Seven

For the last few days Scott has been sleeping well. He slept like a log that he almost slept until noon today. There was no beeping and no nightmares of the accident. He felt refreshed as he opened his eyes to a new day. The sun was fully out, basking everything in its glory.

He allowed the sunlight to enter his room as drew the curtains. His eyes travelled to the Hamptons home as it does every morning after the incident. The news was still heartbreaking, to think that Mrs. Hampton would die. Scott had stop by to give his condolences along with Maddie and his mother. He later found out that Mrs. Hampton used to bring cookies after the baseball games whether they lost or not.

Scott berated himself for forgetting such a lovely woman. He remembered that she was the very same person that had baked him a cake to congratulate him on his home run. The team didn't hold back and dived straight into the cake, even Mikey back then. To think he would get involved in such a crowd that would go as low as to rob the elderly.

Scott didn't want to get involve any further with Mikey he knew that much. He might've been friends with him when they were younger but now was different. Scott feared danger; he's gotten a taste once and Mikey screamed danger hence staying away was the best option. No matter how bad he wanted to know the Mikey now and why he took the path he did.

Scott took a shower, got dressed and went downstairs where his mom and sister was. Gianna was making breakfast as always while Maddie was playing with Simon.

"You look well rested today" Gianna looked up at Scott. "Even in a good mood"

Maddie turned to look at her brother, wondering what her mother was making a fuss over, smiling when she saw Scott was indeed rested and looked better than he had in years.

"Did something happen that you're not telling us" Maddie said, turning to get a better look at Scott.

Scott smiled as he took a seat around the island. It all felt new, the way they thought it was something so odd and unnatural that he was smiling. It made Scott started thinking that it was new for him to show such a display. He felt like all his worries had vanished, that everything was a passing nightmare.

"Nothing happened" Scott told them. Even if something did happen he wouldn't know. All he knew was that he had been having beeping free days and wasn't over thinking his life.

"Your aren't fooling us" Maddie said. "He's hiding something isn't that right Simon" she said in childish tone, kissing Simon plenty on his chubby cheeks.

"Does this have anything to do with the chocolates I found" Gianna raised a curious brow, placing a plate of pancakes before Scott.

Scott had forgot about those. His mind wondered to Elijah and what today meant. If he had slept anymore he would've miss having a milkshake with him. He'd already made the slip when he invited him to the poetry group. It wasn't that Scott didn't want to go, he just couldn't. It was nice of Elijah to invite him and he appreciated the gesture but Scott was only just adjusting himself to fit back into the world.

Before he knew it he had already accepted the request. He didn't expect for Elijah to show up at his front door, he was just as shocked as Scott was. When he saw the pleading in Elijah's eyes when he asked that Scott joined him for a milkshake he couldn't say no. Scott didn't know how he was going to act on the current situation and not showing up would make him feel extra bad including not showing up for the poetry group when Elijah went through all the trouble.

"I got those from a girl who was giving them away" Scott informed them, taking a bite of his pancake. "I took them because I know you would eat them" he said to Maddie.

Maddie gaped, looking at Gianna. "Mom ate like half of them" she said, pouting as Gianna walked back onto the kitchen innocently.

"They didn't have any owners so I ate a few" Gianna said, trying to make an excuse.

"I want them back" Maddie joked.

Scott finished his pancakes, drinking his glass of orange juice then went to play with Simon. He took his nephew that he loved so much from his sister. Scott remembered when Simon was just born, Maddie cried when she held him in her arms for the first, smiling as the tears strolled down her cheeks. Everyone was happy and glad with the decision she made. Scott saw his sister went through sleepless nights due to crying and worrying over the simplest of things. Gianna was there to guide her through all of it. Scott helping when necessary in anyway possible.

"Do you know someone named Elijah" Scott asked.

"I known him" Maddie replied, gathering up the toys she was playing with Simon with. "What about him?"

"He invited me to a poetry group meeting a few days ago" Scott said to them. "And just yesterday he invited me to have a milkshake with him today"

"How am I just hearing about this?" Maddie grinned from ear to ear, looking at Scott with accusing eyes.

"We had a poetry group? Gianna asked, taking off her apron and joining them in the living room. "And whose Elijah"

Maddie rolled her eyes playfully. "Yes we do and Elijah is the cute guy with the glasses" she gave a vague description.

"That Elijah" Gianna figured out who it was, giving Scott the same smile as Maddie did. "When did you two meet?"

"When I went to the bookstore"

"And he invited you to poetry night" Maddie said, falling into the couch beside Scott. "Why didn't you go?" She asked, catching up on her words then added, "We could've went together"

Scott thought there would be too many people there. He could handle the bookstore to only such a length because only a few persons were inside. If he had to describe how he felt when he was around people he didn't know, it was like a boat out at sea. Floating away on the gently flow of water. It could turn on you at any point, sending waves that could have you drowning, before you even knew it you were betrayed.

Elijah seemed to be a nice guy but so was he. Scott was evidently afraid of forming new bonds, putting his trust in other s besides his own family but there was something in the back of his mind telling him that maybe Elijah was different.

"When is the milkshake date?" Maddie beamed, making Scott turn to look at her.

This wasn't a date, he barely knew Elijah. "Its not a date and at 12"

"That's only in an hour and half" Maddie said, acting like Scott should've told her much earlier.

"I don't think I can go" Scott said, crushing their hope and Elijah's.

"Nonsense" Gianna slapped him on the shoulder. "I don't see why not, it's only having a milkshake at Pops" Maddie nodded in agreement.

"Here's the deal" Maddie said. "I'll go with you. Just pretend I'm not there, if that makes you feel more comfortable going. I hate to see poor Elijah sitting in Pops waiting for a no show Scott"

"That's not necessary" Scott simply said.

"I'm going and you're going" Maddie set the plan in stone. "No excuses. This is finally your chance to get out there and even get a boyfriend" she grinned from ear to ear again. "Don't let what happen ruin you; don't let him ruin your life"

Maddie took Simon from Scott and gave him to Gianna before dragging him off upstairs to get him ready. There was no turning back point for Scott. As they walked into Scott's childhood bedroom that had be redecorated to fit his now grown up self but still keeping a few momentums. Maddie went straight to his closet and started fishing out outfits.

Scott sat on his bed, watching his sister go through such lengths just to have him sit and have a milkshake with Elijah. "I still don't think it's a good idea" Scott said, making Maddie turn to look at him.

"No its a great idea Scott" Maddie replied. "Do you plan on not moving on because of you know who"

"I'm trying Maddie"

"And I'm helping, so is mom and dad when he gets home" Maddie said, resting her hands on Scott's shoulder in a comforting way. "It's just having a milkshake at Pops. If anything happens after and Elijah does anything to mess with you I'll personally kick his ass" the look on her face was dead serious.

"But I doubt Elijah is that kind of guy" her expression softened as she went back to pick out an outfit for Scott.

He's really lucky to have a sister like Maddie.