Melanie drove by the house at around 5, smiling when Scott opened the door. She flipped back her multi-colored hair and gave Scott an envelope, her smile growing.

"Here is your paycheck for this month," she reported happily, watching as the tall man opened it. He immediately gasped, covering his mouth with his hand while tears ran down his face. "A couple workers pitched in. We all thought that it would be nice."

Scott read over the check, $350 staring back at him. It wasn't a lot, but it was enough to make it through at least a week or so. He hugged Melanie close, crying heavily. She hugged him back, rubbing his back. This boy deserved everything he wanted.

"Alex was one of the workers. He cares about you a lot," Melanie replied, laughing a bit. Scott laughed himself and released himself from the hug, wiping his eyes. "You are his teddy bear."

"Teddy bear?" Scott asked, confusion clouding his features. Melanie nodded, as if her statement was the easiest thing to decode. "I don't get it."

"Song reference," his boss replied, shrugging her shoulders. Scott nodded as he looked at the check. "You don't need to go to work tomorrow."

"Have to. I need all the money I can get," Scott replied, frowning a bit. His lip began to quiver, but he bit it in hopes of not crying. "Mel, I can't miss work."

"I know, but you have a job," Melanie reminded him in a motherly voice. She rubbed his arm and sighed sadly. "Do you want a snack?"

"Sure," Scott answered, putting his check in his pocket. He walked into the kitchen with Melanie at his heel. "We don't have much."

"That's okay," Melanie commented, looking around the kitchen. She watched as Scott got a box of cookies and she smirked. "Milk and cookies?"

"Yep," Scott responded, getting glasses out. He pressed a little button, smiling at Melanie's interested look. "I use that to signal Mitch. Do you mind if he eats with us?"

"Not at all. I love him."

Scott smiled at his boss' words and his smile only increased when Mitch came down. Mitch gasped happily when he saw Melanie and hugged her tightly, smiling. Melanie laughed and looked Mitch over, smiling at his appearance.

"You're so beautiful, Mitchy," Melanie remarked as Scott signed in the background. Mitch blushed as he signed back thank you. "You're welcome."

"I'm so happy you're here," Scott began, speaking for Mitch. "You always come over and I get happy. You're like a big sister. You treat Scott so well."

Scott smiled at his brother's sweet words and hugged him tightly, fighting off the tears that were bound to come. Melanie smiled as she looked at her watch, sighing heavily.

"7, 8 it's getting late," she spoke loudly, even though it was five in the afternoon. Scott laughed while Mitch tilted his head, not understanding what he is saying. "Oh, Scott. There's a staff party tonight. Do you want to go?"

Scott was about to say no when Mitch stopped him. The dark brown eyes stared into the light blue eyes and he began to sign slowly.

*Go to that party. You're twenty four, for crying out loud. Have fun!* Mitch signed, giving his brother the sassiest look that he could portray. *I'll be okay. I'll just stay in my room.*

Scott sighed as he looked back to Melanie. She smiled at him empathetically and rubbed his back, her nails tickling him a bit. Scott finally picked an answer after debating for a while and nodded his head.

*Fine, I'll go. If she leaves, stay in your room. Stay out of trouble.*

Scott then glared at Mitch playfully, smiling when his younger brother laughed. They shared a hug, letting go of each other slowly. They're so close with each other and they only got closer after Mitch became deaf and their parents passed away. Scott got some stuff together and kissed Mitch's forehead.

*I love you.*

*I love you, too.*

~~~

"Hey, Scott," Alex greeted, hugging his childhood friend close to him. They stayed in the embrace for a long time, longer than usually. They separated as they shared a smile. "We're watching Wizard of Oz. My treat."

"I didn't know that you like Wizard of Oz," Scott replied in a sarcastic voice. Alex rolled his eyes, shaking his head. "If it's a staff party, then why is it just you, me,and Mel?"

"It's Mel," Alex spoke in an obvious tone of voice. Scott nodded, agreeing with his friend's statement. "How's Shorty doing?"

"He's doing well," Scott answered, smiling when Mitch came into mind.  "He's not that short. He's 5'10."

"Still shorter than us. He's a midget compared to us," Alex rebutted, laughing at Scott's eye roll. "Mel, come on! It's time to sing Somewhere Over The Rainbow!"

"I prefer singing songs about sippy cups," their boss pointed out, walking into the room. Alex and Scott nodded slowly, not understanding her words. "I'm not one to understand. Now stop looking at me like that. Let's watch Judy Garland be amazing."

~~~

An hour turned to four, which turned to eleven. Scott looked at his watch, widening his eyes. Melanie and Alex watched as the tall blond stood up, tripping over something. He groaned and stood up, limping a bit.

"I need to go home," Scott announced, his leg hurting. "I'm sorry, guys. I need to see how Kirstie and Mitch are doing."

"You're fine," Melanie reassured, frowning a bit. Scott's been through so much and he can't stay away from his siblings too long for obvious reasons. "Go home quic-"

Scott's phone beeped loudly and flashed a bright light, which caused his boss and friend to jump. He kept his phone this loud and had the light on so that Mitch could give it to him when he needed it. Scott saw that it was a text from Mitch. He unlocked it quickly and read over it, widening his eyes.

/Scott, I'm in so much pain. Kirstie threw a party after you left and some guy went into my room. He hit me and then left. I can't feel anything. Please come home.\

Scott then ran out, not saying goodbye once. He went to his car and started it immediately, wanting to get home quickly. Mitch could be hurt terribly and will probably need some medical attention. Scott closed his eyes, praying for the best.

~~~

Avi glared at the loudness of the party next door, shaking his head. He went back to putting up pictures and the ones that had Tori he held onto longer. He put them up, brushing over them quickly. The doorbell then rang, which caused him to jump. Kevin stood up, raising an eyebrow.

"I'll get it. It's probably some drunk teenager,"Kevin murmured angrily. Avi nodded as his husband went to the door, putting the pictures up. "Mitch? What are you doing here?"

Avi stopped what with what he was doing and went to the door. Right there in front of him was Mitch, Scott's younger brother. His eye looks swollen and bruises scattered over his shirtless body. The tears ran down his face as he looked at them desperately.

"Come in," Avi commanded, offering his hand to Mitch. The young boy nodded and took Avi's hand, hissing in pain. "What's wrong?"

Mitch began to sign, forgetting that Avi didn't understand. Kevin did a little bit, but in this case, he knew was the youngest Hoying was saying.

"Avi? We need to take him to the hospital."

A/N: I'm so excited for how this story is going to turn out! I'm not going to super evil for this story, but it's going to  be super angsty, lol. Anyways, I hope that you all enjoyed this chapter and remember that I love you all.:)

-Maddie🐧🐧🐧