SilentandBroken

Mostly but it had to start from somewhere

Great start to a story that has much more to say. I have an inkling of where it might go but I hope I’m surprised .

I think they have history. Both have been there at the school for a few yrs I think

Absolutely. Nick has his own anxieties from trauma of some sort. I agree the med given is much less a mood stabilizer for him than a sedative, although it’s probably being used as such off label, meaning that the medication’s primary use is more of a mood stabilizer but the side effects from taking it make folks drowsy and so there is a secondary benefit there because quality sleep affects their ability to keep emotion regulation under control.

You’re welcome but to be honest it’s from a personal experience from Trauma, specifically c-PTSD. I was initially misdiagnosed as ADHD until more was learned about c-ptsd years later. Unfortunately I see myself in Jack because at that age, I behaved very similarly for what’s it’s appearing to be much the same reasons. A lack of love and affirmation and good social skills. That said, I do have a vague understanding of abnormal psychological behavior that I remember from my college days. The abuse affects the social skills, which affects his appearance to others. He’s got some disassociation tendencies there too when he’s cryptic and emotionless in his responses WHEN he responds to Nick. At first I was thinking he might’ve been what was called Aspberger’s syndrome. Now I think it’s just another type of autism on the spectrum. But I don’t think that’s Jack’s deal. He’s just got unresolved trauma and it is affecting his social life. The school isn’t equipped or trained to handle it. Mr. G however, sees what’s needed but as an adult he can only do so much. Pairing him with Nick is already showing to be a great move, the best move honestly, so long as Nick doesn’t screw it up more.

Absolutely on both points. Telling Jack he loved him started the trusting process so well…only to be undone once Jack learns Nick invited Noah to his house after Jack already warned Nick Noah is not a good person. Jack is only going to speak when he wants and he’s very economical in his words. He’s straight to the point. He’s not going to fill the silence to kill it or hear his own voice. Nick will realize that very soon. Perhaps in a very difficult way. By not being transparent with Jack, Nick might lose Jack’s trust and affections to Mark. Remember, Jack already outed Mark to Nick earlier.

It’s not ADHD. It’s trauma. Whether it’s more emotional than physical is to be determined. Often times inattentive behavior looks like straight ADHD but it’s more likely straight up anxiety. That vitriol Jack had for his mother was definitely harsh but came from somewhere deeply personal. Given is other manic behavior, and his desire to snuggle up to Nick in bed and the almost childlike way he does so, this boy has been deeply hurt emotionally and for a long time. This can appear to someone on the outside as immaturity.

Great start to a very compelling story imo. I love your character building. I really hope you pick this one back up with part two with a chance at states or higher with the boys on this team in the next level being modified (8th grade?) and on into high school as Grady and Brennan’s friendship blossom and perhaps maybe Grady can go out for swimming in the off season to be with Tom too. Then there’s David. Anyway, there’s so much potential yet to this story. You’ve invested 5 chapters . I just hope you haven’t lost interest.

I’d wager Brennan is feeling jealous and doesn’t know why, doesn’t understand. Time will help

Two chapters in and I’m really enjoying this story. I hope @LittleBuddhaTW you pick this story back up and finish it. Currently, it’s abandoned.

Bravo. Nicely done. Now let’s see an epilogue chapter where Natalie and her band bring Connor in and they do a summer concert series and Connor gets noticed by a big name.

Seems like Jack gave up for now at least

So Ryan owned up to his behavior with humility which scores well for him. But, I think, he scores better with the fact he didn’t try to explain his behavior right the and instead differed to one day. That’s a maturity I don’t think either boy has shown yet. He knew Connor was still sore and pissed about it. But, to Connor’s credit, he didn’t throw any barbs either. The 3 weeks apart was exactly what was needed. Whether or not they’ll get back together remains to be seen but I do think, from what we have seen so far, Ryan is right. Ben will be good for Connor.

Poor Conner. Doesn’t even know what to do much less recognize he’s doing everything exactly what he needs to do and nothing more.

Wow great start . It’s ironic I’m kind of in a dark depression like Cal so his mindset is kind of hitting close for me. I felt like Jonas didn’t quite recognize those markers from Cal. But he was a bit more insistent that the counselor. That woman totally mailed in her effort

Eh idk, having to pull up stake bc your son’s a dumb ass and throughly embarrassed the hell out of you so much you were asked to step down from your false sense of influence on the school board much less couldn’t even go to the grocery store in public where everyone knows what happened is pretty fitting. Kinda got ‘em where it counts if you ask me. Now they have to start over completely

And there it is. The first shot has hit the fan.

Ok I about lost it at the end of the chapter.. If Connor doesn’t let Ryan in, Ryan is going to force him to. Connor isn’t hiding shit. It’s obvious to all around him.

Maybe. He definitely lost control of his emotions obviously but I’m not sure it stemmed from anger. I might be a bit biased here but it looks like the results of a trauma response. Like he lost control of keeping his emotions under control. That’s a broad brush I know

Favorite part? Gee that’s tough. I don’t feel like there’s just one but for me honestly it’s Jonah’s growth

Jack comes off to me guarded as hell. It’s the why that’s the mystery. Im sure it’ll be revealed in time. That said, Nick might have is own idiosyncrasies some would find annoying, others highly attractive. It seemed to me that little ..something … Jack let slip when Nick left to go with Noah might show a hint of jealousy. Jealous of what is what the $64Million question is. Nick absolutely caught it. He needs to remember that. Because it showed again in the dining hall. Jack’s fake or real question came a lot faster than I expected given the lack of dialogue between him and Nick. But at least Nick had the courage to say Catcher is one of his favs, which is common ground between the two boys so that might be a great starting point. Noah, gives me the impression he’s going to be a much better friend to Nick that I think he’s expecting. Not a bad thing. Seems to me Nick and Noah have more in common and would be better friends whereas Nick and Jack are just opposite enough to be highly attracted to each other. Kudos to the author . Now Sir..MORE PLEASE 😂

Ok this kid speaks to me. Hooked already

Damn onions…

Bravo for both Travis and Dennis for making the moves they needed to to show their commitment to each other while terrified what it’ll mean. Lyle is going to be a big problem

I’m not entirely convinced Dennis outed himself to Owen. It was kind of left unsaid but at that same moment also quite obvious what could be construed as exactly that while leaving Dennis an out of plausible deniability if it were ever needed. And you know what? That’s ok. How ironic that it is Owen Dennis first quasi-told. I love how this story is coming full circle here. It’s great to see the characters mature into adulthood. In some instances, they’re more mature than the some of the adults in this story. Mainly Dennis parents and brother 😂. I agree, I think Travis going to the party is nuts but that’s also par for course for him. I think Dennis is going to keep him in line.