Fifteen

The moment Scott opened the front door and walked in he could feel the awkwardness as his father read the morning paper, his mother sipping from her cup of coffee and Maddie playing with Simon. By the smug on their  face that they tired so bad to hide. He could tell they saw what happened on the front lawn with Elijah, from the goodbyes that didn't want to be said to the hug. Scott knew they saw and that they would ask how a simple movie night became a sleepover, something he hasn't done in forever-- leaving the comfort of his home for more than just a few hours.

Even Scott didn't know how it ended like that. At one point he was having a small breakdown the next he was eating a slice of delicious pie while he and Elijah talked about just anything. Next thing he knew he was staying over. When he walked through Elijah's front door he expected to be greeted with judgemental eyes as to why he was desperately holding onto his ears, his breathing heavy and his heart about to pop out of his chest. But instead Elijah looked at him with a worried expression, every inch of his being wanting to know if Scott was okay.

Scott had prepared to walk out as soon as he walked in but Elijah didn't allow him such a thing. His desperate hold that guided Scott to the couch, his homemade apple pie. Scott wondered what he did to deserve such kindness. The pie was beyond delicious, like a wave goodness cleansing his mind and heart. Did pie always have such an effect? Elijah's hands were like gods creating something beautiful, so beautiful it shouldn't even exist.

He knew Elijah had a few questions of his own and Scott wasn't ready to answer them but he asked the question anyways. As he held his breath in that moment, ready to face the harsh winds of his own stupidity, a gentle breeze brushed his skin with a different question. He thought that his mind was deceiving him, Elijah was the embodiment of gentle soul.

Scott could feel himself loosing control of his mind and body, undoubtedly his heart too. He didn't want to fall into Elijah's arms too quickly. The more he tried to pull himself away the more the magnetic force named Elijah kept pulling him forward with his gentle smile, kind personality and his loving- ness towards Scott. Maybe it was those points that made Scott wanted to stay over, treading into an unknown territory but feeling comfort non the less. Elijah was just that sort of person, makes you want to be in his presence.

Scott still wasn't going to give his full percentage, his mind wouldn't allow it but his heart denied such a law. He could feel himself submerging under water already when he was simply, gingerly placing his foot in to test it out. When his hand rested on Elijah's beating heart, ever beat seemed to be sending him a message. His own heart was having fun on its own, racing upon contact with Elijah's hand. Scott wasn't going to lie, it felt unbelievable that he couldn't remove his hand. Scott could feel himself slipping, almost giving his full percentage.

"I know you saw" Scott said, taking a seat beside Maddie. "So ask what you have to before I go to my room" it was now or never for Scott to deal with their prying or he had to enduring looks that desired to know every time he walked around the house.

"Saw what?" Gianna said innocently behind her cup of coffee. David clearing his throat as he flipped another page of the newspaper.

"How was your movie date?" David asked, brushing aside the fact they Scott caught them all red handed. "Was it good?"

"It was great" Scott replied, remembering the events of last night that just kept blossoming over and over in his mind.

"Great he says" His father tried to hide his wide smile by bringing the newspaper closer to his face. "What movie did you watch?"

"We didn't watch a movie" Scott admitted, turning to look at Maddie who was giggling at his statement.

"Oh" Gianna perched up, putting her cup of coffee on the small coffee table. "You didn't? What did you guys do?" She was now more interested as she smiled widely at Scott, showing him her pearly white.

"We talked and eat pie..." Scott didn't know if he should mention the other details that made his heart flip on memory.

"Keeping the juicy stuff all to yourself" Maddie finally spoke, nudging Scott in the side telling him to spill the beans.

"If he doesn't want to say, leave it at that" David stepped in, folding away the black and white article. "Would you like to here about me and your mother's love life" Maddie began to shake her head furiously that you thought it was about to fall off at any moment. "Exactly, Scott wants to keep his new love life with as you say juicy stuff a secret. Don't force him"

"Its fine dad" Scott assured them, not wanting Maddie to feel bad. "We just talked and watched the view from his window. He even wants to bring me somewhere"

Everyone arched a brow at Scott, even his father who didn't want to pry much further than intended. "Where's that?" Gianna asked, sending her curiosity and worry along with the questions.

"I don't know yet" Scott said, looking between the three of them. "He's keeping it a secret, wanting to surprise me"

"Do you want to go?" Gianna reached over and took Scott's hand in her own.

"I want to"

"That's all I wanted to know" she smiled before giving his hands one last squeeze before letting go.

Maddie soon stood from her seat, Simon resting on her hips. Her eyes said this conversation wasn't finished, what did Scott expect this was his sister after all. Scott sighed before standing up, their parents raising a curious brow at them before they walked off.

"Maddie" David said causing her to turn on her heels. "You keep having Simon all to yourself. I need to spend some time with him so he won't forget his daring grandpa" he outstretched his arms for Simon.

Maddie handed him over, giving Simon a kiss then said, "Spend all the time you need"

Gianna and David were the doting grandparents. They loved spending time with Simon that they sometimes forget that Maddie was there, maybe it was because Simon was their first grandchild. The Finnegan siblings continued up to Scott's room. Maddie turning every few seconds to smirk at Scott. Maddie immediately threw herself onto Scott's bed. Scott sitting at the edge as his eyes went to his own bedroom window, remembering the view from Elijah's room.

It was much clearer than the small patch of night sky he got from his own bedroom window. The view of stars and moon was spectacular to Scott who just sat on the comfort of Elijah's bed and stared ahead. It was even more beautiful because Elijah was there. Clearing his thoughts before he dives into a full load of memory of Elijah he looked towards Maddie who eyed him suspiciously.

"So..." Scott said, wanting for Maddie to speak her mind instead of silently trying to decipher him.

"What's that all about?" She finally asked, making Scott raise a curious brow as to what exactly was she referring to.

"What are you talking about?"

"You know" Maddie started doing weird gestures with her hand. "I'm your sister you can tell me anything" she said, Scott still looking at her trying to figure out what she was taking about. She could be referring to Elijah wanting to take him somewhere or the sleepover or even..."the hug" Maddie blurted out.

The very hug that had Scott standing by the front door to calm himself before fully entering the house. The same hug Elijah initiated and made parting even more harder than it should of been. Scott remembers not only the physical but emotional parts of that very hug.

"It was just his way of saying goodbye" Scott said, diverting his gaze before Maddie started searching his eyes for the truth.

"That was more than just a goodbye hug" Maddie scooted closer to Scott. "It was more like my darling Scott don't leave. I'll be lonely without you" She said in a desperate love sick voice, hugging herself dramatically and leaning towards Scott.

"You exaggerate" Scott playfully pushed her to the side.

"Come on since when do we keep secrets from each other" Maddie pouted.

"Then tell me" Scott replied, turning to face Maddie and stating her dead in the eye. "What did Mikey mean the night?" It's been picking at Scott's curiosity for awhile. He wasn't going to bring it up until Maddie wanted to tell him but she pulled the we don't keep secrets from each other card, he had no choice but to bring it up.

"What night" Maddie rubbed her chin. Scott's gaze didn't falter he was serious, if something happened between Mikey and his sister while he was away and he happens to be holding it over her head. Scott didn't know what he would do if that was the case.

"Fine" Maddie slumped her shoulders, seeing how serious Scott was. "He just have a habit of picking on me when he gets the chance. Nothing serious, just Mikey acting childish" she made sure to muster up a smile at the end.

Before Scott could mow Maddie down and tell her how unbelievable she sounded, and what was it that Mikey knew. His words could be baseless but there was the possibility of them being true. Scott fished his phone from his pocket when it vibrated, giving Maddie one last glance before unlocking his phone. It was a text from Elijah with the attached photo they took. Scott's cheeks flushed at how embarrassed he look, how he bit the bottom of his lip nervously and his gaze almost darting towards Elijah.

Cute right?

Elijah sent afterwards. Scott was a nervous wreck for the most part while Elijah smiled brightly, his cheeks slightly red as he looked forward.

I guess so. I think I look rather awkward. Are you sure you want to keep it?

"What are you smiling on about" Maddie peeked in onto Scott's phone wanting to know what had him so distracted and smiling like a fool. "No way" She took Scott's phone, looking at the photo then back at Scott. "Is this real"

"Yes it is, now give me back my phone" Scott said, reaching to snatch back his phone when Maddie moved further away from him.

"I have to show mom" Maddie said heading toward the door. Gianna and her were the number one supporters in Scott's not readily formed relationship.

"Why must you be double the pain today" Scott muttered to himself as he chased Maddie down the stairs.

She was already showing Gianna the photo before Scott entered the living area. David sneaking a peek in the process. "Scott this is lovely" Gianna said, smiling at the photograph.

Scott stormed over, ready to snatch the embarrassing shot of him or mainly because he wanted for him to be the only one who looked at it. He stopped dead in his tracks when the news caught his attention. Scott spun on his heels to face the television, ignoring how the news anchor looked familiar.

"Someone else" Scott said as he came to note that someone else had died. This time it was a fellow gang member who was repeatedly stabbed to death, making Scott grimace at the thought.

"Scott" David's tone was strict and determined, wanting for Scott not to think of the dangers this town had to offer when his son was getting his life back.

"I'm fine" Scott assured them. He was indeed fine, something such as this wouldn't falter his determination one bit. It does worry him that the once quiet town was beginning to drown in darkness.