The Hidden Ones: Resurrection - 46. Another Half Baked Oliver Plan

---Oliver---

As I sat there and held my brother I couldn’t bring myself to even imagine the hell he’s seen. If the rumors are right Chris’ dad really went after him. At first I heard it was with a gun, then a knife and now a baseball bat. Whatever it was, it’s clear his dad was going for the kill. It’s clear that Teddy really never had a chance to save him. But that doesn’t matter to him. He’ll blame himself all the same.

That night I found myself tossing and turning. Sure, part of it was stress from almost finishing the album. But another part was, well, I don’t know. I just feel bad that Teddy’s in pain. I’ve never seen him like this. This, this, broken.

As I slowly made my way downstairs for breakfast I couldn’t help but overhear the conversation at the table.

“He’s still in bed?” My mom worriedly asked.

“Yeah.” Ryder sighed as they tried their hardest to keep their voices down. “I’ve never seen him like this. I don’t know what to do.”

There was a moment of silence as they both thought it over. “It’s okay.” Mom tried to comfort. “Last time, last time he just needed a few weeks.”

“Last time?” Ryder asked before a soft “Oh” escaped his lips. “So this is what he was like?”

“Yeah.” She conceded. “Nearly to a T.”

“How’d you guys put him back together?” Ryder investigated, desperate to find help for Teddy.

“Me and Harry, we tried to spend as much time with him as possible.” She replied, trying her hardest to recall. “He wouldn’t say much though. The only thing that would really pick him up was taking care of Oli.” She answered as my heart skipped a beat. “Other than that, Liz and Blake really did the heavy lifting.”

“I’ll call her later.” He sighed. “But now she has a baby and,”

“It’s okay Ryder.” Mom comforted once more. “He has you now. You’ll figure it out.”

“Yeah.” He agreed as I finally started to descend the stairs. They both grew silent as I entered the kitchen and started to pour a bowl of cereal. Ryder glanced to me then away as he grew lost in thought. He looks just as beaten as Teddy. As much as I want to put my faith in him, I can’t.

He doesn’t know what he’s doing. I picked Teddy back up once when I was a baby and I didn’t even know it! I can totally do it again!

“What are you planning?” Mom grilled, seeing the smirk spread across my face.

“Nothing.” I shrugged, quickly hiding my smile and looking down.

“You can’t afford another detention man.” Ryder groaned. “We really need you in the studio.”

“Oh.” I exhaled. “I was, I was hoping I could go to Marks after school.” I lied, drawing my mom’s attention. “I haven’t really gotten to spend a lot of time with him lately.”

“I don’t know.” Ryder began, but the second he noticed my mom’s stare he eased off. “All night?” Ryder prodded.

“Just until like, before dinner.” I shrugged. “I’ll bike there and home, and be back for dinner. Then my dad can just drive me and I can put in a couple of hours.”

“I don’t like you biking anywhere alone.” Mom weighed in.

“Why?” I whined. “I do it over the summer, and remember our talk about giving me a chance to show how mature I am?”

“Yeah.” She sighed. “But one missed call and you’re grounded for a week, understood?”

“Yeah.” I nodded, as I slowly worked over my plan.

“Those two hours better be perfect.” Ryder warned. “We have three days left in the studio, and we really need you to record the pieces that are giving Tommy trouble.”

“You mean the pieces I wrote?” I asked, letting the smirk return to my face. “What’s the matter? I write something too advanced for him?”

Suddenly I felt my mom’s hand whack me across the head. “Don’t be arrogant. It’s not charming.”

“Sorry.” I grunted, immediately rubbing where her hand had connected.

As Ryder tried to stifle a laugh she turned to him. “Do you need a smack over the head too?” She cautioned in a serious gaze. “Because I’ve seen your interviews mister king of rock, and they weren’t very charming either.”

“I was on drugs.” He tried to defend but I could tell she wasn’t buying it.

“Sure you were.” She rolled her eyes. “Where did that sweet innocent boy in black go?”

“Right there.” Ryder teased, pointing to me.

“Sure.” She sarcastically dismissed. “He’s nothing like you were, he’s too, loud.”

“Ain’t that the truth.” Ryder began to laugh.

“Hey!” I yelped as I heard the bus pull up. “I’d like to remind you that you raised me Jill.” The second the name left my mouth I braced for impact.

“Absolutely not.” She reprimanded as her hand knocked across the side of my head again. “This is not funny.” She yelled as I began to giggle. “Oliver!” I couldn’t hold my laugher back as I weaved through the house and to the front door. “I’m not finished with you young man!”

“Love you!” I shouted back, running out the door and to the bus.

As I climbed on and turned back I saw a look I had never seen on her face before. It wasn’t anger or sadness. It was like she was thinking. Like she was reflecting back on how much I had grown. I couldn’t help but smile and give her a small wave as the door shut behind me.

“Mama’s boy.” Mark teased noticing the small display of affection. “What happened to your hair?” He asked, beginning to fix it as I sat down.

“Mama happened.” I giggled with a proud smile.

“She hit’s you?” He asked as concern began to drip into his face.

“No.” I couldn’t help but laugh. “Well not seriously.” I tried to explain. “Just like, like light slaps to the side of my head when I say something stupid.”

“What’d you say?” He asked with curious eyes.

“I called her by her first name.” I cackled with a grin.

“Dude.” He shook his head. “That’s sooo disrespectful.”

“I was just playing around.” I shrugged. “That’s how me and my mom are.”

“You drive her insane?” He asked in a sigh.

“Yup.” I nodded. “But she loves it. I can tell.”

He shot me a curious look as he heard my words. “When did you two become so close?”

“I don’t know.” I honestly shrugged. “Maybe like, during the Florida trip. I think my music and coming out helped.”

He nodded before thinking it over once more. “I want to come out to my dad.” He suddenly announced.

“Yeah?” I asked as my heart began to beat faster.

“Yeah.” He doubled down. “He told you he’s cool with it, and, and it’s always been just me and him my whole life.” I nodded as I thought over Mark’s situation. One day when we were in kindergarten his mom just up and left. He hasn’t even heard one word from her since.

“That’s kinda why I’ve been more open with it.” He shrugged. “Cause if he finds out, well I think he’ll be okay.”

“Good.” I proudly smiled. “Just tell me if I can help.”

He nodded his head but as Wendy jumped on the bus dropped it. “I need you to lie for me.” I suddenly began. “If anyone calls you I’m over.” I explained as the topic changed.

“Why?” He cautiously asked, looking from me to Wendy.

“Look at that, eight in the morning and already another half-baked Oliver plan.” She provoked. “Can’t wait to see how this one blows up.”

“It’s not going to blow up.” I rolled my eyes. “This doesn’t even involve you guys.”

“Kinda involves Mark.” She smirked, happy to see what trouble she could create.

“Butt out, this is boyfriend things.” I dismissed. “Besides, shouldn’t you be hitting on Sammy.”

She rolled her eyes but grew quiet. “Where are you actually going Oli?” Mark asked with a concerned look.

“Help my brother.” I quietly responded. “He just needs me right now, okay?”

“At the hos,”

“Okay?” I asked once more drawing nods from them both.

The school day moved on just as slow as every other day, yet something was weird about my class. An empty desk sat in the back corner, a marker of the missing kid. Just like yesterday every now and then one of Chris’ friends would break out into tears and needed to be escorted to guidance, or the class would grow quiet at a question we all know he would’ve answered. I barely knew him and yet even for me things felt, off.

“I heard his dad was on drugs.” A kid began as rumors flew.

“I heard he fed him rat poison.” Another speculated.

“No way,” A third defended. “It was definitely gun shots. I hear his funeral has to be closed casket because of it.”

Teachers tried their hardest to stop the rumors from spreading, but at the end of the day thirteen and fourteen year olds are going to talk. They’re going to conspire and wonder what happened. They’re going to try and put the pieces back together themselves.

*************************************************************************************

As I got off the bus I didn’t even step inside the house. I grabbed my bike from the garage and like a bat out of hell I was off on my adventure. It took some navigating and I think I took a few wrong turns, but as I finally pulled up to the small white house I took a deep breath and walked up the stone pathway.

I could hear the echo of a babies’ cry as I began to knock on the door and tried my hardest to brace for whatever hid behind it. “Oliver.” Blake greeted in surprise. “I uh, are you okay?”

“Yeah.” I nodded laying my bike against the side of their house and walking past Blake. “Can I talk to your wife?”

“Sure.” He skeptically answered. “Is this boy problems?”

“I live with two gay guys and my mom, and you think I came all the way here for boy problems?” I rolled my eyes.

“Alright then.” He dismissed heading into another room. “Liz, a very sassy Oliver is here for you.”

“I can hear you!” I called back.

“Good!” He replied as the crying finally began to fade.

After another moment or two Liz finally turned the corner and entered the room. “Hey.” She greeted, studying me closely. “What’s wrong?”

“Nothing, well, with me.” I clarified. “I just overheard my mom and Ryder talking this morning and she said you put my brother back together last time he was upset.”

“And you want me to come over again?”

“No, I just, I want to know how you did it.” I blushed. “I can do it myself. I just need to know how.”

“You came here just to help Teddy?” A soft smile grew on her face. “This is why we need a second child Blake! Look at how sweet siblings are.”

“Thanks for that Oliver!” Blake shouted from the other room.

“Sorry I just, please, how can I help him?” I pleaded, desperate for answers. I know this is only the third day since it happened, but I’m sick of seeing him tied up in bed. I’m sick of seeing him so, so, depressed.

She readjusted how she was sitting as she saw how serious I was. “Teddy’s weird.” She began. “He tries so hard to always look happy, but anyone who gets close knows it’s just a mask.” Liz explained. “He want’s everyone to be happy around him because the truth is, he believes more in them than himself.”

I tiled my head as I heard those words. “Haven’t you ever wondered why he became a doctor?” She asked as I slowly nodded. “He does it because he thinks by helping all those people it gives his life meaning.”

“So when Chris died he lost the meaning?” I asked.

“Kind of.” She encouraged. “He just lost confidence in himself and the world around him.”

“How do I get it back for him?” I prodded with curious eyes.

“You have to remind him he’s around people who love him.” She shrugged. “You have to help restore his hope in other people.”

“It won’t be easy though.” Blake chimed in, cradling Hayley as he walked into the living room. “Seeing a kid who got stabbed thirteen times by his dad. That’s pretty freakin brutal.”

“Blake!” Liz yelped, seeing the surprise on my face. “They’re not telling the kids what happened!”

“Why not?” He rolled his eyes. “Oliver can handle hearing that, right buddy?”

“I, yeah.” I shook my head. “Thirteen times?” I repeated. “Like one three?”

“Yup.” He nodded. “It’s a miracle that boy even made it to the hospital.”

“Do you know why?” I asked, looking down. “Kids at my school are saying drugs.”

“That’s what they’re saying on the news too.” He explained.

“Dude!” Liz scolded, beginning to stare him down. “He’s only fourteen!”

“It’s okay.” I sighed. “I live with Ryder so, I-I know how bad drugs can be. That’s why I’m never going to do them.”

“That’s our little rock star.” Blake couldn’t help but tease.

“I’m gonna do something about it.” I nodded my head.

“About the boy in your class?” Liz nervously asked.

“No.” I shook my head. “About drugs.”

“Oh.” She exhaled, looking for her husband for help.

“Do you want to stay for dinner?” Was all he could think to ask as the room fell quiet.

“No.” I rejected. “I think I have all I need.”

“Just give your brother love and time and it’ll work out.” Liz tried to support. “But if I can ask, what changed between you?”

“Yeah, you used to hate Teddy.” Blake giggled as his child began to wake up.

“I never hated him.” I defended. “We just had disagreements.”

“And what about those disagreements changed?” Liz pressured eager to know the answer just as much as her husband.

“He started listening to me.” I shrugged as I stood up and headed towards their door. “If anyone asks I wasn’t here.”

“What?!” Liz demanded as I pulled open the front door. “What do you mean you weren’t here?”

“Don’t mention that you saw me today.” I shrugged as they both shot one another concerned looks. “There’s the new Messiah album in vinyl in it for you.”

“There’s going to be a new Messiah album?!” Blake exclaimed. Hayley jumped in his arms and began to cry out at his father’s yelling.

“Blake!” Liz reprimanded as I shut the door behind me.

Poor suckers! They actually thought having a kid would be a good idea! I don’t know about Mark, but I never ever want kids! They’re just too much work!

*************************************************************************************

On the ride home all I could do was try and hatch a plan to help Teddy. How in the hell am I going to show I love him? Do I love him? I know he’s my brother but, uck! As I thought deeper about the man stuck in bed all I could do was keep coming back to the word love. Okay, fine, I guess I do love him!

When I finally arrived home I had a plan in mind. Okay fine, maybe it’s similar to the plan that helped Ryder get better, but it helped him! So adjusting it to Teddy should work too, right?

“Hey bud, I thought you wouldn’t be home for another hour or two.” Dad cautiously asked as I climbed the stairs.

“Mark has a lot of homework.” I shrugged. “We agreed we’d just hang out another day.”

“Oh.” He nodded. “Wait!” He exclaimed as I reached the top. “You’re in all the same classes! Doesn’t that mean that you have,”

His words faded as I turned the corner and grabbed my guitar and mini amp from my room. It took some effort but when I finally got them into Teddy’s room he popped up in his bed and watched me.

“What are you doing?” He asked but I stayed quiet. “Oliver, I really don’t know if I’m,”

I ignored his words and began to lightly play the intro to one of the few rock songs he listens to, Home Sweet Home by Motley Crue. I messed it up every now and then but he grew quiet as he watched.I’m pretty sure I messed up most of the lyrics as I sang, and I didn’t exactly play the guitar perfectly but I could tell I was finally getting through to him.

“Really nice.” He smiled as I finished it up. “What was that for?”

“I-I’m going to play you a song every day until you feel better.” I nodded my head.

“You care about me that,”

“No.” I lied in a blush. “I just, I need you back in the hospital working. We all do.”

“Oliver I don’t,”

“What if there’s someone getting wheeled in right now that only you can save Teddy?” I asked as he grew quiet. “It sucks that Chris died. It really really sucks. But that’s not your fault. It’s a miracle he even made it to you in the first place!

“Oliver it’s not that simple, it’s,”

“It is that simple.” I insisted. “I get that you had to watch it happen.” I gulped, hardly even able to imagine what that would feel like. “But it was going to happen regardless of the doctor. So stop holding yourself accountable and start pointing the blame to the man who stabbed him!”

He softly nodded his head, but I could tell he wasn’t connecting the pieces. “It’s going to take time.” He finally exhaled. “This, it’s not something that’s going to instantly heal, and I just, I need a few more days off.”

“Okay.” I conceded in a nod. “But I’m still playing you a song everyday.”

“Good.” He softly smiled. “I love you Oliver.”

“I love you too.” I forced out. “Now if you’ll excuse me, I have an album to finish.” I nodded as he quietly laughed and let me leave without any more words.

*************************************************************************************

I got an earful about homework from my dad on the way to the studio, but all the lying was worth it. Even if Teddy stays in bed for a little longer, well, at least I saw him smile. At least I can see that he’ll start getting better. At least I can hope for it.

“Look who finally showed up.” Tommy grunted as I walked through the door.

“At least he’s earlier than he said.” Ryder sighed, looking me up and down. “Everything okay?”

“Yeah, I just felt bad leaving you guys.” I shrugged.

“Bull shit.” Tommy called, watching me closely. “Mark’s parents were probably home and it ruined his little escape.”

“Is it hard?” I asked, walking up to him.

“Is what hard?” Tommy asked shooting me a cautious look.

“Being such a dick!” Joe guessed.

“No.” I shook my head. “Knowing your fourteen year old counterpart has more sex than you!”

The room exploded into laughter and yelling as they heard my words. “Oliver!” Ryder shouted staring me down. “Not cool dude.”

“Come on.” Brandon encouraged as Ryder rolled his eyes. “That was pretty fuckin good.”

“It was gross.” Ryder shook his head as he got back to work. “You guys are turning him into a pig.”

“Well if it wasn’t for me, you would’ve never gone through with it in the first place.” Tommy dismissed, handing me a few music sheets. “Now go record.”

“Wait.” I shook my head, looking over them. “This is like, four more than we agreed on.”

“Is it?” He asked, faking shock. “Well since you have all that free time to bang your boyfriend that must mean you have free time to record more music.”

“You’re such a dick.” I sighed, heading for the empty booth.

“Thanks kid.” He winked. “I owe you one.”

“You owe me like twenty!” I replied, slamming the door behind me.

The truth was I can complain all I want. I love this gig and they know it! Everything about it was just so perfect. From learning how to properly write songs, to expanding my mastery over the drums. I mean, I wrote Revival before this! I can’t wait to see what I write now!

***********************************************************************************

As the days came and went I found it hard to say goodbye to the studio time. The album was done. Unity’s second song was recorded. And things just felt, different. I know the band promised they’d practice four times a week before the big Metlife show, but still, it sucks that this experience is over.

“It’s alright Oli.” Ryder smiled as we all stood in the cleaned up room. “You and I have hundreds and hundreds of recording sessions before us.”

“I know,” I nodded. “I just,”

“Know I won’t be there?” Tommy teased, giving me a playful shove. “I’ll miss you too kid.” I nodded but stayed quiet. “But we still get to practice together, and you can always call me when you need.” I saw Brandon smile to the other’s as he heard those words. “Plus this album drops in a few days and it’s going to surprise the whole world.” He smiled. “But not as much as that second Unity song, what’s it called?”

“Remedy.” I answered with a proud smile.

“It’s an electric, pop, rock nightmare, but your generation will eat it up.” He exhaled. “They’ll eat you up.”

I nodded but looked up to Ryder as he laid his hand on my shoulder. “Future’s bright.” He smiled. “Messiah at Metlife, then Unity at Terminal Five and after, well that’s up to you Oliver Haner.”

It is up to me, isn’t it? For the first time in my life I have control. I get to decide my own destiny! I know my mom said no touring during the school year but summers coming and I have a ton up my sleeve! I let out a sigh as it all flooded my head. Suddenly a flash of Teddy in bed showed in my head. He’s been getting better recently, but he’s still not one hundred percent yet. And if he’s not by the summer, well, well Unity’s first tour will have to wait. I’m not doing this without knowing if my brother is going to be okay. Without him by our side.