A/n: Not really sure how I feel about this one...

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Love lots, -AV

Dr. Fletcher finally returned. He didn't make eye contact with the boy but just took a seat in Mitch's desk chair. The man let out a heavy sigh before looking at Mitch.

"Mitch, I know want out of here but I cannot in good conscious let you leave today. I'm sorry."

Mitch's eyes filled with tears as he clung to his little cat stuffie. He couldn't leave and he felt as if he was going to be stuck here forever. The doctor sensed his distress and made his way over to the bed to comfort his patient. He spoke as he rubbed small circles on the boy's back.

"I'm sorry. But as your doctor I have to do what's best for your health."

"What's best for my health is to be able to see my boyfriend...to be at home."

"I know you feel that way Mitch but it's not true. You have to be able to eat in order to live and that's just not happening right now. Yes, your anxiety and depression are pretty much under control. But your weight... Mitch you're a good 40 pounds under where you should be for your height and age. I can't let you go until you start gaining."

"But how am I supposed to do that when I can't even keep food down... it's not my fault."

"That's why I'm keeping you. You have to retrain yourself to eat meals. Your body's been without it so long it's rejecting it. We're going to work on another plan and reevaluate you next week. How does that sound?"

Mitch just nodded his head. He didn't want to talk. He was heartbroken at the thought of being in this place another minute, much less another week.

"Well how does me giving you your visitor privileges sound?"

"Really?"

"Yes, I'll give your parents a call and let them know. You text your friends and tell them when visiting hours are. You've earned it. Whether you believe it or not you've made such progress over the past two weeks. You should be proud."

The doctor gave him one last smile before he exited the room.

Mitch immediately pulled out his phone to text his friends; all three of week promised to see him soon. Dr. Fletcher had excused him from group tonight so Mitch was content to lay in bed and read through Scott's letters until someone came to force feed him.

The following Wednesday was a big day for Mitch. At breakfast he had managed to eat two whole pancakes and a nibble of eggs and he didn't feel the need to rush to the trashcan. The nurses all praised him on the accomplishment, he was beaming with pride. The new meal plan Dr. Fletcher developed seemed to be working

That afternoon was also the first time he was going to be able to see his friends. He was thankful that Jeremy had volunteered to let Kevin ride with him and Kirstin. It was a good day so far.

He was sitting in his room reading "The Great Gatsby," the novel he was currently working on for English, when there was a knock at the door. Normally the nurses or Dr. Fletcher just opened the door and asked to enter, no knocking required. Mitch didn't feel like getting up from his comfy position on the couch so he called out for whoever to enter.

The three faces that walked in had the boy jumping from his place and running across the room to embrace them all. The three surrounded their friend in a circle as he let a few tears fall.

"I'm so happy you're all here!" he gasped out.

"We're happy to be here babe," Kirstie said as she pecked his cheek.

Jeremy followed his girlfriend's kissing the boy that was like his little brother on the forehead, "we've missed you Munchie."

"Same!" Kevin just tackled him in another bear hug.

The four gathered on Mitch's bed and chatted about life and what was going on at school. He was thankful they included as much as they knew about how Scott was managing.

Mitch was sure that another stitch had been added to his broken heart. Slowly, it was repairing itself with the help of his friends.

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Scott was doing better. Mitch still loved him and wasn't mad with him and that meant the world to the blonde. However, having no contact with his boyfriend other than letters was driving him completely mad. He had gotten updates from Kirstie and Jeremy when they visited, from Avi who got things from Kevin, and from the quartet who spoke to Mitch's parents often about the boy's progress. Still, he knew Mitch was good at keeping secrets and it worried him that the boy may not be doing as well as everyone says.

Scott knew that Mitch's evaluation didn't go well and that he was stuck in the hospital for at least another week. Although he knew that Mitch needed to be well before he was released, the thought of another week without his boyfriend made Scott sick to his stomach. He just wished there was a way to see him, hear his voice. He needed something to help him get through.

Even though he was devastated at the thought of not getting to see Mitch and it was screwing with his emotions, Scott fought hard to keep his head down and stay out of trouble. He knew he had a close call with the panic attack situation and didn't want something worse to happen. No way he was going to let himself ruin his chances of getting out of here in just over three months. Thankfully Avi felt the same way and helped the blonde steer clear of trouble.

Nothing had happened in over two weeks for him to be in trouble so he was a bit confused as to why the warden was opening their cell and escorting them both down the hallway to his office. Rashad didn't speak much as they walked, always maintaining a stoic, hard expression. He was the warden after all, he had an image to retain. However, once they were behind the closed door of his office, he let the facade drop as a smile grew on his face.

Scott and Avi exchanged looks, still completely clueless as to why the warden would call them both in. Though Rashad seemed to be in a good mood, neither boy spoke out of turn. Yes, Warden Johnson was dating Amber and seemed to take extra care of her kid and his friend, but the two still feared his wrath.

"I have a surprise. It's mostly for Scott but I figured I would let Avi come along for the ride."

"Ride? We're going somewhere?" Scott asked.

"Uhhh, no... figure of speech. But you are going to get to see someone."

Scott and Avi shared confused glance.

"I talked to Am and Mitch's parents. I'm allowing you to have a skype call with him this afternoon."

"Are you shitting me?!?"

"Language Hoying! But no I'm not. Kevin is there along with your friend Scott, ummm, Kristen and Jared?"

"Kirstin and Jeremy?"

"Yea, sorry. But they're setting it up now. They should be calling soon."

The warden turned the laptop that was sitting on his desk around to show the skype screen.

"You'll have about half an hour. I don't need to tell you this stays in this room, off the record."

Both boys answered with a jerk of the head and a mumbled "yessir." The two then sat back and stared at the screen waiting it to chime.