Broken Strings

Chapter Eleven

"I'm fine really." Hayden croaks.

Yes croaks. As in he has a sore throat. As in, we are so totally screwed.

"Hayden shut up." I say from behind the doctor.

Hayden woke up with a sore throat this morning. The morning after my realisation. The Fault boys had slept in the room with us. The minute Hayden started croaking we all forced him into eternal silence.

"It is laryngitis. Though it is only a mild case. I'm putting you on voice rest for the next three days." The doctor says.

Hayden goes to talk again but I shush him. He looks at me with a worried look. Urging me to talk on his behalf.

"That isn't that bad Hayden. We only have the show tonight and then we've got a two day break. I'll just get Dad to cancel the interviews and the show."

Once I say about cancelling the show Hayden starts shaking his head widely.

"Where is his guardian?" The Doctor turns to me.

He is a middle aged man. Early forties I'd say. The sides of his hair are turning slightly grey. He is a kind man.

"I'm here." Dad sighs re-entering the room.

The Doctor nods at him and they step out of the room. Leaving Hayden and I behind. Sitting beside Hayden on the couch I place my head on his shoulder.

Forgetting that we hadn't talked in weeks. That this small movement would cause his body to stiffen. I don't move away though. I have missed him. As if reading my minds he leans his head on mine.

"We got to talk about last night." I say after a while.

Hayden shoves me off of him and throws me a glare. Getting the irony in my words I start to laugh.

"Ok maybe not talk. But we need to.. Em communicate about last night." Hayden's eyes widen obviously realising what I'm referring to. "I think I know. Hayden, do you like."

"So." Dad announces walking into the room.

Hayden seems to sigh with relief at the interruption. Maybe he isn't ready to tell me yet.

"The doctor has prescribed antibiotics that you will take Hayden." Dad gives Hayden a stern look. "Esther will you please make sure that the medication is taken and um properly."

Dad whispers the last word. I don't blame him. From the look on Hayden's face I'm sure he'd be mouthing of if he could. I can only imagine what he'd say.

'I don't need babysitting.'

'I can deal with a few pills.'

'I was just in a bad place then.'

The usual.

"Will do." I nod at Dad taking the bag from him.

"I'm going to go cancel tonights show." Dad takes out his phone.

Hayden jumps to his feet shaking his head. He takes out his phone and starts typing. Dad and I look at each other confused and then Hayden shows us the phone.

'I have an idea.'

"You want to do what?" Jayden asks.

"We are going to have a combined show this evening. You guys will do your set as usual, then Esther will come out and explain the situation. What's going to happen is that you'll play a couple songs but mainly just sit there chatting. We'll set up some questions and even get some tweets in. We are trying to hook up an iPad to a big screen for Hayden but it should work." Dad splurts out.