Growing up

Secret revealed

*Chad POV*
This is gonna be a little weird and a bit hard for us to share.
"Ok so we're going to tell you how we have their numbers" I say
"Go ahead" Alan says
"When Alex was nine they were neighbors with the Busch family. The boys would stay at our house sometimes just because their parents were mad and they didn't want to listen to it. One day their dad found out they'd come to the house and threatened to call the cops on our parents for kidnapping. Alex would cry herself to sleep many nights and once the boys found out they gave us their numbers so we could talk with them without them coming over." I say
Alex continues, "one day their dad actually called the cops. They came over and arrested our parents. Chad was busy and couldn't stay with me so the boys came over and stayed. After a court ruling our parents were found not guilty but their dad was arrested. A couple weeks later their mom got leukemia. She fought it for a few months and it left. They didn't know how to pay for it so our parents lenses some money. She was fine but I would always have flashbacks of their dad yelling. I could hear him yell and it frightened me. I would talk to Chad and the boys but nothing never helped. Finally all three of them talked with me together and it helped. When I read through Gabby's journal she always wrote on this secret page that she had a crush on Kyle. She also had a pledge that said we couldn't say until a certain time. We took the pledge after she died." She cries.
"I got a call this morning from Kurt that their moms leukemia is back and she only has a few weeks to live" I finish
"We were really close with their family. We always thought of their mom as a second mom and we were her third and fourth children." Alex adds
"I'm so sorry. I now understand why you didn't tell us" Alan says
"That's really sad" Joey says
"Is there anything we can do" Caleb asks
"I'm not quite sure" I say
"This feels like our mom is still on earth and is now dying." Alex mumbles
"I know sis. I know it does" I say
"We should pray" Alan suggests
I nod and we all bow our heads. Alan prays.
Dear Lord,
Please be with the Busch boys as their mom has a few weeks to live. Please let everyone remember all the good things she did to help others out. Please be with Alex and Chad as it feels like their mom is dying. Help them encourage the boys and help then remember you are there and you will always be here.
Amen
We all echo his amen and then we just sit there for a bit. Alex lays her head on my shoulder. I wrap my arm around her. She starts to cry softly. I quietly sing let it go in her ear. Once I'm done she gives me a hug. I kiss the top of her head. This is probably harder on her then me because she would always fool around with them and she would be at their house a lot. I wipe the last few tears away with my thumb.
"Oh Alex Kyle wanted to know if you want to spend the night at his house tonight" I say
"Sure" she says
I can tell she doesn't really want to. It will bring back to many memories of the yelling and the fun with their mom.
"Alex you don't have to go if you don't want to" I say
"No I want to go I really do" she says
"Ok why don't you go call him" I say
She nods and walks off to call him. I turn to face the guys.
"she's taking this harder than me. She spent almost all day every day playing with them. Once she went for a ride with Kyle in his race car. I think that's why he's her favorite" I say
"We need to do something to cheer her up" Caleb says
"Yeah I know but I'm not sure what" I say
*Alex POV*
I walk off to call Kyle. I pull my phone out and call him. It's going to be good to hear his voice again.
K-hello
A-hey Kyle it's Alex
K- hey Alex how are you
A-I'm good. How are you and your brother
K-we're fine how are your parents
A-they died like a year ago
K-I'm so sorry to hear that
A-it's fine. Chad told me that you wanted me to sleepover at your house and hang
K-yeah do you want to
A-sure. What time will you pick me up
K-in about an hour or two
A-ok. So last night Joey, one of Chad's band mates, called me and asked if you or your brother would let him drive you race car and I told him no
K-did he really ask you?
A-yeah it was sort of funny because he then asked if Chad would call and I said that Chad wouldn't
K-tell Joey that he can follow us and we can make a stop at the track. I can give him a ride
A-okay see ya
K-see ya later Alex. Tell Alan hi
A-will do
I hang up and go back over to the guys.
"Alan, Kyle says hi" I say
"Oh so he remembers me" he says
"Of course he does" I say
I go over to Joey and tap him on the shoulder. I single for him to follow me. We go back over to where I was talking to Kyle.
"What do you want" he asks
"Well when I was talking to Kyle I told him about last night. He thought it was pretty funny" I say
"So I can drive" he asks
"No but if you follow when he picks me up he'll go to the track and give you a ride" I say
"Ooh fun" he says
"Yeah" I say
We go back over to the guys and sit down. I lay my head back down on Chad's shoulder.
"He's gonna get me in an hour" I say
"Okay sis. You okay" he asks
"I guess" I say
"You want to go home" he asks
"Not really" I say
"Why don't we hang out at my house" Joey says
"We'll be there right after we go home and Alex packs things for Kyle's" Chad says
"I have to take AJ to her dance class" Alan says
"I'll come" Caleb says
They go to Joey's, Alan leaves, and we head home. I send Kyle a text.
A-hanging at Joey's pick me up there. Do you need his address
K-nah I'm good
A-ok
I put my phone away. We get home and go inside. I go upstairs and put stuff in my green duffle bag. I go back downstairs and we head back out. We get to Joey's and go inside. Caleb and Joey are wrestling for some reason.
"What are you two doing" Chad asks
"Nothing" Joey says
"Joey won't let me play Mario kart" Caleb says
"I don't have it. I gave it to my cousins to borrow" Joey says
"What no how dare you" Caleb says
"Caleb you left your spare one in my car" Chad says
"Who buys a spare Mario kart" I ask
"Me of course" Caleb says
He goes out to Chad's car and gets it. He comes back in and turns it on.
"I'm not playing" I say
"Me neither" Chad says
"Whatever" Joey says
I go outside and Chad follows. I start working on my back handspring more. Chad comes to the grass and attempts to do a cartwheel.
"Nice try bub" I laugh
"Haha very funny I know. Do yours" he says
I do a no handed cartwheel. I go over to him and his mouth is hanging open.
"Chad if you don't close your mouth you'll become a frog" I say
"Really do you think I would fall for that" he asks
"No but I knew if I said it you would have a response and that would end up making you close your mouth" I say
"Smart" he says
"Yeah I know" I say
"And sassy" he says
"I learned from the best" I say
"Who" he asks
"You" I say
We sit in the grass and the other two head out. A while later Kyle pulls up.
"Bye bub" I say
"Bye sis. Be careful. I love you" he says
"Love you too" I say
I go and get in Kyle's car.
"Hey Kyle" I say
"Hey lil sis" he says
"You still remember big bro" I smile
"Of course I did and I will never forget" he says
He starts driving.
*Joey POV*
"Okay you two can leave now" I say
"I wanna stay" Caleb whines
"See Ya Later" Chad calls out
"Bye" I say
"Leave. I need to go somewhere" I say
"Ooh on a date" Caleb says
"1) man up 2) no 3) if it was a date you'd probably be the first one I tell" I say
"Then where are you going" he asks
"Somewhere where you can't come with" I say
"Ugh fine. Bye Joe" he says
He leaves and I go to my car. I catch up to Kyle and Alex and follow them to a track. We park in the parking lot and get out.
"Hey Kyle" I say
"Hey Joe bro how are you? it's been awhile" he says
"Wait you two know each other" Alex says
"Yeah. We grew up together. You grew up with him but we grew up together" I say
"And you never told me this before"she says
"Hey do you want my number" Kyle asks
"Sure. So how's Kurt doing" I ask
"Fine. He still thinks that I ate that cockroach" he says
"What that wasn't even a cockroach. It was a chocolates covered peanut" I say
"Yeah. Sometimes he's really stupid." he says
We talk a little more then head into the track. We go to a small garage type place and find his car.
*Joey POV*
Kyle and I get in his car then Alex gets in Kurt's car with Kurt. I guess he was waiting for us. We go out to the track. Kyle takes off slow and Kurt speeds off past us.
"Can you go any slower" I ask
"Yeah but I thought you wanted me to go fast" Kyle says
"Yeah I do now faster" I say
He goes faster and I think he was going to fast. We go around a few times then head back to the garage. He parks the race car and we get out. Kurt and Alex come in and he parks it. They get out and come over.
"Hey Kurt how's it goin" I say
"Hey Joe things are good and you" he says
"Great I'm in a band" I say
"Nice" he says
"Well Alex and I are heading out" Kyle says
"Ok see ya later bro" Kurt says
"See ya Kyle. Bye Alex I can pick you up tomorrow if you want" I say
"Ok how about 11:30" she says
"Ok see ya later" I say
I leave and go back to my house. I get back and go inside. I go to the living room and turn on the tv. My phone rings and I answer it.
J-what do you want Chad
C-why did you follow Alex and Kyle
J-how did you know
C-I followed you
J-I grew up with them. They loved a few houses down. Kyle gave me a ride in his race car and Kurt gave Alex a ride in his
C-how dare Kurt give Alex a ride. He told me that he would never take Alex for a ride in his
J-oh and I'm picking Alex up tomorrow
C-ok so are were you close with their mom
J-eh somewhat but I think Alex is bothered more by this then me and you
C-yeah I agree. Do you know how the brothers are handling this
J-they're fine. I should probably tell Donald because he was close with Kurt and also their mom
C-ok see ya later
I hang up and think about how I'm going to tell Donald. I decide I should just go to his place and tell him. I open the door to leave and he's standing there about to knock.
"Hey big bro I was just leaving to go to your house and talk to your house." I say
"Hey lil bro" he says
He comes in and we sit on the couch.
"What are you doing here" I ask
"To talk about something. What were you going to say" he asks
"I was going to let you know that Kyle and Kurt's mom have leukemia and only has a few weeks to live. What were you going to say" I tell him
"The same thing. I found out from mom. She's pretty upset about it. How are you doing" he says
"Fine you" I ask
"Good" he says
"Well Chad and Alex also know them and Chad's fine but I think Alex is taking it a little hard" I say
"That's too bad" he says
"Yeah. She's spending the night at Kyle's so hopefully that will help some" I say
"Yeah hopefully well see ya later" he says
He leaves and I turn the tv on and watch teen beach 2.
*Alex POV*
We get to Kyle's house and go inside. We get there and I realize something.
"Wait Kyle when you would tell me those stories from your childhood and your friend. Was that friend Joey" I ask
"Yeah we did some pretty weird and stupid things" he says
"Yeah I figured" I say
We head to the living room.
"What do you want to watch" he asks
"Don't care" I say
"Full house" he asks
"Sure" I say
He turns on full house. We watch it for a little bit. Then we go to the kitchen to make something for dinner.
"What are we going to have? I'm starving" I say
"I don't know I have chicken patties" he says
"Ooh yum" I say
"Okay we can have that" he says
We hear up some chicken patties and sit at the table. We eat food then go back to the living room. I'm still upset about their mom dying.
"I'm gonna go upstairs and call Chad" I say
"Is everything okay" he asks
"Yeah I just need to talk to Chad about something" I say
"Ok well I'm here if you need to talk." He says
I go upstairs and call Chad.
C-hey Alex is everything ok
A-yeah
C-then why did you call
A-just checking in
C-Alex I know that there's something wrong. Please just tell me instead of beating around the bush
A-ok Chad I don't know if I can take this any longer
C-are you starting to feel like you're losing mom all over again
A-yeah
C-Alex I know you are really close to their family. So am I and the Stamper family. We'll get through this together
A-yeah ok
C-Alex trust me. We will help each other
A-ok thanks bubby
C-no problem sis have fun and see you tomorrow
A-see you tomorrow
I hang up and put my phone in my pocket. I wipe my tears away and go downstairs. I sit back down on the couch.
"You okay" Kyle asks
"Yeah" I say
"You sure. I know there was a good reason you had to call Chad" he says
"It's just that your mom was like a second mom to me. Once my mom died yours felt like my only one. Now that she's about to die it seems like the events of my moms death are happening all over again" I cry
Kyle embraces me in a hug and I cry into his shoulder. He sits there and rubs my back. Once I'm done crying he lets go and I sit up.
"I'm going to head to sleep" I say
"Ok goodnight" he says
"Night" I say
I go upstairs to the guest room and lay down in bed. I lay there for a bit then I start dosing off.
*~*
I wake up the next morning to the smell of blueberry pancakes. I get changed and go downstairs. I head into the kitchen and sit at the table.
"Good morning" I say
"Good morning you hungry" he asks
"Yeah. You remembered my favorite type of pancakes" I say
"Yeah. I always made them for you if you didn't eat breakfast before we hung out" he says
"Two those were good days" I say
"Yerp they were" he says
He finishes the pancakes and we begin eating. After breakfast we go outside.
"So can you still do your front handspring" he asks
"Yeah can you still do your front flip" I ask
"Yeah do yours then I'll do mine" he says
I do my front handspring then he does his flip. I turn on some music and we have a competition. I do some front and back handsprings. He does a few handsprings and a back flip. By the time the music ends with the third song we hear clapping. I turn around and see Joey standing there.
"That was good" he says
"Thanks" I say
"Joey can you do anything" Kyle asks
"A headstand" he says
"Do it" I say
"No" Joey says
"Please" I beg
"Fine" he says
He does his headstand then we go inside. I go upstairs and grab my stuff then go back downstairs. I go over to Kyle and give him a hug.
"Bye bro thanks for having me over" I say
"No problem sis anytime." He says
Joey and I leave and go to his car. We get back to Chad's and go inside.
"Hey Chad" I say
"Hey Alex did you have fun" he asks hugging me
"Yerp" I say
"Good" he says
I go over to where the movies are and choose rio. I put it in and then lay on the couch.
*Chad POV*
"Alex why are you watching this it's weird" I say
"I like it and I'm watching it" I say
"Fine" I say
"See ya guys I'm gonna head out" Joey says
"Bye Joey" Alex calls
"Bye Alex" he says
"Bye Joe" I say
"See ya" he says
Joey leaves and I go over to the couch. I pick up Alex's feet and sit down. I put her feet on my lap. She starts shivering so I put a blanket on her. By the end of the movie she's fast asleep. Fallon comes in the living room with Chase. She hands he Chase then heads to the kitchen. She comes back with a bottle. I take the bottle and feed him. I give him back to Fallon and she burps him. I take the remote and change the channel to hallmark. Alex starts to stir in her sleep. I shake her lightly.
"Alex wake up" I say
She bolts up.
"Alex are you okay" I ask
She shakes her head then sits up. I scotch over so I'm next to her. She leans her head on my chest and cries.
"Alex what happened" I ask
"I w-was at t-the Busch's and their dad w-was yelling at their mom. I went inside to get something a-and he came over t-to me and started abusing me" she cries
"Alex did this ever really happen" I ask
"Once or twice" she says
"Did you ever tell anyone" I ask
She shakes her head and cries even more.
"Alex look at me. He can't hurt you anymore. I will protect you" I say
"I know you will Chad" she says
"Are you hungry" I ask
"No" she says
"You sure" I ask
"Yeah I'll eat later. I want to try to fall back to sleep" she says
"Ok" I say
I get up and she lays back down. I put the blanket over her and kiss the top of her head. I go into the kitchen.
"Is Alex ok" she asks
"Yeah she just has a nightmare" I say
"About what" she asks
"I'm going to have to start at the beginning of a long story" I say
"Well why don't you talk over dinner" she says
"Alright" I say
We sit down and I pray. We start to eat.
"Ok so when Alex was maybe 4 or 5 our parents moved. The people they moved in next to were the Busch's. Kurt and Kyle became best friends and older brothers to Alex. They would always play with her while our parents were at work. Their dad would yell a lot at their mom. The boys would go to our parents house when they were yelling because they didn't want to hear it. Alex just told me that once or twice she would get abused by their father if she walked into the house at a certain point. Well their father left and their mom got leukemia. They couldn't pay for all the bills so our parents helped pay for some. Just recently the leukemia came back and she only has a few weeks to live. Their mom was like a second mom to us. Also apparently Joey and Donald grew up with them so she was a second mom to them as well" I say
"Alex had a nightmare that their dad was abusing her" I say
"Poor girl. She goes through so much and all at a young age" Fallon says
"Yeah I want to halo her but I don't know how. I might just not go to the studio tomorrow and hag with her" I say
"Just let the guys know" she says
"Yeah I will" I say
"CHAD!" I hear Alex scream
I get up from the table and hurry into the living room. She's still asleep but she's trying to fight someone in her dream. I go over to her and try and shake her awake. She start to hit by arms. I sing runaway softly and she stops thrashing. I pick her up then sit down with her in my lap. I shake her lightly. She wakes up and sits up. She gives me a big hug.
"Alex what did you see" I ask
"Mrs. Busch get abused by their father and her coming lose to death because of the pain and how harsh his actions were" she says
"Alex this isn't good for you to be having nightmare this severe. There has to be a way that they might stop or I can help you out of them" I say
"I don't know but when they happen they seem like their happening in real life. All the details are precise" she says
"Alex I don't want you to try and go back to sleep right now. I want to try and figure something out." I say
"Ok" she says
"I'm going to Caleb's so I can talk to the guys. Do you think you'll be fine here with Fallon or do you want to come with?" I ask
"Can I come with" she asks
"Yeah let me text the guys and ask Caleb." I say
I pull out my phone.
Ch-hey I need to meet with you guys now about something. Can we so it at Caleb's
Ca-sure
A-I'm coming
J-I'll be there
I put my phone away.
"Fallon Alex and I are going to Caleb's so I can talk to the guys about something" I say
"Okay" she says
We go to the car and get in. I drive over to Caleb's. We get there and go inside. The other guys are already here. We join them in the living room.
"Guys I need help with something" I say