An Unbreakable Bond

Thirteen

Scott read through the procedure of the surgery, Mitch by his side. Kevin sat in front of him, flipping through some paper work. Mitch wanted the cochlear implant surgery more than anything in the world. Scott read through the surgery process, his heart beating fast.

"Are there any dangers?" Scott asked while signing, looking up at Kevin. Mitch smiled, hoping that Scott will agree to let him have the surgery. "There has to be."

"He has to be careful around static electricity," Kevin answered, putting away some papers. "Static electricity is possibly the biggest thing."

"Okay," Scott murmured, looking over the paper that explained the surgery. "Is the surgery complicated?"

"It's usually depends on how experienced the surgeon is," Kevin replied, smiling at Mitch. The teenager seemed to be getting more and more excited. "I have been doing this surgery for more than ten years."

Scott nodded, smiling weakly at Mitch. They two of them made amends after the whole Connie having an affair thing. They became closer in the end. Kevin then frowned, sighing deeply.

"There's also a chance that Mitch's facial movements on one side will be damaged, which is a big risk," Kevin pointed, sensing Scott's worry. "The patients I worked on never experienced that so we just have to hope for the best. Also, since this is a general anesthetic surgery, there will be a chance of infection. Because of my background experience, the chances of these risks happening to Mitchell are very minimal, but that does not mean they will not happen."

"Okay," Scott replied, his voice shaking. He took Mitch's hand, squeezing it lightly. Mitch began to look worried himself, afraid of the complications. "How long is the surgery?"

"The surgery itself will take two o four hours," Kevin informed the brothers, signing slowly. "After the surgery, Mitch will stay at the hospital until he recovers from the anesthesia. He is allowed to go home possibly the next day. Three weeks later, the implant will be activated."

"And he'll be able to hear again," Scott finished off, a lump growing in his throat. Kevin nodded as he gave him a tissue which he took gratefully. "This surgery won't restore his hearing entirely though, right?"

"I'm afraid not," Kevin replied, smiling sadly. Mitch nodded, looking at his lap. "Will you like to do the surgery?"

Scott looked at the paper and at Mitch, trying to figure out the best answer. Mitch will hear again but not entirely. The surgery is safe yet risky. One side of Mitch's facial nerves could be damaged forever and he could get an infection. He will be able to hear again though and that's all Scott wants.

Scott sighed, finally picking his answer. He squeezed Mitch's hand, smiling up at Kevin.

"Yes."

~~~

Kirstie looked over her script, sighing loudly. The play was short, maybe about an hour or so. The first act will be a half an hour while the second act will be about forty five minutes. She sighed to herself, looking over at Ariana.

I fell way too hard for her.

"Kirstie, the director wants you to go up stage with Ariana," one of the actresses spoke loudly, getting her attention. It was a five hour rehearsal today because the play was going to be happening in a few weeks. The director wanted everything to be perfect. "You guys are doing the part when she sings to you."

"Okay, thanks," Kirstie replied, standing up. She smoothed out her skirt and looked over at Ariana, smiling weakly. "Where do you we start?"

"How do you like it up here?" Ariana asked immediately, sitting down on a chair. Kirstie sighed as she crossed her arms, walking further away from Ariana. "You can't just not answer."

"Watch me," Kirstie demanded, almost walking off stage. She stopped when she heard Ariana humming to herself and turned around quickly. "We're you singing?"

"Of course. All angels do it," Ariana replied, patting the ground. Kirstie sat down next to her, looking at the younger girl.

"Will you sing for me?" Kirstie asked, looking at Ariana. The piano began to play and Ariana took a deep breath, getting ready to sing when the director yelled cut.

"Practice is over for today," she yelled out, standing up from her chair. She looked over at Kirstie, sighing deeply. "I need to talk to you, Kirstie."

Kirstie nodded as she stood up, hugging Ariana tightly. The two of them stayed in the embrace longer than usually, but they didn't mind. Ariana waved goodbye, leaving Kirstie with the director. The director sighed, shaking her head.

"You be careful with her, okay?" The director asked, her eyes full of seriousness. Kirstie nodded, not quite understanding. "It's not my place to tell you why. She will tell you later."

Kirstie nodded as she gathered her stuff, wondering why Ariana was so secretive. What was going on with her? It was a mystery she wanted to solve.

~~~

*My surgery is next week!*

*Mitch, that's amazing! I'm so happy for you!*

Alex was over because he wanted to see how everyone was doing. Scott honestly loved the company because no one really came over anymore. Well, besides the Olusolas.

"You look very happy," Alex commented, looking up at Scott. The younger male nodded, his smile contagious. "You haven't been this happy for a long time."

"Tell me about it," Scott replied, watching Mitch as he did his homework. "I'm pretty sure you hear what happened at Hanson's, right?"

"Yeah," Alex commented, his heart heavy for Mitch. No one should ever have to go through that. "I'm so sorry, Scott. I hope him and Travis are okay."

"They should be. Travis still works there. Mitch will stay there still even after the surgery," Scott informed his childhood friend. The doorbell then rang and Scott went over to answer if, smiling at the person in the other side. "Hey, Travis."

"Hey, could I talk to Mitch? It's important," Travis replied, tapping ha fingers on the door. Scott nodded, wondering why Travis seemed nervous. "It'll just be for a few seconds."

Scott nodded and went back into the house, tapping Mitch's shoulder. Mitch looked up, nodding up at Scott.

*Travis is here. He has something to say.* Scott told Mitch, smiling when his younger brother ran to the door and  closed it, not letting anyone hear the conversation. "Relationships."

"I know, right?" Alex asked, laughing at Scott rolling his eyes. He cleared his throat, rubbing he back of his neck. "Scott, I have something to ask you."

"What's up?" Scott asked, sitting down. He locked eyes with Alex, smiling softly. "You could tell me."

Alex told him by closing the gap between them, putting his lips on Scott's. Scott stiffened a bit but kissed back slowly. The two of them stayed there for a few more seconds and separated, refusing to look away from each other.

"Will you be my boyfriend?"

Scott was about to answer when the door opened and was slammed shut, revealing a crying Mitch. The teenager looked angry and quite scary because of the red tint of his face.

*Mitch, what happened?* Scott asked, standing up. Mitch's angry face disappeared as it crumpled into one of despair. He began to cry silently and Scott looked at him worriedly. *Mitch, what's wrong?*

Mitch took a deep breath, looking at the door. He allowed more tears to run down his face as he finally answered Scott's question.

*Travis and I are no longer dating, even after I graduate.*

*Why?!*

Mitch wiped his eyes, sobbing loudly now. He signed once more, his hands shaking.

*Travis isn't going to Hansen's anymore.*

A/N: Poor Mitch.:( Everything will get better with him, I promise. Do any of you knew what Ariana is hiding? P.M if you do. Whoever gets it right gets a shoutout in the next chapter.;) Anyways, I hope that you all enjoyed the chapter and remember that I love you all.:)

-Maddie🐧🐧🐧