Thirteen

Scott remembered his first kiss.

It was during his freshman year in highschool. It sounded bizarre, too unreal to be true. Thinking back on how he got his first kiss on valentine's day in the hallway where everyone could see. Sounded like something from a book or even a movie.  Scott remembered how he didn't have a Valentine that day. Living in a small town it was hard to get around avoiding being single on that very day.

Much to his surprise, someone else was single that day. Scott didn't think much of it as he quickly bought a chocolate bar and a single rose and confronted the mysterious single that saved his lonely day of being single. When he saw  the dirty blonde with hair resting on his shoulders, golden brown eyes that reminded him of caramel.

It was no doubt Mason Forest standing at his locker in all his glory. It was odd to Scott. Mason had exceptional beauty and not having people knocking at his door to be his Valentine was just odd. That didn't stop Scott though, he took confident steps forwards and gave him the cheap chocolate bar and rose --Mason didn't need to know about the cheap part. Mason was surprised by his act but gratefully accepted the two gifts.

As a thank you he kiss Scott right then a there. If Scott had to describe it would be innocent and teasing. Much like he tasted something sweet, candy maybe? They both hung out at the famous diner that evening. Mason turned out to fun, surprising shy too since he made such a statement in the middle of the hallways, even taking the incitive. Their relationship after was like nothing happened, it was awkward during the first few days but like normal acquaintances that passed each other in the halls or happened to run into each other in town a simple hi and bye would do it, slipping in something interesting in the mix.

Maybe if Scott wanted to further their relationship, mold it into something then he might just have done that and so would've Mason. Was it just a one time thing or there was no room for anything else? Whatever the reason was it was too late. That was how he got his first kiss or was it that he accidentally bumped lips with someone on the playground, either way he deemed that one day the day he got his first kiss with Mason Forest.

Scott hadn't seen him since after graduation during their farewell party to those such as Scott --and Mikey--  who was leaving the small town to get a taste of what the world had to offer. In fact, Scott hadn't seen anyone since then until his recent encounters with the troublesome Mikey. When he arrived at the apartment complex that Elijah had been staying and he saw none other than Mason Forest, he was a little shocked.

Mason's dirty blonde hair was still has tall as ever, done in a low bun as he leaned against the wall of entrance enjoying what the early parts of the night had to offer. He hadn't seen Scott just yet, staring aimlessly down the road as if waiting on someone. That all change when Scott clumsily hit his foot on his bicycle causing it to topple over. Mason indeed turned to look to see who was embarrassing themselves so early. He knitted his brow as he watched Scott hurrying to take up the bicycle, securing it in place. By the look on Mason's face you could tell he knew Scott but the words won't leave his lips as his mind tried to piece together why Scott looked so familiar.

"Scott?" He said, eyes wide as he walked towards him. "Is that really you Scott?"

"The one and only" he replied feeling like he's had this conversation before.

"I can't believe it's you" Mason said, smiling widely as his hands that were once buried in his pocket engulfed Scott into a hug.

Mason smelled like different sets of pastry making you want to take a bite out of him just to see if he would taste just as good as he smelled but Scott wouldn't do anything so undignified. His hands settled around Mason, returning the gesture was the right thing to do and he felt Mason wasn't going to let go unless he hugged him back and he was right. Mason did let go after Scott gave him a hug.

"I haven't see you in..." He paused thinking back to the last time he saw Scott. "Like forever"

"Yeah" Scott muttered, blinded by mason's overflowing energy. Mason was different, he still had his remarkable face but he was more outgoing now, no longer the shy boy who gave Scott his first kiss.

"When did you get back in town?" Mason asked, still standing too close to Scott and his hand still resting on Scott's shoulders. "I almost didn't recognize you"

"Some time ago" Scott replied, looking up at the apartment building. He needed to hurry, he couldn't keep Elijah waiting.

"We should catch up sometime" Mason suggested. "I have a coffee shop not too far from here we could meet there?"

Scott thought it over, there was no harm in going to have a cup of coffee with Mason. He wasn't Mikey after all and if he started digging too deep in Scott's life he'll dodge the question without coming off too rude. "That sound good"

"Then I'll see you around. Stop by anytime I'm always there" Mason said before walking away.

Scott took a deep breath, he was proud of himself for accepting the invite. His life felt like it was slowly falling back into place. He didn't wasted anymore time and went inside, remembering the apartment number Elijah had texted him. They had both agreed on watching a movie at Elijah's home instead of Scott's for obvious reasons. His family would pry too much and movie night wouldn't be just Elijah and Scott but Elijah and the whole Finnegan family.

He also wanted to avoid the movie theatre because he thought that him and Elijah wouldn't get to talk as much just like during poetry night. Scott enjoyed it but he wished they could at least have exchange more than what they did before parting, get to know each other as Elijah previously suggested. Elijah didn't seem to have a problem with having Scott over at his apartment. His family had asked him over and over if he was okay going by himself in which he told them over and over that he would be.

It would be like embarking on a new journey no matter how heart pounding it may be. Scott stood before Elijah's front door, his hands retreating from going to knock on the door to covering his ears. Scott felt his heart racing, the high pitched sound of the beeping echoing in his mind. The sound was almost deafening. Scott that thought everything was going good-- no great-- during the last few weeks.  There was no more beeping, it was like his long nightmare had ended. Yet, here he was his hands desperately clenching onto his ears.

Scott, everything's going to be okay.

Scott thought his eardrums were going to burst at any moment. Elijah opened the door to see a distress Scott. A look of worry washed his face. Scott stepped inside Elijah's apartment, he knew he was being a little rude but he couldn't help himself. He would have to apologize later.

"Are you okay?" Elijah asked, his brow knitted with concern as he walked towards Scott. His voice was calm and gentle like a passing wind.

"I'm sorry" Scott said as he steady his breath and his mind coming to a calm. Why did it have to happen now when Elijah was around.

Elijah held onto Scott's hand, guiding him to the couch. On the small coffee table was popcorn, soda and a few sweets. Scott allowed himself to sit down, Elijah heading into the kitchen soon after. Scott's eyes wondered to the place Elijah just held on to, the burning heat remaining.

"Here" Elijah said, making Scott look up at him.

"Pie?" Scott said, taking the plate and looking at the delicious pie. What was he supposed to do with it, it was obvious it had to be eaten but what was the pie expected to do in the current situation.

"My mother use to give me this whenever I was feeling down. She would always say ' There's nothing a mother's homemade pie can't fix ' " Elijah quoted his mother's words, allowing himself to settle beside Scott. "Its apple pie in case you were wondering" he added.

"It's delicious" Scott said after taking a bite. The pie was sweet and tasted like heaven in his mouth. Scott was starting to think that maybe Elijah's mother was right, the pie was so delicious that he was forgetting what happened just a few minutes ago.

"Thank you" Elijah said, blushing at compliment from Scott that his pie was indeed delicious. "I made it myself" Elijah pointed out. "Family secret recipe"

"You're quite skilled" Scott complimented him again as he took another bite from the pie, not realizing he was making Elijah red as a tomato with his words.

"I try" Elijah rubbed the back of his neck nervously.

"Why don't you ask anything?" The words left Scott's lips faster than he could process what he just said. Did he want for Elijah to ask the burning questions and if he did would Scott be able to answer them.

"Okay I'll ask" Elijah said, taking some popcorn and shuffling about in his seat. Scott turned and looked at him, shocked that Elijah was actually going to ask those questions. "Why did you stop playing baseball?"

Again, Elijah's words made Scott shocked. "I--" Scott tried to remember the reason why he stopped playing baseball. "I stopped playing because baseball wasn't something I wanted to go any further with. There were other things I wanted to focus on. Sometimes I think its because I lost interest in the sport that I ended up stop playing"

"I wanted to play baseball back in middle school" Elijah said, taking another mouth full of popcorn then putting the bowl towards Scott in case he wanted some.

"Why didn't you?" Scott took some of the popcorn Elijah offered him.

"If I said the reason was you would you believe me" Elijah replied, his salted hands covering his blushing face as he looked through a few parted fingers to get a glimpse of Scott's reaction.

"Maybe I would, yes" Scott thought how his winning home run might inspire a few to play baseball back then, maybe Elijah was one of those. "Yes, I believe you"

"When you hit that home run I thought you were cool and baseball was fun" Elijah started to explain himself. "I wanted to join the team then I heard you quit. I thought that it wasn't going to be great if you weren't on the team anymore. There was no more reason for me going the team"

"I'm sorry" Scott replied, thinking it was his fault that Elijah gave up on baseball when he could've experienced something worth his while.

"Don't be. I would suck at it anyways" Elijah didn't want to make Scott feel like he was the reason he didn't join the team. In the end it was his own decision, he could've joined the team if he truly wanted, his personal feelings just got in the way. "What's your favourite colour?" It was a simple question but he wanted to know it anyways.

"Blue" Scott replied. "I like your eyes in particular. Its beautiful"

"T-Thank you" Elijah stuttered. His heart doing a Summersault at Scott's words.

"Sorry" Scott apologized. He couldn't trust his voice at this point.

"You need to stop apologizing" Elijah told him, finding the courage to turn and face Scott. His eyes caught a small piece of apple pie that escaped onto Scott's shirt.

Elijah reached out to remove it when he stopped and rested his hand on Scott's chest, the fast beating of his heart against his hand. "It's like..." Elijah took Scott's hand and placed it on his chest. "Its like they're in sync"

The beating of their hearts felt like one, each beat combing making a sound that they felt so drawn to. Neither wanting to remove their hands.

"Something you love to eat?" Elijah said, smiling as his hands still feeling the beat of  of Scott's heart.

"Anything my mom cooks" Scott replied, his hand still resting on Elijah's chest.

"Same. Someplace you want to go?"

"Anywhere with a nice view"

"Paris" Elijah chuckled. "Ummm....can I take you somewhere?"

"Depends" Scott raised a curious brow.

"Some place great" Elijah sported his golden smile. "Also can you stay the night?" Elijah got to the burning question.

"Maybe"

If only they knew the reason behind each beating of their heart that felt like one.