Chapter Text
Hello!! Thank you for giving this fic a chance, the reason I'm writing this note is to clarify the dates of the events because the timelines may be a little confusing the way I'm writing.
You'll know once you read, each chapter has flashbacks/… years before memories with dates but they're not in chronological order, so I recommend coming back here in case you get confused!!
-I'm going to start with Ashley and Larry's memory back when they were kids, yes they are childhood friends and Ash taught Larry how to paint and everything he knows about art.
So that is when they were both seven years old.
-When Sal, Larry, Ash, Todd and Neil were playing pool and doing karaoke -which are a year apart- They were in their twenties, which they still are by the way, there aren't many years apart.
-In the scene where Sal takes care of Travis' wounds, they are juniors -which is three years after their conversation in the boy's bathroom- Means they're ultimately closer. (As friends.)
-About Travis' memory of his father abusing him is the same year and same day actually, just before he manages to escape. (You will read in further chapters.)
The chronological order of Sal and Travis' memories goes like this:
1992 (Freshmen Year)
-The boy's bathroom scene.
-Studying together at the library.
-Studying at the library again, but this time Sal shows him his music upon Travis asking about his phone ringtone.
-They decide to study at Sal's place next time since the house is usually empty and the library was closed, Sal shows Travis his games.
Note: That is also when Travis finally talks about his dad upon a scene in the game.
1993 (Sophomore Year)
-Sal decides to buy Travis a phone so he starts saving money because he doesn't own one and he might need it in case the abuse gets too far and he has no one to help him.
-On Travis' birthday, he gifts him the phone and they start texting and calling every night when Kenneth goes to sleep for the night.
-One day Kenneth catches the phone and punishes Travis for it, upon it Travis doesn't show up at school for two days because of his injuries.
When he is back his arm is in a plaster and Sal immediately talks to him in the boy's bathroom.
1994 (Junior Year)
-When time goes by and Travis heals, Sal invites him to hang out with him and his friends at a diner-restaurant, the ice between them starts to melt slowly.
-Kenneth finds it out and goes to punish his son again, but Travis manages to escape, escape to his savior Sal who tends to his wounds.
-Travis goes back home but Kenneth is unusually ignorant, he starts neglecting him and spends time at church more often.
-Sal starts bringing extra food for Travis to school because of the situation.
The situation: Kenneth doesn't cook or buy groceries for Travis to make himself food, he doesn't give him any money either.
-Travis gets added to a group chat for Sal's birthday, he gifts him a book.
Note: Yes, Kenneth broke his phone but it still works. (Somehow.)
-One night, Travis decides he can't take this anymore and runs away to Sal in the middle of the night and the pouring rain, Sal gives him a shower because Travis is too exhausted to doing so and they lay side by side, they talk about Kenneth and Sal's mask.
-The next day they decide to skip school and go to a convenience store, but junk food and ice cream in the cold weather.
-Upon Travis admitting he doesn't want to go back, Sal gladly accepts because he is also tired of being alone. (and also because Travis helps his night terrors.)
-They go to a record store on Travis' bike, (which he rode when he escaped his house) and buy some new cassettes.
-Months pass with them living together, (yes, henry knows and is too drunk to care.) and they go to a concert together, most fun they've ever had.
1995 (Senior Year)
-They go to a festival/carnival together and Travis wins a goldfish, names it fish and tells Sal he named it fish because it was literally a fish, but in reality it's because of Sal's surname.
When Sal is distracted with his friends, Kenneth kidnaps Travis.
-Travis never comes to school after that, his phone is unavailable and he isn't home. Sal looks everywhere and asks everyone for him but it's to no avail.
No one knows what happened to him but Kenneth, who sent Travis to a church camp in Georgia and left with him as well.