Ripped and Stitched

22: The Dream

Hayden got in a lot of trouble when he stepped into his house. After dropping Alison off after their trip to California, Hayden was expecting to hear his parents yell. He was not expecting Brady to be this upset though.

Hayden had sent them a cryptic message that he would be back on Monday and left it at that. His mother and father looked relieved to see him back, he knew he had scared them.

"Oh Hayden," his mom said. "Where were you?" she asked.

She didn't seem mad. She just wanted answers.

"I told you, Mom. A friend and I went camping," he explained.

"Hayden, you are tanner than ever," his father pointed out.

"So, we camped somewhere sunny," Hayden said exasperatedly. "I have to go take a shower. I have some stuff to do."

His mother and father glanced at each other.

"All right, we're having family dinner tonight, be ready at six," his father said.

Hayden nodded. He left for his bedroom and was met by his brother blocking the bedroom door.

"Get out of my way, Brady," he said to his brother.

Brady glared at him. He signed something in ASL too fast for Hayden to understand. Hayden's ASL still needed work. Hayden caught only one word: Liar.

He just rolled his eyes and tried to push past his brother.

Brady shoved him back and signed something else. Again, Hayden only picked up on pieces.

Ali...Betrayal...Travel

"Can't you just speak already!" Hayden yelled exasperatedly.

Brady stared at him, he looked at Hayden like his older brother had shot him or something. He just shook his head at Hayden and walked away.

It was clear that Brady knew where Hayden had been, but it was also clear he wasn't going to tell anyone.

However, there was not much Hayden could do to please him. Alison had made it pretty clear that she didn't want anyone to know that they were together this past weekend.

Complications, she had pointed out. Lots of complications and Hayden full-heartedly agreed. They had decided to keep the kiss, and the whole trip, a secret from everyone else for now. Besides Hayden wasn't even sure what a steamy make out session and cute spoken words meant to a girl like Alison anyway.

***

Alison saw Brady sitting in their English class the next day and she had her first fight through sign language on Brady's side. She didn't know that Brady knew about California. Although in hindsight, she should have known better. Brady tended to read her better than most people these days. When he saw her, she saw just how much anger was behind his eyes.

"What's wrong?" she asked, trying to be casual.

Brady glared at her. He signed one word: Hayden.

Alison cringed. Yeah, he definitely knew.

"I'm sorry," she said quietly. "He offered to come with me when Kate bailed."

Brady angrily turned away from her and searched through his bag. He pulled out an envelope and slammed it down on the table. Alison looked over at the contents. It was a college acceptance letter for a transfer to NYU, for Hayden.

I heard him tell my mom he is going to say no, Brady signed to her with anger.

Alison knew what he was implying. That Hayden was staying here for her.