Fourteen

Sometimes we forget the things we never want to forget and remember the things we want to forget. For Elijah there are a few things he never wants to forget. Though he can be forgetful at times like when he walks into a room and forget why he entered it in the first place or even when he goes to the grocery store and forget the one item that he should never have forgotten in the first place. But that happens to the best of us, right?

Elijah could never forget his first crush or love, whichever he chooses to call it. It only started out as admiration but before he knew it his eyes kept following him everywhere. He would walk the same street knowing that he would be there, thinking that maybe today it wasn't him alone who wanted to get a glimpse. Elijah hoped that one day when he walks the same street he would spare Elijah a glance. Faith was just too cruel.

Elijah knew his name but he didn't know his. Never exchanging a word, like the passing seasons he could only enjoy it while it lasted. His certain infatuation got locked tightly in a box on a certain February morning. Bolted with many locks and a crumbled single rose on top to bid it farewell. That was suppose to be the end of  something beautiful yet painful but when his feet kept bringing him back to the same street, his eyes always seeming to find him amongst the crowd.

The locks that were suppose to be unbreakable crumbled one by one, opening up the very box like newfound treasure. How long can a person endure something so unrequited? Weeks, month; never would he thought it to be years, even when he wasn't on the same street he walked by everyday even though Elijah knew he was taking the long way home. He wasn't in the same halls anymore, like smoke he vanished into thin air.

Elijah once again closed his box of buried treasure but this time there was no locks just hope that next time he digs it up and opened it he would finally find the courage he needs. Elijah balled his outstretched hand into a fist. As if he was reaching out to him but could only get a small hold of him. The night had come to a close and Elijah still had every passing moment fresh in his mind.

As he laid on the small confinements of the couch he couldn't fall asleep. Not because it was uncomfortable but because he feared, he feared if he closed his eyes and fall into a deep slumber, only to wake with a few missing pieces of memory. As Elijah's eyes travel to his kitchen he remembered the look on Scott's face when he ate his apple pie. It was one of true appreciation and love for something delicious. His heart still did a flip just thinking back on the compliment. Elijah had gotten compliments for his famous apple pie from Molly and Carly but Scott made him want to bake an apple pie everyday just so he could get him to praise him again. How silly of him.

The movie was cancelled for a series of question. Elijah got to know a lot about Scott, questions that may seem insignificant to another he wanted to know them. Elijah wasn't even upset that movie night was just about talking, he enjoyed it. He loved the sound of his voice to the point he could play it over and over and never get tired if hearing his low and sweet voice, how it gets shakily when he's nervous and childish when he tries to deny something that embarrasses him. Elijah never wants to forget any of it.

As his hand rested over his chest, the beating of his heart seeming so loud it echoed through the room. The one thing he never wanted to forget was the feeling of his hand on Scott's chest, the beating of his fragile heart. Elijah felt like their hearts were one, beating in the same rhythm and understanding his emotions just from a single touch. He got up from the discomfort of the couch, looking at his bedroom door that was closed. When he asked Scott to stay over he didn't know what he was aiming at with the request. They talked some more after, losing track of time until midnight.

Scott demanded that Elijah slept in his own bed and he took the couch since he was the one who was intruding. In which Elijah argued and said that he was the one who insisted Scott stayed over so it was only right Elijah slept on the couch. They continued on for fifteen minutes before Scott gave in and went towards Elijah's room. He retreated his outstretched arm, wondering if he should proceed on with knocking on the door. Elijah didn't want to wake Scott in case he was sleeping.

He didn't know why he was even standing before the door in the first place. It was the first place his feet would take him. Maybe he wanted to see if Scott was sleeping comfortably or Elijah simply wanted to get a glimpse of his sleeping face. Elijah took a deep breath before turning the knob, thinking that he might be doing something bad.

He peeked his head in through the ajar door, the dark room dimly lit by the moonlight peeking through the window. On the edge of his bed sat Scott as he stared out the window, bathing in the moonlight like god beside a lake on a beautiful night. Elijah welcomed the sight, admiring his beauty. As if Scott could tell Elijah was watching him, he turned and met familiar blue eyes.

"Ouch" Elijah hissed from pain. Panicking and closing the door in a hurry that he slammed it on his fingers.

"Are you okay?" Scott asked when he heard Elijah cry from pain.

"I'm fine" Elijah assured him, his fingers burning from pain as he embarrassingly opened back the door. "I was just umm.... Checking to see if you were sleeping okay" Elijah thought he would clear that up.

Scott chuckled, "I can't sleep" he admitted.

"Same" Elijah agreed, walking over to Scott who hadn't moved from his spot his gaze still fixated on the night sky. "Nice view" Elijah had seen the same view every night before bed but as he looked at the glistening moon and sparking stars dancing in the dark, it looked more beautiful than ever.

"Yeah it is" Scott said. "I hope this isn't the place you said you wanted to take me. I would be disappointed"

"I wouldn't bring someone to look outside my bedroom window" Elijah clarified. "I'm not that lame" Maybe a little but he wasn't that lame. "I have a way better view that would blow your mind"

"Mind blowing" Scott chuckled, Elijah loving when he did that. "Can't say I'm not even more curious than before"

"I think you'll love it" Elijah said to Scott. He's been to the spot a few times to enjoy the view and clear his mind. Elijah was sure that Scott would love it just as he did.

"How's your fingers?" Scott asked, concern lingering in his voice.

Elijah looked down at his fingers that were red and he would definitely feel the effects in hours to come. His eyes wondered over to Scott's hand that was rested beside him, bracing himself as he looked out the window. Elijah looked back at the view, his bruised fingers acting like two feet as they walked over to Scott's finger, taking his index and middle finger into his own. Scott turned to look at Elijah who acted innocently as he continued to look out the window, the moonlight exposing his redden cheeks.

"They are now" Elijah finally answered, now taking the full of Scott's hand in his own, feeling his warmth against his. "I think they've even healed" he brushed his thumb over the back of Scott's hand in a circular motion.

"I thought we might have to get some more apple pie to cheer you up" Scott joked, smiling as he glanced at Elijah for only a second.

"I'm much stronger than you think"

Sometimes we forget the things we desire not to forget and remember the things we desperately want to forget. It's in moments like these that Elijah wish to remember everything, from the heat of the touch to the very emotions he felt. After all he's found his courage after all.

**

The morning was bright, the sun smiling happily in the sky as its radiating happiness was shared with world. Elijah felt fully rested as he walked down the street along with Scott. For someone who barely got any sleep he was smiling brightly with a pep in his step. He kept close to Scott as they walked, leaning in closely towards him, their shoulders brushing whenever someone walked by.

It was a stupid tactic and he never thought he would use it but if it got him to be close enough to Scott before they departure he would gladly succumb to such methods. As they continued down the street, Elijah noticed the slight heaviness in the air. He couldn't help but worry, Did something perhaps happened? If it did Carly would be ringing up his phone non-stop or banging down his door.

Elijah decide to shrug it off for now. It was time to spend the last of his time with Scott and not having to worry or causing Scott to worry. Elijah fished his phone from his pocket, "Can I ask a favour?" Elijah asked, unlocking his phone in the process.

"It depends" Scott replied, glancing at Elijah who was smiling at his phone.

"Its nothing difficult" Elijah looked up, meeting with Scott's brown eyes then immediately looked away. "I just want to take a picture with the two of us" he rubbed the back of his neck nervously. The question took a toll on his frail heart.

"Are you sure you want a picture with me in it" Scott furrowed his brow in confusion, wondering why Elijah wanted a picture with the both of them.

"Why wouldn't I be? I think it would be great to have a picture with you" Elijah replied, in truth he wanted one alone with Scott so he could admire it, keep multiple backups of it. It was was his first picture of Scott so it would only be right to have it in many safe keepings, right?

He knew Scott wouldn't comply with having him take a single photo so he suggested the two of them take it which would be the better option. "I guess it's okay" Scott said, resting his bicycle on the wall nearby.

Elijah moved in closer, the familiar scent of spring sending him into a bliss. Scott leaned in closer, his breath brushing against Elijah's neck making his knees weak and the world almost spinning. Elijah collected himself, he couldn't have his shaky hands and sweaty palms making the phone fall.

"Smile" he said, sporting his famous smile as Scott gave a small one that he found cute.

Elijah took the picture, his fingers pressing against the button multiple times just because. They took another before Elijah felt satisfied. "I'll send them to you" Elijah said, putting his phone back in his pocket.

They continued on, reaching Scott's house sooner than he wanted to. They stood on the front lawn, staring at each other not wanting to say goodbye.

"Guess I'll see you later" Elijah said, shifting his weight from one foot to the other.

"Yeah" Scott muttered, ready to walk inside his house when he turned on his heels and said, "I'm guessing I'll see you at another poetry night" Scott smiled, now walking onwards to his front door.

"Wait" Elijah blurted out making Scott stop in his tracks. Elijah jogged up to Scott, wrapping his arms around Scott pulling him into a hug. "I guess I should return the gesture. Thank you for last night" Elijah just wanted to hug Scott before parting. The excuse slipping from lips before he knew it.

"If you truly mean it you'll make me one of your famous apple pie" Scott joked, his hands slowly going around Elijah's back.

"Okay I'll bake you one" He muffled into Scott's chest before pulling away.

Scott gave him one last smile before opening his front door, leaving an elated Elijah.