Thunder Buddy! (Ray)

[Madison Davis]

    Madison sat on her bed with her knees up to her chest. "You will not be scared" she commanded to herself. "You will not freakout. You're brave and thunderstorms totally don't scare you". Suddenly the sound of thunder crackled shortly followed by the bright flash of lightning filled her room.  With a small whimper she jumped and immediately hid under her covers. "Okay maybe not that brave" said clutching on to her stuff rabbit.  Urgh why can't mom and dad be here right now. If she was with her parent's right now her father would have been trying to distract her with his corny joke and stories while her mom made her some tea. If she couldn't have her parent's here Madison definitely need someone else here who would help her feel better and distract her. She didn't know any of her roommates to ask but she did know the perfect person for the job. She took her phone out and scrolled her contact to she found Ray number. 

Ray can you come to my room like A.S.A.P? Pretty please with sugar top. I know it's like eight something but I need you! If you can come just let yourself in. I'm in my room.

Xoxo Mad-hatter

She sent the message and hoped he would come. 

[Raylaigh Hawthorne]

Ray sighed and let the curtains fall as he left the window. He didn’t mind thunder and lightning. So long as he was inside, he would not want to be caught outside right now. No thank you, he did not think that getting stuck by lightning would be very fun. Not to mention the rain, it sucked flying in the rain, by the end he was soaked, his wings were soaked and all he wanted to do was be dry. It was those moments when it was possible to imagine that he’d never be dry again. He hated when they made him fly outside in the rain. Ray was setting himself up in bed with sweatpants and a tee that looked like it had been through hell and back, with holes in the seams and paint stains and other questionable looking stains. He pulled out a pencil and settled himself into his nest with a pad of notebook paper and started sketching. Ray was really getting into art, he had never thought he was any good with what he doodled on the rims of his math notes but his art teacher seemed to think something was working.

He was midway through something that resembled something of a cross between a bird, human, and alien when he heard his phone go off with the ‘la-la lalala, la-la lalala’ in the first five seconds of Self Esteem by Offspring. He smiled when he saw who it was from. His smile faltered a little bit. He glanced at the clock and shrugged rolling himself out of bed and slipping his feet into comfy slippers.

To: Maddie
Sure thing! Be right over.

Raylaigh hoped that everything was okay. He did as she suggested and let himself in and then made his way to Madison’s room. He gave a light knock before he cracked open the door and peeked into her room. He was a little thrown off when he didn’t immediately see her and let out a hesitant, “Maddie?” Another flash of light and he smiled seeing the lump in the blankets. He slipped inside and let the door close behind him and went over plopping himself on her bed and poking the lump. “Maddie, you okay?” He was really worried something terrible had happened to her. He wasn’t very intimidating and he probably would be the worst guardian in the world, but he certainly didn’t like it when someone hurt his friends.

[Madison Davis]

    Madison felt slightly better already as she heard him come into her room. She slowly peaked her head out from under the cover to look at Ray. Ray was definitely on Maddie top 5 of favorite people she had met her so far.  He was nice and positive which was the reason she wanted him to come over. He made her smile a lot when he was around. "Hi Ray" she said quietly with a small smile. "Oh nothings wrong really. Okay well it is something but nothing". She sighed playing with her fingers. Madison wasn't the type to usually get embarrassed about anything but she just felt silly admitting this to Ray.

Boom!  This time the sound of thunder caused her to jump up to her knees on the bed and wrap her arms around Ray's stomach. "I'm scared of thunderstorms" she said her head now resting on his chest. She started to talk really fast. "Dude they are so scary. It's like the light and the thunder are fighting over something. Only thing that could make them worse is if somehow voodoo or clowns were involved in it". She looked up at him. "Can you please stay with me until it's over. It will be less scary if i'm not alone. I mean my parent's used to be like my thunder buddies but they are not here so....".

[Raylaigh Hawthorne]

Ray loved Maddie, she was such a sweetheart and had the personality of a firecracker. She didn’t care what people thought and she was definitely a good friend, not to mention she let him borrow one of her boards when they went skateboarding. The moment he saw her outfit he couldn’t help but laugh, she was too adorable. If only he were straight! He laughed a little at the thought and smiled back at her. “Hi Maddie,” he said brightly. He cocked is head at her and waited patiently for her to tell him. Of all people, Ray was the least likely to judge someone for being afraid of thunder. It was almost better for people to be afraid of it, because then they wouldn’t do something stupid like go out in a thunderstorm or something. “Something, but nothing? Hmmm, sounds like a dilemma,” he replied and jumped when the thunder clapped. But more so because there was suddenly a Maddie clinging to him than the noise.

He patted her Pikachu ears before hugging her back. He smiled a little and held her tightly. He nodded in understanding. His skin crawled at the idea of clowns or voodoo. “Oh no, let’s not add them to the mix. Thunderstorms are scary enough,” he agreed. Ray smiled down at her. “Sure, no worried, I’ll be your thunder buddy.” He hugged her tightly. “No thunder’s gonna get my Maddie!” Another crash came quickly after a flash of light. Hopefully it wouldn’t be too long. Not because he didn’t want to hang out, but rather because he didn’t want Maddie to be scared. He needed something to distract her, something that would make it hard for her to think about being scared.

[Madison Davis]

She buried her head in his chest when it came again and peeked back up at him when it was done. "Thanks you so much Ray. This is why I love you and your like total awesome sauce". She gave him a big hug and a small kiss on the cheek. "Seriously why aren't you taken by now? If one of these girls don't snatch you up soon I sure will" she joked playfully.

[Raylaigh Hawthorne]

“D’awe,” Raylaigh said snuggling with Maddie a beaming smile on his face. Ray wiggled around, making himself more comfortable on her bed. “You’re awesome sauce, too Maddie-lady.” He said with a bright smile and hugged her back. Ray laughed a little then the sound stuck in his throat and his smile hung on at an uncomfortable angle. Well… this was awkward. He could tell form her tone that she was joking but it was a rather strange predicament. Raylaigh was technically out, but it was always a little bit strange when he felt the need to tell someone. It felt like coming out of the closet all over again. He chewed on his lip and snuggled more closely to Maddie.

“Maddie?” He said a shaking in his voice. He didn’t know how Maddie would take it, he figured she would probably be alright with it, but there were some people who never seemed to take it as expected. It was a nerve wrecking experience all over again. Raylaigh had lost friends when he came out. But, screw them, they weren’t real friends. “Can I tell you something?” He tightened his hold as another flash came and soon after another crack of thunder. Well, that wasn’t foreboding at all. “I mean it’s not a bad thing, but it’s a thing…” He shrugged and looked down at Maddie, and it was a reason no girls would be snatching him up.

[Madison Davis]

Madison didn't notice the Ray mood change at first. She smile when he snuggled closer to her.

The ironic thunder that followed made Madison , though she was still scared, sightly giggle because of how on cue it seem. "The lighting and thunder made it sound like your going to reveal your like a superhero or villain" she explained. "Anyway if it's like my thing and how it was something but nothing then just say it. This is a no judgement bedroom". She looked up at him not really sure what he would say but was awfully curious. She put her hand on top of his reassurance and comfort. "You can tell me anything".

[Raylaigh Hawthorne]

Raylaigh couldn’t help but giggle along with her, the timing of that flash definitely made it hard to be serious. “Damn thunder is stealing my thunder,” he said, “Curse you, thunder!” He shook his fist at the ceiling dramatically. He laughed a bit and halfway considered telling her he was a superhero or villain instead of actually telling her what he needed. He was nervous, he knew he shouldn’t be. He didn’t make it a huge secret. Ray smiled, encouraged. He hugged Maddie. “I love you Maddie, you’re the best.” He said and took a deep breath.

He looked down at their hands and held her hand. He honestly thought that things like this would get easier. “So, it’s kinda… um… so, I’m not gonna be snatched up by any girls,” he smiled nervously and gestured like he was just trying to spit it out and having a problem with it. “I don’t know why it’s hard to say…” He laughed a bit, “But I’m gay. So… I guess that means we’re technically on the same team.” He added as a joke, the same team meaning he was just as likely as she was to get excited over a hot guy with nice abs.

[Madison Davis]

"Oh " Madison in shock. Her face went blank for a second as she processed the information. She has never had any friends come out to her but mostly because she never had many friends period. She didn't know what to say. After a moment she smiled really big at him and squeezed his hand. "Then I guess I should rephrase what I said. One of these guys need to snatch you up because Ray you are a catch".

After a second she got up and grabbed one of her skateboard and turned it to show the bottom that had a blue sticker with a yellow equal sign. It was surround by stickers of other things Madison believed in. "I got it when we went to Chicago" she explained. "It means I support equal rights". She put it down and hugged him. "Now it means I support you and that means no matter what it is. You should never be nervous telling me anything. Plus since I have like no female friends this means I can talk about cute boys with you instead. This works out in my favor" she joked.

[Raylaigh Hawthorne]

Raylaigh ducked his head at her ‘oh’, that wasn’t a terrible reaction, something he’d gotten before. He looked down and when she squeezed his hand he looked back up and her smile was infectious and Ray beamed back at her and his heart warmed. He laughed and blushed, flattered. Ray giggled and lifted a hand to cover his blush. He watched her get up and he giggled a little more. He loved Maddie and her quirky nature. Ray wasn’t stereotypical, sure he was bound to gush about a nice looking man but he wasn’t girly, he guessed that could throw people off a little bit and surprise people when he told them, but the more people who knew the more like himself he felt he could be.

Ray leaned forward to take a look at the sticker. He recognized it and his smile grew as she told him about it. He returned her hug squeezing her tightly, she had no idea how much that meant to him. “I love you, Maddie,” he said, she was the best. Raylaigh put his chin in his hands and gave her a wink, “Oh girl, you have come to the right place.” He giggled in return and stole her into a hug again. “You’re the best!” He was so happy and so excited. It always meant the world to him. He didn’t actually tell a lot of people, eventually they clued in or asked because he didn’t act like a straight person all the time. Ray smiled, and it was working on distracting Maddie from the thunder, “So when did you get to go to Chicago? I’m jealous.”

[Madison Davis]

"Aw shucks i'm no one special but thanks. I love you to Ray". She laid back on her bed from her mind wondering away from the thunder. "It would be easier to count when I didn't go to Chicago. I don't know if i told you or not but before I came here my home was literally are R.V. My parent's and me stay on the road. We settle down sometimes but never for to long. I have been all over. I can honestly say I have been to at least every state once and have the pictures and mementos to prove it. If you want to see some pictures you should hand me my camera on the dresser. I'm to comfortable to get up".

[Raylaigh Hawthorne]

Ray smiled brightly and made himself comfortable on her bed. “Really?” He asked in wonder, that sounded so cool. He wondered what it would be like to have a nomadic kind of life, it was the kind of thing he thought he might enjoy, but then again he really did like having a place to come back to. Laughing Raylaigh got up and retrieved the camera and handed it over and laid down next to her. “So you’ve been to every state? That’s wicked awesome. I really wish I traveled more.” He was jealous of her many adventures and he was looking forward to seeing her pictures and her stories. Traveling was something he always longed to do, but he was very much a fan of familiar surroundings.

After graduation he wanted to travel, but he was also afraid of what was out in the world. He knew he just needed to swallow his fear and do it, he would probably be surprised. “Were you homeschooled before?” Ray asked the thought occurring to him, “Does it make you feel trapped here?” He asked, probably a little invasively.

[Madison Davis]

"Maybe when we graduate we can do some traveling together. That would be so cool". She grabbed her camera,held it above them, and snapped a picture of Ray and her. "Just because this is a nice moment" she explained. She started to scroll while she talked so she could get passed all the Hammel pictures.

"Mostly I was home-schooled. I've been to a total of two schools besides Hammel and have never even finished a semester at one. The last school was school in California I went for a couple months before coming here". Madison paused for a second thinking before answering his next question. "Sometimes it does make me feel trapped. It's the reason I like to go into town as often as possible. I mean it's weird being in the same place for more then a few months but it's also sort of nice. I can actually keep the friends I make and I don't have to start over. Like in a month or so we can still hang out because I wont be all the way across the country".

[Raylaigh Hawthorne]

Ray’s face broke out into a wide smile. He had so many friends that wanted to travel, he could travel if he could be with someone. It was not knowing anyone that frightened him. “That would be fun.” He was still smiling when she took the picture and he heard the snap and laughed a little bit. He’d never met someone who was so into pictures and he was glad though that Maddie had her camera and could go back to visit any moment she could. It seemed like a wonderful idea. When he heard about her traveling it made sense now that she took so many pictures, she never knew when she’d see someone or something again.

“Wow,” Ray said his eyes wide, there were so many people from California. Nao was from there as well. “Are your parents still there or are they still traveling?” He hoped his question wasn’t too invasive. He wondered if it was like how he didn’t like small enclosed spaces. He couldn’t see the sky and he couldn’t fly. Nodding along, Ray smiled. “I’m glad you’re staying here. I would hate it if you went all the way across the country.” He sat up in his elbows so that he could look at her. He’d been in the same place for a long time until he’d left for Hammel and even then he’d come here a few time before so he knew the place. “I’ve always wanted to travel, but I guess I’m a little nervous about new things. And my parents never really traveled much, well my dad does but they’re all business so we were never allowed to go. Maddie I was talking to my friend Alex about maybe going to the mountains this summer, would you wanna come? I mean if we were able to actually do it.” There was no official plan and therefore no guarantee that anything would actually happen.

[Madison Davis]

Madison eye light up as the topic of her parents came up. "No actually they are coming to live with my grandmother in Vermont so we can be closer. They will be here in about a month and I'm so happy. I miss them so much. I can't wait for them to meet you and everyone else. I just know they will love you guys as much as I do". She set down her camera for a second and grabbed one of her pillows taking out two pictures. "These are my parents. One a picture of me and my dad and the other me and my mom when I was a baby. Wasn't I too adorable"?

"You know my mom said my dad was like that when the first started talking. Dad never been outside of the state and barely out of Vermont. He always wanted to travel but didn't have the courage to in till he meet my mom". She put a hand on his shoulder. "Maybe you just need a person who will help you get over your fear". Madison got excited as he invited her to come with him for the summer. She was still getting use to the whole having friends thing and it was actually shocking and exciting that people wanted to hang out with her. Usually when she actually around people her age they didn't like her let alone want to hang out with her. "Dude really you want me to go with you? I mean of course I will if you go. I hope you guys can keep up if we can hike".