Twenty

Scott's tongue was burning with the words he wanted to say. He was up all night thinking about what to say, how he'd convey what his heart was determined to say. Scott loved the feeling he had, the one that made his heart race and how it felt like butterflies had made home in stomach. It reminded him that he wasn't closed of to the world. That he could feel such a thing again after his love was betrayed before. He had Elijah to thank for that, for the day he approached him in the bookstore. Even if it was coincidentally that he showed up at his front door. Scott was thankful for that. Or was it destiny working in their favour?

Scott wanted to run out the house and straight to Elijah's house, fall in his arms and pour his heart out. As he slapped his already redden cheeks, smiling like a fool while staring at the white ceiling. Even he was surprised by his own behaviour, his own thoughts. If a someone had told Scott a year or less ago that he would grab a hold of his life again, find someone that would allow him the luxury of such a feeling again. He would flat out tell that person they were lying because Scott didn't believe he would live life to the fullest again, forget his torments and move on. He had very little hope for the future.

Going home, settling for a small job while living under the radar. But here he was, attending poetry groups, meeting up with old friends and going on dates. For a long time, he was now feeling content with his life. Scott got up from his bed and stretched his limbs. It was almost noon and he decided it was time to go meet with Mikey. They didn't agree on a time and as he recalled Mikey hang out at pops very often. He wanted to have a chat with Mikey as soon as possible so he could spend all the time he had left with Elijah.

Scott closed his bedroom door bedroom door behind him, going down the stairs two at time. Gianna was sitting on the along with Maddie, she had Simon in her hand. Since the incident in Maddie's bedroom and Scott saw the bruise on her wrist, she's been ignoring Scott. That went from cheerful conversations to boring ones like pass me the salt or move over on the couch. When Scott thought back on the situation sitting, grabbing her hand and wanting answers. He should've been more gently.

He only did out of shock and his over protectiveness blinding him for a moment. Then he went ahead an bring up Mikey only because he wanted to know if he was involved. Maddie had said that Mikey just bothered her but it wasn't anything serious. Scott wasn't convinced then but now he knew for sure. If Mikey was somehow harming his sister he'll forget that they were once friend and his anger might get the best of him. Scott wasn't one for violence, in fact he hated it. He wanted to resolve it as peacefully as possible. But that all depends on Mikey's words.

Scott didn't head straight for the living room he headed for the kitchen. His mood was sour and he had bought home the apple pie Elijah baked for him. Scott's heart did a flip as he rested the pie on the counter. His mind flickered to when Elijah said he baked it with love. He was confessing to Scott through pie, how much cuter could he get? Scott eventually thought back to this kiss, chewing his bottom lip as he remembered Elijah's lips against his in the most innocent and loving manner. Was it bad that Scott wanted to do it again?

"Is everything okay?" Gianna asked from the living area. "You're giggling to yourself and stating intently at the pie, your making me worried"

"Everything's fine mom" Scott said, trying to wipe away the smile that was plastered on his lips. "Who ate my pie?" Scott turned to look in the living area, he was so lost in thought he didn't realized a few slices were missing.

"I may have ate a slice or two....maybe three" his mother shrugged, acting innocently.

Scott could only chuckled, his eyes met with Maddie who was smiling. Her eyes didn't hold the flames of anger, they were winded with sadness. It wasn't long before before she averted her gaze. Scott cut two slices then made way to the living area. Sitting on the opposite couch before sliding the other slice of pie across the table to Maddie.

"Thank you" she muttered.

Scott didn't hesitate to savour his slice. It was hard to believe something tasted so good to the point it made Scott cry.

"Where's my slice?" Gianna pouted childishly, crossing her arms over her chest.

"Remember you ate three already" Scott reminded her, taking a bite of his own. "You can always have Maddie's one" Scott added, seeing if he could get a reaction of any kind from her.

"No can do" she denied, her gaze not leaving Simon.

"That's the best pie I've ever ate" His mother said, remembering the deliciousness that kept pulling her back to take an extra slice. "Where did you get it?"

"Elijah baked it" Scott placed the now empty plate on the table. This pie was really a cheerer upper. Vanquished all Scott's worries and replaced it with smiles.

Maddie looked up at him only for a second then Gianna said, "maybe he could bake one for me as well. The pie is to die for"

"I think I'm the only one here he's allowed to bake for" Scott slapped his hand over his mouth when he realized what he said, Gianna gave him the eyes that needed details but won't ask. Maddie choked on her slice of pie then chuckled.

"I'm going out for a bit" Scott excused himself, leaving the plate in the sink before heading to the front door. Gianna waved off, Maddie giving him a small smile before he was fully out the door.

The sky was overclouded with dark clouds, a strong wind shaking everything in its past. Scott thought it would be best to turn back and get an umbrella but he was already down the street. He'll  just have to hurry along with what he had to do.

"Scott" he heard someone call from behind him. Turning on his heels he saw Elijah. His usually styled hair was in a fringe and his clothing said he was having a relaxed day. Scott found him to be extra cute.

"Elijah, why are you?" Scott asked, wondering if he was coming over to talk with him.

"I was dropping off something" he jutted his thumb to a house behind him, two houses down from the Hamptons. "Are you..."

"I'm going to pops" Scott informed him, minus the meeting Mikey part.

"I have to drop something else off" Elijah buried his hands in his sweat pockets. "After could we meet"

"Yeah, meet up at pops?" Scott noticed how Elijah wasn't as cheerful as he always was. Like his mood was a reflection of the coming weather, his usual brightest was shrouded in sadness. The clouds of tears on the verge of falling. Just a little longer Elijah thought to himself.

"Yeah" Silence passed through them. Elijah smiling before walking over to his car. Scott wondered what happened to their usual parting with a hug. Was Elijah keeping a distance until Scott said the words?

Scott ruffled his hair before walking on, looking over his shoulders as Elijah stood by his car door watching Scott retreat down the street. It didn't take him long to arrive at the famous pops. It was slightly more crowded than the first time he came. There was still the usual tummy rumbling aroma pops give. He spotted Mikey in the back with a few of his friends. Scott didn't approach him, he took a seat and ordered a milkshake. It was delicious and mostly because it reminded him of Elijah and how he loved it.

If he hadn't come down to pops and have this very milkshake that day, what would've become of the two? Would Elijah had given up in getting to know Scott?

"Didn't think you would show" Mikey said, sliding into the opposite side of the booth.

"I needed answers" Scott replied, sipping from his drink.

Mikey chuckled, running a hand through his hair. Scott noticed how Mikey was yet again dressed decently. Was he turning over a new leaf?

"About what Scott, how I got kicked out of college? How I became an addict or how I'm not Mikey the athlete anymore?" His tone was flat, low and waiting for judgement.

"I'm not here to judge you Mikey" Scott slid his drink to the side. "I just want to talk you about my sister"

"Why did you come back into town Scott?" He dogged the previous statement.

"Personal reasons" Scott felt his breath caught in his throat.

Mikey scoffed, not too convinced. "A little advice from an old friend" he leaned over the table. " Well, not much of an advice" he laughed, making Scott confused. "You can't leave your shadow behind"

Scott pulled the straw from his lips, "What do you mean?"

"I got in some bad stuff Scott" Mikey leaned back into the booth. He kept jumping from one thing to another, not giving Scott any definite answer. "I'm sure you've heard all about" he propped his chin in his shoulders. "So which story did they tell you?"

"That you got kicked out of college twice, then you started hanging out with a bad crowd" Scott said, finding the milkshake rather interesting.

"Bullshit" Mikey bursted into a fit of laughter. "Its funny what they tell you. I might've stuck with the wrong crowd but know this Scott" his face hardened, his cold gaze pierced Scott's. "I'm no fool"

Scott didn't know what to say. Everything he knew, everything they knew about Mikey was wrong. All these years he watched silently as the town judged him, fitting into a created image by them. Why wasn't he trying to change that?

"Damn, old habits die hard" he slammed his fist onto the table, rattling the glass to the side.

"Maddie" Scott said in a low tone. He shouldn't forget why he was here.

"You're sister right" Scott looked up at him, Mikey had his head slung over the headrest. "Whatever you want to know ask her, she's the one with the secrets and..." He stopped himself.

"Scott" he heard a familiar voice, looking up it was Elijah. He was glaring hard at Mikey. "What are you doing here?"

"What do we have here" Mikey started clapping in a slow manner. "If it isn't the stalker, finally grew some balls I see"

Scott knitted his brow, what was Mikey talking about. Elijah looked at Scott, "are you ready?"

"Did you know this guy stalked you back in high school" Mikey laughed. "Finally got the guts to talk to him now...Elijah was it"

"Shut up" Elijah snapped, it was the first Scott saw him get angry. In the midst of all this, Scott could only look between the two, searching for some kind of answer.

"Or what? Gonna drag me to one of those lame poetry group to tell me how awful a person I am" Mikey snickered. "Or are you going to be just like your dad and --"

Mikey didn't get the chance to finish his sentence as Elijah landed a punch in his face. Sending Mikey in pain as he held his nose. Scott got to his feet and held back Elijah only to be pushed to the side as Mikey's fist connected with Elijah's face. He stumbled back a bit.

Scott overflowed with worry, "Stop it Mikey" Scott yelled, making him retreat his fist to his side. "Please don't hit him again" he held Elijah's cheeks gently, looking at the bruise that was already forming.

"I got my answers anyway" Mikey said before walking out the doors of pops.