[TD NoCo] Not So Hidden Desires

[13]Aftermath

A/N: Trigger Warning: Suicide/abusive parents

I tried making it subtle because I know it's a heavy subject.

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Cody and Trent were walking out of school together when they walked passed a café.

"Let's stop here a bit." Trent said.

Cody looked.

"You like the cakes here, right?"

"Yeah... I guess." Cody sighed.

They went inside.

"Go sit there, Cody. I'll order."

Cody went to sit at a random table that didn't have anyone.

He sat and then noticed a familiar notebook.

He looked around before opening it and sure enough, it was Noah's diary.

But... what was Noah's diary doing here? Without Noah?

Cody looked around to be sure.

Trent then walked over with their orders.

"You good?" Trent asked.

"No! This is Noah's diary!!"

"What? You just found it?"

"Yes. Do you think he's still here?"

"I'll go check the bathroom. Here's your cake."

Cody squinted a bit. Even if Noah was here, he probably wouldn't want to talk to him anyway. He sighed and opened the notebook.

After not long, Trent came back.

"He's not there. Looks like he forgot it here."

"Or he left it here..." Cody showed him the last entry.

Trent was beyond words. "What..."

"Oh, wait, I forgot you didn't know about all this..."

"Dude, Why'd you make me read that?? That's his private diary!"

"Sorry, I forgot you didn't know all this..."

"He really lived with you?"

"Yeah...."

"And... if you already knew that he loved you then why haven't you asked him out?"

"Because then he would know that I read his diary?" Cody said like it was obvious.

"This is so complicated..." Trent sighed. "But... what happened to him?"

"He... he seems to have a lot of problems... especially because of his parents..."

"Are they anything like your dad?" Trent wondered.

"I think, maybe... but at least my dad doesn't bother me if I avoid him... I don't think he can catch a break."

"That's awful..."

"We have to find him, right? This can only mean bad news!"

"We have to at least try." Trent agreed.

"Yeah... even if he doesn't want to talk to me anymore..." Cody sighed.

They left the café in search of Noah.

They walked around town a bit.

"I mean... he could be anywhere, right?" Cody asked.

"Yeah... we might not be able to find him."