Aiden [Book Two]

12

By the very nature of mutism, car rides were always quiet with Nathan.

The brown-haired boy habitually claimed the passenger seat, especially when there were others in the car, to avoid being crushed and potentially injuring his delicate shoulder.

Typically Jago would fill the silence by talking about his day in the restaurant or by terribly singing along to whatever song was playing, making Nathan chuckle and wince in disgust, but today wasn't one of those days.

From the moment Nathan dropped his backpack in the footwell and climbed in, the older boy sensed an air about his friend that told him he wasn't feeling playful. Other than nodding when asked how he was, the brunette did not try to communicate with the elder.

He didn't smile in thanks when Jago ensured the seatbelt was secure and not resting too much on his shoulder. Nathan didn't make eye-contact at any point and just stared out of the passenger window the whole time, free hand clutching at the notebook on his lap.

That was new for the younger boy, who clearly wanted to talk about something.

Before Aiden's presence, Nathan was a closed book with his feelings and what bothered him until it all exploded outwards. He didn't know how to process his emotions when everything reminded him of being abandoned and neglected by his parents.

The accident that ruined most of the boy's teenage years resulted from being left home and getting lonely, the years of subsequent pain and lack of medical attention came from having no supportive parents, and losing Nathan's voice, came from trying to manage everything alone. He couldn't escape the constant emotional barrage, even with the support of his friends.

But as soon as Aiden came along, that closed off teenager began opening up and changing. Even in the first few hours of their meeting.

Jago hurt him in an accident, and normally, Nathan would shut down after something like that. He tried, but the bashful pink-haired boy pulled him out of that depression and sat by his side until things were lighter again. He bonded with Nathan like no other person could and showed him the love and affection he craved.

And then, when the family openly welcomed the brunette without hesitation, it offered him two parental figures that he had been rejecting throughout his life. He didn't want to get close to adults in case they disappeared too, but he had no choice with Aiden's parents.

They were always available and present for him, and that steadily opened Nathan back up to the world. To communicating.

Although Jago had only heard a couple of words in the last few months, he knew his friend used his voice with his boyfriend, and the years of silence were ending.

Nathan's new found will to communicate was the reason he didn't get straight out of the car when Jago pulled up in the school car park. Typically, he'd wave a hand in the driver's direction as he slung his bag out the door and left in a frosty mood, but that morning he stayed put, thumb scraping at the page's edge.

He was worked up about Aiden; that was obvious.

Jago knew his best friend well enough to know he would have to be the one to start the conversation.

The dark-haired boy reached over, lowering the music and catching Nathan's attention as he spoke.

"How's Aiden doing? It's been a while since I've seen him."

Glancing at Jago, Nathan chewed his lower lip as he opened his notebook, battling one-handed with the cover until he comfortably rested the book on his lap.

He's really anxious all the time and I don't know how to help. 

The older boy nodded in rue. It had been a few weeks since the group met at the pool, and the orange-haired boy wasn't engaging in the group chat anymore, so they hadn't spoken since then.