I'm A What?!

So Many Notifications

     Just as Tim was packing up to head back and get Gatlin, his phone pinged. He pulled it out and looked at the group chat. At first there was only one message, but before he even opened it, almost three more popped in. He heard another phone go off somewhere behind him as many times as his, but he didn't think anything of it as he quickly read the first message to see what was happening.

Wade: 911! What is this??? What's going on??? Why are Nate's parents being arrested???

     An article was attached from the local news channel. Tim clicked on it as he slung his bag onto his shoulder and headed for the exit, not realizing Asa was following him. It looked like it was just a small side story... the kind you would have to scroll almost to the bottom of the page to find, but it was extremely important to him.

"Friday, August 30th at two thirty pm, authorities were called into the Hillhole Hospital Testing Facility. It had been discovered that Mr. and Mrs. Hennisee, CEO and founders of Henn Corp, had been forcing their child to take a cocktail of illegal suppressants and steroids. The couple were immediately put into custody and are now awaiting trial for child abuse, owning illegal contraband, and tampering with medical files. The older siblings of the child in question do not seem to be involved in their parents' actions but are also under investigation. The child is now safe and is undergoing medical treatment for side effects from the substance. More on the story as it unfolds."

     Tim had stopped dead in the middle of the hallway. Nate... they were talking about Nate. That was why Tim had never seen any signs. His family had been forcing suppressants down his throat for who knows how long. And what side effects?

Jake: Has anyone seen Nate?

Jeff: What is his real classification?

Wade: I don't know. What's going to happen to the team? Can he still play if he's sick?

Tim: I'll let everyone know if I find out anything.

     "Everything alright?" A hand waved in front of Tim's face, and he jumped back. Asa was looking a bit concerned at him.

     "Y-yeah." He didn't know if he should tell Asa or just let him find out. Asa might be Nate's new Caregiver, but Tim was still his friend and didn't want to go sharing his secrets. Was this a secret still? Should he tell the guys either? What happened to Nate's phone? Did he have any of his possessions? Gatlin had only come in with the clothes on his back and whatever was left at the school. Was Nate the same way?

     On the other hand, he also didn't want to come out and tell the team that Nate was a Little. What if he wanted to try and keep it a secret just like Tim was keeping his own classification from them. There was just so much to think about and not much time before rumors would start spreading.

     Mr. Cake had everyone sitting quietly working on the rest of the first chapter in their books. Of course, Gat was working from a completely different book. Mr. Cake had given him his own set of math problems to work on.

     It was getting towards the end of class, and Gat set down his pencil to stretch. Out of the corner of his eye he saw that Nate had his head down. He stole a quick glance and noticed that Nate had his hands in his hair and was gripping it harder than he probably should have. Something was wrong. He looked up at Mr. Cake, but Mr. Cake was busy looking over some papers.