Mitch woke up early that morning, only to see Scott rushing to the bathroom.
Scott waved him off though. "Just needa pee, Mitch. Go back to sleep."
Mitch turned over, leaning closer to Scott's pillow, and fell asleep.
When he woke up a second time, Scott wasn't in the room. But a few seconds later, he walked in and closed the door quietly as if he didn't know Mitch was awake.
Mitch sat up a little, the blankets falling off his chest as he reached up to rub his eyes. "Morning."
Scott jumped a little. "Oh, shit, sorry. I didn't mean to wake you up."
"It's okay. Why are you all dressed and stuff?"
Scott looked down at himself, trying to decide if he should feign ignorance or not. He decided against it though, and then pulled a flat box out of his pocket. "Sorry... Uh... I wanted to get you something... Because I know I'm gonna miss you tomorrow..."
"Tomorrow?" Mitch rubbed his other eye, and then his hands fell onto the covers. "You're leaving tomorrow? So that means you won't be back until Friday or Saturday?"
"Yeah... I know it's last minute, and trust me I wouldn't be doin' it if I didn't have to."
Mitch frowned. "I'm gonna miss you too..."
Scott walked over, kneeling down beside the bed to kiss Mitch's shoulder once. "But I'll tell you the instant I get home. And I'll text you every single second of every single day, and... Avi will look out for you..."
Mitch shook his head slowly, reaching out for Scott's hand. "I'm still gonna miss you."
"I'll miss you more. I promise you that." Scott then passed Mitch the box from his pocket. "I want you to wear this every day that I'm gone, so I'll still be with you."
"God, you've always been such a sap." Mitch shook his head again, taking the box. "I will not accept this if it costs over twenty dollars."
"Price doesn't matter."
"Oh no... So thirty?"
"Still doesn't matter."
"Fuck, Scott... Forty?"
"Mitchie, it doesn't--"
"Okay so forty. Scott, you know I love you. But that's too much to spend on me."
Scott sighed loudly. "Why don't you open it before you decide to hate it?"
"Baby, I don't hate it." Mitch obeyed though, opening the box and gasping at what he saw. It was a thin, silver bracelet, with a small engraving of 'my dearest love' on it. "Scott... This is so fucking precious, oh my God. I'll cherish this forever and ever."
"Perfect. And I'll cherish you in return."
Mitch's eyes suddenly shifted to Scott's adorably squishy-looking face, and his stupid blue eyes that everybody notices and then fall in love with. (Including Mitch)
Mitch ran his fingertips down Scott's beard, which Scott had recently trimmed, and he smiled at the romantic boy that he claimed as his own. "Thank you..."
Scott grabbed Mitch's hand to bring to his lips and kiss his knuckles once. "Anything to make you happy, babe. And... I'm sorry I can't take you with me. But I'll feel better if you're home, where you're supposed to be."
"And I'll feel better when you make it back in one piece. So help me God, if your dad throws something at you again, I'll drive myself down there just to smack the shit outta him." Mitch then held a hand over his mouth. "Oh my God, I sound just like you."
Scott chuckled a little. "Protective Mitchell is making another appearance."
"Sorry... But I'm serious. If he dares to come near you..."
"Yeah I gotcha, Daddy Dom. I understand." Scott leaned toward him and winked. "Sir."
Mitch giggled. "Don't call me that." He held the bracelet up. "Would you help me with this?"
Scott immediately got up, and sat beside him on the bed. He gently took the bracelet from Mitch's fingers, and then slowly put it on Mitch's slim wrist. "You really like it?"
"God, I love it so much. I really do, baby. Thank you so so much for buying this."
"You're welcome. I'm gonna miss you a lot. I hope you know that I'm not just saying that..."
"I know. And.. I will too. Listen, is it okay if I get your key from Avi..? So maybe when you're gone I can sneak in here and wear some of your shirts?"
"Yeah of course. That's fine. You two can hang out here if you want, for all I care. Eat the food, use the WiFi, whatever... Don't gotta worry about Rick stoppin' by, so."
"Okay.. Maybe we will. If you're sure that's okay?"
"Of course it is. Y'all are basically family. And if you want, you guys can drive some of the cars around. I don't really mind. Just... Tell Avi, if he uses one, I want them to be at least half a tank of gas when I get back. I'm sure he's gonna wanna drive the Ferrari. He loves that fuckin' car."
"Okay, I'll tell him..."
"And if anything happens, you know how to contact me. It's gonna be fine."
*
Alex was packed and ready to go the next morning, and Jake promised to take good care of the team until he returned. Kirstie was almost too excited to be ditching school, and she also may have over packed just a little.
Just as they were gonna leave, Scott first drove the three of them to Mitch's house, although Mitch was already at school.
He left the car running, as he hurried inside to leave a heart-shaped box of chocolates on Mitch's pillow, and a small stuffed bear on the mattress. He also left a letter that he'd written the night before, just underneath the chocolates.
Scott's face was completely stoic as he did so, because he knew it was a lame attempt to make sure Mitch wasn't upset with him.
They both knew damn well Mitch should be the one going with him. But Scott also knew how Mitch's dad felt about their relationship interfering with Mitch's education. And Scott would hate to stand in the way of all Mitch's potential.
So he walked out of the house, saying goodbye to Nel as he did so. She wished him well on his trip, and to call if he needed anything.
Scott proceeded out of the house and into the car. "One more stop guys, sorry... Did anybody want coffee?"
*
Scott walked into the school with two coffees and a bouquet of roses in his hands, walking directly to Mitch's specific classroom.
Luckily the teacher wasn't speaking at the time, and Scott went to get her permission before he walked over to Mitch.
The math teacher had just smiled, and gestured to Mitch's desk. "Please do."
Scott then knelt in front of Mitch, who was busy scribbling out some math equations until Scott dropped the roses onto his desk. "Hey, babe."
Mitch practically jumped out of his skin, immediately placing a hand on his heart. "Fuck, you scared--" He took in the sight of the roses. "Scottie... What are you doing? You should've left an hour ago."
"Yeah, I lied. I just wanted to remind you how much I love you, and that I'll miss you a lot." Scott set down the coffee as well, smiling at Mitch. "And now I'll leave you alone."
Mitch just stared at him. "I.. I don't even know what to say to you right now. Besides... I can't believe you're leaving."
"I know. And I'm sorry... I really am. But I'll be back in a few days."
"Doesn't mean I'm not gonna miss you."
"I want one more kiss before I go." Scott said softly, leaning in slightly.
Mitch held a hand up though, eyes nervously looking around the classroom. "Scott..."
He understood of course. Scott stood back up, turning to the teacher again. "Sorry again for disrupting." And then he started walking away, Avi's coffee still in his hand.
Mitch looked down at the roses, and then jumped out of his seat to grab Scott's wrist and turn him around. "Nevermind. Fuck 'em." And then he leaned up to kiss Scott with all he had, both hands planted on Scott's scruffy cheeks.
Scott wrapped an arm around Mitch's waist, the other holding the coffee away and praying not to spill it on Mitch accidentally.
Scott pulled away quickly, just as the cat calls and whistles began. "Sorry. I love you, baby."
Mitch pecked his lips once more, before he stepped away. "I love you too."
Scott took in Mitch's appearance for one more second, trying to imprint it in his memory. It wasn't Mitch's beauty that he'd forget; but rather the warmth he held. Of course he'd never forget how gorgeous those brown eyes were, but the warmth that spread through his body each time Mitch looked at him was easily missed, for it was a feeling that he couldn't replicate.
Mitch waited for him to leave the room before he turned to sit back in his seat. "Sorry, guys... Didn't mean to get all PG-13 in front of everyone..."
The girl beside him with the red hair he adored so much, nudged his arm a little. "He's going out of town or something?"
"Mhmm... A few hours away."
"Why?"
"To visit his parents."
The teacher frowned a little. "And he'll be gone a few days? Not to pry, I'm just... Curious."
"Yeah. He said three or four." Mitch held the roses up to his face. "He's always had a flair for romance."
**