side of the school. The security guard explained, looking down at Thomas. "Oh Thomas..." Mr. Grey sighed as he shook his head in disappointment. "Do you want to handle this Mr. Grey?" Principal Hogan asked as he looked at his colleague. "Yeah, I got this, Thomas my office," Mr Grey said. Thomas then stood up and grabbed his backpack. "I'll take that," The Security Guard said while taking Thomas's backpack.
Before Thomas could protest, Mr. Grey shot him a look that quickly shot down any ideas he had. The Heeler-Husky sighed before following Mr. Grey to his office. As they went to Matt's office, Thomas said down on the couch while Matt said down at his desk. "Now, what was that about?" Matt asked leaning forward. Thomas didn't look at him he just kept his eyes down. "Alright, should we call your mom?" Matt asked raising an eyebrow.
Thomas crossed his arms as he looked away from the authority figure that he sat across from. "Thomas, talk to me," Matt said softly. "There's nothing to talk about!" Thomas said finally snapping. "I think there is, and we can talk about it," Matt said, trying his best to reach his best friend's son. "What else is new? My dad is gone. My mom has got to take care of me and my little sister. I got all these expectations that I got to live up to..." Thomas replied as he began to explain everything that had been going on in his life ever since his and Gracie's father died.
"...So now I got all these responsibilities, and I got to figure out how to help my mom and take care of her and Gracie so she doesn't overwork herself..." Thomas said as his eyes began to well with tears, and he began to grow frustrated.
"...AND I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO!" He growled as he placed his hands over eyes and began to softly sob into them."That's a good place to start," Matt said as he stood up from his desk and walked over to Thomas. "I feel like a failure..." Thomas said as he sobbed, "I want to make my Dad proud and help my mom and sister..." Thomas added.
"Hey, you are, trust me," Matt said as he placed his hand on Thomas's shoulder. "You're just saying because you have to," Thomas said as he cried.
"No Thomas, I do care about you... you, your mom, and your sister. I know you're doing your best, and I know your dad would be very proud of you." Matt replied as he kneeled down to look his student in his eye. "Do you think he is?" Thomas asked. "Well... maybe not at this graffiti stunt. Was there a reason why you did it?" Matt asked with a raised eyebrow. "I was mad! I'm just angry all the time! It's his fault for going!" Thomas shouted.
"Ahh... I see. You're angry that your dad died." Matt replied as he began to puzzle everything together. "Why couldn't he just... stay home!" Thomas shouted again. "Thomas... you know your dad loved you, your sister, and your mom." Matt replied as he looked the Heeler-Husky in the eye, "And while... it was horrible what happened. He couldn't have known that his plane would've gone down and he wasn't alone." Matt explained. "Then... tell me... how do you feel about it? He was your best friend," Thomas said coldly.
"I miss him every day..." Matt replied as he leaned against his desk, "I miss how we used to talk about sports... American and Australian... our tastes in music, art, and many other things... the jokes we'd tell before having to explain to each other what they meant before sharing a laugh..." The Grey furred Heeler explained with a sigh before looking out the window.
"How did you meet him?" Thomas asked looking at Matt. Matt sighed before explaining. "We meet when we were kids... At this old house I was dared to go in because it was supposedly haunted," Matt asked looking down.
(Flashback)
"I dare you to go in!" A black and tan Shiba Inu said to Matt as he and some other dogs stood outside an old abandoned house. "I-I" Matt said not knowing what to say or do in this situation. "He's not gonna do it! He's a wuss!" Another kid replied with a chuckle. Matt looked down with his ears down and sniffed. "I'll go in with him," said a voice behind him. Matt and the other kids looked over to see a blue furred Heeler with a mullet. "You will?" Matt asked, looking at the blue heeler. "Sure, why not? I got nothing better to do." The Heeler kid replied with a shrug. "O-okay," Matt said, perking up.
The Heeler kid chuckled as he took Matt's hand before making their way towards the abandoned house. "T-thanks for coming w-what's your name?" Matt asked as they walked up to the house. "My name's Bandit. What's your name?" The Heeler kid replied as he went to grab the door knob. "Matthew, but I go by Matt," Matt said.
"Good to meet you mate." Bandit replied as he opened the door to the old house. "Good to meet you too Bandit," Matt said with a cheerful smile. "Are you ready to go in?" Bandit asked with a raised eyebrow. Matt nodded. "Ready!" Matt said with confidence while wagging his tail. Bandit chuckled just as the two proceeded to enter inside the house. The was old and dusty with some spider webs here and there as the two walked in. A slight breeze rushed through the house making the door close behind them.
Bandit and Matt both jumped in reaction as they quickly turned to look at the now closed door, "Heh, just the wind." Bandit replied with a chuckle. "Y-yeah," Matt replied with a light chuckle. "Come on, let's see what we can find." Bandit said as he began to walk further into the house. Matt nodded and followed Bandit. "So, how old are you?" Matt asked as they looked around. "Oh, I'm ten." Bandit replied as he and Matt crept slowly and quietly through the living room, "How about you, mate?" He asked the grey furred Heeler.
"Oh wow, my little brother Stripe is eight." Bandit replied as they walked into a small dining room. The room was covered in dust, cobwebs, and mold, indicating that no one had been in this house for a good long time.
"You have a little brother? That's cool, are you the oldest?" Matt asked while they looked around more. "Nah, that title goes to my older brother, Rad. I'm the middle child and well... my dad doesn't even remember my name sometimes..." Bandit replied with a small sigh. "Oh, I'm sorry about that," Matt said looking down. "Eh, don't worry about it. My dad and brothers are still cool." Bandit replied, shrugging his shoulders.
"That's good," Matt said with a smile. "Should we check the stairs?" Matt asked, "Yeah, good idea." Bandit replied as they began to make their way towards the stairs. "You know it's not so scary really," Matt said perking up more. "Yeah, that's how some horror movies start off..." Bandit replied with a smirk. Matt chuckled as they made it to the top of the stairs. They suddenly heard a noise come from one of the bedrooms. The two froze before they looked at each other, "What do you think that was?" Matt asked as Bandit listened for any sounds. "I-I don't know mate," Bandit said as he walked towards the bedroom. Bandit placed his hand on the door knob. Bandit then opened the door just as a small cat jumped out at him. "Ahh!" Bandit shouted as the cat jumped out at him.
The cat hissed before running deeper into the house, "Well, that proves this place isn't haunted. Let's go!" Matt said as he turned to leave. "Yeah that proves it," Bandit said laughing as he went after Matt. Matt also laughed as he and Bandit went back down stairs and went out the back. "Hey mate do you want to come to my house?" Bandit asked while looking at the grey Heeler. "Really? You want to go to your house?" Matt asked titling his head to the left. "Sure! You can meet my brothers!" Bandit said with a smile. Matt smiled at that. "Sure!" Matt said while wagging his tail. Bandit nodded as he then led the way to his house.
(End of Flashback)
"We've been best friends ever since" Matt said now looking back at Thomas. "Wow... I never knew that." Thomas replied as his ears folded back. "Now, the principal is going to call your mom, you knew that was coming," Matt said, sitting at his desk. Thomas sighed as he ran his hand through his hair. "Yeah, I know," Thomas said before sitting back on the couch.
"I... I'm really sorry for spraying graffiti, Mr. Grey..." he said as he looked up at his counselor. "I hate to do this Thomas but you'll have to spend some time after school cleaning it up and please promise me you won't do it again," Matt asked Thomas. "I promise Mr. Grey..." Thomas replied with sigh, "I just... I really miss my dad." He explained as he looked down at his feet. "I know you do," Matt said looking down. Suddenly there was a knock at Matt's office door. "That must be your mother..." Matt said as he got up to answer it.
"Tell me he didn't!" Emily said, looking at Matt. Thomas sunk into the couch trying to hide his humiliation. "Unfortunately, Miss Heeler... Thomas did." Matt replied with a disappointed sigh as Thomas sunk further behind the couch. "Matt schools over you don't have to be professional," Emily said before looking at her son. "You! What were you thinking?" Emily asked looking Thomas with a strict look. "I... I wasn't..." Thomas replied as he turned his head away, unable to look his mother in the eye.
Emily sighed. "Okay then hate the damage Matt?" Emily asked, looking at the grey Heeler. "Thomas will spend time after school cleaning it up, and he also promised that he won't ever do this again. Especially after the talk we just had, right Thomas?" Matt asked as he turned to his student, "Yes sir..." Thomas replied with a nod of his head. Emily sighed again. "Good, he'll start right now," Emily said . "What? Mom!" Thomas protested. "Right now," Emily said strictly. Thomas rolled his eyes and stood up and left the office. Emily pitched between her eyes. "Am I... doing the right thing?" Emily asked Matt.
"Obviously, yes. It's important that Thomas learns that these types of actions have dire consequences." Matt replied before he leaned in and whispered, "And besides, if Thomas gets this done now, he won't have to do it later." He said with a wink and a smile. Emily chuckled "let's go see what my little artist has done," Emily said as she shook her head. Matt nodded and followed outside. Thomas was then scrubbing the wall of which his masterpiece was displayed. Emily and Matt stood far back enough to get a look at what the blue furred Heeler-Husky had deviled the wall of the school with.
"I see where he gets his talent from," Matt said as he crossed his arms. "Yeah, just wished he used his powers for good," Emily said looking at the tribute to his father on the wall. "Trust me, I've seen worst things spray painted on the school. This one is innocent." Matt replied as him and Emily watched Thomas work. "It won't come off!" Thomas shouted. "There's some paint thinner!" Matt shouted back in reply. "Ugh!" Thomas gowned as he used some paint thinners. Matt chuckled. "Bandit would have loved the art, just... not on the school wall," Matt added. "I think so too..." Emily replied with a sigh, "Miss Heeler?" Matt asked as he turned to look at her.
"Yes Matt? And again you know schools over right?" Emily asked, looking at him with her eyebrow raised. "Oh sorry, force of habit." Matt replied with a chuckle as a blushed came over his cheeks, "Emily... don't you have a second child?" He asked with a raised eyebrow. "That I do as you know, she's with Stripe," Emily said looking down. "Matt, Gracie does miss her uncle Matt you know," Emily said looking at the grey Heeler. "I... I know. It's just... I didn't want to barge in or make things awkward." Matt explained as his ears folded back. "Thomas's misses you too, which is why I thought it was a great idea for him to talk to you after school," Emily said placing her hand on his shoulder.
"Only if Thomas wants to. I don't want to force him to do something that I haven't had to already, Emily." Matt replied with his ears folded back, "Hey, you're good for him. You've always have been," Emily said with a soft smile. "You really think so huh, Emily?" Matt asked with a small smile as he raised his eyebrow at the black and white furred Husky.
"I know so," Emily said with a smile. "Finally!" Thomas shouted as the paint was finally coming off the wall. Thomas grumbled while scrubbing the wall more. "Why don't you come over for dinner?" Emily asked as she looked at her husbands best friend. "Are you sure? I'd hate to intrude." Matt replied with a light chuckle. "Matt, your family, of course you can come over, Gracie will love it," Emily said with a smile.
"If I didn't know any better, I would think you were asking me out." Matt replied as he began to chuckle harder. What?!" Emily asked, laughing with a snort while blushing. It was then Matt burst into laughter upon hearing Emily snort before the two stood there laughing as Thomas continued to scrub the graffiti that he sprayed on the wall of his school. Thomas sighed and looked at his mother and Matt and watched them laugh. "What's so funny?" Thomas asked as he continued to scrub.
After about an hour of getting the paint off Matt then stopped the punishment. "Okay Thomas that's it for the day, tomorrow you'll continue," Matt called out to Thomas. Thomas sighed and backed away from his masterpiece. Emily then walked over to her son. "He would have loved it sweetheart," Emily said, placing her hand on his shoulder. "He'll never know about it," Thomas said as he walked away putting the cleaning supplies away. Emily sighed before she went over to Matt. "How does pizza sound?" Emily asked as she crossed her arms. "Sounds great! Meet you at your place?" Matt asked while raising an eyebrow. "Yeah, I'll go pick up Gracie and then we'll meet back at the house," Emily said with a smile.
Matt nodded before looking at Thomas who was walking over to his car. "See you tomorrow Thomas?" Matt asked. "Yeah, sure," Thomas replied as he got into his car and started it. "He'll be alright as long as he's talking to you," Emily said as she looked at Matt. Matt then looked at Emily with a small smile and nodded. Matt suddenly remembered all fun times he and Bandit had with Thomas when he was younger.
It used to always be like that, happiness around the Heeler house. Matt had held Thomas as a baby and even Gracie when she was a baby. "Alright I'll see you at the house," Emily said, breaking Matt out of his thoughts. "Uh, yeah! See you there!" Matt said as he started walking to his house. Emily then went to her car and then made her way towards Stripe's house.
Later...
"Uncle Matt!" Gracie shouted as she ran up to the grey Heeler. "Hey Gracie!" Matt said as he picked her up and started to tickle her. Gracie started laughing as Matt tickled her. "Uncle Matt stop!" Gracie said while laughing. Matt chuckled as he held her while walking into the kitchen. "Pizza is ready!" Emily said as she placed down the three pizzas and salad. "Where's Thomas?" Matt asked as he placed down Gracie. "In his room," Gracie said as she grabbed herself a plate. "You can go get him if you want Matt," Emily said, trying to encourage Matt to see him. "Yeah I'll go get him," Matt said as he started to make his way upstairs.
Thomas was in his room scrolling through social media seeing all praise he was getting from his art work at school. Suddenly there was a knock at the door. "Come in," Thomas said, thinking that it was his mother. Matt then opened the door and walked in. "Hey," Matt said with a light smile. "Oh, hey," Thomas said, sinking into his bed while going back onto his phone. "Dinners ready," Matt said while leaning against the door. "Okay," Thomas said while looking at his phone. Matt looked down before coming into the room and sitting at Thomas's computer desk. "Is there anything you want to talk about?" Matt asked while looking at Thomas.
"Jesus, are we in a Counseling session?" Thomas asked, looking at Matt. "No, but I just want to talk to you," Matt said, backing off a bit. Thomas looked down and wiped a tear from his eye. Matt then looked to the right and saw an old drawing that Thomas had made when he was six years old. "Hey I remember that," Matt said with a smile as he grabbed the drawing. "Yeah, and?" Thomas asked as he watched Matt grab it. "You were six, and you drew this because your dad and I bulit the treehouse in the backyard," Matt said with a chuckle. "Yeah," Thomas said looking down. "Don't still use the treehouse?" Matt asked, now looking at Thomas again.
"No, Gracie uses it now," Thomas said, not looking at Matt. "You used to say you were the king of world while being up there," Matt said again with a chuckle. "Yeah, I remember," Thomas said with a sniff. "I'm not trying hurt you, you know that I would never hurt you by being these memories up, but it's good to heal with them," Matt said as he moved closer to Thomas. Matt then placed his hand on Thomas's shoulder. "I get it," Thomas said with a sigh. Matt smiled at that, "Come on let's get the grub on," Matt said as he patted Thomas on his shoulder before the room. Thomas sighed before looking at his picture he made when he was younger. Thomas then forces himself off the bed and makes his way down for dinner.
Kodiowolf321 A/N: Hello everyone hope you all enjoyed this emotional start to a new story entitled "Too Close" here we have Thomas grieving the loss of his father along with Emily. His sister Gracie and Matt who was Bandit's best friend. This all came together in a dream I had so I'm hoping to do this justice for you. Alright guys hope to see you soon!
Loyalguard600 A/N: Hey everyone, I hope you all enjoyed this new story by Kodi. I was happy to help him work on this. Be sure to stay tuned for more and more upcoming chapters and future stories by Kodi and me!