Tom woke up to a 6:30 alarm.

Immediately wrong.

His eyes shot open.

Usually his alarm was set 30 minutes prior, to get ready and make breakfast.
He got used to having an hour of preparation.
So having half as much time-

No bueno.

He immediately stumbled out of bed, he looked to the mattress where he didnt see his red friend.

Where'd he go?

In a fit of panic, thinking he'd have to search outside in the cold, which, he was totally willing to do, Tom got dressed to leave.

Except, when he walked out his room, he could smell pancakes.

"Namki?" He called

"What are you doing up-"

It was not namki.

It was Tord.

Tom felt off, awkward.
Unwanted.

He looked to the kitchen island, red Roses sat there in a vase

They were wilting.

Far away from here, a life is lost.

Tom got a small flashback to the dream he had, but he waved it off quickly.

"Tord you didnt have to-"

"You should sleep more."

Tom harshened the grip on his arms. Staying to himself.

Cold.

There was no life in his voice.
It was
Cold.

The last thing Tom remembered being this cold was her hand

He shivered, pushing away the thought.

Just, something doesnt feel right.

Tord set a plate of banana pancakes down on the island, he grabbed his book bag and headed for the door.

The clink of the plate felt loud and piercing.

Tom looked at Tord as he opened the door.

"Arent you gonna-"

"Not hungry."

He hadn't once looked at Tom yet.

Tom felt his throat go dry.

"Why are you leaving so soon?"

Tom had hesitated with the question, feeling shut off, but, Tord answered.

"The kids wont get out their room if I'm here. Besides, they need to go to school."

And Tom couldn't argue against it. Because now the door was closed and Tord was gone.

"You could wait for me." He instead mumbled.

He felt anxious, letting Tord go off on his own.

He groaned. Took out his phone and quickly texted Namki.

Tom: Make sure the kids go to school, Tord left and i think something's wrong

Namki: alright, Make sure he doesnt get hurt. I'll be up and down in 5 minutes.

He sighed and looked at the plate of pancakes.

Tom ran out the door.

Eager to catch up to Tord, there isnt a second that everything is okay, what's up with that?

Someone has to be hurt,someone has to be different.

Why cant everyone just be happy?

Momma, are you sure that's possible?

Mhm.

But how?

It only takes one person to make the day better.

And who's that?

Thats you, my sunshine.

Tom pushed away the memories, no. Not now.

This isnt about you

It's about him.

Tom scurried down the sidewalks, past signs that told him not to run. This one driver that thankfully stopped in time to avoid hitting him.

He was being disorganized. Running like a mad man in a panic.

Eventually, he caught up to the boy.

He was just about to make it to the stop sign.

Edd and Matt giggled behind their hands, laughing at a bird that dropped its tortilla chip.

The chip broke into pieces. And when Matt tried to give it some of his granola bar instead, it perched itself on his head, trying to get the whole bar for itself.

Long story short, the bird is gone and Matt doesnt have breakfast.

Though, he still got a kick out of it.

Edd smiled when he could see his two best friends coming, for some reason, Tom is severely lagging behind.

His smile dropped when he saw Tord.

Matt's laugh no longer echoed in his ears.

The poor ginger was scared silent.

"Tord?" Edd spoke

For a second, the eyes darted his way, just enough to show that he was heard.

But obviously not cared about.

He kept walking.

Edd felt a pang of confused anger, when Tom came up, it was just as quick as an interaction as Tord's

"Somethings wrong with him and I dont know what to do." He had said.

Edd raised a hand, he was going to ask a question, but Tom ran off, realizing he was only putting himself farther behind.

Edd's hand dropped to his side.

Matt grabbed his arm.

"What's going on?" He whimpered.

The short green dressed teen sighed.

"I dont know."

He looked forward, and then turned to Matt. He smiled for him.

"I promise it'll get better, alright?"

Matt's face softened. He nodded. Content.

Tom pulled and tugged on tord, who showed no response.

"Tord what's wrong?" He said. Sounding confused and mostly, worried.

"Do you not like your eyes?"

"Did i say something to you?"

"Is this about the kids?"

"Please talk to me. "

Tom threw out his questions, but received no answers.

It was like talking to a wall.
No.
Not a wall
More like talking behind a glass panel.
Soundproof
You can be seen
But
You can't be heard.

Tom felt cold again.

The only warmth came from the paper bag of breakfast he gently rolled up and kept in his hand.

Tord wouldnt listen, anytime he tugged his sleeve, it slipped right through.

There came a point where Tom tried to grab his hand, but it just slipped right out.

As if it was never touched.

That whole thing just made Tom feel sick, so he tried not to do that again.

Tom could see the school building becoming closer.

He shivered.

And he began to purposely lag behind.
Something told him.

Dont look.

But he did.

And he regretted every bit of it.

No regrets

Yet.

'Remember that, Tom?'

Tom could already see kids really start to back away.

If they were scared of his eyes, there was no preparing them for Tord's

Though, Tord walked by them like nothing happened.

Tom stood, several steps behind.
Kids left and right looking panicked, they began to just leave school.

This
Wasnt anywhere near good.

Tom stayed at a distance, following behind Tord, being able to catch the expressions of the kids that just saw him.

Unlike Tom's situation, these kids werent even whispering.

It was a dead, sharp. Silence.

Everyone felt a cold thorny vine creeping up their backs and entangling itself around their neck.

It felt cold. And hard. And so

Dead.

Students just started to blatantly leave. Just slowly, or extremely quick, make a walk to an escape route.

The air was thin and no one could breathe.

It felt acidic.

The air felt like poison.

They heard nothing yet a faint, sharp ringing pierced their ears.

Tom dreaded this, yet Tord didnt care.

The situation was so full of fear. And misunderstanding, and lacking so much communication.

Tom, once again, felt useless.

Like when the kids hid from Tord behind their door,
He felt useless.
Because Tord wasnt responding
And he couldnt make it better.

Tom walked the other way to his locker.

Tord didnt care.
He decided to leave behind setbacks, emotions in general, who needs them.

Who needs guilt right now? Not him.

He looked at his notebook.
On a new page, he wrote

Let go.

- self hate for lacking information of past.
- Tom's eyes.
- Hurting Tom by accident.
- messing up with Avery.
- sharpener blade

Tord cringed, how could you be a heartless person when you had to have your head cradled because someone threw a blade at your neck?

A sharpener blade.

To be fair, it was larger than usual,

To be real, that's weak.

If it was a cut anywhere else. Tord wouldnt have cared

But, if you know where to hit him

He'll fall.

He thought of how the cut was made to seem worse than it was

Honestly, they had to wrap a bandage where it wasnt necessary.

He never liked telling people his problems.

They made it seem like more of a big deal than it actually was.

Tord remembered that he was writing a list.

- Avery in general.
- Red eyes.
- the incident
- hospital=low self worth?
- sidney

He groaned at the list, seriously has to be the record for most shit gone wrong in the least amount of time possible.

All of this. He had to let go.

Just let it be.

Dont let it bother him anymore.

He closed his notebook and looked at his phone.

The little sun charm, when was the last time he remembered it?

Never.

It's always been there, but under appreciated.

It was cute, he had to admit.

But he never felt an actual reason to have it.

He preferred Tom's charm of the moon anyways.

All he currently heard, was the voice of his teacher.

Mrs.Sakaro, such a blessing.

A sweet little lady who swears like crazy but loves her students unconditionally.

She had said

"Hi Tord, I hope your alright!"

"I heard about what happened Friday. I'm sorry about it. "

"Love the eyes by the way!"

Tord couldn't help but smile

What a liar.

He knew she was atleast the slightest bit concerned.

Her words were true, but the attitude that accompanied them was certainly a bandaid to a stab wound

Useless and bleed through
Or
See through.

Minutes left in class, what to do.

He didnt know what he planned on doing, but right away. His priority was getting two girls out the way

Easy, and then everything will be okay.

Alright, fine. Think about something else then.

So he thought of Tom
And that's when it returned.

Guilt.

He mentally slapped his forehead, poor boy is worrying for him, hes been silent and he knows it.

Tom missed when he would hold tords hand to call him down, or just, hug him in general.

He liked making Tord feel better about anything.

And some part of himself liked it aswell.

He started smiling into his hands when he recalled the small flirting war they had.

He saw a whole new side of his friend, and a new side of himself.

Where had that gone?

His face settled back into calmness. It wasnt good to dwell on what you miss.

Tord felt ill for neglecting Tom in the morning, he didnt know what got into him to ignore Tom's words, actions and opinions.

He didnt mean to let go of him too.

Well, he didnt let go.
But he accidentally frayed the rope.

He decided to fix it.

Tom sat still. Silent, bored. Lunch was next, Tord stayed silent the first two mods, just doing his work.

Avery had smiled at him in first mod, despite everyone else's fearful glance at Tord.

She didnt seem to mind.

He noticed a girl with a tutu next to her. She seemed upset and confused.

She also seemed to be, glaring at someone.

Now, with a few minutes left in class, and the assignment finished, Avery walked over to talk to Tom.

Usually, Tord was the one who did that. He usually seemed eager to, aswell.

"You're quiet." She said, with a gentle approach.

"Can I sit?" She asked, with a gentle tilt of the head.

Tom nodded. Wasnt in much of a mood for conversation.

Avery smiled. She sat next to him.

"I hope you dont mind the French way of sitting. "

"I just dont want to be infront of you, y'know? "

"As if it's an interrogation. "

Tom gave a light smile.

"Where'd you learn that?" He said, interest peaking through.

She hummed, intertwining her hands and resting her chin on them.

"My dance teacher, though. I think it's the French way of eating ."

"I'm just guessing they normally sit the same way."

Tom hummed. "I guess you have to take a leap of faith with that assumption. "

Avery gave a knowing smile.

"Good one."

Tord still sat, contemplating. People around him were talking, but he really didnt care.

He could faintly here Tom's voice behind him, seemed casual.

He still wasnt sure what to do to just, talk to Tom.

Then he got an idea.

Dont talk to him.
Atleast, verbally.

Atleast

At first.

Tord reopened his notebook.

Erased everything on the list, felt better to not have them there.

He cut the page into several strips of paper.

He grabbed one and wrote a message.

Erase the painful memories.
Cut them off your life.
Rewrite them.
Reshape them
Into something beautiful.

Then,

Give it to someone else.

He looked at the little star in his hand.

He smiled.

He turned to flick it at Tom. Based on the teachers seating chart from day 1, he should be to the left of Jonas, who was behind him.

Instead, he was to the right of Avery.

His hand longed to crumple the star in his hand.

He shook away the thought.
No, dont cause a scene.
Kids already started to look at him in interest.

Just get it over with.

Tom felt something hit his nose.
On the space infront of him, was a paper star.

He felt afraid.
He didnt look up.

His hands slowly went to it, not wanting to unfold it.

Not wanting to take apart beauty just to find a message.

But.
What if the message is beautiful?

His finger found the little pocket with the end of the paper.

He unfolded the thing, gently.

Inside, was one word.

Bloop.

He looked up.

Tord smiled.

Tom saw the eyes glimmer again.

He smiled back, feeling a warm joy rush over him.

"Totally normal. "

The two stood at Tom's locker. Tord listening to Tom ramble about how much hes willing to skip AVID

"But you have Mr.Lacamore today. " Tord said .

Tom nodded. "I still wanna just switch out of AVID though."

Tom closed his locker gently, his hand rested on the door when he looked up at Tord.

"Are you gonna tell me why you were so distant in the morning?" He said, his voice gave off an impression that he was hurt.

Tord looked to the side.
He hadn't thought of an excuse.

'Your good at lying on the spot!'

' "tord, are you okay?" '

' "I'm fine"'-

'Let.'

'Go.'

Tom waited patently, he knew Tord was finding a way to say it without causing panic.

Finally. He got an answer.

"I felt sick." He said.

Tom's face turned immediately to confused concern.

"I wasnt in the mood for conversation, I didnt want to worry you by giving you even the slightest hint of how I felt."

'Empty.'

"Sick."

Tom stood silent for bit.

He looked up.

"Okay."

"Just, dont do that again. "

Tord felt the guilt tying his stomach into knots.

Now, he felt sick.

"I didnt like feeling cold." Tom said, looking away.

Tord put his hand on Tom's shoulder.

"The weather will only get colder." Tord started

"It'll leave, and return."

"But for now, let's make the best out of the cold." He ended, with a gentle tone.

Tom smiled at him.

"Fucking poet."

Tord smiled.

"Blue Bird."

Tom gently hummed. He scratched his wrist.

Tord simply looked at him. He tilted his head. A softened expression. He was fond of the boy infront of him.

"Arent you gonna go get your tech stuff?" Tom said.

"From your locker?"

Tord blinked out of his thoughts. he coughed into his hand.

"Yeah...You go to lunch though, so you dont have to wait longer to eat." He suggested, not wanting to have Tom wait for him.

Tom gave a questioning look. "Okay. " he hummed.

"Think of what you'll say to Edd though, I bet hes upset." He ended off with a smile, walking away.

Tord watched him wall off, and hugged his arms.

'What did I do to deserve him.'

He sighed. And walked off.

Upon opening his locker, a little slip of paper fluttered out from inside.

His attention was on it, he wasnt the type to just toss papers in his locker. He was organized.

He swapped out his notebooks quickly, closed the locker door and bent down to pick up the neatly folded square.

He unfolded it, a small piece of him felt as if it wasnt ment for him.

Did he confuse the slip for falling from his locker?

Finally, it was in his hands, a neat but obviously rushed hand writing was all over.

How do you even achieve that?

Must've been someone skilled
Someone with two faces.

Like the handwriting.

He read:

Dear Tord.

Mmm. No. When I say dear, it sounds like your dear to me, and, that's not really it.

So, Hello Tord.

You are probably confused right now, as to who is writing this, and you have every right to be, do not worry, you shall learn my identity rather soon.

Heres a hint

It's me, the caller.

I notified you of what occurred during your absence.

Must I say, you've returned with a new sight.

Red eyes huh?
I'm not surprised.

Anyways, I would like to simply give you a warning of my arrival (it's very soon by the way, like I stated earlier. ^_^)

So, please do not freak out when a stranger arrives at your door one day.

Hmmm.
It appears I have deceived you.

I am not a stranger
I, am your friend.

Or, am I?
You

...
It is difficult to explain.

But! You've trusted me before.
That is all I have to say

This time, I'll leave an initial, take a guess!

-M

Tord froze.
He gently breathed, trying to relax.

After several rereads, he simplified the letter

'Hey, I'm the mysterious caller. I wanna be friends, even though we're already friends. I know something. Also, my name starts with M. Please dont kill me when I visit probably next week.'

He sighed.
Decided not to panic.
He's trusted this person before, right?

But what if that's a lie?

He sighed. Refolding the letter and slipping it in his pocket to go meet with the others.

He walked into the lunchroom, unfortunately being the center of attention. He shouldnt be surprised.

He noticed Laddi talking with Matt, smiling. Edd was talking to Tom.

'They function without you, y'know.'

'Let go.'

'Who the fuck asked for another problem?'

'Wasnt me.'

'I know, I'm used to bullshit.'

'But, let go.'

He pinched his wrist.

He walked over. Edd's head raised, and then he frowned.

Tord sat down, awkwardly.

Matt gave a scared pout.
Edd looked unamused
Tom looked like he didnt care, though, he really cared. A lot.

Laddi could feel something off about the situation. She got up and left.

Edd said one word.

"Spill "

Tord swallowed air sheepishly. He shouldnt have because it caused him to cough again. He guiltily intertwined his hands together.

"I'm sorry." He mumbled.

Edd raised an eyebrow.

"I was just, a bit panicked. And I didnt want to say how I was feeling..." Tord said, the lies slipping out his mouth easily.

'Your great at lying.'

'You already said that.'

'This is getting old.'

'Let go.'

Tord snapped back to his words.

"I, didnt want to say anything at all, actually. "

He rested his hands on the table

"In short, I'm sorry ."

Tord looked at Edd, waiting for a response.

Edd stayed with a single expression of contemplation.

"Rule 2."

Tord groaned.

"Say it Larison. "

He pouted, and very sluggishly, said:

"Dont hide things from the group."

Edd nodded.

"Another rebellion like that and I'll rename you sunshine lolipops in the group chat." Edd said, with a faked serious expression.

Tord knew he was joking, and if he was joking, he was okay with it.

"I am quivering in my boots." Tord said, smiling.

Matt frowned, he looked under the table, then back at Tord.

"But your not wearing boots?" The ginger said, confused.

Tord smiled.

"Well arent you observant. "

A little brown bag was pushed over to Tord. Who looked up, knowing it was from Tom.

"Eat." The boy said.

Tord shrugged, he listened.

Edd glanced at Tom.

"You've never made me lunch." He mumbled.

"Its breakfast."

Edd put down his sandwich.

"Rule 5. share with all of us."

Tord broke in: "there is no rule 5."

"I dont even think theres a rule 4."

Edd frowned.

"Wait did I say the right rule number for not hiding things?" He asked.

"Errr." The red eyed teen said between clenched teeth.

"I dont know. "

"Dont really give a fuck, either." He added.

Matt slammed his hands on the table.

"There are rules?!?!?!" He screeched.

Edd gently put a hand on Matt's shoulder. And slowly pushed him down into his seat.

The lunch break ended with the four of them collectively going over the document Edd made about the rules.

Tom sat in his music class. Talking to connor, who was rambling about what it's like to have the most energetic girlfriend ever.

Eventually, Tom was called up to talk to the teacher. He simply told Connor that he suggested tiring out Laddi, and then proceeding with calm activities so that she does create a mess.

Though, deep down he knew, there was no hope, that girl barely got tired.

He chatted with Mr.Lacamore about the afterschool classes.

During that convo, it had occurred to him, he'd have to call Laddi to babysit more often.

In the end, there is hope for poor connor.

Tord yawned. Relatively bored in his tech class.

He was simply adding a different type of outlet to his crank lamp.

An outlet that could fit the smaller red bulb Tom got him.

It was really, just a smaller outlet. Nothing special.

He, once again, decided to focus on other things.

If he is letting go of his problems.

Then, theres one left he needs to solve.

Asha and Soke.

He smiled.
He got an idea.

After 4th mod, Tord ran to talk to Tom.

He told Tom his idea, Tom agreed to do it.

During 5th, Tord moved right next to Tom. Not letting avery have a chance. He could feel Nikkis eyes on him.

Whatever, they'll be gone soon.

Tord chuckled.

Their easy to let go of.

Aslong as Tom isnt attached.

He hoped that small conversation didnt form any bridges between Tom and her.

When school ended, they rushed to their lockers, and rushed home.

Edd watched the two run out through the front gate of the school.

He screamed "RULE 7, BASTARDS."

Matt had to hug the angry friend to get him to calm down.

"Its alright Edd." He said.

"I'm not even sure if I'm right about which rule separating the wall home was..." the short teen mumbled.

Matt separated from the hug, his hands resting on Edds shoulders.

"You're right about one thing though."

Edd looked up, pouting.

"What?"

The ginger smiled.
"Your promise!"

"Everything is alright. "

Tom quickly unlocked the door to the house. The two ran in.

"Hide in the closet!" Tom suggested.

Tord stopped dead in his tracks to stare at Tom.

It took a moment, but Tom felt his face redden.

"Not that closet!" He spat out in a flustered state.

Tord snickered and hid in the closet of the kids room, hopefully, it would work.

Tom waited paitently by the counter, sitting on the stool and looking through his phone.

In a matter of minutes, the kids got home, and Tom just had to say his name.

"Tord'll be back to get his stuff-"

The kids dashed right into Asha's room. The door slammed shut.

Tom stood up and smiled.

Asha locked her door and sat on her bed. Hugging her knees.

Soke remained looking at the door.

"Why do we hide?" He said, looking at his sister.

His ruffled dirty blonde hair was in disorganized tufts from running. He moved a few strands from.his face.

Asha knew she shouldnt be hiding from Tord, he was like a brother to her. Friendly, caring, and ironically, gentle.

She didnt know why she was scared. She just was.

And she was terrified when the closet door open.

Tord poked out his head.

"Yo."

Nobody moved at first.

At first.

Asha ran straight to her door, she unlocked it and opened it, only that, it only opened an inch.

Tom sat on the floor, out of Asha's range of sight. With a smile on his face as the rope tied between asha's doorknob and the bathrooms doorknob constantly vibrated and moved.

Asha gently closed the door after realizing it wouldnt open enough for her to get out.

She looked behind her, where she saw her brother gently patting Tords face between his hands, chanting:

"Red! Red! Red!"

Tord nodded.

"Its red. "

Soke smiled.

"Umquie."

Tord smiled back at him.

"Their umquie alright."

Asha felt a jolt of fear when Tord looked at her, soke repeating the mispronunciation of the word 'unique'

Tord didnt say anything. He simply patted the spot next to him.

Asha hesitated, but she eventually built up the courage to sit next to him.

That was all he asked her to do. He continued listening to Soke's story about a drawing he did in class.

Sometime during the moment, Tord felt her hand on his.

He looked at her. She appeared upset.

"What's wrong?" He said, opening up his arm for her to climb onto his lap with Soke, who was confused.

Asha stayed where she was, instead grabbing onto Tords arm and whining .

"I'm sorrry."

"I was scared of your eyes..."

"I didnt know what to do."

Tords heart practically shattered at the sound of the 8 year old on the brink of tears.

"Nonono-" he began to say, rushing the words out his mouth to prevent further tears. "Its okay its okay-"

"Nooooooo..." Asha whimpered.

Tord pulled the girl into his lap, just gently hugging her, with soke's added affection.

"Thomas-" Tord called

"You can come in now."

With the snip of scissors and the creak of the door, Tom walked in.

Tom smiled, glad that the kids reopened up to his friend. He sat down next to Tord.

"Can I join this penguin huddle?" He said.

Tord gave a light chuckle. "All birds welcome. "

And just like that, Tom found a spot with Soke on his lap and Tord's arm draped over his shoulder.

It felt
Warm.

As Asha began to calm down, Tom spoke.

"Y'know Asha..." he started.

"Tord was scared of his eyes too."

Asha hiccuped. "Really?"

Tom nodded. "So scared he couldnt even tell me how he felt."

Tord could feel the sting of guilt Tom was purposely emitting. He awkwardly laughed.

Tom mumbled to Asha:

"He was shaking in his nonexistent boots."

That got a giggle out of the girl, and for Tom, that's all he needed.

Tord didnt even care if Tom was telling Asha his excuse, because, in someway, it was true.

And he was, scared.
Even for little bit.

Scared to relive his grey eyes.
Scared to become self concious
Scared to be vulnerable
Scared to lose Tom.

But
He wouldnt lose Tom.
Because Tom, was right here.

Under his arm, whispering to a child about overcoming your fears.

If asha could, so could he.

He could let go.

"Thomas?" Tord said

"Tom. " Tom corrected. "Just Tom. No formalities. "

Tord smiled.

"Tom?"

"Yes?"

"Thank you."

Tord reorganized his belongings in his room, it felt nice to see everything.

After the moment in Ashas room, while Tord was collecting his things and the kids were preparing fruit to give to him,Tom had given him a slip of paper that was apparently from Edd.

He had pinned it in the center of the corkboard. The picture from the hospital, Asha and Soke with his and Tom's sweaters. Edd and Matt gooding off, Namki looking proud, and him and Tom,

Him and Tom.

He could remember them planning how to walk and avoid hitting into furniture

Making plans to avoid problems.

And Tord would always walk into things, always walk into a problem

But Tom,
Tom was there. Holding his hand, telling him where to go, and pulling him away from near collisons.

Tom was there to help him.

He made sure the photo would be on the board, during any moment, pining up a photo or note about Avery,Nikki, or someone else,

When he backed up to look at it all.

He wanted to remember why hes doing it.

And who are the people in the center.

Who this is all for.

He didnt want to forget what he had with them again.

No.

He should never, do that again.

Under the photo, a little piece of paper held the following words:

This is serious, we get it.
But it is no need to leave us behind
Remember what you felt with us?
Love.
So much of it.
Please dont forget.

Tord smiled.

Soon, a knock on his door came.
He didnt expect a visitor, well he did, but not for a week.

He got up, "just a minute!" He called. Putting red slippers on his feet. They were old, he never really wore them, but his parents bought them for him, and he really started to miss them.

He had been looking at the picture frame of his adoption from the couch. Just remembering the occasion.

But he felt the memory slipping, and a bigger question had interrupted his thoughts.

'Where are they?'

He didnt panic too much, they were army soldiers, he was sure they were okay.

When he opened the door, Laddi stood there.

Tord blinked, it was around 5PM, not unusual, but not normal either.

"Hi Lad." He said, opening the door further for her to enter. "Come in."

She gently strayed inside. Smiling at the very simple yet family like decoration, from family photos to obvious marks from childhood 'adventures '

"Nice home..." she said. "Very, home-y."

Tord chuckled. "I'm flattered."

"What's up?" He asked.

Laddi hummed, not sure how to string the right words.

She got an idea instead.

She reached out her phone, and tapped around.

Tord's phone began to ring, as an familiar unidentified number.

He started to slowly piece things together.

He looked at her.

"Answer it." She said.

He did so, and quite annoyingly, held up the phone to his ear dispite Laddi being right infront of him.

She coughed, and began to speak in a different voice.

"Howdy partner." She said.

The next few moments was Tord prancing around the couch as Laddi sat down, every time he made a lap around she would count it.

He was asking her questions, she was responding yes or no, or, giving a sentence answer.

"How did you know?"

"Its obvious you like him."

"Arent you weirded out?"

"No."

"Your not gonna snitch?"

"I'm your friend, why would i?"

Tord finally stopped, right by laddi's left. He slumped into the couch, confused.

"M?"

"Mai."

Tord frowned

"Mai?"

Laddi nodded. "Fake name. Abbreviation of 'Aim'."

Tord rubbed his neck with his right hand, still, confused.

Laddi sighed.

"I'll explain for you."

"Tord, you, like Tom."

He nodded.

"You've never really felt that way before about someone. "

Tord nodded.

"Hes your stability, he makes you happy, brings you peace. Therefore, you value him for being kind."

Another nod

"Therefore," she said, with a light cough. "You have 0 hesitation to do anything to keep him with you."

Tord shrugged.

Laddi smiled.

"That's where I come in."

"I'm here to help you."

Tord gazed at her.

"You'll help me?" He questioned

She nodded.

"You do know that I might kill someone, right?"

She nodded.

Tord stood back up and began to pace the couch again. "Oh my godddd." He mumbled into his hands.

"Tord, you are obviously unstable. " laddi started, approaching a new topic within the genre.

"You have emotional value, you know the weight of your actions," she sighed. Feeling tired but a bit excited.

"but you also, at times, have no emotion or remorse for the things you'll do for those you love."

"Someone has to make sure one side doesnt slip up at the wrong moment."

Tord felt safe knowing someone would have his back.

'Even murder requires help.'

"And if it does,-" laddi continued "someone has to be there to hide it."

"I just want you and Tom to have a happy ending."

Tord stopped in his tracks.

"What about the people I could hurt?" He said, questioning if Laddi knew what she would be getting into.

He really appreciated her help, really, but she was a good person, and he didn't want to ruin that.

"Its bound to happen. " laddi said.

"You know it, too."

Tord sat back down.

"But, are you sure you wanna risk yourself?" He said.

"Arent you sure about risking your relationship with Tom?" She responded, genuinely trying to reach Tord, she could tell, he trusted her, but he was confused and wasnt fully on board.

Laddi sighed, if she wanted to ensure his safety in his actions, she had to make sure he agreed, the only way to do that, was to make sure he thought she was safe.

She admired the sibling bond they had. Partners in crime

"Look, my job is to inform you on what's happening, and to give you what you need." She said, simplified, and safe. He should agree.

He did not.

Atleast,

at first.

"And you have time for all of that?" Tord said, with a stressed, questioning voice

"Someone has to do it." She shrugged.

"You can strengthen your bond with Tom, and I'll find out what you need to know without you having to risk anything" she said. Hoping to get to him.

"I've got nothing to lose."

"I'm one of the most reliable students out there, I can get most things. People trust me."

"I wont lose anything. "

"What about connor?" Tord asked.

Laddi hummed, a bit frustrated, but she could tell where he was coming from. "I love him with all my heart, I dedicate him to my weekends, and if I must, I'll make him tired so that he asks to rest."

"Sounds bad, but I really do love him." She said, with a fond smile.

"And you love Tom."

"I want what's best for both of you."

Tord sighed. She was correct, she wasnt putting herself in his direct shoes, wasnt doing something as bad as his literal actions.

And, he needed the help anyways.

He had never gotten this far.

"Itll be difficult," laddi said, still trying to reason with him. "but this could be well hidden for years on end."

"You say this like you've seen it all before." Tord chuckled, though he was honestly a bit shaken.

"your an expert in the field. "

Laddi awkwardly laughed back, she herself found it odd and she was guilty of being well educated on the topic.

"There are records..." she said.

"Does this have anything to do with my eyes?" Tord asked, genuinely curious and longing for an explanation about his eyes too.

If Laddi knew so much, maybe she could tell him what hes been longing to know.

"Very much so." Laddi said, with a voice that seemed a bit enthusiastic to tell him about the nature of his eyes.

"I thought so..." Tord said, with a distant and distracted tone. He looked at her.

"y'know they really caused a lot. Their the reason I got hospitalized. "

"May I ask what happened?" Laddi tilted her head, interested. Hopefully she would remember to note what he says down. Would fill some holes in a previous study she was doing on someone.

"Everytime I thought of Avery or Nikki, anything hateful, they stung. Painfully." Tord said. A bit annoyed remembering the pain they caused.

"The awakening. " Laddi said with a knowing nod, that was her given title to that moment in the trait.

Tord shrugged "I guess."

"Your eyes, " laddi continued. "they come from one of your biological parents. Only one."

"The grey to red eyes trait is always the dominant trait. "

"Its the source of why you wont hesitate or flinch when you see blood." Laddi said, happily putting out all the information she learned.

"The lack of empathy, sympathy, genuine remorse or care for your actions. "

Laddi hummed. Knowing that that didnt really completely relate to Tord.

"Usually, with this trait, you would be completely emotionless, but, my guess is, your other parent must have had an emotional, or, chemical imbalance, some trait that passed through you and interfered with the red eye trait."

Tord sighed, sadly, that this loving, bright girl, would know such a thing, though, he managed to give a small smile.

"You know too much about this..." he said, sounding like a whimper.

"Do you know who your biological parents are?" Laddi asked, trying to connect ideas.

"The parents in the picture frames do not have red eyes."

"No. Neither of them are my biological parents." Tord sighed, he usually didnt blatantly say it, usually his dads said it for him.

"I'm adopted. I don't know."

"Ah, " laddi responded, backing out of unstable territory. "I'm sorry."

It was quiet, the gentle tick of a clock in the dining room could be heard.

Tord didn't like the silence, so he broke it.

"You know Tom told me once that he thought the eye colors were based off a tale"

Laddi gave a dumbfounded frown. "Why the fuck would a facial feature be based off a tale?"

Tord laughed.

"My thoughts exactly."

It was silent for another minute, until Laddi remembered.

"I brought you something. " she said, reaching for a small piece of paper in her pocket. She turned it over to the image side, and showed it to Tord.

It was a picture of Avery.

Tord felt a bit prepared. "I...have a place for that."

He stood up, and motioned Laddi to follow him.

He stood a few feet away from the board, laddi stood behind him.

"Impressive. " she said, a smile forming on her lips

Laddi stepped closer to the board. She was curious. She held up the little photo a few inches away from the board.

"Hows your aim?" She asked.

Tord backed up, he grabbed the knife that was on his dresser, when did he put it here? He didnt remember.

He felt a small pressure, not to get it right, but to not hurt laddi.

She trusted him.

And with one swift swing, the photo left Laddi's hand, and landed on the board.

When Laddi looked closer, she could see where the knife pierced the photo.

Right on the neck.

"Great aim for someone who's been having issues with his eyes recently." She said, a cheeky smile on her face.

She reached on the floor, and swapped out the knife for a push pin to hold the photo down.

She gave Tord the weapon. "You'll be needing this."

He took it, gingerly. And put it down.

"I have a feeling it will not only be Avery and Nikki that we'll have to deal.with." Laddi said, with an unamused expression, like she saw it coming

"Just text me the name, I'll bring the photo and information.

"Speaking of which," laddi hummed. "I have something on Nikki."

"Nikki isnt after Tom," Tord informed. " but she is in the way of things."

"well," Laddi said, with a sigh, she put one hand on her hip, the other, she used to hold her phone, reading off a calendar.

"tomorrow shes baking cupcakes for her friends. She'll be done before school ends, starting after lunch. "

"Do what you please with that information, I'm sure you already know."

She made her way out, walking and paitently waiting at the door with a smile.

Tord opened it and before she left, he said.

"Laddi,"

"Yes?"

The hug caught her off guard.

"Thank you. "

Laddi giggled back, being bright as she usually is.

"No problem, partner."

They separated and Laddi gave a final message.

"On Wednesday, let's hang out, I want you to practice gathering information in case i cant."

Tord nodded. "Got it."

"Call me Mai when we're working. You dont really need a fake name, it wouldnt really be any help."

"Agreed."

"Alright, bye Tord!" She chimed, walking off with a new kick in her step.

Tord smiled. He walked back into his house, he would make dinner, and then go to sleep.

When he checked his phone, he smiled. Looking at the now hanging cresent moon charm.

Before Tord left, him and Tom did a childish, yet, connecting thing.
They switched charms to match better.

Tord placed the little sun charm in Tom's hand.

"You are bright,you make people happy" he said.

Sunshine.

Tom smiled. He said the following as he gave Tord the little cresent, with pure, fond truth.

"You are mysterious, yet beautiful. "

Starlight .

In the end, both of these emit light.

And we need the light, to balance out this dark world.

====================================
Notea
I have to say this
Obviously, this book will involve sensitive violent topics that will include the sensitive topic of harm

This, should not be taken to real life scenarios.

Dont do anything I mention here, that's fucking dumb.

Like fr
Dont be stupid
Dont try to be cool and edgy and try to kill someone
You'll end up in jail.

Thank u

Anyways Fanart

I lost the username, please comment if this is yours, sorry, and thank you! I found these very cute.

I'm sorry the screenshots are shitty aswell, idk why I rushed with these, I think I had to do something and I didnt want to forget.

Also if yall are curious, which I'm pretty sure you arent,

This school year works differently than yours.

They have school during summer
But not during spring
And that explains why halfway through the school year, it's getting close to winter.

It starts at summer, goes to fall, and ends at winter, with the student cafe, as a last goodbye for students, and their 3 month break is over spring.

Kay?

I gave SaltyDeath some advice to pay attention to the little things in this book, it would be fair to tell you too.

AND
DID ANYONE PICK UP HOW TORD MADE A LIST
GET IT
L I S T
OLD TITLE HELLOOOO???????

Alright that's all
Long chapter
These are gonna happen more often
Cya,
Love ya
Thank you for reading and following the development of "For Him!"
Cya next chapter
===================================