||Hello Neighbour: A Better Timeline||

||Chapter 27: A Gift||

Ivan was confined to bed until his head injury healed and, was mentally prepared to go back to school.
So he was mostly sleeping, reading or doing school work that was brought to him by his friends, even some puzzles that The Banner had in paper or puzzles.
"Hey, Baby. . ."
His mom came, she came in to check on him with some food, drinks, snacks and some medication.
"Hey. . ."
She set the tray down,"How's your head? Feeling better?", Ivan nods,"Mhm. . .", his mom smiled, she was happy her son was okay and she needed to thank his friends and the boy, uhm. . . Delory, for helping him.
"Uhm. . . Mom?"
"Yes, Dear?"
"Can you. . . Do me a favor, when you go shopping later?"
"Yes?"

~

"Okay, that's everything."
"Need a hand?"
A man in a green vest, tie, white sleeves rolled up,"Oh, thank you.", he picked up a bag or two for her while she carried the more heavy stuff to the car.
"You're one of the parents right, I remember you in the assembly; Right?"
He nods,"Yep; My daughter, Finch, uhm. . . Sorry, Blake is my name.", she smiled, unlocking the car and opening the boot,"Madison, but some people just call me Maddie.", they shook hands,"Nice to meet you.", he helped her put the stuff into the car,"Shouldn't you be getting home yourself?", "No, no; Already did the shopping.", Blake brushed it off, wanting to help her.

=

"I am. . . So sorry for what my idiot son and his friend did to your son!"
Seth and Ruben were dragged to Ivan's house to apologise to his mother and father, though it seemed like only his mom was home.
"We will apologise to your husband too as soon he gets home!"
"Oh no. . . That won't be necessary, Ivan's father. . . Hasn't been in the picture for a long time, it's just been me and him. . ."
Oh.
O h.
Now it made sense why Ivan's dad was never around or why his mom didn't wear a ring, they thought it was because of her job; But it's actually cause she was divorced or his dad had passed away.
Madison lowered her head a moment, clearing her throat,"Thank you for coming to apologise, and the gifts. . .", Seth's dad nods,"Don't worry; These boys will not go near your son or his friends again. We will be moving to another school since they have been expelled; We just wanted to apologise and, if needed we can pay for any fees.", Madison felt like that was a lot, then Seth and Ruben began to shuffle away.
"?"

Seth and Ruben saw from the distance Enzo's sister was standing there, glaring at them with her bat behind her back.
. . .
"Seth, Ruben."
They bowed to Ivan's mom,"We're sorry for what we did. . .", they looked at his mom, she looked sad but smiled.
"Please, just never hurt someone like this again. . ."

~

"Ivan?"
His mom held the door open, gifts in her arms that he guessed were an apology for what they did to him.
"Your friends are here."
With that, she went downstairs to probably put then away.
Mya, Trinity, Aaron, Nicky, Maritza and Delory came in, Delory trailing behind the group.
"My baby boy!"
Maritza hugged Ivan tight, Ivan groaned,"Maritza, my ribs. . .!", "Give him space to breath.", Trinity sighed,"We're so glad you're okay.", Ivan smiled,"Yeah, head is better. . . Where's Enzo?", Nicky inhaled sharply as Maritza let Ivan go, also making a face,"Well. . . Grounded. Not long after Seth and Ruben were caught, he apparently came forward about stuff he did, so he's been suspended, Grounded and when he gets back. . . He's got detention.", Ivan nods, he felt bad.
"I'm sorry. . ."
"Don't go apologising, Ivan!"
"Yeah, you should never apologise, you were hurt and you were the bigger person by not fighting back and Delory saved you!", Delory shrugged,"Mean. . . It was nothing, wasn't gonna leave you there.", he glanced at Ivan and Nicky as he said that, guess that's how Nicky felt.
Ivan smiled,"Thank you, for saving me.", Delory nods, Ivan then reached to the other side of his bed and handed a bag to Delory,"It's a thank you gift, not sure if you like or want it but, just a way of saving thank you.", Delory nods,"Thank you.", Ivan gave a thumbs up.

=

Molly knocked,"Delroy? Can I come in, I need your wash basket.","Sure thing.", his mom entered the room, he was busy trying to finish some homework.
"Oh, that's new."
On his bed was a Badger Plushie, she smiled,"I thought you said you were 'too old' for toys?",Delory fumbled a bit with his pen,"Yeah, well- Uh, that's the exception. It was a gift from Ivan.",she nods, kisses the top of his head,"I'm very proud of you, dear.", Delory smiled, it was good to see her smiling; He wanted his mom to be happy.

=

Next week at school, Ivan was back though he still had a noticeable scar but apparently it would fade after a few weeks.
"Hey, Delory!"
Aaron waved him over,"Wanna eat lunch with us?", Delory was surprised by the invite, and more surprised that everyone seemed to be okay with that.
"Uh. . . Sure, why not."